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Barbie is just shy of 53 years old. She's survived the Vietnam War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification, both wars with Iraq and has managed to outlast 10 U.S. Presidents. But she might have just met her match with two cancer survivors.
The Associated Press reports that Rebecca Sypin and Jane Bingham started a Facebook page just before Christmas to try to get Mattel to introduce a "Beautiful and Bald Barbie." Both Bingham and Sypin's 12-year-old daughter have lost their hair from cancer treatments. The online petition seeks to get Mattel to create a doll - Beautiful and Bald Barbie - with whom kids with cancer can identify. Pressure on Mattel has mounted throughout the week as mainstream news organizations picked up on the petition, which as of this writing has over 75,000 likes. Mattel has not commented, leaving CNN and other news organizations only to quote the form letter Sypin and Bingham received from Mattel when they tried to submit the idea:
Mattel doesn't accept ideas from outside sources
And right there is the problem. The Barbie franchise, one of the largest and longest-lived in all of toy-dom, is recovering from a rough decade. Competition from Bratz to Movie Girls and Liv had Barbie growth flat or negative for most of the years of the 2000's according to the Wall Street Journal.
Sales have perked up coming out of the recession, but all in all, Barbie can use all of the good publicity she can get. Mattel has made lots of attempts to hype Barbie on its own, from engineering a "breakup" with Ken that lasted from 2004-2011 to letting Barbie tattoo herself. What it has always resisted, however, is any hint of two-way engagement with Barbie's most ardent fans, some of whom are adults. Mattel is understandably concerned about Barbie's image, but this has led them down the dicey path of suing their own customers, particularly artists who used Barbie as a form of social commentary.
In the process, Mattel has lost a huge opportunity for Barbie; the chance to actively engage with the fans that social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have empowered. Mattel might argue that shelf space is precious and a proliferation of limited-appeal Barbies would dilute the brand, but the opposite is true. Shelf space is irrelevant in a world with virtual stores and scarcity is the most precious brand attribute. Companies still mired in a command-and-control model from the 1950's imagine that "caving" to the demands of special interest groups would necessitate big changes to the lineup and complex long-lead account sell-in process are missing the point.
Mattel should wake up, let the reins go and see what their consumers actually want to create. Then they should produce small runs of each of them. "Beautiful, Bald Barbie" could be donated to children's hospitals and sold online, with proceeds going to children's cancer research. In an age of 3D printing and rapid Chinese manufacturing, this is not an impossible task.
In fact, Mattel may be considering just such a move. But because they've waited almost a week without responding to the "Beautiful, Bald Barbie" lobby since the mainstream press picked up on the story, they are already on the defensive. Whatever Mattel does now will look reactive. Having long wrestled control away from their consumers, Barbie's creators will not be given the benefit of the doubt.
So here's the lesson. Companies don't own brands, the people who love them do. Smart companies hire brand lovers to gently guide the brands. Foolish companies wrestle for control and squeeze the life out of the brand in the process.


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Legend of Black Heaven Portal
Legend of Black Heaven Wallpapers Browse All (3) →
ICICLES Dating Card Game
Introducing ICICLES, the first ever card game for dating!
Break it out to break the ice. ICICLES uses tiny cards on a keyring that fit in a purse or pocket. Play it in a coffee shop, bar, or Uber! From the creators of theOtaku.com. Buy now - ships in time for Valentine's Day!

subset: commoncrawl


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Forty Under 40
Tania Menesse, 37
Director, Economic Development, City of Shaker Heights
Tania Menesse lives, breathes and works Shaker Heights. She has been the city's director of economic development for nearly 18 months, and she plans to stay.
This is surprising to her now,as she never expected to come back to Shaker after high school.
Her family moved to the eastern suburb from Mumbai, India, when she was 4 years old. Ms. Menesse went off to the University of Virginia and, after graduating in 1996, took jobs doing telecommunications sales in Dallas and then Denver.
But by 2005, when she was pregnant with her second daughter, she and husband Rick Smith, also a Shaker Heights High School graduate, decided it made sense to come back home and buy a house in Shaker. It has been an eye-opening experience.
"I see immense opportunity here, which is exciting," she said.
In Shaker, she has helped develop LaunchHouse, a business incubator in a former auto dealership. Ms. Menesse also is working on plans to redevelop the community's commercial districts, which have never been a priority in this largely residential community.
But that wasn't part of the plan. When she returned to Northeast Ohio, Ms. Menesse worked from home for a telecommunications consulting firm after the birth of her daughter. However, a volunteer experience at Towards Employment, a nonprofit that helps everyone from ex-felons to the homeless find their way back into the work force, made her rethink her career choice.
"It showed me I was interested in work in the community, but that I was not cut out for social service," she said.
So she went back to school, at Cleveland State University, where she earned a master's degree in urban affairs with an emphasis on economic development. While there, she did a work placement at the Cleveland Foundation, helping shape the program now called Global Cleveland, an effort to boost immigration to the region.
But Ms. Menesse, 37, never expected to be working full time in the public sector.
"It wasn't that I was against the idea of working for government, but my view of government's role in economic development had always been negative," she said.
Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken said Ms. Menesse's life experiences influenced his decision to hire her. He thinks she's adapted just fine to government work.
"She's more than fulfilled our expectations," Mayor Leiken said.


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Department of Revenue News Release
December 26, 2013Van Buren License Office contract awarded
JEFFERSON CITY - The Office of Administration, in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Revenue, has awarded the management contract for the Van Buren License Office to Sherry L. Crider of Van Buren. All license office contracts in Missouri are awarded through a competitive bid process.
Crider has been the agent of the Van Buren License Office since 2009. The Van Buren License Office will remain at its current location at 12 Main St.
In fiscal year 2013, more than 11,000 transactions were conducted at the Van Buren office, generating approximately $36,384 in agent processing fees.
All local license offices are overseen by the Missouri Department of Revenue, but each is operated by an independent agent.
Follow the Missouri Department of Revenue on Twitter @MoRevenue


text: Five add-on packs for Kinect Sports: Season Two in a single download! Supercharge your game with the Basketball Challenge Pack, Midnight Mountain Ski Pack, Maple Lakes Golf Pack and Challenge Packs #1 and #2. Includes all associated achievements and Challenges to send to friends. Content also sold separately – check that you don't already own it before purchasing!


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Michelle Obama Graceful Bride Figurine With Collector's Card
A FIRST! Limited-edition handcrafted Michelle Obama figurine showcasing her wedding day style. Real tulle fabric veil. FREE Collector's Card!
Measures 7" H
- Each issue shipped automatically
- Never risk a price increase
- No risk — 100% satisfaction guaranteed
- No obligation — cancel any time
On October 3,1992, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson not only married the man destined to change history by becoming the 44th President of the United States, she also unveiled to the world the smart, independent and stylish woman that would forever stand proudly by his side. Now, celebrate her distinct fashion sense with Hamilton Collection's first-ever Michelle Obama Bride Figurine, available in a limited edition.
This stunning Michelle Obama collectible figurine is exquisitely handcrafted in her likeness and faithfully recreates every breathtaking detail of the bride's gown. From its off-the-shoulder sleeves that form a simple sweetheart neckline to its sprawling train that swirls about, the gown is painstakingly painted by hand in soft, subtle shades of white. Pearlescent paints highlight the floral filigree and give a satin-like sheen to her bodice and classic, arm-length gloves. For the perfect finishing touch of elegance, she wears a real tulle fabric veil! Plus, this limited-edition Michelle Obama figurine arrives with an exclusive FREE Collector's Card highlighting the details of this breathtaking gown. Strong demand is anticipated, so don't delay. Order now!
- Celebrate the big day that would lead to an even bigger life together with this first-ever only from The Hamilton Collection
- Masterfully hand-sculpted by artisans to recreate the breathtaking detail and carefully hand-painted to accentuate Michelle Obama's dazzling beauty on her wedding day on October 3, 1992 in Chicago
- Pearlescent touches highlight the intricate floral filigree embellishing Michelle's dress throughout and give her bodice and classic arm-length gloves a satin-like sheen
- This stunning Michelle Obama figurine arrives with an exclusive FREE Collector's Card highlighting the details of this exquisite gown and the exciting day
- Premiere issue in the Michelle Obama, Classic Style Figurine Collection
- Edition limited to 95 casting days, so order now!
- Hand-numbered with matching Certificate of Authenticity
- Measures 7" H; 17.8 cm H


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Council Commissioner
From MeritBadgeDotOrg
A Council Commissioner is elected at the annual meeting of the local council after selection by the council nominating committee.
|Council Commissioner
- From Commissioners
Commissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed. They coach and consult with adult leaders of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews. Commissioners help maintain the standards of the Boy Scouts of America. They also oversee the unit charter renewal plan so that each unit reregisters on time with an optimum number of youth and adult members.
The council commissioner should—
- Have the ability and proven experience to lead and meet objectives through a large structure of other people
- Become a role model of exceptional Scouting service to units throughout the council
- Be a person with a vision of how a good unit program helps youth stay in the program long enough to learn Scouting values
- Have the ability to develop a good working relationship with the Scout executive and professional staff advisor, characterized by mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual recognition of each other's role and competency
Commissioners must not be registered simultaneously as unit leaders. Some commissioners may be registered on a unit committee because they have a son in the unit or because of previous personal history in the unit, but their principle Scouting obligation should be with commissioner responsibilities. Commissioners may be currently registered in only one commissioner position.
See the Commissioner Fieldbook and Commissioner Administration for more details on commissioner criteria and responsibilities.
The Council Commissioner appoints and supervises Assistant Council Commissioners.
See also
- Commissioner
- Unit Commissioner
- District Commissioner
- Area Commissioner
- Regional Commissioner
- National Commissioner


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Tribute to Women in Dance: Colorado Ballet honors Gwen Bowen, Cleo Parker Robinson, Kim Robards and more
[media-credit name="Joanne Davidson" align="alignnone" width="495″][/media-credit]
The following is biographical information on the 13 who were honored by Colorado Ballet at the March 29 Tribute to Women in Dance.
It was compiled by the Colorado Ballet.
The late Gwen Bowen was an extremely talented dancer who chose to share her gift of dance through a life of teaching. Talented from a young age, she was accepted into the Ballet Russes by Antony Tudor when she was still in high school. Her parents would not let her move halfway across the world to pursue a ballet career, and she instead went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Denver. Teaching in elementary school led Ms. Bowen to discover her other true passion, teaching dance, and she opened her studio, the Gwen Bowen School of Dance Arts in 1953. She regularly taught 24 classes a week in ballet, jazz, tap, and accommodated all levels from beginner to pre-professional. Hundreds of students in Colorado began their dance training with Ms. Bowen, including several that went on to have prolific professional careers.


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You know the real conspiracy here is not that some bird has had dancing lessons, but why this information has come out in the lead up to the finale. Anyone smell bat ratings on a dieing genre??
When driving in an overtaking lane, do you:
a. speed up as fast as you can, then once leaving the lane, slow back down to 80km/h
b. keep in the right hand lane
c. straddle both lanes and slow down
When on a roundabout do you:
a. don't indicate
b. indicate to the left when leaving the roundabout
c. randomly indicate to keep any interstate drivers on their toes
d. drive through the middle
e. all of the above
When at a T-junction and are about to turn onto the main road, do you:
a. give way to all traffic
b. give way only to your right
c. "give way?" what the hell are you talking about?
d. wait until the only car on the entire road is in front of you, and then at the last minute pull out
You are in a car park and you find an empty space. Do you:
a. drive straight into the park, making sure you don't hit the cars either side
b. drive into the park, only stopping when your front wheels have climbed the kerb in front.
c. reverse into the park to allow for easy exiting from the park
d. reverse your big ass 4wd into the park, including several attempts to get into the park, while blocking off all access for other vehicles within a 1km radius
It looks like Limewire will be the next target of Hollywood and the Recording Industry. This software allows you to download illegal music! Fancy that! Anyway, in come the lawyers, and if all things go to plan it will be shut down and illegal downloads will magically stop (or won't).
So what's next then? Hey look, I can download illegal music using Firefox! Oh yeah, and Internet Explorer too! Why haven't they gone after these guys? Surely criminals are going unpunished buy using this software illegally!
Quick, where are my lawyers.....
I've spoken before about the virtues of using Nuclear Power. Personally I think it's a great alternative to Oil and Coal based products, is much cleaner (despite the hype) and Australia is in a position where supplies of this abound.
One important point that Peter Garret pointed out is that nuclear power is simply a smokescreen to avoid tacking energy issues in general. As good a nuclear power is, we still need to looks at cleaner and better alternatives, such as wind and solar power. Without these technologies, we are still restricted to a single limited resource, be it oil, uranium or coal.
Don't be scared of nuclear power, it's not the great evil many people would have you believe, but don't let the government pretend that it's the answer either. We need to free ourselves of resource based energy....


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SAN ANTONIO -- Rob Ryan is annoyed by the insinuation that, the other day, he was running his mouth at the revamped Philadelphia Eagles.
To the new Cowboys defensive coordinator, his words went much deeper than that.
Yes, Ryan referenced the "all-hype team," something many inferred was a shot at Philly. Yup, he also declared the Cowboys will "beat their ass when we play them."
But if you read between the lines of what Ryan's saying, the message wasn't intended for the Eagles. It was shot directly to his own players, and sent in much the same way a certain sibling of his might have delivered it in New York.
|Rob Ryan is entering his first season as the defensive coordinator of the Cowboys after serving in the same role with the Browns the past two years. (Darren Abate/Associated Press)
That's why, when asked about the reaction within the organization to his comments, Ryan said Wednesday, "I don't even know, I never even saw it." And it's also why he bristled when asked about the comments being used to instill a swagger.
"You can't talk noise if you don't have the players to back it up," Ryan said, entering the tunnel at the Alamodome. "We always walk the walk. Anybody that knows a Ryan knows they walk the walk. We don't talk the talk, we walk it. Our guys are gonna be good, and we know it. So that ain't talkin'. That's just the (bleepin') way it is."
Blunt? Sure. But the defense could use some of that.
Last year, Dallas finished 23rd in total defense, despite having high-priced and/or highly-drafted talent at most positions. The Cowboys yielded 27.2 points per game, second worst in the league, and 6.4 points more per game than what Ryan got out of a less talented group in Cleveland.
The bottom line is that what Ryan's selling, a sea change from the demeanor of Wade Phillips -- who was actually once Buddy Ryan's defensive coordinator in, yup, Philly -- is exactly what the Cowboys were looking to buy when they hired him.
So straight-laced and conservative as Ryan's new boss, Jason Garrett, is, there's no way he could've been shocked by what his defensive coordinator said earlier in the week. Others in the organization certainly weren't.
"I laughed. I thought it was in good fun. It was competitive, and that doesn't bother me a bit," said Cowboys COO Stephen Jones. "That's part of what you get, when you get Rob. He's got that type of personality. First of all, he's a brilliant football guy, but he's also very competitive, he's gregarious and that's good. That's what you're going to get, and it's what we wanted."
But, of course, it's only part of the package with Ryan. He served under Bill Belichick for four years as a linebackers coach, helping run the defense with Eric Mangini in 2000 before Romeo Crennel arrived with the Patriots. Ryan's been a coordinator the past seven years, five in Oakland and the last two in Cleveland.
His dad, Buddy, is considered one of the great defensive minds of the past few decades, and Rob has two Super Bowl rings himself.
So Rob is a guy with football chops.
"You already know his swag, his personality, but once you see the schemes and what he's trying to get done, guys playing different roles, it makes it really fun," said Cowboys Pro Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliff. "You'll never know where we're coming from."
But it's always going to be his delivery of the message that gets the attention. There's no gray area. Whatsoever.
"One funny thing he said when he first got here -- 'You look at me, and you have an opinion of me.' But I have one of you, too," Ratliff continued, now cracking a smile. "That's the type of guy he is. He's just down-to-earth, approachable, and guys are eager to play for him. He's just an honest, straight-forward coach. You know exactly what you're getting. What else can you ask for?"
Even with the endorsement, there are plenty of challenges ahead for Ryan.
For one, he's dealing with the same challenge as every new coordinator -- compressing what normally would be a six-month offseason into six weeks. For another, he's charged with lighting a fire under players like Anthony Spencer and Mike Jenkins, who broke out in 2009 only to regress badly in 2010.
On the flip side, there is front line talent in players like Ratliff and DeMarcus Ware.
"I think we've got a lot of talent here, but in the NFL, you're gonna have a lot of talent," said Ryan. "There's special players. Like this DeMarcus Ware, he's something I've never seen on a football field, so he's that special. But the Cleveland group was smart and tough, and our second year there I thought we really showed that."
"Our guys are gonna be good, and we know it. So that ain't talkin'. That's just the (bleepin') way it is."
The message there, again, appears to be to his own guys. Simply, he seems to be saying, you've got talent, but you've got to be smart and tough, too, things the Cowboys weren't on defense for much of the 2010 season.
"I've always believed that if you put a suit on and you look good, you feel good," said Ryan's staff mate and Dallas secondary coach Dave Campo. "And it's kind of the same mentality. If you are expected to do something, you usually react that way. If you don't have those expectations, if you don't have a goal of getting anywhere, you won't know how to get there. You gotta have a goal, and you gotta get the roadmap, and hopefully that's what he brings to the table."
Clearly, Ryan expects plenty of his defensive players, much more than what they produced last year.
And if the Eagles don't like it, Ryan would tell you, then that's not his problem.
Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer


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Summer of Soccer 2019
With three major international tournaments going on right now, soccer fans and...
Some — including North Carolina State, Kentucky, Bowling Green, Southern Mississippi, Northern Illinois, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt — got invitations after winning only 50 percent of their games.
Even worse, nine teams — including Florida Atlantic and Memphis — are going to bowls after accumulating losing records. Unfortunately, bowl games are no longer rewards for an excellent season.
Now, it's all about the money. And the more bowls, the more money.
An oversaturation of bowl games is not my No. 1 complaint against college football. Rather, it's the fact that approximately half of the players are African-Americans yet under five percent of the college football coaches are Black.
That's seven among the 119 major division coaches.
According to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports at Central Florida University, that's the fewest Black coaches in 15 years. As recently as 1997, there were twice as many African-American coaches as there are now.
Evidently, the football sidelines suffer from the same on-field racial stereotypes of the past. For years, they said Blacks were excellent players but didn't have the intellect to play the so-called "thinking positions" — quarterback and middle linebacker.
Of course, that was pure hogwash. For years, Grambling, Florida A&M and Tennessee State were football powerhouses and it wasn't because they played 10 men on each side of the ball — or without a coach on the sideline.
And if there were any lingering doubts about the Black gridiron intellect, they were removed by Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams' MVP performance in Super Bowl XXII and when two Black head coaches, Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, paced the sidelines in Super Bowl XLI.
Of the 32 NFL coaches, seven are Black, largely because the league adopted the Rooney Rule requiring teams to interview at least one person of color for all head coach vacancies. If African-Americans can coach in the pros, they certainly can succeed at the college level.
In addition to the failure to interview an ample number of top-flight Black assistant coaches for openings, many universities are still more willing to recycle failed White coaches than take a chance on a promising African-American. Two examples immediately come to mind.
Auburn University hired Gene Chizik as its new head coach after he went 5-19 over two seasons at Iowa State, including 10 straight losses. Meanwhile, the University of Tennessee, eager to get back on the winning track after forcing out Phillip Fulmer, hired another losing coach, Lane Kiffin, formerly of the Oakland Raiders. Kiffin was fired by the NFL team after compiling a record of 5-15.
These two losers were hired while promising African-American coaches were ignored, some of whom had turned around losing programs. For example, Turner Gill took over a program at Buffalo that had not won five games in a season for nearly a decade. Within three years he turned it into Mid-American Conference champion and this year had a record of 8-5.
When Auburn selected Gene Chizik over Gill, one of its most famous alums, Charles Barkley, was livid.
"I think race was the No. 1 factor," said Barkley. "You can say it's not about race, but you can't compare the two resumes and say [Chizik] deserved the job. Out of all the coaches they interviewed, Chizik probably had the worst resume."
How do we put an end to this nonsense?
One approach would be to adopt a college version of the Rooney Rule. Some have suggested calling it the Robinson Rule, in honor of Doug Williams' former coach, Eddie Robinson of Grambling. For that to work, however, penalties must be assessed against universities that fail to cooperate.
A sure-fire way of forcing change would be for star high school players and their parents to spurn athletic programs that spurn Black leadership. If players refuse to enroll in universities that have never hired a Black head coach in any sport or an African-American athletic director at any time, universities would finally get the message. What I like about this approach is that it empowers the athlete and does not rely on the so-called goodwill of schools eager to exploit Black athletes.
Five bowls — the Rose, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar and BCS championship game — will each generate $17 million for schools and their respective conferences.
If Blacks stop playing for schools that refuse to hire African-Americans in leadership positions, that would lessen the chances of universities getting a share of that lucrative pie. With so much money in jeopardy, universities will be forced to do the right thing.


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Norway's Alexander Dale Oen was considered a favorite in the 100m and 200m breaststroke at these London games. Dale Oen, however, died earlier this year due to a rare heart disease at the age of 26. To pay his respects and honor a friend, 200m Gold medal winner Daniel Gyurta of Hungary said he will have a copy made in honor of Dale Oen.
"We became very good friends this year," Gyurta said. "I'm sure that he would have won the 100 here in London.
"This is the least I can do to pay respect to my friend."
Bjørn Soleng, General Secretary of the Norwegian Swimming Federation, said on behalf of the family that he is sure they will appreciate the gesture very much.
Image via Getty
h/t Luke P.
Daniel Gyurta makes copy of gold medal for family of Norway's Alexander Dale Oen [Herald Sun]


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Difference between revisions of "Main Page"
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[https://apps.lib.ua.edu/blogs/digitalservices Digital Services Blog]
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Revision as of 15:54, 28 June 2012
UA Libraries Digital Services Planning and Documentation
Administrative Policies and Procedures
The Big Picture or "What are we trying to do here?"
Scan on Demand and Requesting a Copy of a Digital Image
Human Resources and Student Worker Policies
Digital Services Policies and Procedures
Digitization and Quality Control
Matching - "Books" vs. "Letters" : how to create secondary scans from digitized book pages when metadata exists for pages of the book as independent intellectual items.
Metadata and Diacritics - how to manage diacritics issues in terms of MODS creation/metadata remediation.
Transcripts and Creating OCR Files
Cabaniss - Information about "Digitizing the S. D. Cabaniss Papers," an NHPRC grant-funded project.
Acumen - Our web delivery software released open source!!
Command-line Work on Linux Server
Wiki templates - if applicable, please use one of these in order to help standardize the organization of the most frequent types of pages
Collection-Specific Notes and Information
Mounting the S Drive and Printer Installation on Windows - click here for a handout.
DS Staff Training and Exploration Fronts - an information space used to identify and track new or novel uses of digital archiving technologies, tools, and resources.
Training Needs - a running list identifying topics for monthly DS training sessions.
Useful Resources
- Scripts
- Learning Resources for Digital Services Staff
- Copyright Issues
- Conference Reports
- Presentations and Publications
- A controlled vocabulary reference for regions of the United States
- NISO: A Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections
- LOC: About American Memory: Technical Information
Wiki Reference Guides
- MediaWiki text examples
- How to create a new page
- MediaWiki HELP
- Sandbox - a place to practice MediaWiki formatting. Please delete all sandbox tests before logging out.
- Consult the User's Guide for information on using the wiki software.
- Configuration settings list
- MediaWiki FAQ
- MediaWiki release mailing list
- Wikipedia Tools - tools for converting Excel sheets to Wikipedia tables, etc. and more.
In Progress
|Who We Are & What We Do
|How We Do What We Do
Transcribe allows anyone to transcribe documents that are found in Acumen. Maybe you need to transcribe the letter for your research and want others to benefit from your work as well. Or maybe you're a history buff who really enjoys reading old letters and wouldn't mind typing out what you read to help others who aren't as good at reading old-timey handwriting. Maybe you want to be a part of a collaborative online project. Maybe you're just bored. Any of those things are great reasons to contribute to this project!
The University of Alabama Libraries has thousands of digitized photographs. Many of these photos may lack adequate descriptions of the people, places, or objects displayed. By applying your own tags to our photographs, you can help us fill in the blanks and provide more thorough and accurate information for students and researchers using our collections!


text:
Posted by Barry Proctor on Tuesday, April 2, 2013,
Almost a year ?
Posted by Barry Proctor on Monday, April 1, 2013,
The Beginning
|Barry Proctor
|I'm the hidden face lurking behind R & M Miller's Budgerigar world. I am attempting to set up this website to bring you inside that world. I intend to give you an inside view as to what goes on in the aviary, as much as possible from selecting breeding pairs, feeding regimes, medication and cleaning routines. I intend to do this with the full support of Michael and Richard Miller. It may take a while to get this up and running properly. Hopefully the full web site should be in place in time for the Budgerigar Society World Championship Show 2011.


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The time had come for the gods to stop. It had been 35 years since the people were able to use magic. No one knows where the power came from. The gods used to hunt all those who used it. From those who remained, warlords rose up and banded together to form an alliance. They set sights on the great Holy City in the land of Vahaos. As they descended upon it, the great god Sol arrived in battle to protect the people of Vahaos. The battle was fierce and much precious blood was spent. In the end, the god Sol was cast out and the warlords prevailed. While the true story about what happened is disputed, the legends live on through those who experienced it. One thing is for certain: the great Sol has no longer been seen in the lands of Vahaos. As the years passed, dark things crept out from the hidden places of the world, and with it, the evil magic that ruled them. Fear entered the hearts of those who remained in Vahaos. It was time for the rightful emperor to return.
No members were found matching the criteria specified. We suggest you try the member list with no filter applied, to browse all available. Join now to share your own content, we welcome creators and consumers alike and look forward to your comments.


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Pty001 - Island in ParatyCosta Verde, Paraty
An astonishingly beautiful 130.000 m2 island off the legendary Costa Verde, this property provides the ultimate luxury experience of living in your own tropical paradise. 3 houses hold space for up to 8 guests to enjoy the blissful mix of a private 300ft beach, unparalleled natural scenery and fantastic accommodations.
- 8
- People
- 4
- Bedrooms
- 5
- Bathrooms
Price/Night from: US$ 2,500


text:
Track lighting has undergone many changes in recent years. The trend in track lighting has been toward smaller fixtures, which are much less noticeable in the space. Track lighting is excellent for its flexibility and can provide ambient, task or accent lighting. You can move, swivel, rotate and aim the individual fixtures in any direction along the track, giving you the versatility to change the lighting scheme when the need arises. With special attachments, you also can hang chandeliers and pendants from the track.
If you are looking for lighting options to install in your home or office you will want to browse a wide number of options before narrowing down your choices. There are so many different styles and types of lighting that this can take a while to accomplish. While you may just want to choose the first one that looks good, you probably want to spend a little more time to find something that you will be happy with for years to come. Our website has a huge selection that consists of thousands of different fixtures in just about every style or model imaginable. When it comes to ceiling light fixtures we have a wide array of models that are well suited for any type of application. From suspended ceiling light fixtures to recessed ceiling lights fixtures and everything in between, we have it all.
While it is difficult to accurately portray the different features found on all of these fixtures, it is best to look at photos of all the models currently available. There have been a lot of advances in the design and materials used for manufacturing contemporary ceiling light fixtures and this has resulted in even better products. There are models that feature a sleek and ultra-modern look, to models with an old world antique look to them. It is quite ironic that they use modern design techniques and materials to replicate the look of something that was prevalent over a hundred years ago, but this is a convenient way to get the look you want. You will also find many contemporary ceiling light fixtures that utilize low energy LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs. These models offer you a compromise between high quality light and energy consumption. As the price of electricity continues to increase, installing this type of fixture is a great way to reduce your electric bill.
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Technically, no. For 2 different attack effects to work together they need to be purchased with the linked extra. If you bought the bracers as linked to strength they would always work every time the strength was used, and you could never use the strength without using the weaken while wearing the bracers. Without linked they're 2 different attacks that require 2 different standard actions.Alex_UNLIMITED wrote:Can be used a stunt to permit to that character to damage and weaken the stamina of her target in the same round?
A gm might allow you to use a hero point and get a 1-round link. That would be up to them.
The player and gm get to determine which goes first, so yes, the weaken could go first.a.) If yes, the target must first roll against weaken or damage?
All attacks can use any of the maneuvers.2) Can be used maneuvers live power attack with attacks like weaken bracelets?
Yeah. You build it with the movement (dimensional) effect.3) Can a character have a type of teleport limited only to a plane of existence? Like teleport limited to Asgard, for example. How much costs?


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I've been wondering this for a while, so I might as well ask. A rather huge percentage of the people on the forum aren't from the USA, but the cartoon is aimed at people from the USA. I'm not complaining, I'm just wondering exactly how people outside the US would really fully follow satire of stuff in the USA. Does the rest of the world just generate almost no news, thus making everybody hear about the US?
If nobody responds to this, let's discuss http://hotornot.com and how totally crap it is.


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Oyster: A Novel (Paperback)
With comparisons to Flaubert, Chekhov, and Faulkner, O. Henry Award-winner John Biguenet earned wide acclaim for his debut short-story collection, The Torturer's Apprentice. In his astonishing first novel, Oyster, he demonstrates the same mastery of craft and rigor of vision that led critics across the country to join Robert Olen Butler in praising this "important new writer."
Set on the Louisiana coast in 1957, Oyster recounts the engrossing tale of a deadly rivalry between two families. To avoid ruin after years of declining oyster crops, Felix and Mathilde Petitjean offer their young daughter, Therese, in marriage to 52-year-old Horse Bruneau, who holds the papers on their boat and house. Bruneau has spent his life as Felix's rival for both the Petitjeans' century-old oyster beds and, as we learn, Mathilde. But as Therese explains to Horse one night as they float in a pirogue alone in the marsh, "I don't get bought for the price of no damn boat."
The spiraling violence of Oyster and the seething passions behind it drive an unpredictable tale of murder and revenge in which two women and the men who desire them play out a drama as elemental and inexorable as a Greek tragedy.
About the Author
John Biguenet's fiction has appeared in such publications as Esquire, Granta, Playboy, Story, and Zoetrope. The winner of an 0. Henry Award for short fiction, he lives in New Orleans. Ecco published his debut collection of stories, The Torturer's Apprentice, in 2001. Oyster is his first novel.
Praise For…
"A rich gumbo of incest and longing that simmers with tension."
— Playboy
"Gripping.... An unforgettable look at the effects of generations of bad blood between two families."
— Booklist (starred review)
"A masterful tale of deadly rivalries."
— New Orleans Times-Picayune
"Biguenet's calm, lucid prose is consistently entrancing."
— New York Times Book Review
"Biguenet explores with startling honesty the virtues and flaws that reveal themselves when we encounter extraordinary situations."
— Yale Review of Books
"An astonishing, occasionally daunting imagination."
— Minneapolis Star-Tribune
"An outstanding first novel. . . full of mollusks, menace, and murder."
— Esquire
"A thrilling read filled with a complex and unpredictable plot."
— Daily Mississippian
"[Oyster] unfolds like a Rube Goldberg blueprint, … whose complicated network … entwines the lives of two families."
— San Francisco Chronicle
"Truths. . . as universal as any Euripides might have contemplated."
— Washington Post
"Suspenseful and intriguing, with a sultry atmosphere and seething passions."
— USA Today
"This remarkable first novel by Biguenet . . . [is] captivating from start to finish."
— Library Journal
"Biguenet…catches the scents and sounds of the bayou, and his characters bristle with a dark intensity."
— New York Times


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Original art. Unframed.
Acrylic on paper. 61.0cm x 38.0cm
Price includes standard shipping within Australia.
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Studio A is supported by the NSW Government through the NSW Department of Family and Community Service and ArtsNSWStudio A is a social enterprise initiative of Studio ARTES Northside, an organisation that provides creative programs with whole-life outcomes for adults with disability.


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The Tsukihime universe is one of my favorite places to be in the anime world. In my opinion, it's Type-Moon's greatest achievement. This game is a TBRPG which will be a host to many of the characters from that world. Right now, I only have Shiki Tohno but the system is ready to add more and more characters.
If you've never heard of Tsukihime I suggest you read the manga on mangafox or something. It's really good.
Download: It's sad but it seems InstantPlay or GMArcade is not compatible with GM8.1
DropBox DDL


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Welcome to my blog! Here you will find the lexsentials to my life. I'm a wellness enthusiast, always on the lookout for the latest superfood & I absolutely love kale, matcha and working out. I hope to guide you towards a more holistic happy & healthy path with plant-based recipes, workout routines, and some other lifestyle lexsentials :)
All tagged pregnancy safe teas


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recorded in 24bit 28k through RME fireface400 with an Ancient Shure Unisphere I microphone just because. These are all me making terrible grunting growling snorting non-words for an offstage sea creature in a play but it could be anything monster like. Pitched down 4 semitones and compressed. One Creature is a tad crunchy/ overdriven. They sound particularly great through the WAVES doubler plugin..
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SACRAMENTO >> The man who said Thursday in open court in Butte County that he was guilty of murder, apparently changed his mind over the weekend.
Jeffrey Michael Caylor, 44, was arrested on car theft charges March 17 in Chico. A few days later the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office identified him as the man allegedly responsible for the murder of Hassan Alawsi, 46, which happened sometime just before 7:40 p.m. March 16 at a home improvement store in the 4600 block of Florin Road.
On Thursday, Caylor was in Butte County Superior Court on the car theft charges when he announced he was pleading guilty to all the charges against him.
"He just said 'I'm guilty of everything they said happened here in Butte County, Lincoln and Sacramento'," said Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.
Butte County promptly dismissed the local charges to send Caylor off to Sacramento to face the murder count.
But over the weekend he told KXTV Channel 10 reporter Carlos Saucedo his courtroom outburst was not a confession and he is now recanting his story.
"I said I might as well plead guilty to everything because they're going to find me guilty of whatever they're saying I did anyway," said Caylor.
Butte County deputy district attorney Jessica Miller said Monday that the new comment didn't match her recollection of what Caylor said in court. She said a defense attorney confirmed what Caylor said in court and she requested a transcript after the hearing.
Ramsey said Monday that the in-court comment was apparently part of a statement where Caylor said his co-defendant, Kari Ann Hamilton, wasn't responsible.
The prosecutor said the in-court comment wouldn't have any legal impact. It is possible the comment could be used as evidence, but Ramsey said Caylor didn't admit any specific acts or name specific accusers. He also didn't know what Caylor may have done in Lincoln.
Caylor told KXTV he plans to defend himself and fight the murder charges in court. "I would tell them to rack a jury. That's what I would tell them, rack them up because it's going to be a long, hard day before they get me to plea to something I didn't do," he told Saucedo.
Detectives allege Caylor fired twice at Alawsi, who was pronounced dead at the scene, while Caylor was in a vehicle with 40-year-old Hamilton and her 12-year-old son.
About 1:30 p.m. the following day, Chico officers responded to a disturbance in the 100 block of West Fifth Street involving a newer Toyota Corolla with a woman in the driver seat and a child in the back seat. Chico police ran the license plate and learned that the car had allegedly been stolen during a home invasion robbery in Sacramento.
According to scanner reports, officers drew their guns and took all three into custody.
Sacramento detectives believe Caylor's motive for shooting Alawsi was racially motivated and have asked anyone "who may have been victimized by similar acts of racially biased violence by Caylor" to call the Sheriff's Department at 1-916-874-5115, according to a press release.
Ramsey said Sacramento County officials described the case as an alleged special-circumstance homicide when they requested sending Caylor back to Sacramento. If Caylor is convicted of homicide and special circumstance, he could be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole.
The Sacramento Bee reports that prosecutors aren't yet treating the case as a hate crime. Under the law, special circumstances may include intentionally killing someone because of his race or firing a gun from a vehicle.
Regarding the allegation the shooting was racially motivated, Caylor told KXTV he doesn't recall that night. "I haven't opened fire on anybody due to nationality, races or anything like that," he said.
According to the Bee, Caylor was believed to have robbed some friends in their home before the fatal shooting. Less than three hours after the shooting, there was the home invasion robbery where the woman was pistol whipped. The next day, a liquor store owner alleged Caylor pointed a gun at him and pulled the trigger, but the weapon did not fire, the article stated.
Caylor has a prior strike from Kansas where he was convicted of attempted robbery and attempted murder, Ramsey said.
The Sacramento Sheriff's Office identified Caylor as a Butte County resident, but court records identify him as being from Carmichael.
Caylor was scheduled to appear Tuesday in Sacramento County Superior Court.


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God, I really miss Lost. It just provided some direction in my week, you know? I always knew how Wednesday night and all-day Thursday (the aftermath) were going to be like. I've been drifting ever since, lost in a sea of meh television dramas.
Oh. Sorry. ANYHOW. Happy 59th birthday to Terry O'Quinn! It's also Diane Kruger and David Silver's birthdays, so let's just toast them all, shall we?
And on another nostalgic note: In the several hours since we saw Chris Brown's mind-bogglingly attended and auto-tuned performance this morning, SWV's "Right Here" — which "She Ain't You" borrows quite heavily from — it's been quite clear that SWV deserves some well-deserved love.
Have a great weekend!


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WikiFur:This week's featured article/Week 4, 2006
Yerf was probably the world's best known all-ages furry art archive from 1996 to the mid-2000s. From December 2004 to mid-January 2006 it was down as a result of a disk crash, and it is now preserved only as an archive.
Yerf was founded in 1996 by Rat as the Squeeky Clean Furry Archive, hosted on Rat.org. At that time it was little more than an FTP server. By 1998 Rat wanted the site to have it's own domain. He chose Yerf because being (at that time) a generic term for "the sound that foxes make", the name could stay the same no matter what direction the site took.
When Rat moved to California, he was no longer able to keep his server up, and so it moved to Tugrik's purrsia.com server in late September 1998. On 10 July 1998, Rat handed over front end administration of the site to Scotty Arsenault - it had previously been run in part by Jedd Marten. In late 2001 Scotty handed administration and the server over to Dingofox.
The SCFA was always distinguished by a strong focus on art for all ages. Around the time it was rebranded as Yerf, new policies were introduced concerning the quality of artwork. Over time, these quality standards for new accounts got stricter, to a point where even reasonably good artists might face several rejections. This resulted in many frustrated artists, and a few competing sites, but also increased Yerf's popularity with fans of quality art.
Previous members were grandfathered in, which became a cause of complaint for applicants who felt that artwork by these members was worse than theirs. A more valid complaint was the speed of application processing, due in part to the time required to review and the limited pool of reviewers.
On 27 December 2004, Yerf's hard disk signalled a failure. Initial hopes for a quick fix were soon dashed, and eventually it became clear that all of the data had been lost. Worse, the hard disk contained the only copy of the Yerf archive software.
As of 11 November 2005, most of the art from the original archive was reposted in a "read only" database. As of 24 November 2005 the new gallery was placed online. On 20 January 2006, the site was declared officially open, if not complete; but as of 2012, only the Yerf Historical Archive remains online.


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Events Calendar
Spring 2019 MAA Seaway Section Meeting
St. John Fisher College will host the Spring 2019 Mathematical Association of America Seaway Section Meeting, draw over 200 mathematicians from across the region to campus..
Date: April 5, 2019 - April 6, 2019
Time: All Day Event
Location: St. John Fisher College Campus
Hosted by the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics
The Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics will host the 2019 Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Seaway Section spring conference. The MAA is the world's largest community of mathematicians, striving to advance the understanding of mathematics and its impact on our world. The Seaway Section is a regional arm of the MAA, comprising upstate New York, most of Ontario, and all of Quebec.
The conference will draw over 200 mathematicians from across the region, including many undergraduate students from regional campuses. There will be plenary speakers, contributed talks, representatives from business and industry, student games, and much more.
The conference will start on Friday, April 5, with a banquet dinner. Following dinner will be a presentation by noted mathematician Rebekah Yates of Houghton College. At the end of the evening, a game for undergraduate students will round out the day's activities.
On Saturday, April 6, the day will begin with two invited addresses. Following those is the "B.I.G. event" featuring math representatives from Business, Industry, and Government. Our guests will talk about their careers, offer advice, help students (and faculty!) with how to write resumes and conduct interviews, and much more. There will also be breakout sessions, a photo contest, and more. The day will end with a closing address by David Richeson of Dickinson College.
Fisher students will play a prominent role in the hosting of the conference, extending their hospitality to the international mathematical community. With dozens of presentations, food, games, contests, and more, the experience will not only be memorable, but also one in which the students will look back to long after graduation. Alumni and friends are invited to attend and participate.
Pre-registration is available at the website https://www.sjfc.edu/conferences/seaway/. Register by March 15 in order to sign up for the banquet and lunch. Registration is also available after that date, including at the door, but one cannot register for the banquet or Saturday lunch at that point.


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In another life, I must've been a dog. Whenever I'm out walking and see a squirrel, I have an almost uncontrollable urge to see how close I can get to it before the scrappy rodent scrabbles up a tree. Inevitably, a staring contest ensues, which the squirrel usually ends up winning.
My suppressed animal urges aside, I do notice something kind of educational about squirrels. They tend to be alone. When they're not, they are usually chasing each other like crazed maniacs in a not too friendly manner without regard to life or other happenings.
That's why it might come as a surprise that they practice a typically human behavior – they adopt. And they adopt outside their social group. A new study by researchers at the University of Alberta determined that red squirrels will take in abandoned or otherwise parent-less young and raise them as their own, a seemingly altruistic act. The behavior turns out not to be as charitable as it sounds – the squirrels do get a survival perk. But the discovery is nonetheless an unusual one in the animal kingdom, with its own squirrely flare to boot.
Jamieson Gorrell, a Ph.D. student in evolutionary biology at the University of Alberta and lead of the study, was observing a population of Yukon red squirrels and noticed a lone female had taken a baby from an abandoned nest to raise as her own. When Gorrell sifted through 20 years of red squirrel research from the area, he found four other instances of the same behavior. Not only that, but in each account, the baby adopted was a relative.
Gorrell found that despite their antisocial tendencies, red squirrels are still able to recognize, and decide to care for, relatives. Right now the predominant notion is that the chitter-chatter squirrels screech out to mark territory or ward off others contains vocal clues about relativity. So an encroaching squirrel could hear the calls of another adult, and recognize kinship. If that other mother disappears, the encroaching squirrel may recognize the kinship of the abandoned nest and take action.
In addition to the novelty factor of the behavior, the study authors also state that this finding proves a long-standing evolutionary theory true. It is a concept known as Hamilton's Rule, which suggests that despite "the law of the jungle and survival of the fittest," animals can be altruistic.
Though for red squirrels, it's a tempered altruism. The red squirrel is still helping out a member of its bloodline, and will only help one baby out of a litter. Adopting more than one is "out of the question," according to the study, as the strain of adding more than one baby to a single mother's already full house would outweigh any benefits.
You can read more about the study in the online journal Nature Communications, or visit this link http://www.redsquirrel.ca/KRSP/Media.html to get more info, cute pics, and free copy of the study.


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What's worse than a cramped economy seat with limited leg room and a seat reclined onto your dinner tray? Plane manufacturer Airbus has come up with an answer: jam an 11th seat into economy-class rows of the A380, the world's largest passenger jet, for a 3-5-3 seat configuration.
According to Flightglobal, an aviation website, a mock-up of this new 11-abreast seat configuration will be shown at an aircraft interiors trade show in April. The website reports that an aircraft leasing company is eager to get it into the hands of airlines worldwide.
Being boxed in a middle seat by four people is seemingly not the future air travellers were promised when the A380 was announced in 2000. Back then, the giant plane - according to Airbus it has enough room to seat about 525 passengers in a "comfortable three-class configuration," though actual configurations vary - was expected to usher in a new era of airborne luxury, the likes of which hadn't been seen since the mid-twentieth century's so-called "golden age" of air travel.
In its March 2001 issue, for example, Popular Mechanics, a reliable tribune for future-hype, published a cover story with the headline "Hotels in the Sky;" it explained:
"Stop at the bar for a couple of beers, then work them off in the gym. Shave, shower and meet the wife at her health spa. Tag along while she shops. Have a gourmet dinner, then light up a Cuban cigar and sip cognac at a small piano bar. Log 8 hours in the sack, eat a leisurely breakfast and collect the kids and Rover. Then move your seat to the full upright position, because this hasn't been a getaway weekend. You've flown from New York to Sydney aboard the Airbus A380, the world's first flying hotel."
That wasn't all. In December 2000, Wired ran an Associated Press article with the headline "The Casino in the Sky," which suggested the possibility of bars and gambling. As recently as 2007 Virgin Atlantic's Richard Branson was promising "roulette and blackjack" which - in addition to double beds - Branson proclaimed in 2005, could provide passengers with "two ways of getting lucky." By the time the marketers were finished, it seemed the only thing a spacious A380 cabin would lack was a dance floor and mirror ball.
Reality, however, was much more dull. Casinos haven't materialised, and though some A380s have bars, and you may be able to walk around the duty-free shop on your Korean Air flight, from a passenger perspective what distinguishes the A380 interior is little more than size and a quiet environment.
So how did Airbus go from offering a futurist's dream of airline paradise, to possibly a frequent flyer's nightmare? In part, the A380 was designed for a regulated hub-and-spoke model of running an airline - fly big planes long distances and little ones short distances - that's increasingly out of favor in a world where deregulation allows more airlines to fly more places on fuel efficient midsize planes that carry fewer passengers. If you're trying to get from Shanghai to Seattle, you can now simply go directly with about 200 other passengers on a Boeing plane (via Delta). Indeed, Boeing - Airbus's great rival - makes planes, including the slick, smaller 787 Dreamliner, designed for precisely that kind of point-to-point aviation universe.
The proof is in the results. Airbus initially aimed for 750 total orders for the A380. At the end of 2013 it had just over 300 total orders; almost half of those were made by Dubai-based Emirates, which runs a successful hub-and-spoke business shuttling passengers between major airports around the world, and delivering them to Dubai, where they transfer - often to other A380s. And that's largely a volume business, not a luxury one.
The 3-5-3 seating configuration has only just become an option, and so it's unlikely to land at your local hub any time soon. But fliers shouldn't rest easy. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the British leasing company that purchased 20 planes earlier this year, and pushed for the 3-5-3 seating configuration, has suggested that the A380 should operate with about 630 seats for increased efficiency. If that comes to pass, the likelihood of being stuck in an uncomfortable middle seat - including one jammed between four other seats - just went up.


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FACT: Washington's Letters to Family and Friends who lost spouses and children to tragic circumstances present an amazingly grasp of theology that puts Washington ON PAR with Calvin, Wesley and Spurgeon!
FACT: If you or any Bible college Professor out there think 700-plus 'Theologically Correct' Names/Titles for God is a simple task: TRY IT!
FACT: No other writer, whether Jewish Scholar, Biblical Author, Reformation or modern Scholar, has even devised ONE-TENTH as many ORIGINAL Names/Titles!
BUT of all the virtues that adorned the life of this great man, there is none more worthy of our imitation than his admirable industry. It is to this virtue in her Washington, that America stands indebted for services past calculation: and it is from this virtue, that Washington himself snatched a wreath of glory that will never fade away. O that the good genius of America may prevail! that the example of this, her favourite son, may be but universally adopted! Soon shall our land be free from all those sloth-begotten demons which now haunt and torment us. For whence do all our miseries proceed, but from lack of industry! In a land like this, which heaven has blessed above all lands--a land abounding with the fish and flesh pots of Egypt, and flowing with the choicest milk and honey of Canaan--a land where the poorest Lazarus may get his fifty cents a day for the commonest labour--and buy the daintiest bread of corn flour for a cent a pound! why is any man hungry, or thirsty, or naked, or in prison? why but through his unpardonable sloth?
But alas! what would it avail, though the blest shade of Washington were to descend from his native skies, and with an angel's voice, recommend industry as the handmaid of health, wealth, innocence, and happiness to man. A notion, from the land of lies, has taken too deep root among some, that "labour is a low-lived thing, fit for none but poor people and slaves! and that dress and pleasure are the only accomplishments for a gentleman! But does it become a gentleman to saunter about, living on the charity of his relations--to suffer himself to be dunned by creditors, and, like a hunted wolf, to fly from the face of sheriffs and constables? Is it like a gentleman to take a generous woman from her parents, and reduce her to beggary--to see even her bed sold from under her, and herself and weeping infants turned out of doors ? Is it like a gentleman to reduce one's children to rags, and to drive them like birds of heaven, to hedges and highways, to pick berries, filling their pale bloated bodies with disease? Or is it like a gentleman to bring up one's sons in sloth, pleasure, and dress, as young noblemen, and then leave them without estates, profession, or trades, to turn gamblers, sharpers, or horse thieves? "From such gentlemen, oh save my country, Heaven! " was Washington's perpetual prayer, the emphatical prayer of his life and great example! In his ear, wisdom was heard incessantly calling aloud, " He is the real gentleman, who cheerfully contributes his every exertion to accomplish heaven's favourite designs, the beauty, order and happiness of human life; whose industry appears in a plentiful house and smiling wife; in the decent apparel of his children, and in their good education and virtuous manners; who is not afraid to see any man on earth; but meets his creditors with a smiling countenance, and with the welcome music of gold and silver in his hand; who exerts an honest industry for wealth, that he may become as a water-course in a thirsty land, a source of refreshment to a thousand poor."
This was the life, this the example set by Washington. His whole inheritance was but a small tract of poor land in Stafford county, and a few negroes. This appearing utterly insufficient for those purposes of usefulness, with the charms of which his mind seems to have been early smitten, he resolved to make up the deficiency by dint of industry and economy.-- For these virtues, how excellent! how rare in youth! Washington was admirably distinguished when but a boy. At a time when many young men have no higher ambition than a fine coat and a frolic, " often have I seen him (says the reverend Mr. Le Massey) riding about the country with his surveying instruments at his saddle," enjoying the double satisfaction of obliging his fellow citizens by surveying their lands, and of making money, not meanly to hoard, but generously to lend to any worthy object that asked it. This early industry was one of the first steps to Washington's preferment. It attracted on him the notice and admiration of his numerous acquaintance, and, which was still more in his favour, it gave such uncommon strength to his constitution, such vigour to his mind, such a spirit for adventure, that he was ready for any glorious enterprise, no matter how difficult or dangerous. Witness the expedition from Williamsburg through the Indian country to the Ohio, which at the green age of twenty-one, he undertook for Governor Dinwiddie. Indeed this uncommon attachment to industry and useful life, made such an impression on the public mind in his favour, that by the time he was one and twenty he was appointed major and adjutant- general of the Virginia forces in the Northern Neck!
There was at this time a young fellow in Williamsburg by the name of Jack B , who possessed considerable vivacity, great good-nature, and several accomplishments of the bon companion sort. He could tell a good story, sing agreeably, scrape a little on the fiddle, and cut as many capers to the tune of old Roger, as any buck a-going; and being, besides, a young fellow of fortune, and a son of an intimate acquaintance, Jack was a great favourite of the governor, and much at his house. But all this could not save poor Jack from the twinges of envy. For, on hearing every body talk in praise of Major Washing- ton, he could not help saying one day at the governor's table, " I wonder what makes the people so wrapped up in Major Washington: I think, begging your excellency's pardon, I had as good a right to a major's commission." "Ah, Jack," replied the governor, " when we want diversion, we send for you. But when we want a man of business, we send for Major Washington."
Never was the great Alfred more anxious to improve his time than our Washington: and it appears that, like Alfred, he divided his time into four grand- departments, sleep, devotion, recreation, and business. On the hours of business, whether in his own or his country's service, he would allow nothing to infringe. While in camp, no company, however illustrious-- no pleasures, however elegant--no conversation, however agreeable--could prevail on him to neglect his business. The moment that his hour of duty was come, he would fill his glass, and with a smile, call out to his friends around the social board, " Well, gentlemen, here is bon repos," and immediately with- draw to business. Bon repos is a French cant for good night. Washington drank it as a signal to break up; for the moment the company had swallowed the general's bon repos, it was hats and off. General Wayne, who, happily for America, understood fighting better than French, had some how or other taken up a notion, that this same bon repos, to whom Washington made such conscience of giving his last bumper, must have been some great warrior of the times of old. Having, by some extraordinary luck, gotten hold of two or three dozen of good old wine, he invited a parcel of hearty fellow-officers to dine with him, and help him to break them to the health of America. Soon as the cloth was removed, and the bottles on the table, the hero of Stony Point cried out, " Come my brave fellows, fill your glass; here's old bon repos for ever." The officers were thunderstruck: but having turned off their wine, rose up, one and all to go. " Hey day! what's all this, gentlemen? what's all this?"
" Why," replied they, " did not you drink bon repos, or good night ? "
" What! is that the meaning of it? " " Yes." " Oh! then, damn old bon repos, and take your seats again: for, by the life of Washington, you shan't stir a peg till we have started every drop of our wine."
While he was employed in choosing a place on the Potomac, for the federal city, his industry was no less remarkable. Knowing how little is generally done before breakfast, he made it a rule to rise so early as to have breakfast over, and be on horseback by the time the sun was up. Let the rising generation remember that he was then sixty years of age!
On his farm, his husbandry of time was equally exemplary. He contemplated a great object: an object worthy of Washington. He aimed at teaching his countrymen the art of enriching their lands, and consequently of rendering the condition of man and beast more plentiful and happy. He had seen thousands of acres, which, by constant cultivation, had lost the power of covering their nakedness even with a suit of humble sedge. He had seen thousands of wretched cattle, which, driven out houseless and hayless into the cold wintry rains, presented such trembling spectacles of starvation and misery, as were enough to start the tear into Pity's eye. To remedy these cruel evils (which certainly they are, for He who lent us these animals never meant that we should make their lives a curse to them, much less to our children, hardened by such daily sights of misery), Washington generously set himself to make artificial meadows; to cultivate fields of clover; and to raise the most nutritious vegetables, such as cabbage, turnips, scarcity and potatoes; of which last article he planted in one year 700 bushels I To render these vast supplies of food the more beneficial to his cattle, he built houses of shelter for them all. " He showed me a barn," says Brissot, " upwards of IOO feet square, and of brick, designed as a store- house for his corn, potatoes, turnips, &c., around which he had constructed stables of an amazing length, for his cattle." Every one of them had a stall well littered with leaves or straw; and a rack and manger well furnished with hay and provender.
The pleasure and profits arising from such an arrangement are incalculable. How delicious must it have been to a man of Washington's feelings, to re-flect that, even in the very worst weather, every creature, on his extensive farms, was warmly and comfortably provided; to have seen his numerous flocks and herds, gamboling around him through excess of joy, and fullness of fat; to have beheld his steps washed with butter, and his dairies floated with rivers of milk; to have seen his once naked fields and frog- croaking swamps, now, by clearance or manure, converted into meadows, standing thick with heavy crops of timothy and sweet scented clover; while his farm- yards were piled with such quantities of litter and manure as afforded a constantly increasing fertility to his lands.
Here was an employment worthy of Washington; an employment, which we might indeed have expected from him, who, through life, had studied the best interests of his countrymen; who, first as a soldier, had defended them from slavery, and crowned them with liberty; then, as a statesman, had preserved them from war, and secured to them the blessings of peace; and now as the last, but not the least services of his life, was teaching them the great arts of improving their farms, multiplying their cattle, enriching their lands, and thus pouring a flood of plenty and of comfort through the joyful habitations of man and beast.
Full of the greatly benevolent idea, no wonder that he was so frugal of his time. Though the most hospitable of all the hospitable Virginians, he would not suffer the society of his dearest friends to take him from his business. Long accustomed to find his happiness in doing his duty, he had attained to such a royal arch degree of virtue, as to be restless and uneasy while his duty was neglected. Hence, of all that ever lived, Washington was the most rigidly observant of those hours of business which were necessary to the successful management of his vast concerns. " Gentlemen, (he would often say to his friends who visited him) I must beg leave of absence a few hours in the forenoon: here is plenty of amusements, books, music, &c. Consider yourselves at home, and be happy." He came in about twelve o'clock; and then, as if animated by the consciousness of having done his duty, and that all was going right, would give himself up to his friends and to decent mirth the rest of the day.
But his mornings were always his own. Long before the sun peeped into the chambers of the sluggard, Washington was on horseback, and out among his overseers and servants: and neither himself nor any about him were allowed to eat the bread of idleness. The happy effects of such industry were obvious.Well manured and tilled, his lands yielded a grateful return: and it was at once pleasing and astonishing to behold the immense quantities of fine hay, of fat cattle, and choice grain, that were raised on his farms; of wheat 7000 bushels in one year, and 5000 bushels of Indian corn! His servants fared plentifully. His cattle never had the hollow horn. And the surplus of his prudence, sold to the merchants, furnished bread to the needy, and a revenue to himself more than sufficient to defray his vast expenditures, and to spread a table of true Virginian hospitality for those crowds of friends and foreigners whom affection or curiosity led to visit him.
Oh! divine Industry! queen mother of all our virtues and of all our blessings! what is there of great or of good in this wide world that springs not from thy royal bounty ? And thou, O ! infernal Sloth ! fruitful fountain of all our crimes and curses! what is there of mean or of miserable in the lot of man that flows not from thy hellish malice?
What was it that betrayed David, otherwise the best of kings, into the worst of crimes ? Idleness. Sauntering about idly on the terrace of his palace, he beheld the naked beauties of the distant Bathsheba. Lust, adultery, and murder were the consequences.
What was it that brought on a ten years' war between the Greeks and Trojans ? Idleness. Young Paris, the coxcomb of Troy, having nothing to do, strolls over to the court of Menelaus (a Greek prince); whose beauteous wife, Helen, the black-eyed queen of love, he corrupts and carries off to Troy. A bloody war ensues. Paris is slain. His father, brothers, and myriads of wretched subjects are slaughtered: and Troy, the finest city of Asia, is reduced to ashes!
What was it that hurried poor Mr. A_d to that horrid act of suicide, which froze the blood of all who heard it? Idleness. His young wife, with all that we could conceive of sweetness, tenderness, and truth in an angel's form; and his three beauteous babes were the three graces in smiling infancy. But oh, wretched man! having nothing to do! he strolled to a tavern, and to a card table, where he lost his all! five thousand pounds, lately settled on him by a fond father! He awakes to horrors unutterable! What will become of his ruined wife! his beggared babes? Believing his torments little inferior to those of the damned, he seizes the fatal pistol; drives the scorching bullet through his brains; and flies a shrieking ghost to join the mournful throng!
O sad sight! see yon tall young man, in powder and ruffles, standing before his judges, trembling like an aspen, and pale and blank as the picture of guilt; while the crowded court house, every countenance filled with pity or contempt, is fixed upon him. Alas! what could have brought him to this ? Idleness. His father happening to possess 500 acres of poor land, and a few negroes, thought it would be an eternal disgrace to his family to bring up his son, (though he had many,) to be a mechanic. No: he must be a gentle- man!! Grown to man's estate, and having no profession, trade, or habit of industry to support this pleasant life, he took to horse-stealing. If we had leisure to wait, we should presently see this unhappy youth, on receiving sentence of death, bursting into sobs and cries sufficient to make us wish he had never been born. But let us leave these horrible scenes of shame, misery, and death, into which idleness never fails to bring poor deluded youth, and joyfully return to our beloved Washington, and to his health, wealth, and glory-giving goddess, Industry.
What is it that braces the nerves, purifies the blood, and hands down the flame of life, bright and sparkling, to old age? What, but rosy checked Industry. See Washington so invigorated by constant exercise, that, though hereditarily subject to the gout, of which all his family died, he entirely escaped it; and, even at the age of 66, continued straight and active as a young grenadier, and ready once more at his country's call, to lead her eager warriors to the field.
What is it that preserves the morals of young men unsoiled, and secures the blessings of unblemished character and unbroken health ? What, but snow- robed industry? See Washington under the guardianship of industry, walking the slippery paths of youth, safe and uncorrupted, though born in a country whose fertility and climate furnished both the means and invitation of vice. Early smitten with the love of glory; early engaged in the noble pursuit of knowledge, of independence, and of usefulness; he had no eyes to see bad examples, nor ensnaring objects; no ears to hear horrid oaths, nor obscene language; no leisure for impure passions nor criminal amours. Hence he enjoyed that purity of soul, which is rightly called its sunshine; and which impressed a dignity on his character, and gave him a beauty and loveliness in the eyes of men, that contributed more to his rise in the world, than young people can readily conceive.
And what is it that raises a young man from poverty to wealth, from obscurity to never-dying fame ? What, but industry ? See Washington, born of humble parents, and in humble circumstances--born in a narrow nook and obscure corner of the British plantations! yet lo! What great things wonder-working industry can bring out of this unpromising Nazareth. While but a youth, he manifested such a noble contempt of sloth, such a manly spirit to be always learning or doing some- thing useful or clever, that he was the praise of all who knew him. And, though but 15, so high were the hopes entertained of him, he was appointed a surveyor! arduous task! But his industry was a full match for it. Such was the alertness with which he carried on his survey; such the neatness and accuracy of his plats and drafts, that he met with universal applause. Full-fed and flushed with so much fare of praise, a fare of all other the most toothsome and wholesome to generous minds, our young eagle began to flap his wings of honest ambition, and to pant for nobler darings. A fair occasion was soon offered--a dangerous expedition through the Indian wilds, as already mentioned, to the French Mamelukes on the Ohio. Nobody else having ambition for such an adventure, Washington's offer was gladly accepted. And he executed that hazardous and important trust with such diligence and propriety, that he received the thanks of the governor and council, Honours came down on him now in showers. He was appointed major and adjutant-general of the Virginia forces; then a colonel; afterwards a member of the house of burgesses; next, generalissimo of the armies of the United States; and, finally, chief magistrate of the Union. All these floods of prosperity and honour, which in thousands would have but served to bloat with lust or pride, with him served but the more to rouse his industry, and to enlarge his usefulness; for such was his economy of time, and so admirable his method and regularity of business, that he always kept a-head of it.* No letters of consequence were unanswered. No reasonable expectations were disappointed. No necessary information was ever neglected. Neither the congress, nor the governors of the several states, nor the officers of his army, nor the British generals, nor even the overseers and stewards on his farms, were uninformed what he expected from them. Nobody concerned with him was idle or fretted for want of knowing what to do.
O admirable man! O great preceptor to his country! no wonder every body honoured him who honoured every body; for the poorest beggar that wrote to him on business, was sure to receive a speedy and decisive answer. No wonder every body loved him who, by his unwearied attention to the public good, manifested the tenderest love for every body. No wonder that his country delighted to honour him, who 'shewed such a sense of her honours that he would not allow even a leaf of them to wither; but so watered them all with the refreshing streams of industry, that they continued to bloom with ever-increasing glory on his head.
Since the day that God created man on the earth, none ever displayed the power of industry more signally than did George Washington. Had he, as prince of Wales, or as dauphin of France rendered such great services, or attained such immortal honours, it would not have seemed so marvellous in our eyes. But that a poor young man, with neither king, lords, nor commons to back him--with no princes, nor strumpets of princes, to curry favour for him--with no gold but his virtue, no silver but his industry, should, with this old- fashioned coin, have stolen away the hearts of all the American Israel, and from a sheep-cot have ascended the throne of his country's affections, and acquired a name above the mighty ones of the earth! this is marvellous indeed! It is surely the noblest panegyric ever yet paid to that great virtue, industry, which has " length of days in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honours."
Young reader! go thy way; think of Washington; and HOPE. Though humble thy birth, low thy fortune, and few thy friends, still think of Washington; and HOPE. Like him, honour thy God; and delight in glorious toil. Then, like him, " thou shalt stand before kings. Thou shalt not stand before common men."
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Reader Colin alerted us to this SI.com fantasy football advice column, published yesterday afternoon, and offered a theory. It was composed totally on an iPhone, and autocorrect had its way with the player names. That's not a terrible guess.
Here's what we spotted. Can you find any more?
• Wayne Bowes (Dwayne Bowe)
• Rowdy White (Roddy White)
• Emeritus Thomas (Demaryius Thomas)
• Joe Flacon (Joe Flacco)
• Anal Charles (Jamaal Charles)
• Darren Cadent (Darren McFadden)
• Python Manning (Peyton Manning)
(Screenshots for when it inevitably gets fixed.)
This, needless to say, is the best fantasy football advice column ever. I don't think the blame lies with writer Mike Beacom (are we sure his last name isn't really "Beacon?") Someone—he, an editor, a copy editor—clearly ran the article through a spellchecker, and mindlessly clicked "accept all changes." And so we have Anal Charles, preparing to get pounded by Pittsburgh on Monday night.
Update, 10:20 EST: And it's been fixed, except for one McGee in place of "McGahee."
Matchup Meter: Raiders, Saints are friendly faces for opposing offenses [SI.com]


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The official 2013 Giro d'Italia presentation is September 30th in Milan. As always there are leaks about the stages. If you are planning an itinerary best to wait for the presentation. What has been leaked:
4 May, Saturday: Napoli (prolog, TTT; officially announced, read here)
5 May, Sunday: Pozzuoli - Agropoli
6 May, Monday: Marina di Ascea - Cosenza
7 May, Tuesday: Sibari - Martinafranca
8 May, Wednesday: Altamura-Barletta (ITT)
9 May, Thursday: Foggia-Tortoreto Lido
10 May, Friday: Giulianova - Numana
11 May, Saturday: Senigallia-Città di Castello
12 May, Sunday: San Sepolcro - Firenze
13 May, Monday: rest/transfer day
14 May, Tuesday: Cordenons-Malga Montasio
15 May, Wednesday: Cave del Predil-Erto (Vajont Dam)
16 May, Thursday: Longarone-Treviso
17 May, Friday: Busseto-Cherasco
18 May, Saturday: Cervere-Bardonecchia (Jafferau)
19 May, Sunday: Cesana-Galibier (officially announced, read here).
20 May, Monday: rest day
21 May, Tuesday: Ivrea-Bergamo
22 May, Wednesday: Clusone-Edolo
23 May, Thursday: Sondrio-Val Senales
24 May, Friday: Mori-Polsa (uphill TT)
25 May, Saturday: Bassano del Grappa-Marostica
26 May, Sunday: Vicenza-Milano
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Sunday, September 23, 2012
2013 Gio d'Italia: the Unverified Stages
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RAF Fairford, U.K. – The F-35 will not make its international debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the air show's organizers have announced.
RIAT officials say their decision, announced July 10, was made in conjunction with Lockheed Martin as well as the U.S. and U.K. defense ministries. It means that the aircraft will not fly on any of the show days, July 11-13.
Four aircraft – three U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs and one U.K. F-35B – were set to debut at RIAT. All of them are still in the U.S.
The aircraft have been unable to make their trans-Atlantic crossing because of the grounding of the F-35 fleet announced by the Pentagon on July 3 following an engine fire on the runway at Eglin AFB, Florida, on June 23.
An appearance at the Farnborough air show has not been ruled out, but it is increasingly in jeopardy. A planned July 11 announcement by the U.K. secretary of state for defense, Philip Hammond, at the Air Tattoo has also been canceled because the aircraft will not be present.
The show made its decision as Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan, head of the F-35 Joint Program Office, was briefing journalists at Fairford. Despite the announcement, Bogdan said he was still hopeful of getting the aircraft to the U.K.
"As of this moment, the airworthiness authorities need more evidence and we are providing that," Bogdan said. "They are working day and night to try and work out when it will be safe to get back in the air. The U.S. and U.K. are perched at Pax River, and they will sit there until we exhaust the last window of opportunity [to make the trip].
"I can assure you the whole of the enterprise is working to bring this to a safe conclusion."
The groundings were prompted by a fire that broke out on an F-35A preparing for takeoff from Eglin. Initially, commanders at each F-35 main operating base ordered a safety hold, but this was overridden by a Pentagon directive on July 3 that grounded the 100-strong fleet of aircraft.
"It's not unusual for there to be delays in the development program of any new military aircraft, and the Air Tattoo has been working closely with teams from Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Marine Corps, Department of Defense and MoD [U.K. defense ministry] to ensure the aircraft touched down at RAF Fairford for the Air Tattoo," said the Air Tattoo's CEO, Tim Prince. "Unfortunately we've simply run out of time."
The U.K. defense ministry said the safety of pilots and aircraft had to be the top priority.
"It is disappointing that the Lightning II has not arrived in the U.K. in time for the Air Tattoo, but we fully support the decision not to grant clearance for the aircraft to make their first trans-Atlantic flight to the U.K. until the technical investigations following an engine failure are complete," a spokesman said.