text:
Monday, April 7th.
Today is the day, after months and months of preparation. The day on which our adventure would begin! My alarmclock rang at 0300 am; time to get out of my bed and to enjoy a good shower. It could eventually be the last one for the next days.
0655: Schiphol Amsterdam – Copenhagen 0820
Around 0345 my dad, mom and I left to Schiphol. I already became more and more nervous and my happiness of this morning slowly disappeared. I wasn't afraid of the Polar, or the adventure in front of us. Nope, the planes were the ones who scared me. And I wasn't just a little bit 'nervous', no, it started a few months ago, when Polar became real reality. When we arrived at the airport, I could already see some planes. Nervousness became fear. We decided it was better to say goodbye quick, before I could change my mind. Yes, I certainly was in a doubt whether to go to Polar or not. Silly me. But – adventure was longing and I went through security check without any problems. So far so good! A few days before this very special day, Timo, editor of Hike&Trek magazine, contacted me. He was on the same flight as me – and I could say, it was a big relief. I met him at the gate and fortunately, he had no problems with flying, so he could keep me quiet. Before departure, I decided to ask the stewardess about any turbulence. Ah, and I gently mentioned my fear. She calmed me down and asked me during the flight around 5 times if all went well, very sweet!
0900: Copenhagen – Stockholm 1010
My second flight went also fine and I put Timo on my list of heroes (yes, that list actually exist for me. People who are of great help for me, at the right moment, are placed on this honourable list). When arrived at Stockholm, we waited for Timo's luggage. I had put all my stuff in hand luggage of maximum size, so no worries for me. After waiting for a long (long long long) time, a big investigation with drugs hound and no baggage, we started to worry. It was lost.
Andreas Karlsson was waiting at the terminal for a couple of participants and this was the very first moment we met some other Polarists in real life! Woa, that was a strange moment!
When we arrived at the hotel, we all would share a room with our teammate, Bieke from Belgium for me. A lot of other participants were already settled, so we could meet! Another strange, very strange moment. For months, we shared our enthusiasm, our feelings, our worries and we got very familiar with each other. I mean, we got familiar with each others typing behaviour and our FB pics – and now, they were here in real! I had an heart warming welcome. Everybody was so kind, so friendly! And after first sight, it felt all familiar again. What a great group this is, what a great time we will have together in the next days!
Photos by Peter Holly:
When most participants were arrived (except Peter Blom Jensen, who told me about the safety of flying, and Søren, who had problems with the plane; smoke in the cabin (?!?!), a next flight what was delayed 1,5 hours 'for some reason' (?!?!)) we got a word of welcome from Andreas Cederlund, Johan Skullman and Johan the cameraman. This Johan the cameraman has interviewed me last Classic and he recognized me. He even remembered where and when – how romantic haha! This shows I have to look for a Swedish man.
Johan, our cameraman:
Here we got our first lesson of Johan Skullman, in particular about dehydration, hypothermia, hyperthermia, temperatures and clothes. Fjällräven uses a 'multi-layer-principle', what means that you wear different layers of clothes, all with particular properties.
Base layer – wicks moisture away from the skin
Middle layer – absorbs and wicks away moisture and provides insulation
Outer layer – protects against wind, rain and wear and provides insulation
Reinforcement layer – gives added protection
After these lessons the moment came were we waiting for for hours, days, weeks and months; gear and clothes! We could pick our backpack out of a room and then the party began. It was like Christmas, Easter, my birthday; everything together. What a stuff. Amazing. And it didn't end.. more and more was coming out of our pack; we were all so excited!
Part 1 existed of the following stuff:
Photo by Peter Holly:
– Polar Parka (http://www.fjallraven.com/fjallraven-polar-parka)
– Eco-Tour Jacket (http://www.fjallraven.com/eco-tour-jacket-women)
– Eco-Tour Trousers (http://www.fjallraven.com/eco-tour-trousers)
– Abisko 75L backpack (http://www.fjallraven.com/abisko-75)
– 70 L dryback (http://www.fjallraven.com/waterproof-packbag-70-l)
– Belt (http://www.fjallraven.com/abisko-web-belt)
– 4 pair of woolen Socks (different thickness) (http://www.aclima.no/products/sox)
– base layers (1 net shirt, 1 net pants, 1 ninja-suit, 1 shirt, bh, boxershort) (http://www.aclima.no/products/woolnet, http://www.aclima.no/products/warmwool/women/warmwool-overall)
– Keb fleece (http://www.fjallraven.com/keb-fleece-jacket-w)
– Hanwag boots (http://www.brunton.com/pages/hydrogen-reactor)
– 2x hestra handgloves (http://hestragloves.com/en/)
– Hat
– Nordic heater (http://www.fjallraven.com/nordic-heater)
– Gaiter
– Baklava
– Brunton charger (http://www.brunton.com/pages/hydrogen-reactor)
– Brunton headlamp (http://www.brunton.com/pages/lights)
– Brunton compass (http://www.brunton.com/pages/navigation)
It could be I still forget to mention a few things. It was amazing, this amount of beautiful and good stuff!
All our stuff, part 1:
Bieke and I in our ninja-suits:
After a luxurious diner, Andreas Cederlund told us in which teams the group was divided. Team Benelux came with team Germany, great!
Around 2230 is was time to get some sleep. Our alarm would wake us up at 0530, so we could enjoy a warm shower. This one could also be the last one for next days! (It was..).
Tuesday, April 8th
0530: After a rough waking up from Bieke's alarmclock, a nice shower and a good breakfast, it was time to drive to the airport again.
0920: Stockholm – Oslo 1020
Photo by Phil:
Photo by Jun-Hee:
Photo by Peter Holly:
A short flight, and I was less nervous compared to the day before, but.. I still wasn't very relaxed. Fortunately, the place in front of me, next to Peter Holly, was free, so I could change. His opportunity to get on my 'heroes-list'. And I can say – he's on it! On the other side of me, there was a kind Swedish man, who borrowed me his superdeluxeandexpensive headphone. Great! The stories he told were less amiable, his wife went once on a trip with sled dogs and they were having trouble with their stomach. The droppings didn't have a firm consistence, so you probably can imagine how his wife looked like, at the end of the trip. With this in our foreseeing, we changed planes in Oslo, to continue our journey to the very north.
1145: Oslo – Tromsø (1335)
When arrived in Tromsø, we were again picked up by a buss. It took us to a big cabin, where we got part 2 of the gear. It consisted of the following:
– Bib trousers
– Sunglasses (http://www.julbo-eyewear.com/en/10/home.html)
– Sleepingbag Polar, -30 Reg (http://www.fjallraven.com/fjallraven-polar-30-reg)
– Sleepingmatress (http://www.fjallraven.com/ground-sheet)
– Food packages (http://www.drytech.no/index.php/en/)
– Windshield (http://www.fjallraven.com/vindsack)
From this place, we drove to Tamok Valley, a place close to the start (Signaldalen).
It didn't end, here we got part 3 of our gear:
– Knife and firesteel (http://www.moraofsweden.se/adventure/bushcraft-survival-orange)
– Drinking bottles (http://www.primus.eu/drinking-bottle-wide-mouth-alu-1-0-l)
– Vacuum bottle (http://www.primus.eu/c-h-vacuum-bottle-stainless-steel-0-75-l)
– Cutlery kit (http://www.primus.eu/lightweight-cutlery-kit)
– Meal set (http://www.primus.eu/meal-set-red)
– Mug (http://www.primus.eu/4-season-mug-0-3-l)
– Snowshoes
– Tent (http://www.fjallraven.com/akka-endurance-3)
– Stove (http://www.primus.eu/omnifuel-incl-fuel-bottle-and-pouch)
– Etc!
Johan Skullman:
We all listened carefully:
Photos by Peter Holly:
In Tamok Valley we got our first practical tips from Johan Skullman. What's best way to pitch a tent in snowy conditions? Of which things do you have to take care first? What are the best steps? Some tips are pretty simple, but very important. And when it's cold and you're hungry, your mind will act different than in normal life. I think the little things are of great value, to make the trip more comfortable, but you have to think about them. For instance, when I pitch my tent in the South of France, 25 degrees, on a nice camping and I get the tent poles out of their bag, I just put the bag 'somewhere in a corner'. In this area, it's very important you stall EVERYTHING on a safe and accessible place. It prevents it from blowing away, or getting lost somewhere beneath the snow. It's a logical thing, but when it's cold outside, when you're hungry and tired, then the logical thinking will disappear sometimes.
We learned pitching the tent in the right direction (because of the wind) and we learned to make anchors of the tent pegs. Now and then it was hard to don't lose concentration, because it was so cold! I was really freezing, my hands were bleeding everywhere and I was a little bit concerned how to survive next days. It was a relief to see my companions shiver as well. After this lesson, it was time to put up our own tent. Bieke and I had some trouble (not our fould!) because a foot for one of the poles was missing, and we missed some pegs.
When our tent was pitched, we met our musher: Jan. We learned practical things about the sledge and we learned that the dogs won't listen to us. Okay. It didn't took a long time, because diner was ready! Yeah finally! I was really hungry. Unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. We got soup from a lamb. There are a few things I don't like; something from a goat or sheep. It always feels like I'm in the sheep's stall when I eat this meat and I won't get rid of the taste for the next hours. The advantage was; I knew which sort of food we would get during our journey; food from Real Turmat. I like those meals, although you can't compare it with a homemade dish. So, after my fear for flying, I defeated the fear for the lamb and ate 3 plates of soup.
After diner, the practical lesson passed on. This time, it was about the stoves. What I can say about this lesson afterwards, Bieke and I should have listened better. Story about this on Wednesday.
Photos by Jun-Hee:
Photo by Peter Holly:
Our first night in tent was very cold; -16 degrees. Our sleepingbag kept us very warm and I waked up like a newborn baby.
Wednesday, April 9th
0500: Good morning!
It's Wednesday! The very first day of our POLARTRIP! Breakfast started early and our buss left in time to the start. Here, at the start, 220 dogs were ready, making a noise as if they were with 2200 dogs. What a view! I got 6 very sweet and cuddly dogs. The first 4 dogs were medium sized and quiet. Lena and Fena would lead my sledge. The last 2 dogs, just in front of my sledge, were big and strong. Even when I pulled out the anchor and stood still on the biggest brake, they could pull me forward.
When we were waiting, the first sledge took of. It was Peter Blom Jensen's, and I think his dogs were that enthusiast, they left without him.
And yes – now it was time for our team to take of! That first feeling, the power, the scenery, the speed, indescribable. We crossed the road, went over some bumps – and I was happy I could stay on the sledge, in front of all those cameras. It all didn't matter for the dogs, they just wanted to run forward. There wasn't a real left or right – unless our musher Jan finally got his dogs to the left or right. And the dogs poop while they're running. A very interesting sight, seen of my position. Furthermore, some pooped on the cords they were attached with on the sledge. These cords had to be removed at the end of the day with the same gloves as with which we cooked our water, putted up our tent and ate or meals… Back to basic!
At the start, the Fjällräven Crew wished us luck, like we've seen in the movies of previous years. That gave an amazing feeling and a happy feeling. I was proud, that I could make this trip..
On the first day, we climbed uphill very fast, from the Norwegian Valley to de Mountain regions in Sweden. Sometimes we could help our dogs, by stepping or running next to the sledge.
,,In perfect weather, the dogs pull their sleds upwards through thinning forests for the first 10km after leaving Signaldalen. Once they have reached 800m above sea level, they are above the treeline and the Norwegian mountains can be seen stretching endlessly on ahead, today showing their best side. A cold wind in the otherwise pleasant conditions of minus three degrees makes the participants pull up the hoods of their Polar Parkas. Sunglasses and goggles protect their eyes from the intense light of the sun's rays reflected in the sparkling white snow" (http://www.fjallravenpolar.com).
We were sledging for less than two hours and I had to go to the bathroom. I mean, a toilet. Or just a tree. But no trees anymore; so.. a stone is okay for me too! I asked musher Jan, but he didn't think it necessary to stop, because another team would catch us up. I didn't mind, but okay. I would wait. Half an hour later. Not stopped yet. An hour later. Still not stopped. Jan wanted to keep on going. In the meanwhile, I watched the dogs, a bit jealous, doing their 'things', while they keep on running. Fortunately, after a few hours, we reached Checkpoint Pältsa, where we could go to a real toilet. Yay! What a luxury! It exists of a windy wooden hut with an hole in a wooden bench. And there was a disinfection soap! Going to the toilet wasn't easy in the beginning. Because of our multi layer principle, it took me in the beginning around 10 minutes to fully undress and dress me, but at the end I had reduced it to 30 seconds. Routine it is.
After we had our lunch (Pasta Provencal for me) and I had gone to the toilet for 3-4 times, it was time to pack and to proceed the trip.
Photos Fjällräven Official:
After a further cold voyage, where we climbed up beyond the tree line, we arrived after many hours on our destination for this day; Råstu. I didn't know what time it was or how many hours we had sledged.
Photo Fjällräven Official:
The hard work could begin. We changed the dogs of position, so that they couldn't play (or attack) with each other and so they couldn't damage the cords they were atached with. After this, the harnesses must be taken off and because it was cold and very windy, they had to wear their pyjamas. We also dug a hole for each dog against the wind, with a wall for protection.
In the meanwhile, we had to get some water for the dogs. It cost around 20-30 minutes for the water to boil, so we had time to cut the meat for the dogs. After we fed the dogs, it was our turn. We wanted to pitch the tent, but we had to wait for Johan Skullmans instructions. That means; free time! At home, it wouldn't be a problem, but here one way or the other, it feels inefficient and lazy. It's cold, you're tired and you only want to put up the tent and get some sleep. After the instructions, which were very important, so luckily we waited with pitching the tent), we finally put up the tent. Although, we tried to. Again, it wasn't easy. It needed a lot of power to stick the poles in their feet. My mood wasn't getting better. Cold fingers, a hand what was stuck between two poles over and over, slipping poles and a tent which blew away when not holding it tight: what a fun, wintercamping. Fortunately, Paul, our German teammate, came to help us and the Polar was fun again. I dug out the vestibule of the tent and made a windscreen of snow to cook, so we wouldn't be bothered by heavy wind.
In the mean time, Bieke made the stove and cooking pots ready. At this moment, Andreas Cederlund and Johan the romantic cameraman came to film the whole progress. With coolness and pride around us, we took our Morakniv and lightened the stove, as we had learned from Johan. The stove went on fire in one movement. Wow! And then, the wooden board came on fire. And the snow. And the powerfuel-bottle. Damn! Everything was on fire, and we all four looked full astonishment. Whut? What appeared to be happened: Bieke didn't attached the fuelbottle in a proper manner to the stove. When we pumped the bottle for getting pressure, fuel had leaked out of it and we lightened it with our cool Morakniv. As a result: Andreas repaired the stove and we lightened our second one (this went all fine). It was a very good lesson for me; always lighten two stoves, in a case that one may fail, you always can cook dinner with the other one. Because believe me, you have to eat. Although you don't want anything anymore, after 2 hours of struggling and a fire in your backyard.
Around 1:14 you can see our stove, and me afterwards.
Thursday, April 10th
A new day! Time for a delightful breakfast. Yesterday, I namely sorted out a package of chocolate muesli; I couldn't wait to eat! Unfortunately, it became warm chocolate-muesli-soup and my hunger disappeared after 4 spoons. The problem is, when eating these package of freeze-dried food, you have to be sure you put enough water in them. When not, you get problems with your stomach, because it could suck up water in your stomach. Too much water gives a soup.
And then there was another dilemma. Johan Skullman kept repeating how important it is to drink enough; around 4 litres a day! Normally, 1 litre is a lot for me. But the problem here is, when I drink a lot, I have to go to the toilet a lot. Where do I have to choose for?
This morning, some dogs were fully snowed in. It looked adorable, but very cold:
,,At the edge of the camp area a little nose can be seen sticking up out of the snow. It looks cold and unpleasant but the guides ensure the group that the dogs are warm and comfortable. "The dogs that are lying there covered in snow are possibly the ones who are most comfortable," says Tom Frode. "They curl up, put their nose between their paws and wrap their tails around themselves. They are fine! Warm and cosy." (http://www.fjallravenpolar.com)
Dog food:
After we ate our dinner, boiled our water for the dogs, chopped the meat, cleaned up the little poops, put away the pyjamas (and make them clean; some dogs undressed themselves at night and pooped on their pyjamas, splendid), emptied our tent, put away our tent and packed the sledge, it was time to go on.
Time to follow our trip over the Artic Tundra! The scenery was wonderful. Stretched out with a view of 50 kilometres. There's nothing and nobody, only some signboards and a few Michelin-looking man and -woman on a sledge. Beautiful. Mountains, of which you will always underestimate their height. A strong and cold wind, a blue sky and the sun, which made our noses red. This landscape doesn't have to end for me. This is the landscape, these are the circumstances where I came for. Here the importance of the material became clear. It may not break, it has to do its job. It doesn't matter how you look like, you just want to keep warm. For me, these moments where incredible important for me. Experience myself that it's not 'just' a vacation in snow. It's serious and you (let's say, I) cannot do this on my own. Not yet, not now, not in my position.
Photos by Peter Holly:
We took our lunch together with the other teams in Kamas. The dogs got their snacks and we made our own meal. Thursdaymorning we boiled water before we left our campsite, and putted it in our vacuum bottles, so we could make lunch with the hot water. ,,Be prepared, otherwise you won't survive" are the useful words of Johan Skullman, which I won't forget. It makes a huge difference whether being prepared or not.
After our lunch the docter came with Johan for Bieke. She felt ill, poor mate :(.
In the course of the day, we left the Artic Tundra and went into the woods again. Another scenery, another experience. The change went fast, I think in 15 minutes (? I'm not sure, didn't wear a watch during the trip), we reached the tree line again.
The evening we spent on a frozen lake, Lake Kattujärvi. Bieke was still feeling sick and here our teamspirit reaches its max. While Bieke was resting on a sledge, Paul helped me pitching the tent of Bieke and me, so that she could get some sleep very soon. In the meanwhile, our boiling-water-princess, took care of the water and food, while I helped Paul with their tent. Everything went smoothly and fast, we were 'prepared' and had routine. Great! In no time, the tents were up, the water was boiling and we were sitting next to the stoves.
The lake was surrounded by a wall of snow and ground (just a wall?), so many of us departed to the other side to look for a toilet. Apparently, I disturbed someone in his process, because when I came over the hill, I saw a blue jacket with a very white butt, wiggling away on snowshoes (what a sight haha).
Musher Jan wasn't very good in his communication, because on a certain moment, he came to tell us we had to be with Johan Skullman in 10 minutes for another lesson. We, Melanie, Paul and I, were just boiling our water. A pity, because we wouldn't be ready in 10 minutes, we hadn't had dinner yet and we could start the process all over again, when we would come back from the lesson.
Johan gave demonstrations about sleeping outside (what to wear, what to bring into the sleepingbag, what to keep outside etc) and about the first preparations for making a fire. After this lesson, we got bread with baked reindeer meat. Delicious! I really liked it.
An hour or so later, we could proceed the boiling process. Tuomo, the man of Finland, came to help us, very sweet. In the mean time, Bieke left the camp, because she was too ill to proceed the trip. She went to an icehotel in Kiruna, and we all felt sad for her.
Our team existed of only 3 people now and I had to sleep alone for 2 nights. I didn't like to sleep alone, because then I would miss all the bedtime stories and Paul didn't mind to sleep alone (with is > 2 metres length, he could use some space), so Melanie came in Bieke's place.
Tuomo, our hero (Fjällräven Official photo):
Photo by Soren:
Our places on the lake:
Photos by Peter Holly:
Friday, April 11th
Photo Fjällräven Official:
Photo by Peter Holly:
After we woke up, our daily routine started again. Apparently, we got used to our daily things, because we were the first who were ready to go. Lunch we kept with the 4 of us and it was a good moment to try out our Vindsäck, a huge plastic bag where you can sit in, when it's windy. Photo's will follow!
Along the way, Jan already warned us about the waterfall. A sharp curve and a steep descent where many participants fall of their sledge each year. Because I already felt of the sledge for 4 times this trip, I didn't expect to survive this one. The photographers were already ready, in position to record our flattering descending. My dogs took the left side of the path and there was a bump. The dogs ran over it, and I tried everything, but my sledge turned over and I felt. Number 5.
Photo Fjällräven Official:
Not much later, we arrived on our latest campsite. This time, we were again very fast with everything what has to be done. It all seemed so easy now! Meanwhile, Frederick, a Swedish guy from a television programme, came to strengthen our team. This night, we would sleep outside (yeeaah!) and Frederick and I decided to make one hole for the two of us.
Preparing food for the dogs:
Johan gave us useful instructions and off we went. We soon found a good space in the woods, just behind a tree, which could protect us for some wind. The building of our snow-hotel has begun! The first meter of snow was of good building-quality. When using the shovel in the right way, we could make strong blocks out of it, with which we could build a real palace. I really found a new passion of mine, digging and building with snow, I can't get rid of it.
In the meanwhile, some group of mediapeople came to look at us. Under them were 2 Dutch people, and we started to talk. When I wanted to show them our icehotel, it appears that Frederick was already done. And he wasn't 'just' done, nope, he made a windproof castle. Frederick – my hero!
Our ice-hotel:
Ice-hotel of Míra, Peter, Petra and Katrina:
In the evening Fjällräven made a campfire for all of us and here Mando Diao came to sing a few songs. Phil recorded some, they can be heard hear: http://youtu.be/xVRmGq6aC5A . I'm sure that most fellow Polarists will wipe away some tears, when hearing these songs.
Photos Fjällräven Official:
This night outside was wonderful. It was my best night for months. Later, I heard from Greg they had seen the Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) and although I had really loved to see it, I'm happy I went sleeping. Next day (Saturday) would be our last and there was a big party planned, one I wouldn't miss. However, I surely go back some day to see the light.
Saturday, April 12th
My view, when waking up:
,,Be prepared, otherwise you won't survive!" Yes, Johan Skullman! I was prepared! The evening before we would sleep in our icehotel, I sorted out some meals for breakfast. We also boiled some hot water, so we could have breakfast in our warm sleepingbag. Yeah, I was a proud girl!
Before we left, Johan called us. We had to show we could make fire on our own. On Thursday, I already collected some Birchwood, what was fully dried now. Again, I was prepared! We got some 'hair' of the trees and in no time I made a fire. A fire with wood, hair, a knife and firesteel. PRROOOUUD! It feels so good, making your own fire, finally!
My fire, when practising before Johans exam:
Very soon after, we left again. Our last sleddoggingday begun. The trip didn't take long anymore and we would finish early, in Väkkerä. We already took our flags out of the pack, ate our last meal.. and then we couldn't delay it further. We really had to go to the finish line:(.
With mixed feelings we continued the trip. On one side it's terrible to leave this here, to go back to normal life again. On the other hand, I really longed to a shower.
At the finishline, we had a heart warming welcome from the Fjällräven Crew and media. After some group photo's, we could move to our cabin and have a sauna. Too bad there wasn't a shower, but in the sauna we found warm and cold water – a luxury for us and we could wash our hear excellent. I changed my mind; I don't need a shower anymore.
There was also a gap in the lake, where we could dip after and before sauna. Very cold, but ofcourse, also fun!
At 1900 our diner began. We got as a starter; reindeerheart, cheese-cake, slippy fish and a wrap.
After this, our main dish came; potatoes with reindeer goulash. Whoaa! DE-LI-CIOUS!
During dinner, our certificates were handed out by Andreas Cederlund, Johan Skullman, Kenth Fjällrborg and the CEO of Fjällräven. I wanted to thank these great guys, but how? How can you thank somebody for an once-in-a-lifetime experience? For something I won't ever forget anymore? I still don't know. Heart warming hugs were shared.
After diner, it was time for a party. It was amazing. Live-music, beer, friends for life and experiences I will never forget. We danced, jumped and laughed, as long as we could and slowly more people silently disappeared to their beds. Finally, Petra, Míra, Melanie and I were the last Polarists who left the room. It was a wonderful end of a wonderful trip. A time I will never forget, a time where I was cold, where I sometimes had a tough time, where we learned a lot of things and where we made friendships, which will hopefully last for a very, very long time.
Everybody who helped me, on way way or the other, to make this dream real for me; tack så mycket.
During the trip, I (almost) never knew what time it was. I made the decision not to bring a watch, because I would enjoy nature as it is. Waking up because of the noise, or because I didn't need more sleep. Eating when I was hungry, getting to sleep when I was tired. It felt liberating, something I, now I'm home again, really miss.
At the moment, I miss the nature, the dogs and the other Polarists. But I won't sit still and wait of adventure, I'm looking for it myself.
We already arranged a meeting with Polarists at the Classic next summer and we plan to do Ben Nevis at the end of August. Also, I will visit Phil Raisbeck next week in England.
Happily, there are also activities somewhat closer. We have a Fjällräven Flagshipstore with Hanwag store in Holland, with all the gear beneath one roof. A paradise I would say.
So.. who's going to Amsterdam with me?
Photos by Peter Holly:
I'm always collecting things to enlarge my outdoor collection,
I'm always collecting memories to widen my thoughts.
I like to go out and I want to make the outdoor more accessible.
I haven't set goals, I'll just have a look what crosses my path.
At the moment I'm studying medicine and do a lot of sports (running, swimming, korfball). I work as a Lifeguard in summer and at the moment, I'm learning Swedish.
Maybe a small goal? Inspire other people - and get inspired by people!


text:
Video goggles are such a staple of science fiction that it's hard to imagine anyone actually trying to build a pair. But that's exactly the target MicroOptical Corp. has in its sights.
The company has already introduced glasses with built-in video screens for specialists. In operating rooms, the glasses display critical data for surgeons so that they can continue working while monitoring a patient's vital signs. And soldiers may soon use them to see images of targets projected before their eyes rather than having to snap their head back and forth to refer to a video panel on a vehicle.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
An Episode-by-Episode Guide to What's Happened on Game of Thrones So Far
Here's a schedule to follow so you're ready for season four.
It's April 1, which can only mean one thing: The fourth-season premiere of Game of Thrones is less than a week away. Since the imminent Sunday night appointment with Tyrion Lannister and friends may be causing some panic in fans who can't remember much of what occurred last season other than the gruesome Red Wedding, we're re-running Margaret Lyons's day-by-day catch-up guide as a handy rundown of the many things that have happened so far on the show.
Game of Thrones returns for its fourth season Sunday, April 6. That gives you the perfect amount of time to watch the previous 30 episodes before the new season begins — refresher course, first time, whatever. Per tradition, we've put together your marathon-watching schedule just like we've done for Veronica Mars, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad. GoT only airs ten episodes per season, so this is a very manageable catch-up calendar. While this calendar acknowledges broad plot arcs, it does not contain specific spoilers, so read on, newbies.
March 11
Season 1, Episodes 1 ("Winter Is Coming") and 2 ("The Kingsroad" )
Warning: Game of Thrones starts off kinda boring! I know, I know, it's heresy, but until you get to know the characters on this show, a lot of what they blather on about is just not interesting. Stick with it — it gets more interesting, promise! But also don't worry so much about names, sigils, and house mottos; you'll pick those up along the way. Early on, focus on the major feelings that the characters evoke in the audience and in each other. A big part of the dramatic tension in this series comes from the strain between how characters feel and how they behave, and in what they wish they could do and what they do as part of social performance.
March 12
S1, E3 ("Lord Snow")
Time to start thinking about sexual politics. Many of the male characters on GoT grapple with not being "manly" enough, and many of the female characters bristle at the limited roles for women. Sometimes this plays out in massive ways, and sometimes in smaller ways, like in this episode when the younger Stark daughter Arya (Maisie Williams) starts taking swordsmanship lessons, busting down the restrictive and patriarchal binary gender construct one wooden practice sword at a time.
March 13
S1, E4 ("Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things")
This episode, like many, many others, is mostly about people doing things they don't want to do. Ned Stark (Sean Bean) is being forced into royal politics by his best friend and war buddy King Robert Baratheon. Poor, unfit Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) is being forced to join the other ruffians in the Night's Watch north at a big ice wall. And Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) is being forced to pay for his siblings' actions. GoT might have cool battles and lots o' boobies and all, but this isn't a freewheeling adventure series. Everyone on this show is sad.
March 14
S1, E5 ("The Wolf and the Lion") and E6 ("A Golden Crown" )
Ugh, finally, things are starting to pick up! The first half of this season is sort of a slog, but "Wolf" is when GoT first starts to hint at its sense of humor and its deep weirdness. Not just creepy or dark, but weird. And "Crown" kicks off the higher-energy, higher-intensity, higher-body-count portion of the season. There's a scene in "Crown" — you'll know it when you see it, trust — that is, er, seared in my brain, and was also the first moment when I thought, Okay, maybe I can get onboard with this show.
March 15
S1, E7 ("You Win or You Die") and E8 ("The Pointy End")
Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) seems like the quintessential evil queen: She's evil, she's a queen, she has really long hair, she hates almost everyone, etc. But she's in just as tight a spot as everyone else, forced into relationships and performances she's not interested in, sacrificing just as much of herself and her identity as everyone else is forced to. Heavy is the head that wears all those braids and crowns. See if you can feel any sympathy for her, even as she continues to be super-duper mean.
March 16
S1, E9 ("Baelor") and E10 ("Fire and Blood")
These are by far the best two episodes of the season, and if you're not into the show after these episodes, go ahead and stop. Not everything is for everybody! The world is vast! Now that we're at the end of the first season, think about who got what they said they wanted. Sansa (Sophie Turner)? Daenerys (Emilia Clarke)? Tyrion? Do they seem happy with it?
March 17
Day of rest.
You might feel after "Baelor" that you need a break, and if that's the case, watch "Fire" today. It's still good, but it's nowhere near as intense and draining as "Baelor."
March 18
S2, E1 ("The North Remembers")
Just like season one, season two starts a little slowly. You have to set up all the pieces in the first half of the season so you can spend the second half knocking them over, I guess.
March 19
S2, E2 ("The Night Lands" )
Another kind of dull one, though even sort of blah episodes of GoT involve serious violence (might we interest you in a severed head?). The most important thing to pay attention to here is kindness, and who extends it and who accepts it. Arya, as always, remains the best.
March 20
S2, E3 ("What Is Dead May Never Die") and E3 (" Garden of Bones" )
"Dead" brings another helping of GoT's disturbing violence, and "Bones" heaps on the creepo-magical stories thanks to Melisandre (Carice van Houten) and her mystical aura. A huge amount of the show is spent getting characters physically from one place to another — by foot, by ship, by dejected-looking horse — so anytime we see a character psychologically change but physically stay in the same place, that's a clue that something major is happening.
March 21
Day of rest.
Tell your friends you finally started watching Game of Thrones. Some will be happy for you. Some will insist you read the books.
March 22
S2, E5 ("The Ghost of Harrenhal"), E6 ("The Old Gods and the New") and E7 ("A Man Without Honor" )
"Old Gods" is one of the best episodes of the show, and not because it's one of the series' signature battle pieces or anything particularly extreme. It's just good. The story moves, there are magical elements without that being the purpose of the episode, Arya has a robust story line, and there's even a little bit of romance for both Robb (Richard Madden) and Jon Snow (Kit Harington). "Ghost" and "Honor" are both good, but they're really just the bread on the "Old Gods" sandwich.
March 23
S2, E8 ("The Prince of Winterfell" )
Tyrion is probably GoT's most interesting character. He's on the inside, sort of, since he's a Lannister. But he's on the outside, too, since Cersei and Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and their father Tywin (Charles Dance) always treat him as less-than. Physically, of course, he's at certain disadvantages, but mentally, he's the smartest (and funniest) guy in the room. He's got a dark side and a decent side — and that decent side is bigger than it first seems — and through Tyrion's eyes we learn the most about what power really means in the Seven Kingdoms. Hint: It's not that good, though in most cases it beats the alternative.
March 24
S2, E9 ("Blackwater")
This is the battle episode. It's basically a medieval action movie, though luckily it's a pretty good one. Many, many people consider this the show's best, most exciting episode, and you are free to agree or disagree with that.
March 25
S2, E10 ("Valar Morghulis")
Just like last season, the big OMG episode was the penultimate, so "Valar" feels like a little bit of a letdown after "Blackwater." But on the bright side, it's a big episode for Brienne (Gwendoline Christie), another character who bends Westeros's rigid gender structures; for Daenerys, the character most comfortable in her own role; and for Sansa, who, like Tyrion, always has proximity to power but not access to it. It's a pretty good finale.
March 26
Day of rest.
Tell people you finished season two, and then argue with them about Melisandre.
March 27
S3, E1 ("Valar Dohaeris")
Again, this season follows the same model as the previous two: The first two episodes are a sort of anacrusis before we hit the real downbeat of episode three. "Valar" sets things in motion, giving us a new look at Lady Margaery (Natalie Dormer) and taking us deeper inside the wilding's beyond-the-wall enclave.
March 28
S3, E2 ("Dark Wings, Dark Words")
A surprising number of stories on GoT rely on someone recognizing who's trying not to be recognized: Tyrion can't go undercover, and neither can the Hound (Rory McCann), but Arya, Jamie, and Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) have all tried. (And largely failed.) It speaks to how important these characters are in their worlds: They're not just regular people leading lives of quiet dignity, they're local and frequently national celebrities. Everyone remembers who they are. That itself is a heavy burden.
March 29
S3, E3 ("Walk of Punishment")
Here's a good time to think about GoT's racial politics if you haven't already. Some argue that the series is based on a late Middle Ages European system, and thus shares that era's ideas about race. Others argue that the show includes magic and dragons and is not a documentary about colonialism, so it could be possible to have way more characters of color, and to have a higher percentage of those characters not be slaves.
March 30
S3, E4 ("And Now His Watch Is Ended"), E5 ("Kissed by Fire") and E6 ("The Climb")
Now we're cooking. Daenerys is really rallying her troops, Jon Snow is inventing oral sex, folks are getting betrothed in unexpected pairings, even Samwell is figuring out how to be his best self. Lot of fights, lots of intrigue, some espionage. This is the Game of Thrones one hopes for!
March 31
S3, E7 ("The Bear and the Maiden Fair")
There's a lot of plot in this episode (written by George R.R. Martin himself), but the notable thing is that the episode ends with a human character being forced to fight a bear. It's tragic and grotesque and points to how dehumanized the world of Westeros is, how barbaric. If you've watched this far, you've seen a lot of horrible stuff — rapes, murders, torture, you name it. That's sort of GoT's thing (well, that and sexposition). But the bear scene is the one that haunts me.
April 1
S3, E8 ("Second Sons")
Ooooh, another good one. And one that highlights the difference between sex and affection — helpful, since GoT shows us a lot of sex, but not all that much affection.
April 2
S3, E9 ("The Rains of Castarmere")
So, perhaps you recall last spring, many people freaking out over an episode of Game of Thrones? It was this episode. It's one of the better constructed hours of television of 2013, and man, is it ever a gut punch. Watch, enjoy, bring tissues.
April 3
Day of rest.
Try to talk to someone face-to-face about what you experienced yesterday!
April 4
Day of rest.
Try to convince yourself this show is worth sticking with, even with the emotional anguish.
April 5
S3, E10 ("Mhysa")
Like I said, this season follows the same model as the other two, so again, the biggie is the second-to-last episode, and this season finale is less intense but still substantive. Everyone who's not Daenerys has their lives shaken up like crazy, but Dany and her minions are flying high. (Not unlike a dragon.) It's a little bit of a letdown after "Rains," but you can't really have an episode like that more than once a season. And now you're all caught up! Just in time for the season-four premiere tomorrow at 9 p.m.


text:
How do you cope when you lose your mother?
By xandra14
@xandra14 (12)
United States
November 27, 2008 7:51am CST
How do you cope? How long will the pain last? My mother is dying. She is very sick. Her cancer has metastasized into her spine. I am an only child and my Dad was never part of my life. How do you live without your mother by your side? I am afraid that I will lose my memory of her or I will begin to forget after a few years. Will that happen? I do not want to forget her voice, her warmth, her laugh.
1 response
@deedeehall (1144)
• United States
28 Nov 08
im sorry you have only one parent and this one you may loose.this will feel very lonley for you if she is to go.just remember when people go to heaven they are still here for us in spirit.you will never loose her completley just pray every day tell her you love her she will still be ther with you.i dont think you will ever loose her memory and i know she will always be looking down from heaven making sure her child is ok.good luck and god bless you.


text:
|---- Specifications ----
|6.7 liter Cummins inline-6 diesel
|750 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
|325 hp @ 2400 rpm
|48.5 hp per liter
|1/4 mile
|0-62 mph
|Top Speed
September 8, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks are the pinnacle of capability. Engineered and designed for extreme daily work, the Ram Chassis Cabs are products of a demanding environment and direct customer input. For 2014, Ram Chassis Cabs will pack a bigger punch with the introduction of a new 6.4-liter gas engine. Upfits will benefit from a left- or right-side PTO capability and a five-minute shut-down timer feature.
"No truck is engineered to work harder than the Ram Chassis Cab lineup. Our energies focus on simplification for upfitters and reducing total cost of ownership," said Reid Bigland, President and CEO — Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "There is significant opportunity to grow our share in the Chassis Cab segment and Ram offers best-in-class capabilities with class-exclusive features to attract new customers."
Ram's halo truck line focuses on best-in-class capability and best-in-class total cost of ownership, a leading purchase reason among business owners. Ram Chassis Cab trucks offer the latest infotainment technology and exclusive upfit solutions, giving Ram Chassis Cab a competitive advantage. The Chassis Cab line goes further to offer a unsurpassed powertrain warranty of five years/100,000 miles.
The 2014 Chassis Cab best-in-class capability ratings:
Features include a number of industry exclusives:
Ram Chassis Cab engineers design trucks for upfits and develop unique features to ease installation of multiple systems and bodies without interference or difficult relocation of components, including:
For 2014, Ram engineers have enhanced the 3500 Chassis Cab model with a new three-link front suspension that provides greater load-carrying capability and best-in-class towing.
Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs have received upgrades as well. Both models are now rated for up to 7,000 pounds of front Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on 6.4-liter gas engine-equipped models and up to 7,250 pounds GAWR on 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel models.
Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) for Ram 3500 models equipped with single rear wheels have been raised, now ranging from 10,500 to 12,000 pounds. A 10,000-lb. GVWR model that falls below certain truck-weight restrictions is also available.
To handle the best-in-class towing and unsurpassed GVWR capability of the Ram Chassis Cab, robust front suspension springs handle heavier loads while maintaining front ride height and improving overall roll stiffness. Greater roll stiffness, also known as body roll, is an important characteristic in taller vehicles, especially trucks with heavy payloads. An advanced five-link front suspension on Class 4 and 5 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks ensures excellent ride and handling for a higher GVWR and for use with heavy front loads, including snow plows. The Hotchkiss rear leaf spring suspension not only provides a minimum of zero degrees rake angle at max load, it also maintains objectives for ride and handling.
With upfits in mind, the 2014 Ram Chassis Cab trucks feature frames built with high-strength 50,000 psi steel, including eight separate cross-member construction. Designing the frames for upfits creates a competitive advantage, improves durability and reduces warranty costs from unapproved modifications. Ram Chassis Cab trucks have no components or lines above the rear frame rails. For example, the diesel exhaust fluid tank (DEF) is located under the cab and out of the upfit zones. The feature reduces the need for modification and relocation that is sometimes required in competitive trucks. One piece, C-channel rear frame rails, and through-the-frame plumbing and electrical provide a flat plane for ease of mounting application bodies and accessories.
The drag link is positioned over the track bar to reduce roll oversteer and to improve tracking at highway speeds. Also, the drag link is attached directly to the knuckle, offering improved efficiency for driver input. The caster and track are engineered for more wheel-aligning torque, which improves return-to-center at the steering wheel. A ball joint alignment feature and sealing method improves alignment and service for lower total cost of ownership. This design results in enhanced and precise on-center feel, despite the vehicle's impressive towing and payload capacities.
The 2014 Ram Chassis Cab comes equipped with engine, transmission and body mounts for class-leading noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics.
Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab commercial trucks are available with an engineering-approved, upfitter-friendly solution for customers who require back panel removal on regular cab trucks. Because the instructions were created and approved by Ram Commercial truck engineers, the cutaway design retains the structural integrity of the truck.
As the Ram Chassis Cab continues to offer more featured content, it created the need for a technology that allows more information to be electronically communicated within the truck. The Powernet system allows both high- and low-speed data networks to be equipped with as many as 40 individual modules, all designed to improve vehicle performance and enhance the comfort and safety of driver and passengers.
A majority of the commercial truck customers need to tie into the electrical system, and certain fleet customers require access to vehicle information. A best-in-class VSIM is capable of communicating between aftermarket modules and various Chassis Cab control modules. The class-exclusive module acts as a secure gateway to the vehicle's electrical systems and data bus architecture to enable safe, secure plug-and-play connectivity for up-fitter use.
An optional dual 220-amp alternator system (440 amps total) on the diesel-equipped Ram Chassis Cab provides best-in-class electrical capability for the higher electrical loads required in select upfits such as emergency lighting and electric clutch pumps. The new 6.4-liter gas powertrain gets a dual-alternator option, pairing a 220-amp unit with a 160-amp, for a total of 380 amps.
A segment exclusive selective tire pressure display is standard for both single- and dual-rear-wheel 3500 models.
Total cost of ownership and unsurpassed powertrain warranty - five years/100,000 miles
Operating costs are of great consideration for owners who use their trucks for work. The 2014 Ram Chassis Cab claims class-leading features in:
The 2014 Ram Chassis Cab is backed with a unsurpassed, five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. The powertrain limited warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair a covered powertrain component – engine, transmission and drive system. Coverage also includes free towing to the nearest Ram Truck dealer, if necessary. The warranty is transferable allowing customers who sell their truck during the warranty period to pass the coverage on to the new owner. The standard three-year/36,000-mile Basic Limited Warranty provides bumper-to-bumper coverage for the Ram Chassis Cab, from the body to the electrical system.
The 2014 Ram Chassis Cab 3500, 4500 and 5500 come standard with the new 6.4-HEMI® V-8 gasoline engine — the first implementation of a gasoline engine for the Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab models. The Chassis Cab version of the 6.4 HEMI is similar by design but is engineered for a different duty cycle, when compared to the version offered in the Ram 2500 and 3500. The all-new powerplant provides a worthy gas-powered option to the segment's overall standard-bearer – the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel.
Compelling numbers tell the story of the new 16-valve engine: estimated up to 410 horsepower (302 kW) at 4,600 rpm (4,600 rpm for Aisin in 4500/5500) and a peak torque rating of 429 lb.-ft. (582 N•m) at 4,000 rpm. Ram's new 6.4-liter V-8 gasoline engine is the first of its kind for Class 4 and 5 Ram 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks.
The new, big gasoline engine offers a number of features important to the hard, working, heavy- and medium-duty segments, including the dual-alternator option and a programmable idle shut-down timer. Additionally, the engine features Fuel Saver cylinder deactivation operation under normal driving conditions (66RFE transmission) and during PTO mode (Aisin transmissions) to improve efficiency.
The new 6.4-liter HEMI is available with the 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission or the AS66RC six-speed automatic transmission with segment exclusive, gasoline engine left- or right-side PTO capability.
The 3500 Chassis Cab also is available with the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 gasoline engine. The engine produces 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and generates peak torque of 400 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. Mated to the 66RFE six-speed automatic transmission, the HEMI features enhanced fuel efficiency and power output, thanks to the incorporation of variable-valve timing (VVT) and a compression ratio of 9.6:1. Refinements and other applied technologies provide the latest-generation HEMI with performance and fuel economy improvements to rival multi-valve V-8 offerings.
Unlike the competition, Ram offers two engine variants based on the 6.7-liter Cummins for diesel supremacy in the segment.
The first version features 320 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,400 rpm. The engine is paired with Ram's segment-exclusive six-speed manual transmission, which features a wear-compensating clutch for consistent performance and a dual-trunion shift tower to accommodate a compact shift pattern.
A second high-output diesel delivers 325 horsepower at 2,400 rpm and generates best-in-class torque of 750 lb.-ft. at 1,600 rpm. The engine is paired with an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission (AS69RC).
The Aisin AS69RC transmission features robust components and impressive shift performance, transmission efficiency and drivability when compared to the competition. The transmission is designed for high engine ratings and enables a left- and right-side PTO option, as well as allowing for a split shaft PTO configuration (diesel). Fire pumpers, dump beds, aerial buckets, cranes and onboard compressor/generators are typical PTO based upfits.
New for 2014, Ram 3500 Chassis Cab trucks are equipped with a front-axle disconnect for greater fuel efficiency.
All Ram Chassis Cab diesels benefit from an advanced cooling system. A high-efficiency fan, dual radiators, dual transmission coolers and charge air cooler provide impressive heat-rejection capacity to align with best-in-class GCWR. Lower operating temperatures deliver unsurpassed performance, durability and lower operating costs.
Best-in-class GCWRs also facilitated by the industry-exclusive Ram Active Air intake system, activated by monitoring capabilities in the engine controller. When the exclusive intake system senses extreme heat, it draws cooler air from the front of the vehicle – a function that also engages at high altitudes for superior throttle response in low-oxygen environments. When conditions are wet from snow, ice or water fording, the system pulls air from an under- hood inlet, clear from snow packing and water ingestion.
A new, dual fuel tank option combines 52-gallon and 22-gallon tanks for 74 gallons of extended, integrated onboard fuel range for lower operating costs. Additionally, a mid-ship 22-gallon tank is now an option for gasoline- and diesel-powered Chassis Cabs.
Emissions performance
The Cummins power plants utilize a large exhaust-gas recirculation cooler, which complements the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and accommodates a best-in-class oil-change interval of 15,000 miles. Oil life is longer by reducing soot production and reducing fuel dilution of the oil.
When needed, the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is injected into the exhaust to reduce NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) emissions coming out of the tail pipe. Unlike the competition, the Ram Chassis Cab maintains full power when fluid is low. The state-of-the art DEF system applied on the Ram Chassis Cab features an electric heater in the DEF tank to ensure the fluid is available in a liquid state regardless of climate. The DEF refill port is conveniently located at the rear of the cab on the driver's side of the vehicle, and clear of upfit zones, a configuration that ensures easy access at fuel stations when compared to the competition.
Combined with an improvement in fuel economy, due in part to the engines' high-pressure common-rail fuel system, SCR provides a net reduction in Ram Chassis Cab operating costs.
The SCR-equipped Cummins engines also operate cleaner by lowering greenhouse-gas emissions and better managing soot production than Lean NOx Trap (LNT) technology.
Three grille designs are available on the 2014 Ram Chassis Cabs, and a premium headlamp features bi-functional halogen projectors and LEDs for park/turn and side markers. The LED light housings are functional hardware with appeal and durability over incandescent bulbs.
Ram 3500 Chassis Cab single rear wheel models get three new 18-inch wheels: steel (Tradesman), chrome-clad steel (standard on SLT, optional on Tradesman) and polished aluminum (standard on Laramie, optional on Tradesman and SLT).
An exclusive, backup camera is available and delivered with factory wiring and multipurpose mount for easy installation by the upfitter. The camera provides a view of the rear with high definition and dynamic imaging in the available 5.0-inch and 8.4-inch radio display or 1.7 x 3-inch display in the rearview mirror.
Exterior door and fender badges are located in a portrait style format providing usable real estate on the door for a commercial customer's logos and graphics.
Ram Chassis Cab offers 12 different colors, including Black, Black Gold Pearl, Blue Streak Pearl, Bright Silver Metallic Bright White, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl, Flame Red, Granite Crystal Metallic, Maximum Steel Metallic, Prairie Pearl, True Blue Pearl and Western Brown Pearl.
Ram Chassis Cab models are also available in an additional 18 specialty paint options, including Midnight Blue, Case Construction Power Tan, Case IH Red, New Holland Construction Yellow, New Holland Agriculture Blue and Robin Egg Blue.
In four-door models, rear-seat occupants enjoy the same quality, fit and finish as the driver. With points of contact a priority, premium, durable materials are on all four doors.
The 2014 Ram Chassis Cab features the next generation 8.4-inch Uconnect system. The center stack includes matching materials found throughout the interior. To complement the range of Chassis Cab models, the interior design team created individualized themes with different colors and materials.
The HVAC controls feature simple function meeting the highest Human Machine Interface (HMI) standards. The HVAC system includes a redundant architecture allowing the operator to use either the 8.4-inch touchscreen or manual controls to alter the truck's environment. Below the HVAC arrangement is a switch bank with easy-to-use controls for a number of features depending on vehicle models and options. The top row is for functional features and includes exhaust brake, tow/haul and electronic stability control (ESC). Five instrument panel mounted auxiliary switches are standard on all Chassis Cab models. The fifth switch becomes a PTO on/off switch when equipped. The bottom row comes standard as an auxiliary switch bank for all five spots with a PTO option when equipped. Contiguous to the switch bank is a prominently placed adjustable integrated trailer brake control allowing the driver to add or reduce trailer brake function on the fly. The console center stack includes one 115-volt and two 12-volt outlets on either side with an optional powered USB port on the driver's side.
All Ram Chassis Cab trucks continue to use a column shifter for the automatic transmission. Electronic Range Select (ERS) is located on the column. Diesel models offer an exclusive manual six-speed transmission, the only manual transmission offering in the segment. On all models, the transfer case retains full capability with a rotary e-shift to control "4WD Auto," "4WD Lock," "4WD Low," "2WD" and "Neutral".
The 3.5-inch vehicle information center screen is a standard feature. The thin-film transistor (TFT), 7-inch multiview display is available on SLT and Laramie models. The 7-inch screen features fully customizable function and configurability giving the owner a variety of systems to monitor from transmission temperature to navigation.
Chassis Cab trucks with bucket seats offer additional storage capacity in the center console. Six-passenger capability is available with the 40-20-40 bench-seat configuration. The center consoles for both the bucket and 40-20-40 bench-seat configurations keep efficient storage in mind. The bucket seat console uses the extra space as additional storage. The bench seat design includes three cup holders built into the console lid that features a washable rubber bellow lining allowing storage for most cup sizes as well as other personal items. Folding back the center console and center front seat base reveals a large storage bin that houses an optional CD player. Both versions of the console feature two tiers of storage and are available with a multimedia port with USB, SD card and auxiliary inputs in the upper tier. Additionally, a 2.5-amp USB power port and 12-volt outlet are available to meet device-charging needs.
Start of production of the 2014 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cab is scheduled for the third quarter of 2013 at the Saltillo Truck Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico.


text:
SOURCE: Fujitsu America, Inc.
November 09, 2011 08:00 ET
DI Blocks Introduce Modular Approach for Changing Business Dynamics
DI Blocks Introduce Modular Approach for Changing Business Dynamics
SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 9, 2011) - Fujitsu today introduces globally Dynamic Infrastructures Blocks (DI Blocks), which enable enterprises to take a modular, step-by-step approach toward consolidating and reshaping their datacenters. Enterprises gain a competitive edge from DI Blocks by ensuring that their IT operations are always available to meet changing business needs, and ready for on-premise private cloud infrastructures.
A powerful but simple interface to fully automated datacenter resources, DI Blocks are comprised of orchestrated server, storage, network and virtualization technology, wrapped with integrated dynamic resource management software. Pools of infrastructure resources in datacenters enable enterprises to quickly and easily provision IT services.
As the needs of enterprise business change, DI Blocks provide an escape from the complexity and rigidity of last-generation silo technology. Datacenters are transformed into highly flexible powerful automated pools of computing resources. Furthermore, integration and lifetime services, including hardware and operating system maintenance, can be provided by Fujitsu consulting and operations support services.
Pre-integrated, factory-configured, customized DI Blocks enable enterprises to move toward scale-out private cloud-based computing environments. Total cost of ownership is reduced by improving the overall use of server, storage, software and networking components. IT resources are allocated on-demand, delivering improved productivity by provisioning logical infrastructure environments within minutes.
Simple management by orchestration software
Enterprises can dynamically assign computing components as and when needed with management software such as the Fujitsu ServerView(R) Resource Orchestrator managing all physical and virtual elements, including leading virtualization technology from Fujitsu partners VMware and Microsoft. ServerView Resource Orchestrator supports the flexible and rapid utilization of IT resources in private clouds through dynamic resource management for physical and virtual computing resources and leverages the public cloud expertise of Fujitsu.
Jens-Peter Seick, Senior Vice President, Product Development Group at Fujitsu Technology Solutions says: "For enterprises, it is impossible to predict future resource requirements from IT systems, but with DI Blocks it is possible to create flexible, future-proof systems that are flexible and agile enough to meet ever-changing needs. This represents a major shift in how forward-looking companies are making the move to IT that supports their needs, rather than being restricted by rigid, outdated systems."
DI Blocks are dedicated appliances for enterprise virtualization and private cloud infrastructures. The first set of DI Blocks will be commercially available in early 2012. Availability may vary by region. Pricing varies according to configuration.
Starting at 48 cores, DI Blocks system configurations scale to more than 1700 Intel® Xeon® 5600 series cores, with memory of up to almost 21,000GB and disk storage capacities of more than 900TB, requiring 10GB Ethernet or 8GB Fibre Channel networks.
For Further Information
DI Blocks: http://www.global-cloud.ts.fujitsu.com/fujitsu-cloud-infrastructure/fujitsu-cloud-solutions/
Fujitsu America Homepage: http://solutions.us.fujitsu.com/
News Page: http://fujitsunews.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/fujitsuamerica
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fujitsu-ONEplace/35802822876
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/shopfujitsu
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a leading provider of information and communication technology (ICT)-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 170,000 employees supporting customers in over 100 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.5 trillion yen (US$55 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. For more information, please see: www.fujitsu.com.
Fujitsu America, Inc. is a leading ICT solutions provider for organizations in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Fujitsu enables clients to meet their business objectives through integrated offerings and solutions, including consulting, systems integration, managed services, outsourcing and cloud services for infrastructure, platforms and applications; data center and field services; and server, storage, software and mobile/tablet technologies. For more information, please visit: http://solutions.us.fujitsu.com/ and http://twitter.com/fujitsuamerica.
Fujitsu, the Fujitsu logo and "shaping tomorrow with you" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fujitsu Limited in the United States and other countries. ServerView is a trademark or registered trademark of Fujitsu Technology Solutions in the United States and other countries. VMware is a registered trademark and/or trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. Microsoft is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Intel, the Intel logo, and Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.
Press ContactFujitsu America, Inc.
Karen Richardson
Manager, Public Relations
Press ContactFujitsu America, Inc.
Karen Richardson
Manager, Public Relations
See all RSS Newsfeeds


text:
Sure, everyone gets worried about robots taking over our jobs, but what about our rock n' roll?
If that's the sort of thing that has you losing sleep, you might not want to check out this video from robot band End Of Life, because it's, well… pretty fantastic. Using an electric guitar, cello, drums, and — get this — a flatbed scanner, the band performs a pretty great rendition of Marilyn Manson's The Beautiful People, sans people.
The video was created by YouTube user bd594, who writes that he was actually working on a version of Mad World and had some trouble with the robot handling the cello. When he realized that the unintended sound coming from the instrument was eerily similar to a section of The Beautiful People, the first big hit for End Of Life was born.
"One night I was working on the cello and the stepper motor started to jitter almost ripping the cello [string] and bow apart," he explains. "As I was jumping over to the power switch, I noticed that the jittery sound reminded me of a song. That song turned out to be The Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson. I programmed a small part for the Cello and it sounded great. Who would have ever though to use a cello in that song?"
The entire performance took over a month to produce, and he plans to post a follow-up video with a look at the "circuits, parts, and tools" required to make it all happen.
Of course, that's all well and good, but what about the scanner? What's that robot's back story?
Leave it to the cello to steal all the glory.
Editors' Recommendations
- Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood': Everything we know so far
- Brewing nightmare fuel with the FX team behind the 'Stranger Things' Demogorgon
- The best Dolby Atmos movies, from 'Ready Player One' to the new 'Jumanji' movie
- I ran into LG's Cloi robot at the airport in South Korea. Here's what happened
- Keanu Reeves shares 'Bill and Ted 3' plot, questions the nature of his reality


text:
Report of damage to agriculture by flood water, Muddy River, October 29, 1946
- Title
- Report of damage to agriculture by flood water, Muddy River, October 29, 1946
- Description
- List of properties damaged in a flood in October of 1946 in the Moapa valley with details of damage to each property.
- Identified Individuals
- Accession Number
- Box 4 Folder 47 Flood Control Reports and Maps for Southern Nevada 1934-1950
- Original Collection
- Formatted Date
- 1946-10
- Alternative Date
- 1946 (October)
- Geographic Feature (Getty TGN)
- Local Geographic Feature
- City or Town (Getty TGN)
- County (Getty TGN)
- State (Getty TGN)
- Country (Getty TGN)
- Subject (FAST Topical & Geographic Headings)
- DC Type
- Genre (TGM)
- Local Genre
- Language
- Is Part of
- http://digital.library.unlv.edu/u?/dig,2
- Rights
- This material may be protected by copyright. Personal, including educational and academic, use of this material is without restriction but acknowledgement of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University Libraries is requested whether the use is oral, web or in print. Commercial use of any portion of this material requires permission from the University Libraries. For further information please contact Digital Collections: http://digital.library.unlv.edu/contact
- Format
- application/pdf
- Measurements
- 8.12 x 10.59 inches
- Digital Publisher
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries
- Digital Collection
- Conversion Specifications
- Original material scanned on Epson Expression 10000XL using EPSON Scan Ver. 2.94A software
- Digital ID
- hln000606
- Access ID
- 612
Cite this Item
When linking to this object, please use the following URL:
CommentsSubscribe to recent comments
There are no comments yet. Be the first to comment below!


text:
Ladies Please Explain This Caption ?
I saw a bunch of people clowning the caption on this pic on Twitter and Instagram. People were calling the girl stupid and so on and so forth but what do you get from the caption on this pic?
Here is what I think the young lady was trying to say in a very ignorant way... She would rather be in a relationship with a man who is genuine even if he is cheating on his other girlfriend, he isn't lying to her about it. I guess this is her idea of loyalty. I don't agree or disagree, I think people were rushing to judge with out comprehending what she was trying to say. Anyways that is what I got from it but what do you think ?


text:
GHC Smooth T-Shirt (grey marl)
On Sale
M33 in stock
L0 in stock
- Glitch Hop Community's Limited T-Shirt from "Ain't That A Glitch" Collection
- Embroidery GHC Logo
- Sewn in GHC label in the neckline
- Sewn on small label with GHC logo on the hem
- Shoulder to shoulder tape, side seamed
- Fabric: quality 65/35 polyester/ringspun combed-cotton construction
- Weight: 160g/m²
- For every purchased item you get a complimentary Glitch Hop Community sticker pack consists of 20 pieces of stickers in 4 different designs! (5pcs/design)
- Shipping: International Priority
- Delivery:
Europe: approx. 4-6 business days
USA: approx. 5-7 business days
Australia: approx. 2 weeks


text:
Spider's head, ESEM
C004/1566 Rights Managed
530 pixels on longest edge, unwatermarked
Request/Download high-res file
Uncompressed file size: 50.1MB
Downloadable file size: 2.7MB
Please login to use the price calculator
Credit: THIERRY BERROD, MONA LISA PRODUCTION/ SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Release details: Model release not available. Property release not required.
Keywords: anatomical, anatomy, animal, arachnid, arachnology, arthropod, biological, biology, chelicerae, coloured, environmental sem, esem, eye, eyes, false-coloured, fang, fangs, fauna, head, invertebrate, invertebrates, jaws, legs, mouthparts, nature, ocelli, ocellus, palps, scanning electron micrograph, scanning electron microscope, sem, simple, spider, wildlife, zoological, zoology
Licence fees: A licence fee will be charged for any media (low or high resolution) used in your project.


text:
Latest North American Data Help Track Industrial Pollution, Support Sustainability Efforts
Primary tabs
Latest North American Data Help Track Industrial Pollution, Support Sustainability Efforts
• Updated, integrated North American database details a reported 4.9 billion kilograms of pollutants, including cross-border transfers.
• Multi-year database allows tracking of changes in pollutant releases over time.
• Improved search tools allow users to explore pollutant releases and transfers from specific facilities and sectors at local and continental levels using charts and maps.
NEWSROOM: Commission for Environmental Cooperation
CONTENT: Press Release
(3BL Media) Vancouver, Canada - March 15, 2012 - The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) today released a major update of pollution data reported by industrial facilities in Canada, Mexico and the United States at the Globe 2012 conference on business and the environment. The CEC's updated website—Taking Stock Online—allows companies, communities, and the public to track the release and transfer of pollutants across industries and national boundaries.
"Tracking industrial pollution information is vital to our collective efforts to green North America's economy and make manufacturing, resource extraction and energy production more environmentally sustainable," said Evan Lloyd, CEC Executive Director.
Taking Stock Online presents the most recent and complete North American data on industrial pollutant releases and transfers and is an important resource in support of sustainability goals. The database covers more than 500 pollutants and almost 100 major industrial sectors reporting to the pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs) of the three North American countries.
The Taking Stock website features a summary of data reported in 2009, the latest publicly available information from all three North American PRTRs. It shows that reported North American industrial releases and transfers totaled just over 4.9 billion kilograms in 2009—a decrease from the 5.7 billion kilograms reported in each of the previous three years.
Tracking pollutants for sustainability
Both industry and governments need reliable and comparable information to meet the challenge of protecting shared ecosystems. For companies, using PRTR data as a baseline can help gauge their environmental performance and communicate this to shareholders and communities. Taking Stock Online, in combination with other information, can be used to help track sustainability by:
- gaining a better understanding of their pollutant emissions and waste management practices;
- comparing their facility releases to those of other facilities from the same company, or in the same sector across North America, and establishing benchmarking for pollution reductions;
- verifying corporate environmental reports against reported PRTR information.
Later this year the CEC will publish the 14th annual edition of its Taking Stock report, a detailed analysis of changes in reported releases and transfers over the last five years of available data. The report will focus on North American-wide changes in reported releases of pollutants of common concern, the facilities and sectors reporting them, and changes in pollutant management methods.
Using the multi-year data now online, some significant changes are already apparent. For example, reported air releases of mercury and its compounds from the electricity generation sector decreased by about 26 percent between 2005 and 2009. Of all reporting sectors, fossil fuel-based power plants have consistently been the top source of releases to air of mercury, accounting for at least 66 percent of total annual releases to air of this substance. Mercury, a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) pollutant, is reported to the three North American PRTRs and is of special concern because of its potential to be extremely toxic to human health and the environment.
The upcoming report will explore the details of such changes in order to identify the drivers, which can range from shifts in the number of reporting facilities, changes in pollutant management methods and – in the particular case of fossil fuel power plants – fuel and process changes and the implementation of other pollution prevention activities.
Tools for understanding and using North American pollutant data
The Taking Stock Online searchable database features new tools to assist in data analysis, including dynamic summary charts that drive the user to specific search results. The website includes a "Using and Understanding" section with information about the data and tools. It also outlines the unique requirements of each country's PRTR system relative to the sectors and pollutants subject to reporting and how those affect the North American picture of industrial pollution.
Among other features, the website allows users to:
- Explore data on pollutant releases and transfers of a variety of pollutants, from a range of sectors—in one or more country, as well as across borders;
- Track year-to-year changes in reporting and waste management practices
- Generate reports in a variety of formats including pie charts and spreadsheets;
- Create maps and view them using Google Earth;
- Analyze PRTR data with respect to geospatial information such as watersheds, rivers and lakes, and population centers using data from the CEC's North American Environmental Atlas.
About Taking Stock Online
Taking Stock is published annually by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation and compiles data from North America's three pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTRs): Canada's National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), Mexico's Registro de Emisiones y Transferencia de Contaminantes (RETC), and the US Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).
Taking Stock Online includes a full-featured database search tool, highlights and information about the data, and links to previous reports and related information. Explore the data now at: www.cec.org/takingstock
The previous edition of the Taking Stock report provided an in-depth look at North American industrial pollutant releases to water, with a detailed look at the sources and amounts reported, as well as their potential impacts on the environment.
A companion report published by the CEC in December 2011—North American Power Plant Air Emissions—presented data on the generating capacity, fuel type and pollutant emissions for more than 3,000 North American power plants and serves as a valuable source of information to complement the Taking Stock analyses for the electricity sector. See http://www.cec.org/powerplants for more information.
About CEC
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to implement the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the environmental side accord to NAFTA. The CEC supports cooperation among the NAFTA partners to address environmental issues of continental concern, including the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.
This initiative was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment, the Government of the United States of Mexico through the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, and the Government of the United States of America through the Environmental Protection Agency.
NEWSROOM: Commission for Environmental Cooperation
CONTENT: Press Release


text:
MSI Z77 MPOWER LGA1155 Motherboard
MSI should be well
known to most of our readers, and today Benchmark Reviews checks out their new
MSI Z77 MPOWER LGA1155 motherboard. This time around MSI is aiming at the
performance enthusiast and overclocker: the MPOWER is an "OC
Certified" motherboard. What, precisely, does "OC Certified"
mean? Join us as we put this board through its paces and see if it can serve as
the foundation of an overclocked system. @ Benchmark Reviews


text:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman is the fierce fighting machine who possesses amazing healing powers, retractable claws and a primal fury. The film tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program.
Copyright © 2018, Orlando Sentinel


text:
Documentary about U-M solar car to premiere in Ann Arbor, air on BTN
Confidence, excitement, disappointment, yet ultimately: Michigan pride. It was a thrilling ride for the team of students representing U-M's solar car in the World Solar Challenge in Australia.
Members of the U-M Solar Car Team work on Quantum during the 2011 World Solar Challenge in Australia. Click here for more on the Solar Car Team. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Productions)
A new 30-minute documentary, "Racing With the Sun," that offers a vivid up-close look at the team's dedication and determination in the Outback will premiere at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Michigan Theater Screening Room in Ann Arbor. The event is free and open to the public. Members of the Solar Car Team will be on hand to answer questions afterward.
The Big Ten Network will broadcast the documentary Friday, immediately after the U-M-Michigan State University hockey game. The video was produced by Michigan Productions, led by Chris McElroy.
Students from disciplines across campus put their heart and soul into the October 2011 race that included a smoldering brush fire and wind-shearing road trains. Quantum placed third behind teams from Japan and The Netherlands. It wasn't the first-place finish team members were hoping for, but no other U.S. team has had back-to-back top-three World Solar Challenge finishes.
"Racing the solar car across the Australian Outback is an experience unlike any other," said Eric Hausman, Quantum project manager. "The documentary portrays this experience and emotions of the team throughout the race wonderfully. We are looking forward to learning from the experience to build an even better car moving forward."


text:
Gift Boxes
Gift Boxes comes in three sizes: Small, Medium and Large, with a selection of gifts inside. And the price reflect the size and content. The gift boxes are intended for the fans to purchase either for themselves to keep or to give to others on special accesions.
Gift Boxes (Small)£0.00 view
Gift Boxes (Large)£0.00 view
Gift Boxes (Medium)£0.00 view
|Displaying 1 to 3 (of 3 products)
|Result Pages: 1


text:
The Irish Food Heritage Project has been entered into the Arthur Guinness Projects -Food Section. Below details why the Guinness fund has been set up .
The Arthur Guinness Projects - Championing the talent and creativity of Ireland.
The Arthur Guinness Projects - Championing the talent and creativity of Ireland.
The Arthur Guinness Projects exist to celebrate and reward the next chapter of Irish talent and creativity. We are looking for extraordinary people with innovative, inspiring, brilliant ideas, and the passion and drive to make them happen. So if you have a potential project in Music, Sport, Arts or Food that would benefit from financial and practical assistance, this is your chance to bring it to life.
Please take 1 minute to vote .click on the link below ,you will be asked to click on your Country and age before voting. Your support is greatly appreciated .If successful this help from Guinness will help drive the project further mutually beneficial across all sectors.
Irish Food Heritage Project is a multifaceted award winning food heritage initiative which seeks to promote the North West as a cultural culinary tourism destination and drive inward investment into the Irish agri-food & tourism industry using a range of food heritage revival products/services, including: Guided tours, Education projects, Exhibition trailer, catering services, publication, app, TV programming and website..
Thanks again for your continued support.
Emmett McCourt
Feast or Famine
Irish Food Heritage Project


text:
After discovering his knee injury to be more extensive than previously though, Christopher Vermeulen will miss World Superbike's stop at Valencia this weekend, but is expected to be back on the saddle at Assen. Vermeulen injured his knee during a bad highside at Phillip Island, and was unable to rejoin the series at Portimao despite making an attempt during the free practice. As such, it looks like the Australian rider will be replaced this weekend at Valencia.
After a nasty crash during Race 2 of World Superbike's stop at Phillip Island, Christopher Vermeulen will not have to undergo surgery on his knee, meaning the Australian rider could compete in the upcoming Portimao race that is on March 28th. Vermeulen reportedly doesn't have full movement of his leg, but the he still hopes to be on his PBM Kawasaki at the Portugese track, gobbling up points in what he hopes could be a run for the WSBK Championship. See Chris talk about his condition after the jump.


text:
Only three weeks until curtains rise on "Dare to Dance 5: Love Uprising"! So what does that mean behind-the-scene?
It means we have a setlist and all performances are confirmed. (And as always, the song selections make an awesome playlist!) It means all the groups have been busy rehearsing – for anywhere between one month and several months – and are now approaching the final polishing stage. It means a lot of conversations about costumes, props, and set pieces have been happening, which can be a really fun part of the process, or a really stressful part.
It also means this whole thing is starting to feel very real. It also means the excitement – and anxiety – is building toward Tech Week which, as everyone in the theatre world knows, is always a chaotic and exhilarating mess before everything magically gels together. It also means the passage of time has sped up, and the mere 21 days between now and then will zip by before we know it.
It means that the artistic creation known as "Dare to Dance 5: Love Uprising," the culmination of inspiration, passion, and emotion from our 50+ performers and staff, is rapidly taking shape and getting ready to greet the world. To meet you.
Are you ready to meet it?


text:
Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Current Events' started by giganten, Jun 8, 2007.
I hope this isnt old news.
Cool mobile phone from SMS Technology Australia.
Well I haven't seen this before, looks quite good. Reasonably nice design and not too bulky.
Looks nifty. I could be Dick Tracy.
Actually, I am curious to know how much it costs, but I refuse to create an account just to find out....
Cool phone. A watch as a phone, neat, but how do you talk? Bluetooth?
Looks cool, but I still plan on purchasing a iPhone come June 29th.