text:
Just What the Doctor Ordered
Therapeutic Recreation for People with HIV
Feeling a bit anxious? Suffering from sleep disturbances? Having difficulty concentrating? Well, maybe a visit to your friendly neighborhood Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist can help.
That's right. You can add "CTRS" to your alphabet of health professionals who may be able to help you.
Did you even know that therapeutic recreation was a field of study and that an individual could become certified as a therapeutic recreation specialist? Did it ever even occur to you that your "recreation" might be ailing? Did it ever enter your mind that "healing" your recreation or your leisure lifestyle could result in a more balanced and healthy life?
Therapeutic recreation specialists do not hang shingles in front of their homes. They do, however, work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, recovery programs, and community-based organizations. Therapeutic recreation, or TR, is a process that uses recreation to bring about changes in behavior, particularly among people with special needs and problems. The focus of this process is on the use of recreation and leisure activities to enhance the individual's growth and development and to enable the person to take the responsibility for fulfilling his or her own leisure needs.
Therapeutic Recreation and HIV/AIDS
An AIDS diagnosis can affect every aspect of an individual's life, and the impact can be enormous. Even today, when the initial AIDS hysteria has died down somewhat, being HIV-positive can lead to isolation from peers, family, and coworkers. An individual's sense of identity may suffer from changes in lifestyle and familiar routines.
The complex medical and psychological factors associated with AIDS can result in a general neglect of healthy leisure activities. And neglecting leisure is detrimental to the ability to survive. Studies have shown that leisure neglect, loneliness, and the feeling of lacking control over one's own life can result in increased mortality. Many people with HIV disease experience increased anxiety, which itself has a damaging effect on the functioning of the immune system. This can interfere with the body's ability to combat infection and can manifest itself as chronic pain, stress, tachycardia, anorexia/poor appetite, headaches, diarrhea, sweating, poor concentration, and apprehensiveness.
Since the beginning of the epidemic, recreation specialists have been working with people with HIV disease, helping them overcome these and other factors associated with having HIV/AIDS. They have developed programs that use recreation and leisure participation to help people live with the virus.
In the language of the field, the goals of recreation programs for people with HIV disease include decreasing cognitive and emotional stressors associated with the disease; providing opportunities to increase self-esteem and to reduce feelings of stigmatization, isolation, and alienation; assisting in maintaining and enhancing satisfying recreation and leisure experiences; empowering individuals to take an active role in their treatment and care; and offering ongoing recreational activities and meaningful social and interpersonal experiences in a safe setting. The recreation specialist uses a variety of intervention strategies to help people improve their overall functioning and health. These generally include stress reduction, socialization, creative arts activities, volunteer opportunities, educational programs and leisure education and counseling.
Stress Reduction
A vital component of any TR program -- and one that has been proven actually to enhance the immune system -- is stress reduction. A well-designed stress reduction program should offer both education about the benefits of participating in stress-reduction activities, and the activities themselves. Ongoing stress-reduction activities typically include meditation, yoga, Reiki, massage, acupuncture, exercise, breathing exercises, and visualization.
In a study conducted by the author, individuals were asked to describe their experience participating in an HIV-specific TR program. The overwhelming response was that the TR program provided activities that actually reduced stress, increased the ability to cope with anxiety attacks, and improved the ability to live with AIDS. As one individual put it:
At yoga they taught me to breathe by taking deep breaths. During those moments of stress, breathing is so important. I think I was always tempted to hold my breath in a moment of tension. So now, I make it a point to breathe. And it works. It really does.
Breathing has a lot to do with everything. You know, I was having an anxiety attack and I couldn't breathe, I began to panic. Then I decided to put myself in my yoga class, you know, mentally. And it worked. The attack passed.
Another popular and helpful aspect of TR is providing opportunities for people to take part in social activities in a safe environment, to share their personal experiences living with HIV with other positive individuals, and to develop new social support networks. Social activities can include a wide range of events such as theme parties, group meals, day trips, dances, and educational forums and lectures. Even a comfortable lounge where individuals can congregate and relax can serve as a catalyst for social interaction. The socialization benefits of a TR program can be extensive, as attested by a person who had participated in a one for nearly a year:
I know for myself, life with AIDS can be frustrating at times. I feel overburdened, and a lot of the [recreation] activities I use give me the attention I need. I think a lot of the recreation program gives us back our basic human needs. People want relationships. They want shelter. People want food. People want love. People want interaction with folk who understand. They want to share their life. They want a sense of community and you can have these needs met at recreation.
Another person stated that the TR program provided her with the socialization and camaraderie that were lacking since she left her job. She went on to say:
I just think this whole place [recreation center] has a positive effect on people. There's a marked difference in me. It probably prolongs the life of people with AIDS. I mean, I've seen people just die that haven't had any social support systems.
Another participant agreed:
With the socials, it's just a matter of time before you see people regularly. You develop associations, relationships, friendships, and expectations that I know I'm going to see these people every day. It becomes your family and community.
Several people talked about being comfortable among other people who have the virus. It is especially important that the recreation environment is comfortable and safe. Recreation programs must provide opportunities for individuals with HIV to meet other people in an environment that is free from discrimination and stigmatization. In the words of one of the study participants:
If you look at me you can't tell I have [AIDS]. But I know I have it. When I'm in a room full of people who I know don't have it, and how they feel about people who do have it, I feel very uncomfortable.
Another person added:
I think it's therapeutic to socialize with folks that have the same disease. You're all kind of in the same boat, rowing the same boat. You're all coping with that. It makes the bond a little stronger.
Another person shared her experience participating in social activities. She believed that the recreation program offered more than a safe place.
Coming [to the recreation center] I didn't have to pretend that I was living like everybody else. So that probably adds years to your life. It's very stressful, holding that stuff in [information about one's diagnosis]. You know, all the lying. You have to be a dammed good actor too. Recreation is like a sanctuary. There are no secrets there. Just knowledge and support. It seems to me that people respect each other more at the recreation center than any other place where people congregate. Such as a gym. Or even church. I don't know how one could place a value on peace of mind. I don't think there are many prejudices at recreation.
Creative Arts
It is important that people with HIV have the opportunity to express their feelings about living with the virus. A good recreation program includes a broad variety of creative arts activities, including both verbal and nonverbal activities that are adaptable to individual needs and interests. Some people prefer to talk about their feelings; for them discussion groups and socials are fine. Other people may not be ready to talk or may not be comfortable talking openly about their feelings and experience living with HIV. For them, painting, drawing, dance, poetry, sculpting, and drama can provide the opportunity to express their feelings in ways that they do not find threatening. They should have the choice of keeping their work private or sharing it with the group.
One person explained how she "evolved" through the recreation program:
When I first started going I didn't want to talk to anyone. If someone said hello, I said hello back. I wasn't the type that socialized or talked about what was going on in my life. I started going to the poetry workshop and it helped me verbalize, on paper, what I was feeling. Eventually, I started sharing my work with others in the group. Now I'm talking to everyone about what's going on with my life. It really helps to get it out there.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering can also be a recreation activity, one with tremendous potential for rebuilding feelings of self-worth. The volunteer's attention is taken away from her or his own situation and disease and focused in other, more productive directions. The result is feeling useful again, minimizing the effects of lost employment or feelings of being unproductive.
Volunteer opportunities can range from simple office tasks to running groups to public speaking. Volunteers can apply their own professional skills or explore new experiences and develop new skills. For some individuals it is important to utilize their employment skills. One volunteer described an activity that actually met several needs:
I always wanted to help somebody who needed me. I figured, why not work, I mean volunteer. I can do something. Wherever the agency puts me will be fine. I didn't care. I'm glad to be doing something. I knew I'd be seeing people. I knew I'd be talking to people. Whatever I'm doing will be for people who need me, but I need them too.
Another person said that it was the first job he had ever held where there were no financial benefits. He also said that it was the first job he had ever liked, and because he enjoyed it, he considered it recreation.
For some individuals, being unemployed results in an overwhelming void in their lives. It can be so powerful that they wind up staying home, not getting out of bed, and neglecting themselves. One person said that after she left her job, "I was in a total state of denial. I didn't even go to the doctor. I had this time on my hands and nothing happened. For six months all I did was sleep. I had no purpose." She went on to recount the changes that came about after she got involved with the recreation program and began volunteering.
Volunteering gives me a little push. 'Cause I like to be a little goal-oriented now and then. So it gave me a goal, like when I was working. It gives me a schedule. I come in. I use the computer and make business calls and do office work. I also do a lot of other things, constructive things. Recreation is not all fun and games. I've been doing this work for about a year now.
Educational Programs
The participants in the author's study described an environment where people learn by sharing openly and courageously with each other their own encounters with new drugs, clinical trials, physicians, treatments, and diets. Since a therapeutic recreation program creates a learning environment, offering educational programs is a logical next step.
Educational programs should include a wide range of activities, such as learning about the benefits of the services offered (e.g., stress reduction), lectures and forums by specialists (e.g., a lecture on nutrition supplements, a forum on legal issues associated with an AIDS diagnosis), and skill-development activities designed to provide participants with new skills that make them marketable in a competitive work market.
According to one participant in the author's study:
It's a little overwhelming, all the new drugs that keep coming out. I just can't keep up. So I go and listen to the doctors when they talk about the new drugs and trials. They provide all the information I need so that I can make an educated decision regarding what I want to try and don't want to try.
Another participant learned that her doctor was not as knowledgeable in the field of HIV/AIDS as she believed he was. It was through a lecture on nutrition that she learned there were other medications that could help her gain weight. With this information she returned to her doctor and discussed what she had learned. Her attendance at this lecture resulted in an increased appetite and weight gain.
Leisure Education and Counseling
Leisure education and counseling are program activities that should begin the moment a person enters a TR program. This is where the role and value of the CTRS become most evident.
A leisure counseling program for healthy HIV-positive individuals might focus on shifting their identity from their occupation to their leisure interests. Recreation specialists usually encourage people with HIV to continue working as long as they are physically and emotionally able, but they also help them to identify the value and role leisure has played in their lives. Then, when an individual does retire, he or she will have developed meaningful leisure pursuits that compensate for the loss of work and that reduce the stress and isolation of being unemployed.
Leisure education is a process through which individuals develop an understanding of self, leisure, and the relationship of leisure to their own lifestyles. The CTRS aids in the process by helping the individual obtain information about appropriate recreation opportunities and develop the skills needed for various activities, and by providing a variety of recreation opportunities through an organized recreation program. Ongoing interaction with the individual enables the CTRS to make recommendations and suggestions about which activities might be the most appropriate or which activities the person should try next.
Participation in recreation and leisure activities can have a very positive effect on the life of a person with HIV or AIDS. The people with HIV disease who took part in the author's study unanimously declared that the program, "improved my life" and "actually added years to our lives." As one person put it, "I'm adamant about it -- recreation provides life extension." In the words of another, "Recreation gave me a reason to live. Before coming to recreation I was just living. Now, it's sort of given me a reason to live." Yet another said that his recreation program gave him the strength "to carry on, to move forward without stressing out about whether or not I'm on a rapid decline." He went on:
I mean, recreation makes you feel not as scared. And that makes for a better quality of life. It allows you to realize that [AIDS] ain't a downhill race. It's just another day. Realizing this allows you to get on with other things in your life.
There is sufficient evidence that participation in a therapeutic recreation program can improve your health, well-being, and quality of life. So the next time you're suffering from sleep disturbances or feeling anxious or lonely, consider seeking out a CTRS or a therapeutic recreation program. It may be just what the doctor ordered.
Orazio Caroleo is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and an Assistant Professor at Lehmann College. He worked at Gay Men's Health Crisis from 1986 to 1997, serving as Coordinator of Therapeutic Recreation from 1986 to 1990.
Photograph by Judy Lawne


text:
TR3248 : Path to Maydensole
taken 3 years ago, near to West Langdon, Kent, Great Britain
This is 1 of 8 images, with title Path to Maydensole in this square
White Cliffs Country Trail
The White Cliffs Trails were created in 1987 by Dover District Council to link the towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich, going along the famous 'white cliffs' to the east of Dover to Deal with an inland return through the beautiful Kent countryside. A link from Deal to Northbourne via Sholden and a loop from Sandwich to Northbourne via Eastry provide a range of options.
The routes are marked on OS mapping but have no apparent current publications.
Public footpath EE417 Sutton Court to Maydensole
Public footpath EE417 runs southwest from Sutton Court Farm, just north of the church of St Peter and St Paul in Sutton village, to Maydensole Farm, on Roman Road in West Langdon. The path appears to be of some considerable age: it is marked on the first reliable maps of the area, including the Ordnance Survey first edition one inch map. It is also enclosed by hedges on both sides for much of the way between Sutton Court and public footpath EE419, but sufficiently narrow to exclude the likelihood that it was ever more than a bridleroad. A dogleg in the path, southwest of the intersection with EE419, marks the traverse of the former parish boundary between Sutton and Little Mongeham. The west end of the path formerly passed through the farmyard of Maydensole Farm, but now emerges onto Roman Road just to the north of the farm.
TIP: Click the map for Large scale mapping
Change to interactive Map >
Change to interactive Map >
- Grid Square
- TR3248, 26 images (more nearby )
- Photographer
- Hugh Craddock (find more nearby)
- Date Taken
- Saturday, 3 September, 2016 (more nearby)
- Submitted
- Saturday, 10 September, 2016
- Geographical Context
- Stile (from Tags)
- Primary Subject of Photo
- Subject Location
OSGB36: TR 3236 4837 [10m precision]
- Camera Location
- View Direction
- South-southeast (about 157 degrees)
Looking for a postcode? Try this page
This page has been viewed about 13 times.
View this location: KML (Google Earth) · Google Maps · Bing Maps · Geograph Coverage Map · More Links for this image

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Travelers may have more options for public transit
Public transit improvements are underway in the region, as Shore Line East plans to add two weekday routes this spring and the state Department of Transportation is proposing a review of regional bus service.
Two additional Shore Line East routes for New London and Old Saybrook will begin in April, DOT spokesman Kevin Nursick said last week.
The DOT is also considering adding services to the Southeast Area Transit District, following the department's takeover of the regional bus district earlier this month.
At a Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments meeting Wednesday, DOT Public Transit Administrator Mike Sanders said, "It is time to undertake a service review" of the transit district, which provides public bus services in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Ledyard, Montville, New London, Norwich, Stonington and Waterford.
Sanders proposed integrating the region's transit with the rest of the state, though no specific service plans have been outlined yet.
DOT took over management of the transit district earlier this month and assumed the costs and clean-up of an oil spill behind the district's Route 12 bus facility in Preston, after requests from the SEAT Board of Directors and the nine member towns. The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection had detected the oil spill in 2010. The cleanup cost is estimated at $1 million, according to DOT.
The transition to DOT management has been "seamless," DOT Deputy Commissioner Anna Barry said at the regional planning agency's monthly meeting.
Adding service areas in addition to the nine member towns and connecting bus services with rail services, such as Shore Line East, are under consideration.
"We're looking at integrating all those different modes that we control," Sanders said.
Drawing on a scenario of how it can take 90 minutes for students of Three Rivers Community College in Norwich to travel to school, Sanders spoke about "looking at those markets more strongly." Representatives of the community college had lobbied SEAT last November for express bus services to the college for students from Groton and New London.
Sanders and council members agreed to schedule a meeting in two weeks between DOT and the member towns.
First Transit Inc. has been managing SEAT under a contract with the transit district. DOT specified in a news release that the contract will continue. The department announced the SEAT Board of Directors will act as an advisory board to DOT and work with elected officials from the towns and SCCOG on planning service.
Sanders said the state is seeking the same level of funding from the towns for next year's budget. He added that discussions would be needed about the future configuration of the board of directors.
The transportation union has a contract with SEAT until June 30, according to an earlier letter from Commissioner James P. Redeker to SEAT chairman Paul Altman.
The DOT is working on additional Shore Line East service on weekends, but has not yet announced any service changes. Details on the additional Shore Line East weekday routes were not immediately available.
As DOT and town officials examine public transit services, there are other changes that could curtail public transit in the region.
In April, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe will end its subsidy for SEAT's No. 108 bus, which carries riders between New London and Foxwoods Resort Casino. In addition, a "Transportation-to-Work" program that provides transit services for about 400 workers could be eliminated under Governor Dannel P. Malloy's budget, according to John Beauregard, executive director of the Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board.
The SCCOG decided Wednesday to write a letter in support of the transportation-to-work program.
Stories that may interest you
Preston Republicans endorse candidates for fall election
Preston Republicans on Monday endorsed candidates for first selectman and town clerk/tax collector not named Robert Congdon and Hattie Wucik for the first time in two decades.
Powerful storms cause flooding across region
The strong thunderstorms that swept through the region early Monday night resulted in flash flooding in some areas.
Puerto Ricans in New London call for resignation of island's governor
Waving flags, holding signs and chanting, more than 100 members of the city's Puerto Rican community rallied on Monday to call for the resignation of Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rossello.
Florence Griswold Museum celebrates opening of Artists' Trail
With the opening of the trail, visitors can now experience the landscape that inspired the Lyme Art Colony painters of late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Puerto Ricans in New London call for resignation of island's governor
Supreme Court Justice Stevens remembered for 'deep devotion' to law


text:
Most of us are looking for a diagnosis when we seek medical attention for symptoms that range from weight gain to insomnia, depression, fatigue and memory problems.
Instead of a diagnosis that uncovers the underlying causes of these health challenges, we most often wind up with a pill and sometimes a patronizing pat on the head.
Overweight, fatigue, memory loss, depression, joint pain and stomach upsets aren't diseases. They are symptoms. Unless you can get to the underlying causes of those symptoms, long-term relief will elude you.
Prescription drugs like may address your symptoms temporarily, but they aren't going to solve the underlying problems or give you long-term relief from your symptoms. In fact, so many pharmaceutical drugs cause side effects that, after your doctor writes those prescriptions, you're likely to end up with an even larger list of symptoms than you had at the outset.
The truth is that many doctors don't have the time or even the training to delve into the reasons for your symptoms. Did you know that your doctor only received a handful of hours of nutrition education during four years of pre-med and four years of medical school? That's shocking considering the large numbers of health challenges that are based on nutritional deficiencies.
That's just the tip of the iceberg. So many doctors have become so reliant on pharmaceuticals that they don't even consider other treatments that are frequently more effective and cause fewer side effects.
Here's a typical case from Dr. Cass' files:
"I remember Jean, a 55-year-old college professor whose story is pretty typical. She was being treated by her internist for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and heart palpitations. She as referred to me, a psychiatrist by training, because of her anxiety, depression and insomnia.
I could find no obvious psychological explanation for these symptoms, except maybe for the stress of her physical illness.
She was taking an array of medications, with their attendant side effects. Based on some simple lab tests and my own clinical experience, I determined that magnesium deficiency was a likely cause of her symptoms.
After a brief trial on this inexpensive and common mineral, together with a multi-vitamin formula and essential fatty acids, Jean was able to decrease her medications. Encouraged by this results, she trusted me enough to eliminate some foods to which she was allergic, which helped her even more.
In a short time, not only were her anxiety, depression and insomnia gone, but she was soon medication-free, depending instead on a list of supplements to restore her normal body chemistry.
Situations like Jean's leave me with some questions:
If your doctor is "unplugging the fire alarm instead of looking for the fire," the 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health program can help you make some powerful discoveries about yourself and your health.
The first teleseminar offers the basics:
You can join in these no-cost teleseminars by registering at:


text:
I have this problem shifting a Campy 11 that I cannot seem to rid of.
These are Campy Record 11 speed (pre 2015) shifters with a Campy Chrorus rear derailleur.
Here is what is happening:
1) When the chain is at the middle of the cassette when I shift up the cassette, the shift lever clicks, the rear derailleur moves, but the chain does not move. I have to move the shift lever just slightly to get the chain to move up.
2) If I shift and I hold the lever in place waiting for the chain all is OK. So move the lever, hear the click, wait for chain to move, then release. This is different from just moving the lever, hearing the click and letting go. But not exactly ideal..
What have I done to try and fix this:
1) Replaced cables and housing twice.
2) Changed the chain
3) Swapped cassettes
4) Changed frame (it had cracked so I got a new one)
The only thing I haven't changed are the levers themselves..
What I have noticed is that when I move the lever and hear the click and let go, I can actually see the derailleur move slightly back down again. I suspect it's this slight move down as the cable loses tension that is causing the chain to not move up the cassette. If I hold the lever, this gives the chain time to move up.
Any ideas what's going on ?
One option is to just replace the levers. But since this is pre 2015, my understanding is I will need new levers and a new rear derailleur.
BTW, these levers always did this.. Going on 4 years now. It's just now that I got fed up with it.


text:
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday with an Editor - Stacy Boyd
10 comments:
- Shirley said...
I love Harlequin Desires. They're quick, fun reads that take me away from everyday life.
Thanks for sharing, Stacy. I plan to be one of those new authors very soon. Please look out for me!!
- September 29, 2011 at 9:55 AM
- Stacy Boyd said...
I will definitely look out for you. Thanks for the positive feedback!
- September 29, 2011 at 10:03 AM
- Tina said...
Enjoyed this Wynter and Stacy.
Desire is my favorite line! Love, love, love and buy all six titles monthly. I'm also loving True Blood. *whispers: I have an unhealthy crush on Eric* Have you read the Sookie Stackhous novels, as well?
Thanks, again!
-- from another Desire author hopeful
- September 29, 2011 at 10:53 AM
- Sri Pammi said...
I love Desires too, especially for the breadth of stories in a given month, so I can read angst or drama or fun filled romance.
I do have one question, Stacy. I've heard that external conflict can feature more in Desires than other lines. Is this true and if so, to what extent?
Also, would you recommend an aspiring author to plan a series of books ( like two brothers and a sister etc) when they start querying you, or is it preferable for us to only stick to one?
Thank you so much for your time,
- September 29, 2011 at 10:56 AM
- Sri Pammi said...
Ohhh... me too, Tina, Love true Blood and I love Eric tooo..:-)
Love Games of Thrones tooo... can't wait for Joffrey to get his comeuppance.
- September 29, 2011 at 10:58 AM
- Stacy Boyd said...
I haven't read the novels, though I hear I should. I'm watching all the first season episodes, from Netflix, so I just met Eric, but he seems very crush-worthy. :-)
- September 29, 2011 at 12:37 PM
- Stacy Boyd said...
Sri Pammi,
So glad to hear you're finding the variety you like in the line.
External conflict doesn't feature more strongly in Desire than in other lines (such as Romantic Suspense, which has lots of external stuff going on). But external conflict does work really well to heighten the drama of the romance. The story feels juicier when the characters have other conflicts and concerns besides their internal, romantic ones.
I don't have a preference for connected books or stand-alones from new writers. Readers love families and connected stories, but stand-alones help keep variety in the line.
- September 29, 2011 at 12:44 PM
- sri said...
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Stacy.
Can't wait to send my partial in.....:-)
- September 29, 2011 at 1:04 PM
- Catherine Bybee said...
It's always wonderful to see editor interviews on blogs. Thanks for taking the time to answer questions many authors would ask.
- September 29, 2011 at 5:45 PM
- Cate Lord said...
I really enjoy your Thursday with An Editor blog, Wynter! Stacy, great interview! Thanks for sharing the "inside scoop" on your very busy job and your insights on Harlequin Desire.
- September 29, 2011 at 7:50 PM
Be a Winner!
I love to win stuff. In fact, the only thing I enjoy more is giving stuff away! So enter my Rafflecopter, make me happy. And win a gift car...
My special guest for today's Thursday with an Editor series is the brilliant and sarcastic Kelli Collins, Editor-in-Chief of Ellora'...
It's my pleasure to have Sue Grimshaw here on my blog today for this edition of Thursday with an Editor. Sue was the romance book buy...
As a writer, few pursuits are more important to my craft than reading. Unfortunately, although I've been a steady reader all my adult li...


text:
Freebird for FreeJune 4th, 2011 by Russell Viers
Last night I went to see Dale Watson in concert at Knucklehead's Saloon in Kansas City with my son Parker…fun night.
If you've never been to Knucklehead's, it's really an experience. It's in a part of the city where real estate is about $37 per acre, with derelict homes and buildings all around. In keeping with the Neighborhood Association's strict code, Knucklehead's is also on the verge of falling apart…but it's cool…way cool. If I were to say the place isn't anything fancy, you still might not be able to visualize how basic this place is.
The best part is that it's right next to an active train track at a major crossing. So if you've never been there before, the first time the Union Pacific comes in, whistles at full blast, you might very well need to change your underwear.
Dale was third to come on after two GREAT acts (Zoey Muth & Her Lost Highrollers and Outlaw Jim & the Whiskey Benders) and he was cranking out request after request as people shouted out the titles of their favorite songs. I think I shouted out "From the Cradle to the Grave" ten times, to no avail, convincing me he'd forgotten the song and refused to play it (I was sitting close enough to the stage I know he heard me!)
He's a funny guy…great musician…and what a voice, eh?
During his second encore, he finally must have heard me as he blasted into "Cradle" and rocked the house. The highlight of the show for me was in the closing chords of Cradle as a train came rolling through full volume. Dale looks over at the train screaming through and asks the band "what key is that?" as he tries to match the whistle with his voice. Chris, the bassist, yells out "C" as they all, as if this was planned, cut into "Folsom Prison Blues" and Dale belts out "I hear that train a-comin'…" as if possessed by the ghost of The Man in Black himself!
Great night.
Generally after a concert like this I'm still wanting more. In the past I might have headed out to the CD shop to pick up something or get a CD from the stand at the show.Then I would import it into my iTunes and jam on my iPod for a week or two of non-stop [insert applicable artist name here].
But times have changed.
I could have gone on iTunes, emusic or Amazon and bought the digitized music…at my fingertips. But instead, all morning, I've been listening to grooveshark.com. I could have turned on Pandora or last.fm, which allow me to listen to some Dale Watson and then others in the same genre. This morning I only want Watson…so grooveshark it is.
I often say "if it can be digitized it will be" and this is a great example of how digital technology has changed the music industry. I've lived through vinyl albums, 8-track, cassette tape, even reel-to-reel, CDs, MP3s and now just free streaming music.
The record stores don't have to like it. They can deny this is happening and insist that "MP3s aren't as clear as CDs." They can get angry over the fact they can't compete with free streaming radio. They can continue to sell CDs until they just go out of business…or they can watch the trend and find a way to adapt sooner. Adapting can mean finding new ways to compete or just find a new product line altogether.
The point is, denial doesn't change the trend. And it's a fact that the consuming public is changing the way they acquire, purchase, use products and services.
It's the same with publishing. We can say "we're not going to give our content away online" until we're blue in the face…but how does that help us compete with the websites already in our community that aren't charging? Of course they're not as good as yours…but they're free. And if they offer enough of what the public wants for free, why would they pay to subscribe to get what you're offering?
Well, it still comes down to content. Are you offering your community something they NEED and WANT that the other sites and papers aren't? If so, how are you getting the word out that you have it?
The newest Dale Watson album, Carrying On, isn't available on grooveshark.com, yet. Nor is From The Cradle To The Grave. If I want to hear them I have to buy them. The free content isn't as good as I want it right now. So now I spend money.
As I write this article, Truckstop in LaGrange comes on grooveshark.com and the refrain is "They got a damn good cup of coffee…and a mighty, mighty good Kolache." Some day I'll tell you my Texas Kolache story, but for now suffice it to say I needed this song. I just hopped on iTunes and paid my .99¢.
How are newspapers and magazines going to offer a similar service? One obvious suggestion is more and better photography. We have the cameras, the expertise and the access to get photos our competitors don't.
A couple of years ago I photographed the school play in the little town in Austria where I was living at the time. The project was simple, get at least one photograph of each of the hundred children in the play. I shot before the show of the kids getting on makeup and during performances, back stage and after the show. I did this for a couple of the performances just to make sure I had enough photos.
From about 3000 photos, under difficult lighting, I ended up with about 350 (after removing duplicates, blurry, dark, closed eyes, etc.) and uploaded them to my online photo gallery. Now keep in mind that this school only had 110 students. The first month I had 47,000 hits on this gallery…the second month 54,000. I was the only photographer allowed in the theater and therefore was the "gatekeeper" for this information.
With the stats I got from this school play, I could have easily gone out the next year and sold advertising around the photos the next year…that's a lot of traffic. I could also have sold the photos, most likely, or put an advertisers logo in the bottom right corner of every photograph so when they downloaded it and made a print, the logo was right there "First State Bank of Anywhere."
At a workshop recently I asked to borrow a camera to demonstrate downloading through Bridge. One of the participants handed me her camera and said she had photos from the elementary concert the night before. I downloaded about 60 shots. They were from the stands and almost all group shots.
I said "If I had shot this I would have taken about 1000 shots and tried to have every kid's headshot, some two and three-group shots as well as the groups. I also would have had some shots of the audience as they watched their children sing." That's how I do it. I shoot from beginning to end, and work hard at it. I shot a parade in my little town last year and took 3200 shots in less than four hours. You can see the results in this online gallery.
I'll close with some questions…
If you saw a photo of your child or grandchild in my online gallery from the school play or parade, would that make you download or purchase?
If you saw a photo of your neighbor, friend from church, work, etc. or someone else you know, would you copy the link and send it to them?
If you continued to see photos of people you know that are better quality than you could ever get yourself, would you continue to go to that website? Would you pay to gain access to that site?
If you could monitor the traffic to your site's photos and it was very strong, could you sell advertising to support it?
Today I've spent $11 dollars on iTunes for Dale Watson tunes as well as listened to grooveshark.com for several hours.


text:
Not even a fearful day and full moon could spook the corn markets. After the close on Friday, June 13, Jerry Gulke, president of The Gulke Group, says farmers shouldn't be fearful about future corn prices.
Even with a potentially record-breaking corn crop in the ground, prices seem to have found a bottom. Gulke says the market has already discounted the big crop. "The futures have come around, basis has improved and the cash price is higher," he says. "You can't assume that just because you get a good crop, you'll have prices down near $4 again next fall, until you look at the improved demand."
The demand picture is pretty darn rosy. "We've proved we can do a lot with $4 corn," Gulke says. "We are not curbing demand with today's prices. Global demand is increasing and stabilizing."
Hear Gulke's full audio analysis:
On Friday, Informa Economics released its revised acreage and yield estimates. Overall, the theme was for less corn acres and more soybean acres. Compared to USDA's March estimates, Informa increased soybean acres by 285,000 acres and decreased corn acres by 110,000.
The markets absorbed Informa's report quickly on Friday, Gulke says, and corn rallied up at the close. "Informa tries to mimic what they think USDA will say," he says. "They played it safe."
A Time to Sell and a Time to Sit
With the current market situation, Gulke says, producers should hang tight. "If you have nothing sold, do you think this is the best price we'll get in the next 18 months? I don't think so," he says. "I think there will be better pricing opportunities."
He says if in its June 30 Acreage report, USDA decreases corn stocks, corn acres and the national yield, prices could be poised to jump. "Then you look at the possibility of $5 corn again," he says. "I think the odds are in my favor to do nothing right now and wait it out to see how the next 30 to 60 days work out."
Have a question for Jerry? Contact him at 815-721-4705 or email@example.com.
For More Information
See current market prices in AgWeb's Market Center.
Read previous AgWeb Weekly articles featuring Jerry Gulke:
A Kick to the Corn Market: Trend Reversal Ahead?
Is a Record Corn Crop in the Cards?
Spotlight Stays on Soybeans - For Now


text:
Security vs. sovereignty
Border requirements trample on the rights of Indian nations.
Two hours north of his home on the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Washington state, Les Parks was stopped at the U.S.-Canada border. A U.S. border guard eyed the bouquet of eagle feathers hanging from the truck's rearview mirror, and Parks knew what was coming.
"What are those? Why do you have them? What were you doing in Canada, and why do you want to return to the U.S.?"
The questions came like bullets, Parks says, and grew harsher still when he gave them his Tulalip tribal identification card instead of his driver's license or U.S. passport.
"We're always up there visiting and trading back and forth," says Parks, who often delivers crab and other shellfish to his relatives in Canada in exchange for salmon from the Fraser River. "Our tribal ID should suffice, but it's been getting progressively worse. I've struggled through hours of paperwork and questioning."
Cultural and ancestral ties are strong between many U.S. and Canadian tribes. "Our spiritual practices are closely tied to our relatives across the border," says Jewell James of the Lummi Nation, just south of the U.S.-Canada line in Washington. "We've always hoped the U.S. and Canada would continue to recognize that we have the inherent right to cross the border and be with our relatives."
Statistics are hard to come by, but the National Congress of American Indians, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization, says it receives frequent complaints of problems at the border.
And beginning June 1, crossing the border could become even more difficult. Travelers trying to return to the U.S. from Canada or Mexico will be required to present either a passport or a driver's license enhanced with an identification chip.
That's likely to be a problem for Indians in the Pacific Northwest who prefer to use their tribal ID cards. Like Parks, many Indians see their tribal documents as a sign of their status as members of sovereign Indian nations. The new requirement, part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, will affect Indians throughout the country, but it's likely to hit particularly hard up here, because of the close ties between Northwestern tribes and tribes in British Columbia.
The Jay Treaty, signed in 1794, guaranteed unrestricted passage for Indians crossing the Northern border of the newly created United States. Nearly 100 years later, Northwestern tribes signed treaties with the federal government that exchanged land for medical care, education and the right to continue living in their traditional manner. The U.S. border was extended to the continent's Western edge in 1846, and by the mid-1900s, everyone crossing it was required to show identification. For Indians, that meant using cards issued by their tribes.
That changed after Sept. 11, 2001. Indians have been detained at the border for everything from wearing traditional regalia to using a tribal ID, says John Stensgar, a Homeland Security delegate for the Colville Confederated Tribes. Indians heading north to attend ceremonies have been forced to divulge information about traditions that have no bearing on border security. Even Amnesty International has reported on the harassment Indians face at the checkpoints.
"The government's always trying to take our rights away from us," Stensgar says. "We've never given up the right to establish laws in the best interest of our membership." Stensgar says the federal government is constantly seeking more oversight of tribal governments. Casinos are closely supervised, for example, and tribes are limited in how they can use their land. Many non-gaming economic plans must be approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Stensgar says his tribe may develop passports of its own to replace the federally sanctioned tribal ID. Several tribes, including the Onondaga in New York, have tried this, but with limited success. Still, Stensgar hopes a Colville passport will one day be honored alongside U.S. passports.
Tribal leaders and Homeland Security officials have also considered using an "enhanced tribal ID" with a security chip for Indians in lieu of a passport. Under the Tulalip plan, any ID presented at the border would be connected to the tribal database maintained at Tulalip. But the federal government won't have direct access to this data -- a detail tribal leaders say is key to retaining sovereignty.
Theresa Sheldon, a Tulalip Indian who often travels on tribal business, says she tries to educate security officials about sovereignty by using her tribal ID.
"People say, 'Isn't this an old issue? Just get a passport!' " Sheldon says. "But these are our rights. We don't want them taken away."
Krista J. Kapralos is a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest, where she writes about American Indian tribes and religion.


text:
RICHMOND — The West Contra Costa school district welcomed two new board members, named a new board president and heard updates on the district's budget deficit and a plan to boost attendance at Kennedy High School this week.
Second-term trustee Madeline Kronenberg was elected board president Wednesday evening, replacing 20-year board veteran Charles Ramsey.
Kronenberg is a former teacher and an El Cerrito resident who has been at the forefront of the district's fundraising campaigns, including supporting Measures G and E, the successful parcel tax and bond measures on the November ballot. She has taken a special interest in improving educational achievement at Richmond's Kennedy High, which has been plagued by low test scores and truancy, as well as adult education.
Ramsey was elected clerk of the board, second in line to the president, taking over for Antonio Medrano, who was defeated in the Nov. 6 election.
Newly elected board members Randall Enos and Todd Groves took office, replacing Medrano and Tony Thurmond, who did not seek re-election.
Enos is a longtime teacher and administrator in the district. He taught at Kennedy and served as principal of Gompers Continuation High School in Richmond, among other positions. During his campaign, he said his priorities are school safety, improving student performance and encouraging more community involvement in schools.
Groves has been a parent volunteer in West County schools for 16 years and has worked with students at El Cerrito High School as part of WriterCoach Connection, a program that tutors students in writing. He has advocated for more autonomy for individual schools and bringing more adult volunteers into the schools. He also has called for higher expectations for student behavior and performance.
Finance Director Sheri Gamba presented the new board with an updated report on the district's budget that projects a $6.8 million in deficit spending for the current school year. The deficit, to be covered by a district rainy day fund, is required to maintain a 180-day school year, keep open two elementary schools and pay for school resource officers and adult education.
Richmond schools has six and El Cerrito has three resource officers, who are police officers posted on high school and middle school campuses, paid for by the district, compared with one in Hercules, a situation Ramsey called "a touchy issue."
The report anticipates continued 5 percent annual increases in costs for 2,329 participants in retiree health care programs, amounting to about $1 million per year.
Changes to the program to reduce the cost of retiree health care for employees who retired after 2010 "have not altered the fact that the district has a pay-as-you-go program where costs are escalating for people who retired prior to 2010," according to the report.
The district is also considering a plan to have students who live near Kennedy High and now attend middle school in El Cerrito go to Kennedy instead of El Cerrito High. About 110 students who live in the area next to Kennedy High attend El Cerrito High because the Kennedy campus is entirely within the El Cerrito High attendance area.
The district plans to have meetings with community groups about the change that, if carried out, would affect current eighth-graders who live in the area, beginning next fall.
"Kennedy is not housed inside of its own attendance area," Kronenberg said. "The time has come to finally fix (the problem)."
The district moved a decision to seek a waiver of its bond debt limit to accommodate passage of Measure E to its January meeting. West Contra Costa schools have $797 million in debt, leaving no remaining bonding capacity for the $360 million in debt authorized by Measure E.
The district plans to seek a limit of 5 percent of assessed valuation over 12 years instead of the 6 percent it was previously considering to align with other districts that have received waivers, said Martin Coyne, executive director of business services.
West Contra Costa has the third-largest bond program in the state, Ramsey said.


text:
Meet a Faculty Member: David E. Johnson
Category: Noteworthy
Take one look at David Johnson, lecturer in the College of Public Affairs' School of Criminal Justice, and you can probably guess what he does in his spare time between Thanksgiving and Dec. 24. In fact, he preps year-round for the monthlong gig that keeps him nearly constantly on camera—one, he says, that dovetails nicely with his former 25-year career with the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System, from which he retired as chief U.S. probation officer for the U.S. District Court, District of Maryland.
"In a way, being Santa Claus is like being a probation officer," he says with a jolly twinkle in his eye. "You have people coming to you telling you how good they've been—and maybe not being 100 percent truthful."
Q: How did you get started as a Santa Claus?
A: About three years ago, my wife and I were at … [the] mall, and a young lady came up to me. She said she managed the Santa concession at Arundel Mills mall and needed somebody, and she thought I'd make a good Santa. I said, "Let me think about it." Well, I did Arundel Mills for a couple of years. … [For this past holiday season,] the photographer who does the Santa Experience at the Shops at Kenilworth saw me and asked if I was interested, and the shops are only about 15 minutes from home. I can still get my Santa fix and teach full time.
Q: Do you own your suit?
A: Yes, the costumes I wear are from California, from Adele's of Hollywood. She's been making Santa suits for over 40 years. It's a big part of her business. I have a couple of crimson suits with a seven-inch, white-fur shawl collar. You always have to have a backup if you're a mall Santa—you never know what might happen.
Q: What are some of the most memorable wishes you've heard?
A: I had a little girl ask for a hippopotamus. I said, "You mean a toy?" And she said, "No, a real one." I asked how she'd take care of it, and she said they had a swimming pool. Then there was a boy who asked for an official certificate from Santa saying he'd been good that year. … I always have a number of kids who ask for presents for kids whose parents can't afford to give them something, and I had one little girl who said, "I'd like to have a home"; she said she was homeless. There are the real tear-jerkers: "Can you help me get mom and dad back together?" "Can you please get mom and dad back from overseas for Christmas?"
Q: Do you believe in Santa?
A: Of course! Who do you think brings all those great presents every year? I always wish for everybody: health and happiness and world peace.


text:
WonderBrains rewarded with the STELLAService Seal of…
We are happy to announce WonderBrains.com was awarded with the STELLAService seal of Excellent Customer Service. We are proud to be joining an elite group of online retailers. WonderBrains.com has always tried to provide the best quality educational toys and customer service throughout the years. We received the seal of excellence because of our extraordinary customer service, great over night shipping policy and our easy 100% satisfied with your purchase return policy. Below is part of the press release for the STELLAService Seal:
Press Release: STELLAService seal guides consumers to retailers offering best online shopping experience.
New York, NY (PRWEB) October 21, 2011
Reflecting how retailers of all sizes are increasingly making customer service a top business priority, STELLAService today awarded its STELLAService seal to a wide range of specialty online retailers, including WineEnthusiast.com, Ldproducts.com, Caselogic.com, and 2Modern.com. These e-tailers join the ranks of leading Internet retailers, including FootLocker.com, GiltGroupe.com, and BlueNile.com, that now display the STELLAService seal on their websites.
Dedicated to helping online shoppers make more informed buying decisions, STELLAService (http://www.stellaservice.com) rates thousands of retailers each year across more than 350 metrics, including usability and online tools, shipping and returns, and customer support. The company leverages a nationwide network of full-time mystery shoppers to evaluate each site undercover, ensuring findings that are unbiased and true to the shopping experience. Named for the Italian word "star", STELLAService awards seals in two categories – Elite and Excellent. (Read More)
Congrats on your achievement!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thank you Marko!
Thursday, November 10, 2011


text:
Welcome to the Brown University Observational Cosmology group. We are involved in several research collaborations. We measure what happened in the early universe a fraction of a second after the Big Bang using the Cosmic Microwave Background. We study some of the earliest galaxies to have formed in the universe, and we look at the early stages of star formation in our own galaxy. To carry out these projects we design and build ground-based, balloon-borne and space-based instruments and analyze the data from these experiments.
A map of the early universe made using the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP)
and Planck teams awarded the
2019 Giuseppe and Vanna Cocconi Prize
WMAP team
awarded the
2018 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics
Nature news.
WMAP team
awarded the
2012 Gruber Cosmology Prize
WMAP paper published in 2011 is most highly cited paper in 2011 (564)
How was this map made?
NASA WMAP Website
The Latest WMAP Papers (Technical)
Department of Physics
Brown University
Travel to Brown
Gravitational Lensing: Prof. Ian Dell'Antonio
Particle Astrophysics: Prof. Rick Gaitskell
Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology: Prof. Savvas Koushiappas
Link to Prof. Tucker's Department of Physics page
Contact Information for Tucker Lab at Brown University:
Department of Physics
Brown University, Box 1843
182 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-1352
Location: Barus&Holley 018


text:
Our National Teams are counting on you to encourage them and cheer them on to victory!
Do you want to support the Red Devils, the Under-21 Team, Red Flames or other national teams? If so regularly visit this page to be one of the first to obtain ticket information for National Team games!
'Tous Ensemble', so show your true colours and purchase a ticket for one of our National Team games!
When advance bookings for a game open the number of tickets you can purchase or the sales counters open on the day of the game will vary from game to game. As soon as the conditions have been established you will find the relevant information on this website


text:
|About us
Steering Committee
Fields of Activities
|Calendar of Activities
|Higher Education ForA
|European Higher Education Area
The Bologna Process
Council of Europe Contribution
Bilateral and regional activities
|Recognition of Qualifications
The Council
of Europe/UNESCO Convention
The ENIC/NARIC Network
|Results of prior activities
Public Responsibility
Sites of Citizenship
Legislative Reform Programmes
More topics
|Resources / Documents
|Higher Education Series
The contribution of the Council of Europe to the establishment of the European Higher Education Area by 2010 focuses on:
Higher education in the Council of Europe in 2008-9
In the last years the Council of Europe consolidated its position as one of the main actors in the higher education reform process in Europe. The contribution of the Council of Europe to the Bologna Process focused on the recognition of qualifications, support and advice to new member countries, and specific dimensions of the Process, including governance, citizenship and culture and the social dimension of higher education. [More]
Higher education: highlights of 2007
2007 has been a dynamic year for the Council of Europe in higher education. Along with its traditional areas of competences, the Council of Europe was charged by Ministers responsible for higher education with a new task of coordinating national experiences in setting up qualifications frameworks. 2007 saw the launch of two projects: the flagship project on 'University between Humanism and Market'and the higher education project in Serbia. [More]


text:
Photograph in Helen Julia (Hogue) Judson's Family Album, 1903-1910. Privately held by Herstoryan, Houston, Texas. 2009 [inherited from Lois Jacqueline (Judson) Wells, through her father William Levis Judson son of Helen Julia (Hogue) Judson of Dayton, Ohio]
Most likely taken in Toledo, Ohio or Cumberland, Maryland, I am still trying to identify the people in this photo. One possibility is Bertha (Judson) Reid and daughter, Helen (Reid) Hackman.


text:
Penguins are some of the most improbable animals on the planet. They have wings and feathers but cannot fly. They are not fish, but they have been recorded as deep as 1,755 feet underwater. And the most improbable is the emperor penguin, which waddles across 70 miles of Antarctic ice to reach its breeding grounds. New research on penguin DNA suggests that the emperor also has the most ancient lineage of living penguins.
Scientists have long recognized a link from penguins to petrels and albatrosses. While albatrosses have more conventional bird bodies, they share subtle traits with penguins, like the arrangement of beak bones. They are generally considered the closest living relatives of penguins.
Penguins' ancestors probably began their evolutionary march while Tyrannosaurus rex walked the earth. In a paper to be published in The Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Canadian scientists investigated the origin of penguins by studying their genes. They analyzed segments from three genes, comparing their sequence in all 18 species of penguins and in other birds.
Mutations can accumulate in genes at a fairly steady rate, so the variation between the species acted as sort of a molecular clock. The researchers, based at the Royal Ontario Museum, concluded that penguins diverged from the ancestors of petrels and albatrosses about 71 million years ago.
It's possible that the earliest penguins resembled petrels, which have short wings that help them dive as far as 240 feet underwater. Over time, penguins may have become more adapted to diving. "That required sacrificing flight," said Norberto Giannini, a biologist at the American Museum of Natural History.Continue reading the main story
Ewan Fordyce, a paleontologist at the University of Otago in New Zealand, and his colleagues study the oldest known penguin fossils, dating back 60 million to 62 million years. These proto-penguins were not as adapted to diving as today's. Their wings could still bend at the elbow. "The joint was starting to become stiff, so the wing was starting to evolve into a hydrofoil," Dr. Fordyce said. "In that sense these very early forms are a sort of intermediate."
The question of how these early penguins gave rise to the living lineages has proved difficult. Some have suggested that emperors evolved recently, for example, while others say they belong to an ancient lineage. But these studies are based on small amounts of data, so results are ambiguous.
"They couldn't get a good answer," said Dr. Sergio Luiz Pereira, a member of the team at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
With more data, Dr. Pereira and his colleagues were able to draw a clearer evolutionary tree. They found that emperors and king penguins belong to the oldest living lineage, while other species are more recent.
Their results agree for the most part with another study that was based on both penguin genes and anatomy, published this June in the journal Cladistics by Dr. Giannini and Sara Bertelli, also at the American Museum of Natural History.
"You see the same major patterns. The picture is well established, I think," Dr. Giannini said.
The Canadian researchers found that the penguin's common ancestor existed 40 million years ago -- more than 30 million years after they think penguins evolved. "There is a big gap there," Dr. Pereira said. He proposed that most of the older fossils of penguins (some more than five feet tall) belonged to extinct branches of the tree.
The study also finds that the living species that belong to the oldest branches of the penguin tree -- the gentoo, chinstrap and king penguins, along with the emperor penguins -- can all be found around Antarctica. "The ancestor of the modern penguins were in Antarctica or very close," Dr. Pereira said.
But the early penguins probably did not have to survive brutal conditions on Antarctica as they do today. "Antarctica was covered in forest, much like we see in New Zealand today," Dr. Pereira said.
The ice came later, about 35 million years ago. Geologists suspect that the change occurred as a result of South America and Australia's drifting away from Antarctica. The ocean currents began to circle the continent, isolating it. This cooling climate may have killed off the older penguins. Some researchers have speculated that they disappeared because they couldn't compete with whales hunting for the same prey.
Not all the penguins became extinct. "Basically, what happened is penguins had to adapt to conditions in Antarctica, or they had to leave," Dr. Pereira said. The ancestors of the emperors and other residents of Antarctica evolved the ability to survive the conditions. Other penguins swam north to milder waters, where they founded new lineages. "Most of the species ended up leaving the continent," Dr. Pereira said.
Penguins may have followed ocean currents carrying cool, nutrient-rich waters northward. They established breeding grounds on new volcanic islands and branched off into new species.
The researchers estimate that South American penguins reached the Galápagos Islands four million years ago, probably following the Humboldt current, which flows along South America. The royal penguin of New Zealand and the macaroni penguin of southern Chile and the Falkland Islands are the youngest species of all, sharing an ancestor that lived only 1.4 million years ago.
Paleontologists welcome the new Canadian study, but they believe it needs to be tested against the fossil record. "That's got to be the next step," said Julia Clarke, a paleontologist at North Carolina State University.
Dr. Fordyce is skeptical about the proposed evolutionary timing, pointing out that the oldest fossils that may belong to living lineages of penguins are only 20 million years old. If the DNA-based study is correct, then half the fossil record is yet to be discovered. "It's possible that these modern penguins may be hiding somewhere in the fossil record, but I'd be surprised," he said..
The history of penguins -- partly driven by a cooling climate -- is now running in reverse. Ocean waters are warming, and it's hard for scientists to forecast how that will affect penguins.
Adelie penguins feed on krill that feed on algae that grows on ice. Adelie penguins have decreased by 70 percent over the past 30 years off the Antarctic peninsula, possibly as a result of retreating sea ice. They are being replaced by booming populations of chinstrap and gentoo penguins, which can switch from eating krill to fish and squid.
"This will create an immense instability in the system with unpredictable consequences," Dr. Giannini said. "And that's not good. The rat will be very happy with this change, but we don't want rats. We want penguins."Continue reading the main story


text:
Search results for: J A Funk Funel Home
J A Funk Funel Home
Second Home Insurance - AON (Rating: 1) , Votes:Aon's customised second home insurance policy offers clients the chance to either add or remove items according to their specific requirements. Customised home insurance policies can be applied for online.http://www.household.aon.co.uk/second-home-insurance.aspx
In-Home Care, Elderly Home Caregiver & More (Rating: 7) , Votes:Acti-Kare home caregivers can provide companionship, assist you with meal preparation and household chores.http://www.actikare.com/Category: Directory/Health & Fitness/Family Health
PC Fallon - Home Decor Products (Rating: 1) , Votes:Featuring home accessories and home decor products from a wide selection of top brands. All high quality products available online at affordable prices.http://www.pcfallon.com
Home Remodeling Contractors | Foster Remodeling Solutions (Rating: 0) , Votes:Our craftsmen provide quality remodeling services, including full home renovations, kitchen & bathroom remodeling and home additions.https://fosterremodeling.com/
Funkified Entertainment (Rating: 4) , Votes:Sydney's premier provider of high-quality live music for wedding, corporate and event entertainment.http://www.funkified.com.auCategory: Directory/Entertainment/Music
Virtual Vocations (Rating: 7) , Votes:VirtualVocations offers a unique service to those who are looking for high quality, credible, work from home positions.http://www.virtualvocations.com
Home Insurance (Rating: 0) , Votes:Protect your home from any of life's unexpected occurrences. Find quotes in your area.http://homeinsurance.org/
AXA Home insurance (Rating: 1) , Votes:AXA Home Insurance offers a range of optional extras including accidental damage, Home Assistance, and Family Legal Protection.http://www.axa.co.uk/homeinsurance/
Data Entry From Home (Rating: 67) , Votes:Work at home online data entry and home typist jobs with 11,000 companies to post simple data submissions to internet. Complete training, easy to start.http://www.ourdataentry.com
Peoria Premier Home Design Center | Studio 29 (Rating: 0) , Votes:Home design gallery that specializes in helping their customers select the correct cabinetry, ceramic wall and floor tile, and countertops for their home.http://studio29peoria.com/
Worldwide Work At Home (Rating: 11) , Votes:Find the companies that often hire home-based workers as well as current telecommuting job leads, community forum, and many more resources for anyone seeking work-at-home employment.http://www.worldwideworkathome.com
Single Family Home Remodeling and Projects For Beginners (Rating: 7) , Votes:The website is an informational one. It has tips to help anyone that thinks about starting home remodeling project, whether it be big or small.http://www.single-family-home-remodeling.com
Home and Remodel Design Services in Houston | 3D Home Designs (Rating: 0) , Votes:We are a full-service home and remodel design company in Houston, TX that allows you to be an integral part of your own home designing experience. Be a part of building your own floor plans and see the design before it is even built.https://3dhomedesigns.com/
Helpful ideas on home decorating (Rating: 2) , Votes:Learn about home decorating and interior design, how to use color schemes, furniture arranging and practical room by room suggestions with photos.http://www.ideas-for-home-decorating.com
California Modular Homes Experts (Rating: 3) , Votes:Northern California modular home dealer with expertise in all aspects of manufactured and mobile home construction including financing, site review, and installation. Features manufactured homes by Fuqua, Champion, and Skyline with over 180 floor plans to choose from. Multiple offices serve Sacramento and the Sierra-Nevada foothills.http://www.mhcenter.comCategory: Directory/Business/Real Estate
HomeSwapSites.com (Rating: 0) , Votes:Lists popular home exchange sites to help home owners save on vacation. Travelers can do direct home exchange, or earn credits, by allowing other members use the properties, and later spend the credits.http://www.homeswapsites.comCategory: Directory/Leisure & Travel/Travel Tips
Orlando Florida Vacation Rental Home near Disney World (Rating: 2) , Votes:Orlando Florida Vacation Home Rentals including Orlando luxury vacation homes near Disney World. Compare vacation home rentals in Orlando, Florida today.http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com
Cheap Home Owner Insurance Quote - Adrian Flux (Rating: 4) , Votes:Specialist home insurance provider in the UK offering cheap home insurance. Our household insurance is designed to give you great value for money. Get a cheap home owner insurance quote now.http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/household-detail.php
Jacksons Home & Garden (Rating: 0) , Votes:Jacksons Home & Garden offers shoppers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor furniture, decorations, and appliances to spice up their home or outdoor area.http://jacksonshg.com/
Home Based Business Program (Rating: 5) , Votes:Home based business community for anyone working from home, featuring business profiles, blogs, forums, videos, groups, ideas and more!http://www.homebasedbusinessprogram.com
Find Legitimate Freelance Work from Home Jobs (Rating: 8) , Votes:Free and legit work from home freelance job leads posted on a daily basis.http://www.FreelancePulse.com
Buildings & Contents Home Insurance (Rating: 3) , Votes:Protect your home and your valuable possessions with our combined buildings and contents home insurance.http://www.bank.barclays.co.uk/Insurance/HomeInsurance/BuildingsandContentsinsurance/P1242557976121
Gallerie Home Furnishings (Rating: 1) , Votes:Affordable modern furniture, housewares & home decor. Browse the large selection of stylish contemporary furniture for your house.http://www.zgallerie.com/
Home Tuition (Rating: 2) , Votes:Home Tuition Agency in Singapore. Home Tuition for Primary and Secondary Studentshttp://www.hometuitionagency.com.sgCategory: Directory/Asia/Singapore
Renewal Design Build (Rating: 0) , Votes:Provides home renovation services including older home renovation, bath and kitchen remodels, additions, whole-house renovations, and more. Serving the greater Atlanta, GA, area.http://renewaldesignbuild.com/
Ashley Furniture Homestore: Home Dining, Living & Bedroom Sets, Sales & Stores (Rating: 1) , Votes:Get Inspired! Browse Ashley Furniture store online and find amazing pricing on bedroom sets, kids' items and all your home furniture needs.http://www.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com
Home Tuition (Rating: 0) , Votes:Welcome to House Tutor Home Tuition Services! We are growing very fast. Tutors are signing up daily into our database of 1000 home tutors. If you are looking for a home tuition tutor for your child and you would like to discuss all matters like fees and timing you can do so via our online chat platform. All our home tutors are very responsive and will reply you within 24hrs.http://www.housetutor.com.sgCategory: Directory/Asia/Singapore
Home Lighting Superstore (Rating: 3) , Votes:Quality lighting products for the home from name brand manufacturers. Specializing in custom designs.http://www.invitinglighting.com
MyHTseats - Theater Furniture (Rating: 4) , Votes:Offers home theater seating and a wide variety of seating items and accessories. Here, you'll discover comfortable theatre seating, sweet home theater chairs, super cool movie theatre chairs - just about every kind of home theatre furniture you can imagine.http://www.myhtseats.com
Cheap Car Insurance UK - Zurich Insurance Company (Rating: 4) , Votes:Zurich provides discounts on car insurance and home insurance when purchased online. Get a quote now.http://www.zurichinsurance.co.uk/insurance/home/welcome.htm
Home Alarm Security Systems (Rating: 3) , Votes:Providing home alarm systems and monitoring services to help protect clients against burglary, carbon monoxide, and fire. Browse home security facts, service features, and business information.http://www.home-alarm-security-systems.com/Category: Directory/Business/B2B/Security
Home Detox - Alcohol & Drug Outpatient Detox (Rating: 17) , Votes:Offers alcohol and drug home detox outpatient medical programs in Los Angeles or a fly-in program at their discrete, comfortable home style setup.http://www.angelsofvictory.comCategory: Directory/Health & Fitness/Mental Health
Home Builders In Durango (Rating: 2) , Votes:Durango Home Builders - Dyerbilt is a team of high quality home builders in Durango and we know that you'll take great pride in your investment.http://www.dyerbilt.com/Category: Directory/Business/Real Estate
Online Business for Sale - Home Business Websites (Rating: 1) , Votes:Home Business Websites ready-made Online Retail Stores with Training & Support. Your own eCommerce Website and Online Business plus a choice of Over 4 Million Products to Sell. 100% Profit! No outlay for Stock. Drop shipping suppliers deliver directly to your customer! Includes;- eCommerce Website, Training & Support, Marketing & Advertising, Lifetime access to our Suppliers Network 4 Million+ Products to Sell. We show you how to be in business 'for yourself' but not 'by yourself'.http://www.homebusinesswebsites.com.auCategory: Directory/Business/Small Business
Santa Clarita Home Loans (Rating: 3) , Votes:Excellent home loan rates & customer service equals repeat business. Mortgage broker services for Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, Canyon Country, Saugus.http://www.homeloanssantaclarita.comCategory: Directory/North America/California
Home Decor (Rating: 2) , Votes:Novica presents a unique handmade collection of special home decor items created by artists from around the world. Browse through exotic sculptures, elegant vases, detailed area rugs, exquisite mirrors, fine furniture, and much more.http://home-decor.novica.com/
Window Replacement (Rating: 3) , Votes:Window replacement represents one of the more substantial investments you can make in your home. The replacement of old or under-performing windows can effectively reduce your monthly utility costs and give your home a bit more curb appeal.http://www.windowreplacement.net
Luxury bathroom furniture (Rating: 28) , Votes:Create a custom retreat. Shop Williams-Sonoma Home for crafted home furnishings, luxury bedding and bath linens, and casually elegant home decor.http://www.wshome.com/
Las Vegas Mortgage Broker/Banker (Rating: 3) , Votes:KJ Sams is a Las Vegas mortgage broker/banker, licensed to provide mortgages across the country. KJ specializes in helping clients realize their dream of owning a home in Las Vegas.http://www.kjmortgageslasvegas.com
Pottery Barn Furniture (Rating: 0) , Votes:Offers expertly crafted furniture and home decor designed for the way you live. Shop Pottery Barn for home furnishings, accessories, outdoor furniture and more.http://www.potterybarn.com
Legit Work From Home Opportunities (Rating: 3) , Votes:Start making quick money online guarranteed even for beginners with these internet located legit home business ideas and opportunities.http://www.gohomoney.com
Kleeneze (Rating: 4) , Votes:Catalogue shopping company offering a flexible home based business throughout the UK and selected European countries. Full support and training from day one.http://www.kleeneze-information.co.ukCategory: Directory/Business/Resources
Modern Home Decor & Contemporary Furniture (Rating: 0) , Votes:West Elm sells affordable modern furniture and home decor. With modular contemporary furniture, organic bedding and inspired designs, you can create a stylish modern home.http://www.westelm.com/
Mobile Home Dealer Lake Charles (Rating: 0) , Votes:Atchafalaya Homes has a large selection of new and used manufactured homes as well as modular homes. We also offer land/home packages. With a huge selection of floor-plans, and such well-respected name-brands as Champion, Southern Energy Homes of Texas, Clayton, Norris and Schult Homes. Atchafalaya Homes is truly your one-stop manufactured home dealer.http://www.atchafalayahomes.com
Foster Remodeling - Home Improvement (Rating: 1) , Votes:Foster Remodeling specializes in all your home remodeling needs. Be it bathrooms, kitchens, family rooms, all over remodeling, new designs, or additions; Foster can help. Serving Northern Virginia.http://www.fosterremodeling.com/
Top Home Based Business Ideas (Rating: 5) , Votes:"Top Home Based Business Ideas" will be an ever growing collection of articles and blogs related to teaching and motivating home based business owners. Marketing methods, business opportunities, and ideas will be covered.http://tophomebasedbusinessideas.blogspot.com/
Discount Shopping Mall (Rating: 6) , Votes:The Discount Home Shopping Club-Discount Home Shopping Members earn shopping discount reward points when shopping online in our discount shopping mall. Free membership.http://www.discountshopping.nu
Solar Home (Rating: 2) , Votes:Informatinal site about solar home design, solar panels, solar manufacturers, and solar distributors. In addition, you will learn how to install solar panel systems.http://www.solarhome.wsCategory: Directory/Science/Technology
ADT Home Security (Rating: 3) , Votes:Ultimate Security Systems installs ADT Home Security Systems and provides ADT Security Services. As an ADT Authorized Dealer, Ultimate Security Systems provides the fast, dependable service ADT Security is known for.http://www.ultimatesecuritysystems.com/Category: Directory/Home & Garden/Home Safety
Make Money Online (Rating: 2) , Votes:Provides reviews of available monetizing possibilities, advice, case studies. We also include reviews of tools which can help you increase your traffic and optimize your site for search engine.http://www.ezmoneyon.net/
Related searches:
Webotopia provides a business directory designed to promote J A Funk Funel Home companies, products and services whilst helping it's users find the J A Funk Funel Home information they need. Webotopia business directory, with the help of it's dedicated support specialists and reviewers, enables delivery of J A Funk Funel Home quality content, excellent customer support as well as value added services such as content publishing and press releases for it's users.


text:
Refine Your Search
Tea Bag or Full Leaf
Tea Certification
Tea Type
Best Selling Tea
The crème de la crème is right here – these best selling teas are top-rated among Citizens for their excellent flavors and brand name quality. Available in bags and loose leaf, these popular teas garner rave reviews from Citizens in America and in the world at large! Find a favorite tea for each season of your life.


text: Can you imagine what life would be like without your favorite song? Or your favorite movie that never fails to crack you up? Without arts in our schools, who will be the next Louis Armstrong, or Jackson Pollock, or Martin Scorsese? Now, more than ever, we need to foster strong arts programs in our schools - and we need your help. We seek educators and prospective educators who want to expand their creative boundaries and keep arts alive in our schools. Our Arts in Education Program brings together classroom teachers, art teachers, artists, administrators, and other educators to engage students in learning with, and through, the arts. Our graduate students are immersed in the creative process, working individually and collaboratively with their colleagues. They develop and practice innovative methods and interdisciplinary teaching. Our graduate students also participate in statewide initiatives concerning the arts. Our partnerships with the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, the Integrated Arts Academy at H.O. Wheeler Elementary School, and other community resources have enriched the Arts in Education program. The opportunities from these partnerships bring real-life experience and energy to your graduate experience. Requirements for M.Ed. (36 credits) Requirements for Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S., 30 credits) You may apply up to 18 credits of the coursework toward the licensure in Arts to the requirements for the M.Ed. degree. Expand your creative boundaries. Contact: Professor Rebecca Haslam email@example.com 802.654.2306


text:
Frequent Links
Virtuous circle and vicious circle
The terms virtuous circle and vicious circle (also referred to as virtuous cycle and vicious cycle) refer to complex chains of events which reinforce themselves through a feedback loop.[1] A virtuous circle has favorable results, while a vicious circle has detrimental results.
Both circles are complexes of events with no tendency towards equilibrium (at least in the short run). Both systems of events have feedback loops in which each iteration of the cycle reinforces the previous one (positive feedback). These cycles will continue in the direction of their momentum until an external factor intervenes and breaks the cycle. The prefix "hyper-" is sometimes used to describe these cycles if they are extreme. The best-known example of a vicious circle is hyperinflation.
Example in macroeconomics
Virtuous circle
Economic growth can be seen as a virtuous circle. It might start with an exogenous factor such as technological innovation. As people get familiar with the new technology, there could be learning curve effects and economies of scale. This could lead to reduced costs and improved production efficiencies. In a competitive market structure, this will probably result in lower average prices or a decrease in employment as it takes fewer workers to produce the same output. As prices decrease, consumption could increase and aggregate output also. Increased levels of output lead to more learning and scale effects and a new cycle starts.
Vicious circle
Hyperinflation is a spiral of inflation which causes even higher inflation. The initial exogenous event might be a sudden large increase in international interest rates or a massive increase in government debt due to excessive spendings. Whatever the cause, the government could pay down some of its debt by printing more money (called monetizing the debt). This increase in the money supply could increase the level of inflation. In an inflationary environment, people tend to spend their money quickly because they expect its value to decrease further in the future. They convert their financial assets into physical assets while their money still has some purchasing power. Often they will purchase on credit. Eventually, the currency loses all of its value. Because of this, the level of savings in the country is very low and the government could have problems refinancing its debt. Its solution could be to print still more money starting another iteration of the vicious cycle.
Example in management
Virtuous circle
An employer's investment in his employees' ability to provide superior service to customers can be seen as a virtuous circle. Effort spent in selecting and training employees and creating a corporate culture in which they are empowered can lead to increased employee satisfaction and employee competence. This can result in superior service delivery and customer satisfaction. This in turn will create customer loyalty, improved sales levels, and higher profit margins. Some of these profits can be reinvested in employee development, thereby initiating another iteration of a virtuous cycle.
Vicious circle
A harvesting strategy, which can be an example of a vicious circle, rather than reinvesting in employee development, new product development, and market research, management could decide to harvest its investment by reducing costs then increasing dividends or increasing executive compensation. The consequence of this could be reduced employee wages, minimal training, an outdated product line, and a failure to understand the needs of the customer. This will probably result in employee dissatisfaction, employee incompetence, and high employee turnover. This could cause poor service delivery, customer dissatisfaction, high customer turnover, and loss of market share. Reduced sales and lower profit margins may require a further reduction in investment, thereby initiating another iteration of the vicious circle.
Vicious circles in the subprime mortgage crisis
The contemporary subprime mortgage crisis is a complex of vicious circles, both in its genesis and in its manifold outcomes, most notably the late 2000s recession. A specific example is the circle related to housing. As housing prices decline, more homeowners go "underwater", when the market value of a home drops below the mortgage on it. This provides an incentive to walk away from the home, increasing defaults and foreclosures. This, in turn, lowers housing values further from over-supply, reinforcing the cycle.[2]
The foreclosures reduce the cash flowing into banks and the value of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) widely held by banks. Banks incur losses and require additional funds, also called "recapitalization". If banks are not capitalized sufficiently to lend, economic activity slows and unemployment increases, which further increase the number of foreclosures.
Economist Nouriel Roubini described the vicious circles within and across the housing market and financial markets during interviews with Charlie Rose in September and October 2008.[3][4][5]
Other examples
Other examples include the poverty cycle, sharecropping, and the intensification of drought. In climate change science, feedback loops involve positive feedbacks and negative feedbacks that respectively serve to intensify or dampen the effects of global warming.
See also
- Catch-22 (logic)
- Causal loop diagram
- Closed timelike curve
- Endogeneity (econometrics)
- List of economics topics
- List of finance topics
- List of management topics
- List of marketing topics
- List of production topics
- Positive feedback
- Self-fulfilling prophecy
- Spiral of silence
- Subprime mortgage crisis
Analogous concepts
- ^ Charles Webel, Johan Galtung (19 March 2012). Handbook of Peace and Conflict Studies. Routledge. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
- ^ "WSJ-Vicious Cycle in Subprime Crisis". Online.wsj.com. 2008-11-18. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
- ^ "Roubini & Panel". Charlie Rose. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
- ^ "Rose & Roubini Discussion". Charlierose.com. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
- ^ "Rose & Roubini". Charlierose.com. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
External sources
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vicious circles.
- Schlesinger, L. and Heskett, J. (1991) Breaking the cycle of failure in services, Sloan Management Review, vol. 31, spring 1991, pp. 17 – 28.
- http://william-king.www.drexel.edu/top/prin/txt/gro/gro21b.html – An introduction to 20th century virtuous circle theory.
- Rational Choice with Passion:Virtue in a Model of Rational Addiction – In this link the author uses Aristotelian virtue as a mediator between passion and reason in the construction of utility/consumption functions in an esoteric part of consumer behaviour theory related to decision making in addictive situations.
- China: A Stabilizing or Deflationary Influence in East Asia? The Problem of Conflicted Virtue – In this link the author is using virtue in the sense of a positive outcome (balance of payments surplus) that conflicts with long term regional growth and stability.
- http://www.bioenergycentres.com/resources.shtml – an essay in 3 parts by Polarity Therapist Andrew Harry, Bath, UK. Defining The Virtuous Cycle as an integrated healing process.


text:
Robbie feared being sued after slap
Margot Robbie has admitted she feared she would be sued after slapping Leonardo DiCaprio on the set of The Wolf Of Wall Street.
The About Time actress plays Leonardo's love interest in Martin Scorsese's movie and revealed that during one scene she was so engrossed that she accidentally smacked Leo hard.
Margot, 23, told GQ: "I got a little lost in the moment. I slapped his face and said, 'F*** you!' There was a stunned silence then they all burst out laughing.
"I'd thought they were going to sue me.
"I apologised profusely but Leo said, 'That was brilliant. Hit me in the face again!'."
The Wolf Of Wall Street sees Leonardo play stockbroker Jordan Belfort and follows his fast-dealing ways in the 1990s through the halls of Wall Street, which eventually led to him serving time in jail for offences related to stock market manipulation.
The movie - which also stars Matthew McConaughey, Joanna Lumley and Jon Favreau - is due to be released in the UK later this month.
PA Media


text:
Long popular among firearms collectors and boat owners, it can be mounted inside a small enclosed space such as a cabinet or closet to provide continuous maintenance-free protection for items susceptible to moisture damage. Each low-profile cylindrical heater has a 3/4" diameter brass-plated steel housing, a 70" power cord, and a pair of clip-on legs with small slots for screw-mount installation. For best results, use the largest size that fits the space, mounting it near the bottom to ensure optimal air circulation.
The 12" (12W) model is effective on spaces up to 100 cu.ft., the 18" (18W) model is suitable for spaces up to 200 cu.ft., and the 24" (25W) model protects up to 300 cu.ft. Each operates with a maximum surface temperature of 150°F/65°C. UL/CUL certified. A simple, economical means of preventing humidity damage in storage.
Made in USA.


text:
Mariners scratch Harang from Thursday start
Bronx, NY – Seattle Mariners pitcher Aaron Harang has been scratched from Thursday's starting assignment versus the New York Yankees with lower back stiffness.
Harang was scheduled to face the Yankees for the first time in his career in the rubber match of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium. New York remains the lone team the veteran right-hander hasn't pitched against.
Former Yankee Hector Noesi will get the spot start. Noesi has compiled a 3.86 ERA in four relief appearances this season. The righty made 18 starts for the Mariners in 2012 after coming over with Jesus Montero from New York in the trade that sent Michael Pineda to the Yankees.


text:
We NOW Know Why Men Are Always Hot And Women Are Always Cold
Next time your boyfriend complains he's too hot, as he sits in a t-shirt on a cold winter's night, you may want to resist the urge to turn up the heater, and opt for another blanket.
You see, it's not an old wives' tale that men are always hot and women are always cold. There is some truth to it.
The male and female temperature control, is in fact quite different and there are proven differences between our circulatory system functions.
It all relates back to hormones. Women are designed to be better at conserving core body temperature, to keep a developing foetus warm.While a man's core temperature can drop slightly and they won't even notice.
It seems women are always cold because we have smaller bodies, which means we have less heat-generating muscle mass. Also, women have a lower metabolic rate, which all contribute to a loss of heat.
It also appears not only do women have the joy of becoming angry, emotional and hungry each month, it's now been revealed we also become colder - and I'm not just talking about after a fight.
So there you have it. I think we all need to cut each other a bit of slack next time someone complains about the temperature.


text:
European Football purists aren't likely to enjoy FIFA Street 2 any more than they did the first game in the series. Like its predecessor, this is an arcade-style game in tune with EA's other alternative sports titles, such as NBA Street. As such, it's more about flashy tricks than the actual game of soccer, although it's entertaining enough for what it is. The artificial intelligence is improved and ball physics are much more realistic than in the first game, but while FIFA Street 2 makes a good first impression, it gets bogged down by unresponsive player controls and repetitive action.
Part of the great initial impression is the exhaustive player creation utility that lets you customize your player from a variety of options, as well as detail your home pitch with enough details to make it interesting. Granted, the pitch editor isn't as full-fledged as it could be, but the result can be as downtrodden as you want, even if the forced grittiness of it is sometimes hard to swallow. You can't adjust its size and shape, so aside from cosmetics, there's no real value in one pitch over another. Your players, however, have adjustable stats in speed, tricks, and so forth. And while your player and pitch may look as downtrodden as you like, as the game wears on, you'll notice it pretends to be more urban than it really is, like a guy in the Hamptons claiming he grew up on the streets.
Once you're finished, you take control of a four-man soccer team that competes against similar teams with a fascinating mishmash of fictional street players and actual soccer stars. A lot of popular stars from around the world are curiously absent, although in the end, it matters little: you don't play a lot of soccer in FIFA Street 2. Instead, your goal is to string together tricks, and there are plenty more of them this time around. Pulling them off is intuitive, thanks to the use of the right analog stick, which serves as both an offensive tool and performs defensive tackles. Winning isn't just a matter of scoring goals, which is more often than not your secondary mission, since several modes don't even require goals, instead focusing on trick points.
The smoother aspect of the controls is completely at odds with the defensive gamebreaker moves, which work well when you're successful -- but start a string of frustrating and uncontrollable animations when you aren't. Should you counter the offensive player with the right move, you take control of the ball, and in turn, get to enjoy the better parts of the game. Should you aim in the wrong direction (and it's always a crapshoot, since you are simply playing the odds), you get stuck for a few seconds waiting for your player to finish the fake-out animation. There are other defensive moves, of course, but they only require some button mashing and miss the finesse of the better offensive juggles and shots. The result? It's easy -- and preferable -- to beat your defenders and stay on the offensive as often as you can. Too bad playing defense just isn't much fun. You can take manual control over your goalie, although this isn't as interesting or as helpful as it sounds.
You'll have to master as many tricks as you can, thanks to the varied modes, which may award points for certain tricks like the panna (more commonly known as the nutmeg), or for making gamebreaker goals. The biggest issue with that is that while the varied modes sound great on paper, in practice, it's too predictable to stay interesting. Outplaying AI defensive opponents is all too easy until you get to the goalie, who is brilliant one moment and harebrained the next, depending on the complexity of the combo you built the shot from. Whether your mission is to perform nutmegs or goals, the standard match ends up being a bunch of juggling moves, some passes, a bunch of trick moves, and a shot at the goal. In fact, the juggling is the best part of the game, although you wouldn't know it from the excruciating juggling challenges, which play like a dumbed down version of Dance Dance Revolution.


text:
Bad news for hedge funder David Einhorn: Apple is likely to jack its dividend, says Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.
Huberty met with Apple's CFO. After the meeting she wrote that Apple will "likely increase cash return to shareholders." She writes:
Apple could return more cash to shareholders given its cash balance is $40B higher vs. March 2012. Our analysis suggests Apple can match the S&P IT sector's average FCF payout of 68% if it returns $28B in FY13, implying a 6% total yield. High mix of international cash limited flexibility in the past but raising low-interest debt can help address this issue, in our view.
Apple's currently has a 2.3 percent dividend yield, so this would be a big bump.
Einhorn had a big presentation yesterday about why Apple shouldn't just do a dividend bump. He thinks it wouldn't help Apple's PE.
He wants to see Apple do preferred shares that deliver a dividend in perpetuity. His plan would have a 4 percent annual yield.


text:
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 2013--
Crosstex Energy, L.P. (NASDAQ: XTEX) (the Partnership) and Crosstex
Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: XTXI) (the Corporation) will hold a conference
call to discuss fourth-quarter and full year 2012 financial results on
Friday, March 1, at 10:00 a.m. Central time (11:00 a.m. Eastern time).
The dial-in number for the call is 1-888-680-0893. Callers outside the
United States should dial 1-617-213-4859. The passcode is 34047688 for
all callers. Investors are advised to dial in to the call at least 10
minutes prior to the call time to register. Participants may preregister
for the call at https://www.theconferencingservice.com/prereg/key.process?key=PA739HXYG.
Preregistrants will be issued a pin number to use when dialing in to the
live call, which will provide quick access to the conference by
bypassing the operator upon connection. Interested parties also can
access the live webcast of the call on the Investors page of Crosstex's
website at www.crosstexenergy.com.
After the conference call, a replay can be accessed until May 30, 2013,
by dialing 1-888-286-8010. International callers should dial
1-617-801-6888 for a replay. The passcode for all callers listening to
the replay is 45687967. Interested parties also can visit the Investors
page of Crosstex's website to listen to a replay of the call.
About the Crosstex Energy Companies
Crosstex Energy, L.P., a midstream natural gas company headquartered in
Dallas, operates approximately 3,500 miles of natural gas, natural gas
liquids and oil pipelines, 10 processing plants and four fractionators.
The Partnership also operates barge terminals, rail terminals, product
storage facilities, brine water disposal wells and an extensive truck
Crosstex Energy, Inc. owns combined general and limited partner
interests of approximately 19 percent and the incentive distribution
rights of Crosstex Energy, L.P.
Additional information about the Crosstex companies can be found at www.crosstexenergy.com.
Source: Crosstex Energy
Crosstex EnergyJill McMillan, 214-721-9271Director,
Public & Industry firstname.lastname@example.com