text:
Letting your kids trick or treat alone is a big, emotional step. You want your children to feel a sense of independence, but you also want them to be safe. Lucky for you, there are a number of apps you can download before October 31st that will help keep your kids safe while you munch on candy corn and enjoy your scary movie marathon.
Here are our top five picks.
1. FamilySignal
Cost: Free for the basic version, $4.99/month or $49.99/year for the Pro version
Available for iOS
FamilySignal is a location-sharing app that comes equipped with several helpful features for your Halloween night. It includes a visual map that allows you to see where in the neighborhood your trick-or-treaters actually are, as well as a "panic button" that will alert you (and the authorities, if necessary) as soon as your child has pushed it in case of emergency. For less serious situations, perhaps when the kids need help carrying their bags of candy home, they can reach you with a feature called "Touch Base". This allows for a single tap by the kids and an instant notification to your phone. You can also customize your alerts with "Geofences"—these refer to specific areas that you have chosen, maybe school, work, or in this case, your trick-or-treating route. There is no credit card necessary to sign up, and you can access the free version as long as you'd like.
2. Life360
Cost: Free
Available for iOS, Android
One of the most seasoned family connector apps, Life360, comes with many helpful features. Most important for parents with kids seeking to fill their candy bags will be the private map feature and emergency signaling. The private map will allow you to track your kids while they're on the go. You can also create "favorite" spots with Life360, and anytime your children arrive at that location you'll get an automatic update—a perfect feature that will help you and your children to decide on a pre-approved route. And the best part is that Life360 doesn't need to be open for you to track your child's whereabouts. As long as it's installed on their phone, they can just slip it in their pocket and be on their merry way!
3. Glympse
Cost: Free
Available for iOS, Windows, Android
A free and straightforward app that allows you to share your location in real-time with approved friends. You can request a Glympse of your children while they're on the go, or they can freely send you Glympses of their whereabouts at their own discretion. The best way to use Glympse on Halloween night is to decide on a duration of time that your children will be out, set the app to that time period and have your child select you as a recipient. You can track their whereabouts throughout the night without having to request check-ins. With Glympse, your child can send their location via text, email, Facebook or Twitter. It's a great choice if your spouse also wants updates, but doesn't want to download the app.
4. Footprints
Cost: Free for the first 30 days, 3.99 for a 1-Year Subscription
Available for iOS
Another GPS tracking app with a very clear and simple design. Footprints will pull your child's location automatically, so there's no need for them to have their phone out while they are on the go. Geofences are a great aspect of this app. You can set up a predetermined route and will be notified anytime one of the 'fences' are crossed. Make sure that your child's phone is fully charged before their night out, as this app continually runs in the background while pulling your child's location.
5. Family Tracker
Cost: Free for the Lite version, $5.99 for the HD version
Available for iOS, Android
The Family Tracker uses GPS location to update you in real-time. The HD version is $5.99—you can also check out the Lite version, which is free but offers a few less features. The Family Tracker app uses free Apple/Google push notifications (instead of SMS/text messages) to alert the devices that are being tracked, so make sure these are turned on in your phone's settings. The app allows you to locate the other users you're connected with, as well as "Ping" them, which can help eliminate the worry over missed calls or a delay in response. You can also use the real-time map feature to see if your child is moving along the pre-determined route, or if they've veered off in hopes of better candy down the street.
*Just in Case: FBI Child ID
Cost: Free
Available for iOS, Android
This tool from the FBI will come in extremely handy under the unfortunate circumstance that your child goes missing on Halloween night. Download this app and keep it updated with pictures and vital information of all of your children just in case one of your little ghouls wanders off. Having this information ready and on hand could save vital time if you do need to report your child missing – this app will allow you to share photos and records with the authorities immediately. It will also provide you with very important direction on how to proceed in the first few moments.


text:
Hi Nobijumper,Nobijumper wrote: ↑Sep 12th, 2017 11:13 pmHey guys,
Long time lurker first time posting. I have a nobis cartel from years ago, anyone know if the removable fur trim will fit on the new Higgins model? I'm looking into purchasing a Higgins but I feel as if fur quality has dropped significantly within the years. So what I'm basically asking is will my old fur from my cartel fit on a new Higgins model. Thanks guys.
I haven't tested this for this season, but generally each model has different lengths on fur trims. Also keep in mind that in order to work both your higgins and cartel would need to be the same colour because the trim is attached to the cloth. If you want nice fur, you should go to a furrier and get a custom huge one.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ngurrara Cultural Camp - black soil, spear-making & stories about water!
Peter Murray
It rained out at Kurlku when Shell Australia visited for our cultural camp in May. Nothing too serious where we were camped—just enough to take the bite out of the heat and make for three nights of good, deep sleeps on country. The road back to Fitzroy on the Friday was a little tricky, with boggy black soil, but on the whole, the Ngurrara 2-Way Learning Cultural Camp was a success.
There were a couple of key purposes for the camp. The first was to celebrate the Shell 2-Way Learning Project, which has been running now across different phases for over five years. The project's about water monitoring, and Shell has been sponsoring our rangers to check the water at our significant jilas. They're gathering baseline data against which we can measure any impacts on our water from development, climate change or feral animals. The rangers have also been running workshops in the schools.
As part of the project, we're hoping to encourage a two way learning about water that encompasses traditional knowledge about water from our old people, and western scientific knowledge. The camp was a space where old people could pass on some of these stories to the young people, including at two significant jilas. All visitors were welcomed to country at Purluwarla, and then travelled on to Pirnirni, the site where the Ngurrara Great Sandy Desert Canvas was painted.
Knowledge exchange also happened during the workshops. Students from Yakanarra Community School, Fitzroy Crossing District High, Wulungarra Community School and Djugerari Remote Community School had a go at spear and boomerang making, painting, traditional hair dying, and the sampling of traditional food, like the bush onion and bush coconut.
Yanunijarra CEO, Peter Murray, says, being out on country—away from the distractions of television, internet and video games—meant the young people could properly engage with these activities, on their traditional lands.
"When you're running workshops on country, you notice the difference with the kids. They're motivated, connected and there's been no bad behaviour. We had multiple organisations at the event, all working together for the benefit of Ngurrara people," Mr Murray says.
The camp was also a gesture of appreciation to Shell Australia, who have, over a number of years now, sponsored the 2-Way Learning Project, and who sponsored the camp.
The Shell mob said something key to their business was really understanding local communities and sharing mutual respect. They hoped to pass this knowledge on to their colleagues.
VP Production Manager David Bird, says, "In the corporate world, there can be a lack of awareness and appreciation of indigenous culture. We like our employees to be ambassadors, demonstrating respect where appropriate … [and] we're hoping to develop a common language with Ngurrara Traditional Owners, so we can both move forward together."
Senior Exploration Geoscientist Jason Roberts agrees, adding that respect is also crucial to a long-term relationship.
"I think it's been an absolute success story … [On our side] it's about honesty, integrity and respect. Our long-term relationship attests to that level of respect," Mr Roberts says.
Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation would like to thank Shell Australia and all other stakeholders who supported the camp, including: The Yiriman Project, Eight Mile Catering, the Ngurrara Rangers, KRED Enterprises, the Kimberley Land Council, Mangkaja Arts, Ngurrara Canvas Committee, Nindilingarri Cultural Health, Garnduwa, Marra Worra Worra and all Traditional Owners and schools.


text:
Historians' Viewpoints on American Freedom Essay
The most obvious similarity between Freedom on My Mind and The Story of American Freedom, is that they both primarily focus on the concept of Freedom in the United States. Both sources consistently provide reasons for or against freedom, but it is still the same basic idea no matter what or whom they draw the concept from in the characterization of this notion. Both also apply "freedom" to the


text:
Three Things every Pastor should consider about Children's Ministry/
Evangelist D.L. Moody towards the end of his life, said, "If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!" Dr. Moody saw the weightiness of ministry to children.
How many adults have you met who would reflect on their lives and wish that they were saved later in life? Moody argues that the earlier the conversion, the more likely it is for one's life story to be totally committed to the Gospel and more likely to go into full-time ministry. When considering the local church, there are three main points for pastors and church leaders to think carefully about when ministering to kids and their families. Children's Ministry is your church's largest mission field, Children's Ministry is the present and future of your church and Children's Ministry is important to God.
Children's Ministry is your Church's Largest Mission Field
Barna Research Group tells us that 83% of those who profess Christ do so between the ages of four years old and fourteen years old. What grander mission field has God granted your church than the kids who enter your doors each Sunday! Consider these words of 1800's Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, "And far away across yonder broad ocean, in the Islets of the South, in lands where those dwell who bow before blocks of wood and stone, there are missionaries who were saved in Sabbath Schools, and the thousands, blessed by their labour, contribute to swell the mighty stream of the incalculable, I had almost said infinite, success of Sabbath school instruction." (Come Ye Children, C.H. Spurgeon, P.105).
Children's Ministry is the Present and Future of your Church
Children's Ministry is typically the after-thought at best when revitalizing a church or planting a new one. Often Children's Ministry comes as a response to a plea from well-meaning parents and church members. "What are we going to do with all these energetic kids?" A growing Children's Ministry is one of the major signs of a healthy church. When we are welcoming little ones and their families, and nourishing their souls with the truths of the Gospel, we get to pour into the least of these in a way that reminds them that they have a place in the body of Christ, today, tomorrow, and for eternity.
Children's Ministry is Important to God
God has entrusted the church to tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, the wonders that He has done (Psalm 78:4). What a joyful privilege we have to be a part of something that is so close to the heart of God. If you have never considered Children's Ministry as an impactful part of your church, consider Mark 10:14 which reads, "But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." This verse serves as a reminder to us of the mission field of God, Jesus saw children as an important part of the kingdom of God.
May God use our children's ministries to draw the coming generations to Him and then send out a mighty army into the nations to win souls for the kingdom.


text:
Jacket - H&M studio collection // Floral blouse - Zara Amsterdam 2 years ago // Jeans - Zara // Boots - Zara
On Sunday my mother and I went to the Colonnade for Afternoon Tea, Situated right by 'little Venice' the hotel oozed everything I love about west London. Having grown up around here I definitely took my surroundings for granted and now as an outsider looking in I adore how picturesque everything is... not to mention my LOVE for period dramas and films like 'Mr Selfridge' 'Belle' and 'Pride & Prejudice'. I really do believe that in another life I lived in a grand house like this with great paintings and a beautiful parlor but for now i'm content with afternoon tea, scones and de-crusted sandwiches it's the little things that bring me happiness :-)
God help my future family!


text:
Earnings advisories
After the market closed, Mandalay Resort Group MBG, +4.71% said it expects first-quarter earnings to exceed 70 cents a share, up from its 61-cent profit recorded in the year-ago period. The 18 analysts polled by First Call had been expecting a profit of 50 cents a share. The company noted that shares outstanding in the quarter were lower by 8 percent and depreciation expense was lower compared with last year. In addition, the company said visitor volume on the Las Vegas Strip has rebounded since the start of its fiscal year. Shares closed up 18 cents to $34.99.
Positive surprises
Hartford Financial Services HIG, +0.63% reported first-quarter earnings of $293 million, or $1.17 a share, up compared with the year-ago total of $253 million, or $1.07 a share. The latest per share figure includes a 3-cent benefit related to Hartford Life's reserves associated with the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Analysts polled by First Call anticipated a profit of $1.11 a share. Shares closed up 29 cents to $69.97 ahead of the news.
After the market closed Monday, Silicon Laboratories SLAB, -1.36% reported first-quarter earnings of $1.7 million, or 3 cents a share, beating the consensus estimate by 2 cents a share. In the year-ago period, the company lost $1.2 million, or 3 cents a share. Including non-cash charges, the latest quarter earned a penny a share. Revenue for the quarter totaled $28.8 million, up compared with $23.6 million in the year-ago period. The communications company said it expects strong growth from wireless products, particularly the Aero transceiver, as multiple customers ramp into volume production. As a result, the company anticipates double-digit sequential growth for the second quarter and revenue to increase by 10 to 15 percent over the first quarter. Shares closed down 22 cents to $35.66 but traded as high as $36.77 in after hours trading.
Biosite BSTE reported first-quarter net income of $1.6 million, or 11 cents a share, and operating income totaled $2.0 million. In the first quarter of 2001, net income, earnings per share and operating income were $1.5 million, 10 cents a share and $1.9 million, respectively. Excluding the impact of license and patent disputes, net income would have been $2.4 million, or 16 cents a share, and operating income would have been $3.3 million. Excluding the license and patent disputes, analysts polled by First Call expected a profit of 12 cents a share for the latest quarter. Revenue totaled $18.6 million, up compared with the year-ago total of $15.2 million. The increase in revenue was attributed to sales of the Triage GNP Test, which grew to $4.1 million from $173,000 a year ago. Shares closed down 6 cents to $22.99 but traded as high as $25 in after hours.
After the market closed, Microtune TUNE, +0.54% reported a first-quarter loss of $7 million, or 13 cents a share, wider than the year-ago loss of $2.8 million, or 7 cents a share. However, the latest quarter beat the company's previous forecast of between 17 cents to 18 cents a share and the average estimate from analysts of a 16-cent loss. Revenue for the quarter totaled $18.2 million, up 3 percent compared with the year-ago period. Shares closed down $1.40 to $13.81 but traded as high as $14.60 in after hours trading.
Altera ALTR, -4.08%, a maker of programmable microchips, reported first-quarter net income of $19 million, or 5 cents a share, on revenue of $172 million. During the same quarter last year, net income was $63 million, or 16 cents a share, on revenue of $287.4 million. Analysts expected earnings of 4 cents a share on revenue of $168.5 million, on average, according to a survey by Thomson Financial/First Call. New product sales grew 22 percent sequentially. Ahead of the results, shares ended down 75 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $21.65
Immunex Corp. said Monday its first-quarter net income dipped to $34.9 million, or 6 cents per share, compared with $39.8 million, or 7 cents per share, in the 2001 first quarter. The biotech firm attributed the decline to higher taxes. Seattle-based Immunex had been expected to earn 5 cents per share, according to the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson/Financial First Call. Immunex said first-quarter sales of its flagship Enbrel rheumatoid arthritis drug surged 31 percent to $216.5 million. Ahead of the news, shares of Immunex IMNX shed 39 cents to $28.51.
Electronic Data Systems late Monday reported first-quarter net earnings below that of a year ago though the information technology provider was able to meet Wall Street pro forma expectations on margin expansion and better pricing flexibility. EDS EDS reported net income of $354 million, or 72 cents a share, vs. $446 million, or 93 cents a share in the first quarter of 2001. Analysts were expecting EDS to earn, on average, 71 cents a share in the most recent quarter, according to a poll conducted by Thomson Financial/First Call. Revenue fell short of expectations on delayed contract signings but increased from last year. Revenue in the quarter came in at $5.34 billion from $4.99 billion a year ago. A year ago, EDS's operating income, excluding one-time items, came in at $301 million, or 63 cents a share. The one-time items reflect the impact of a 37-cent, per-share gain and a 7-cent, per-share loss to account for goodwill amortization.
JDA Software JDAS increased its net earnings from the same period a year ago, and beat Wall Street targets with its results. The maker of management software for large retailers reported net earnings of $4.55 million, or 16 cents a share, vs. $2.2 million, or 9 cents, in the same period last year. Pro forma earnings, which excludes $1.8 million in costs for the amortization of intangibles, was $5.7 million, or 20 cents a share, vs. $3.9 million, or 16 cents a year ago. Analysts had been expecting earnings of 19 cents a share, on average, according to a survey conducted by Thomson Financial/First Call. Sales rose to $59.2 million, up from $48.8 million last year. Analysts had been expecting sales of $58 million, on average. Shares of JDA Software lost $1.14 to close at $34.15 in regular Nasdaq trading, ahead of the earnings announcement.
BorgWarner posted a first-quarter loss Monday as the auto components and parts company took a $269 million charge for the depreciating value of certain assets. For the first quarter, BorgWarner lost $237.5 million, or $8.90 a share, vs. a $21.1 million profit, or 80 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding the charge, the company earned $31.5 million, or $1.18 a share. Analysts had forecast $1.11 a share for the quarter on that basis. Sales came in at $634 million, up from $607 million. The company also reiterated that it had already upped its full-year profit projections earlier. Shares of Borg-Warner BWA, +1.89% closed down 25 cents to $60.50. See full story.
Vulcan Materials VMC, -1.14% reported first quarter earnings that exceeded expectations but indicated that second quarter earnings would fall short, hurt by weak pricing in its chemicals business. The producer of industrial materials said net income for the quarter ending March were $11.6 million, or 11 cents a share, up from earnings of $5.7 million, or 6 cents a share recorded in the year-earlier period. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call had been anticipating EPS of 6 cents, on average. Shares closed down $1.44 to $46.56.
HCA HCA, +0.68% reported first-quarter earnings before items of $396 million, or 76 cents a share, up from a year-ago equivalent profit of $348 million, or 63 cents a share, and 4 cents ahead of Wall Street's consensus estimate. Revenue jumped 8.3 percent in the latest three months to $4.9 billion from $4.5 billion in the same period a year earlier. The Nashville, Tenn., hospital operator attributed its performance to continued strength in same-facility inpatient revenue per admission, and same-facility revenue. The stock closed down $1.01 to $47.
USFreightways USFC said losses for the first quarter totaled $77.7 million, or $2.84 per share, after reporting profits of $8.45 million, or 32 cents a share recorded in the same period a year ago. Excluding charges related to the relinquishing of its interest in an Asian joint venture and the cumulative effect of an accounting change, earnings for the quarter ending March were $5.1 million, or 19 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call had been expecting EPS of 18 cents, on average. Revenue for the period declined 7 percent from last year to $577.7 million. The company said it continues to expect second-quarter earnings of 35 to 45 cents a share, surrounding analyst expectations of 40 cents a share. The stock closed down $2.31 to $33.39.
Lubrizol LZ reported first-quarter earnings of $29.8 million, or 58 cents a share, up from its year-ago profit of $18.5 million, or 36 cents a share, and well ahead of the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial/First Call for a profit of 45 cents a share. Sales rose 3 percent in the latest three months to $467.5 million from $454.6 million in the same period a year earlier. The Cleveland fluid technology firm said that it remains cautious about earnings growth in 2002 due to continued uncertainty about the world economy and the strength of the anticipated recovery. It also cited rising raw material costs, and increased competition as reasons for "greater than normal uncertainty in forecasting future quarters' results." The stock closed up 43 cents to $33.17.
Lear LEA, +0.40% reported first quarter net income of $46.4 million, or 70 cents per share, up from income of $14.5 million, or 22 cents a share in the same period a year ago. Sales for the quarter ending March were flat with last year at $3.5 billion, as new business and higher vehicle production in North America were offset by lower production in Western Europe and unfavorable exchange rate fluctuations. Analysts polled by Multex had been expecting EPS of 60 cents and revenue of $3.48 billion. Looking ahead, the car parts maker said it expects earnings to be $1.05 to $1.15 per share and revenue to be "up slightly" over last year for the second quarter, and earnings of $3.80 to $4.20 per share for the year. Analysts are forecasting EPS of $1.12 and $3.98, respectively. The stock closed down $1.03 to $48.07.
Homebuilder D.H. Horton DHI, +0.90% reported second-quarter earnings of $88.9 million, or 64 cents a share, compared with the year-ago total of $51.6 million, or 45 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial/First Call had expected a profit of 52 cents a share. Revenue totaled $1.6 billion, compared with $900 million last year. The company added that full-year earnings would be in the range of $2.75 to $2.80 a share, ahead of the consensus estimate that stands at $2.64 a share. "We completed our merger with Schuler Homes, achieved our 98th consecutive quarter of growth in revenues and earnings and declared a 3-for-2 stock split," said Donald R. Horton, chairman. Shares closed up 59 cents to $24.94. See full story.
Gaming giant Park Place Entertainment PPE, -3.95% reported a loss of $939 million, or $3.09 a share, including the change in accounting for goodwill. Excluding the accounting change, the company posted first-quarter earnings of $40 million, or 13 cents a share. Analysts polled by First Call had expected a profit of 9 cents a share. In the year-ago period, the company reported a profit of $45 million, or 15 cents a share. First-quarter revenue totaled $1.158 billion, compared with $1.161 billion in the year-ago period. Shares closed down 39 cents to $11.90.
Anadigics ANAD reported a first-quarter loss of $18.06 million, or 59 cents a share, wider than the $4.6 million, or 15 cents a share, recorded in the year-earlier period. Excluding charges stemming from consolidation and restructuring of its fiber product lines as well as the amortization of intangibles, losses for the March quarter were 37 cents a share. Revenue for the period fell 32 percent from last year, to $19.52 million. Analysts surveyed by First Call had been forecasting a per-share loss of 38 cents and revenue of $19.03 million. The wireless components maker also said it's 90-percent booked to meet its second-quarter revenue target of $21 million, with its loss per share expected to narrow to 31 cents. This loss would match current analyst expectations. The stock closed down 77 cents to $11.55.
3M MMM, -0.27% reported first-quarter net income of $452 million, or $1.14 a share, compared with $453 million, or $1.13 a share, earned in the 2001 quarter. Excluding non-recurring items, the Dow Jones Industrials component posted net income of $487 million, or $1.23 a share, up from the prior year's $467 million, or $1.16 a share. According to First Call, analysts had expected earnings per share of $1.19 for the latest quarter. Earnings for the second quarter, excluding non-recurring items, are expected "at or above" the first quarter's profit. First Call currently projects second quarter earnings at $1.21 a share. Shares closed up 12 cents to $125.01. See full story.
Lexmark International LXK reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations due to better-than-expected sales growth in laser and inkjet printers. The company reported net income for the March quarter of $71.5 million, or 53 cents a share, down from $79.7 million, or 60 cents a share, recorded in the same period a year ago. Revenue for the period rose 6.3 percent over last year to $1.05 billion. Analysts surveyed by First Call had been forecasting, on average, Lexmark's profit of 48 cents a share on revenue of $1.01 billion. Looking ahead, Lexmark said it's anticipating earnings of 56 to 66 cents for the second quarter, compared with consensus analyst expectations of 57 cents. The stock closed up $2.80 to $60.40.
Lucent Technologies LU reported a fiscal second-quarter net loss of $495 million, or 16 cents a share, narrower than the loss of $3.7 billion, or $1.09 a share, recorded in the year-earlier period. According to the company, the pro forma loss per share from continuing operations was reduced from a loss of 23 cents to a loss of 20 cents, which includes a 6-cent charge related to recently signed federal tax legislation. Analysts surveyed by First Call had been expecting a loss of 17 cents a share. Shares closed up 20 cents to $4.49. See full story.
Praxair PX, +3.45% said first-quarter net income was $127 million, or 77 cents a share, virtually unchanged from the same period a year ago. Sales for the quarter fell 7.7 percent from last year to $1.23 billion, due to lower natural gas prices and currency translations. Analysts surveyed by Multex had been forecasting a profit of 74 cents on revenue of $1.31 billion. Looking ahead, the company anticipates earnings of 78 to 82 cents a share for the second quarter and $3.15 to $3.35 for the full year, compared with analyst expectations of 79 cents and $3.26, respectively. The stock closed down $1.82 to $57.13.
Negative surprises
Arch Coal ACI, +0.15% reported a first-quarter loss of $7.4 million, or 14 cents a share, within the range the company previously forecast calling for a loss between 5 cents to 15 cents a share. The consensus view of analysts had been for a loss of 10 cents a share, however. The company noted that U.S. coal markets are currently in a state of oversupply following an extremely mild winter and a period of economic weakness that dampened electricity demand. In the year-ago period, the company earned $6.1 million, or 15 cents a share. The company added that it's curtailed production in the spot market and that the second quarter will accordingly show a loss of between 4 cents to 12 cents a share. Analysts have been expecting a profit of 23 cents a share for the June quarter. The stock closed down 46 cents to $23.18.


text:
My 45+lb Weight Loss Transformation/
"How do you get up and workout every day?"
"How do you eat healthy every day?"
"Why does it even matter? Does it make a difference?"
"How do you stay motivated?"
Those are all the questions I get asked often. And my answer to them is because working out and eating healthy makes me feel better, physically and mentally!
Taking care of myself is important to me because that's when I feel my best. It has made a huge difference in my life and literally changed the way I look.
I stay motivated by switching up my goals and striving to be better every day.
I love that I'm in charge of my body and able to create these changes for myself.
And they look a little something like this...
MY 45+lb TRANSFORMATION
Focus on losing weight weight. I didn't have a certain amount in mind. I just wanted to keep going down on the scale and in pant sizes.
Lose weight and see muscle definition. Keep on doing the same thing I was doing before. Gain strength.
Start losing fat so I could see all my muscles! Change of programs and focused more on strength training/weights.
Present GOALS:
Keep on doing what I'm doing.. adding in different workouts that I've been wanting to. See more muscle definition/lean out.
Be consistent. Have the will to get better, do better, and be better. This is what will get you to your goals, no matter what they are.
Transformation doesn't come overnight, for me it comes from working hard every single day that I can.
Find a love for it.. for a sport or an activity. Find a love for yourself and your body.
Side note... THIS is why progress photos are SO important, at least to me! I can't remember what I looked like back in 2014.. but these photos show me.
Taking both front and side progress photos is so rewarding when you're able to look back and compare them side to side.
<3 Adele


text:
HER AGENDA: A Reminder That We Are All More Than Capable Of Achieving Greatness
When a woman has a mission, she'll get it done no matter what. Women are unstoppable despite living in a society where we are often underestimated.
We're living in a time where gender bias does not come as a surprise to any of us. We're constantly reminded that it exists when we look at the number of Fortune 500 CEO's who are women (only 30). We're reminded when we first recognize that a male colleague is paid more. We're reminded when we look at the amount of funding raised by women-led startups versus male (Recent data shows venture capitalists invested $58.2 billion in companies with all-male founders in 2016. Women received just $1.46 billion in the same year. Women of color receive much less — not even 1% of VC funding).
So, it's refreshing to come across messages that counter this narrative with a reminder that despite the obstacles, we're more than capable of pushing forward.
This time the reminder is coming from General Motors in partnership with REVOLT TV. Refreshingly, the CEO of General Motors is a woman (shout to Mary Barra!). They tapped me, along with two other incredible women Producer/TV Host Kela Walker and SportsNet NY Anchor Michelle Yu. It was an incredible honor to sit down with them to speak on everything from power to branding to future goals.


text:
Web based IP tools & Technology News Blog
In the Fine Brothers' latest "Elders React" video, the older generation tries out selfie sticks. "Whoever came up with this is an irritating genius," says one.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, November 21st, 2015 at 1:20 pm and is filed under Technology.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Comments are closed.
©2008 IPZAPPER. All Rights Reserved.


text:
|System for control of a video storage means by a programmed processor
|Peers et al.
|Universal computer, recorded video interface
|Schwartz et al.
audio signal generating means adapted for receiving an aural input and converting said aural input into electrical audio signals indicative thereof;
computer means for generating first display codes from which said computer-generated image may be derived;
first conversion means for receiving said first display codes and converting each said display code into an electrical audio tone signals indicative of said each first display codes; and
transmission means, coupled to said audio signal generating means and to said first conversion means and having first and second channels of an audio bandwidth, for simultaneously transmitting said audio signals on said first channel and said audio tone signals on said second channel.
reception means for receiving said audio signals and said audio tone signals;
second conversion means, coupled to said reception means, for converting the received audio tone signals into second codes;
display means for receiving said second codes and generating therefrom said computer-generated image, and for displaying said image; and
audio output means, coupled to said reception means, for receiving said audio signals and generating an aural output therefrom.
reception means for receiving said video signals, said audio signals, and said audio tone signals;
second conversion means, coupled to said reception means, for receiving said audio tone signals and converting them into second codes;
display means for receiving said second codes and generating therefrom said computergenerated image, and for displaying said image;
audio output means, coupled to said reception means, for receiving said audio signals and generating an aural output therefrom; and
video output means, coupled to said reception means, for receiving said video signals and generating a video display corresponding to said visual input.
video recording means for recording said video signals;
audio recording means for recording said audio signals and said audio tone signals simultaneously with the recording of the video signals; and
storage means for storing the simultaneously recorded video, audio, and audio tone signals.
a video recorder having a two channel audio recording capability having (a) means for recording said video signals, and (b) means for recording said audio signals and said audio tone signals as said two channels; and
video storage means having a video bandwidth channel for storing the video signals, and first and second audio bandwidth channels for sorting said audio signals and said audio tone signals, respectively.
computer means for generating first display codes containing information from which said image may be derived;
first modem means for receiving said first display codes and coverting said first display codes into audio tones indicative thereof;
a recording medium having first and second channels of an audio bandwidth;
recording means for recording said audio tones on said recording medium first audio channel.
playback means for receiving said recording medium and playing back said audio tones recorded on said recording medium first audio channel;
second modem means for receiving the played back audio tones and converting them into second codes; and
display means for receiving said second codes and generating and displaying the image generated by said computer means.
a first modem connected to receive said computer-generated signals and convert them into audio tones;
a video recorder having at least one audio bandwidth channel, for recording said audio tones through said audio channel; and
a video storage medium, coupled to said video recorder, for storing the recorded audio tones.
video playback means for receiving said storage medium and playing back the audio tones stored thereon; and
a second modem, coupled to said playback means, for receiving said audio tones and reconverting them into said computer-generated image signals.
generating a signal which is intended to be in synchronism with said computer-generated image signals;
converting said computer-generated image signals into audio tones indicative of said computer generated image; and
simultaneously recording said audio tone using an audio bandwidth channel of a video recorder and said signal using another channel of said video recorder, onto a video storage medium.
playing back said storage medium; and
reconverting the played-back audio tones into said computer-generated image signals and converting said signal in synchronism therewith.
generating, with a computer, first display codes containing information from which said image may be derived;
converting each of said first display codes into audio bandwidth tones indicative thereof; and
recording said audio tones on an audio channel of a storage medium.
playing back the audio tones stored on said storage medium audio channel;
reconverting the played-back audio tones into second codes; and
generating said computer-generated image from said second codes.
receiving aural input and converting it into audio signals; and
recording said audio signals on a second audio bandwidth channel of said storage medium.
playing back the audio signals recorded on the second audio channel of the storage medium; and
reconverting the played back audio signals into aural output.
receiving visual input and converting it to video signals; and
recording said video signals on a video bandwidth channel of said storage medium.
playing back the video signals recorded on said storage medium video channel; and
receiving the played back video signals and generating a video image therefrom.
receiving aural input and converting it into electrical audio signals;
generating, with a computer, first codes from which said image may be derived;
converting said first codes into electrical audio tone signals; and
simultaneously transmitting said audio signals and said audio tone signals on first and second audio bandwidth channels, respectively.
receiving the transmitted audio signals and audio tone signals;
converting the received audio tone signals into second codes;
generting said image from said second codes, and displaying said image; and
receiving said audio signals and generating an aural output therefrom.
receiving visual input and converting it into video signals; and
transmitting said video signals simultaneously with said audio signals and said audio tone signals.
receiving said video signals, said audio signals, and said audio tone signals;
converting said audio tone signals into second codes;
generating said image from said second codes, and displaying said image;
generating an aural output from the received audio signals; and
generating a video display from the received video signals.
recording said video signals on a storage medium having first and second audio bandwidth channels and a video bandwidth channel; and
recording said audio signals on said storage medium first audio channel simultaneously with the recording of said audio tone signals on said storage medium second audio channel.
means for receiving said informational session, and for encoding said informational session into a form which can be recorded on a recording medium;
a computer for performing processing operations of a type related to said information session and for creating first display codes indicative of characters to be displayed on the screen of said computer;
a modem, coupled to said computer to receive said first display codes to produce audio signals indicative of said first display codes; and
multi-channel recording means, coupled to simultaneously receive said encoded informational session information on one channel thereof and said encoded display codes on another channel thereof, for recording said information on respective channels on the recording medium.
This invention relates to the field of transmitting/recording computer-generated displays over low bandwidth channels, e.g. audio channels, perhaps simultaneously with other audio-visual information on additional channels. More particularly, this invention proposes to convert computer-generated codes necessary to generate the displays into, for example, audio tones; to transmit/record those audio tones over an audio bandwidth channel simultaneously with other audio/video signals; to reconvert the audio tones back into computer codes from which a computer display can be generated by a local computer monitor; and to simultaneously generate the computer display, the video display, and the audio synchronously as they were recorded/transmitted. With this invention, instructional sessions or teleconferences which include computer display or output can be broadcast or videotaped, complete with all the computer-displayed information.
At present, researchers are seeking a satisfactory method by which a high-resolution, computer-generated display may be successfully transmitted/recorded as part of a televised class or teleconference. Part of the problem is the higher resolution typically associated with computer displays. For example, a color monitor for a computer typically operates at a 20 MHz rate. This compares to the 3.58 MHz rate of normal NTSC television. Thus, to transmit/record the high-resolution images, it is necessary to have a transmission channel with sufficient bandwidth to resolve them, i.e. 20 z. One known solution is to provide a dedicated transmission channel having very large bandwidth; but this is impractical and requires highly specialized equipment.
A modem may be used to convert computer-generated information into a series of encoded audio tones which are then transmitted over an audio channel (telephone line) to a second modem which reconverts the audio tones into the computer-generated information. However, this use of a modem is limited in that no other audio or video information may be transmitted simultaneously with the computer-generated information. In addition, audio tones output from a modem have never been recorded on a recording medium simultaneously with other audio and video information. Such shortcomings are a serious problem when the desired communication involves the transmission of computer-generated images together with audio and/or video signals. The problem is evident in computer-training classes. Such classes usually involve aural and visual presentations including a high-resolution computer display monitor, as well as the normal chalkboard/viewgraph and verbal instruction. Where it is desired to transmit and/or record such a computer training class, it has been found impossible to transmit/record the high resolution, computer-generated image together with the normal video and audio signals. When an attempt is made to transmit/record a video signal which contains an image of the professor together with an image of the computer monitor, it has been found that the computer-generated image cannot be properly displayed due to the different operating bandwidths of the video camera and the computer monitor.
Since the number of computer training classes is rapidly increasing and since the availability of such classes can be improved by providing remote locations at which the classes may be observed, there is a need to provide an apparatus and method by which the computer-generated, high-resolution image may be transmitted/recorded simultaneously with the audio and video signals.
Those having skill in this field recognize that one attempt to address this problem is Videotex. Videotex is a method by which existing communications media such as telephone, cable, and television may be utilized to interchange computerized mass information. Such Videotex systems may transmit computer-generated images. However, such images are typically displayed on a television which does not have the same resolution as a computer monitor. In addition, the known Videotex systems such as Bildschirntext, Dow Jones News/Retrieval, Grassroots, Indax, NAPLPS, Prestel, Teleguide, Teletel, Viewtron, along with similar ASCI-II-based systems such as Compu Serve, Dialog, etc. are incapable of transmitting computer-generated images together wth standard video and/or audio signals.
Therefore, there remains a need for a method and apparatus of transmitting high-resolution, computer-generated images simultaneously with video and audio signals.
It is usual to communicate with general-purpose computers by means of a computer terminal. This terminal is designed to provide an operator with a convenient means of passing information to the computer, e.g., a keyboard or a "mouse"; and to provide the computer with a convenient means of passing information to the operator, e.g., a CRT display. In some cases the thermal is physically separate, as in "mainframe" or "timesharing" systems; in other cases the terminal is an integral part of the computer itself, as in "personal" or "laptop" computers. In either of the cases, the system operates almost exclusively with binary-valued electrical signals which are construed as binary pieces of information--binary digits (bits). The meaning of a particular sequence of bits is defined in the computer by hardware, by "firmware", and by software.
For systems in which the computer is physically distinct from the terminal, binary information passes between the two according to some electrical transmission standard--either as "parallel" information--in which eight bits are transmitted simultaneously on eight wires, or as "serial" information--in which one bit at a time is transmitted along a single wire. An example of a serial transmission standard is the so-called RS-232 protocol. (The present invention's description will refer to the RS-232 protocol as the usual standard for transmitting computer information serially. However, the present invention is not restricted to that particular serial standard.)
The computer terminal is a "convenient" means by which an operator can communicate with a computer, because it allows that operator to press the key labeled "a" rather than enter a particular bit sequence; and to receive a geometric figure "a" on the CRT rather than receive just the bit sequence. The fact that a computer sends out a bit sequence it considers the letter "a", and the terminal displays an "a" when it receives that bit sequence, means that the computer and terminal have been designed around the same definition of bit patterns or sequences. Definitions include, but are not limited to, the so-called ASCII and EBCDIC standards for interpreting bit patterns as alphanumeric characters, and Tektronix-4010 standards for interpreting bit patterns as graphics instructions. For graphics, when a terminal is designed to interpret graphics instructions, it will generate a line on the CRT when it receives the appropriate bit sequence. (In the explanation of the present invention below, the bit patterns or sequences are referred to generically as "computer codes or display codes". Since the present invention does not depend on a particular definition of the bit patterns, only that the computer and the associated terminal interpret the patterns the same, the phrase "computer code" is a sufficient descriptor.)
The computer can be connected to the terminal in several ways: directly, whereby wire(s) capable of carrying the digital computer codes ink the two; or indirectly, whereby the computer codes are carried over additional communication media. The most typical indirect means is through telephone lines. But digital computer codes cannot be transmitted by most telephone lines; consequently, the codes that emanate from the computer (or terminal) first must be converted to an analog form compatible with the transmission characteristics of the telephone line, and then must be reconverted into the original digital from for reception by the terminal (or computer). This conversion-reconversion is effected by a pair of devices called modems (MOdulators-DEModulators), one at the computer end to convert the digital computer codes into telephone compatible signals, the second at the terminal end to reconvert the telephone signals into the digital computer codes. These same devices work in the opposite direction when information is passed from the terminal to the computer.
The particular technique by which modems convert the digital computer signals for transmission over non-computer communication lines is transparent to the computer user and need not be elaborated upon. The converted signals need only be compatible with the transmission medium. For example, the need to be converted to audio tones for transmission over telephone lines. The computer/terminal connections on the modem need be compatible with the digital signal protocol used by the computer and terminal, e.g. RS-232. The definition of the "computer codes" designed into both the computer and terminal is of no concern to the modem and the transmission of information. The modem converts/reconverts digital electrical signals without regard to their eventual interpretation by the computer/terminal.
It is with these computer-related elements that the present invention is concerned.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-described shortcomings of known systems.
The present invention provides method and apparatus for transmitting a high-resolution, computer-generated image together with an audio and/or video signal. The apparatus includes an audio (and/or video) signal generating means adapted for receiving aural (and/or visual) input and convert it into electrical audio (and/or video) signals. A computer is provided for generating the high-resolution image. The computer outputs a series of display codes which may be ASCII codes or any other known kind of codes, on a standard RS 232 communications line. A first modem, of a known type is coupled to the output of the computer and receives the display codes which represent the computer-generated image. The modem converts these display codes into a series of audio tones at the audio bandwidth. Any standard modem can be used, because the modems are transparent to the system. These audio tones are then transmitted over a transmission medium having a first audio channel and a second audio channel (and/or a video channel). While the audio tones are being transmitted over the first audio channel, the audio (and/or video) signals may be transmitted over the second audio channel (and/or the video channel). Thus, the high-resolution, computer-generated image is transmitted simultaneously with an audio signal and/or a video signal.
Upon reception of the transmitted signals, the audio tones are reconverted at a second modem into standard RS 232 computer-legible display codes. These display codes are then provided to a computer monitor which interprets the codes and generates the display exactly as if it had been sent from the computer itself. At the same time, the received audio (and/or video) signals are provided to audio (and/or video) display means for providing aural (and/or visual) output.
There are several key elements to this scheme: first, just the display codes necessary to create the computer display--not the display itself--are transmitted/recorded; second, the display is internally generated by the receiving computer monitor. The audio/video signals may be output separately on a conventional television monitor.
In a particularly simple application of the present invention, the transmission means includes a stereo video tape recorder having left and right audio channels. The computer generates the coded image information which is sent to a first modem through a standard RS 232 line. The modem converts the image codes into audio tones which are then input into one of the audio channels of the video tape recorder. At the same time, audio input is provided from a microphone into the other audio channel of the stereo video tape recorder. In addition, a video camera may then provide video input to the video channel of the video tape recorder.
The video tape recorder thus records on a video tape the image bearing audio tones on the left channel, the microphone audio input on the right audio channel, and the video camera input on the video channel. This video tape may then be transported (transmitted) to a different location where it is played back on a second stereo video tape recorder. The image-bearing audio tones are played back on the left audio channel and are output directly to a second modem. This second modem reconverts the audio tones into standard RS 232 code. This code is then input into a computer display monitor which displays the high-resolution image generated by the computer. Meanwhile, the audio signal is played back on the video tape recorder right audio channel and the output signal is provided to a standard speaker. Also, the video signal is played back by the second video tape recorder and provided at a standard video display output such as a television screen.
This simple solution is particularly effective in that the entire system can be assembled from off-the-shelf components. The only modifications required may be some slight adjustments to the modems to insure that the transmit carrier frequency of the first modem is substantially equal to the receive carrier frequency of the second modem.
The above description refers to an "audio channel" as the means by which the computer display information is to be transmitted/recorded. This is not to suggest that the present invention limits its means of transmission/recording to audio. Rather, the present invention recognizes that any signal technique--digital or analog, single or multiplexed--is suitable for carrying the computer display information. Using an available audio channel is currently thought to be the most convenient way of practicing this invention.
Further, the above description of the stereo video tape recorder embodiment suggests that a television monitor and a computer-display-generating monitor are required for both video and computer outputs. The present invention recognizes that a single display monitor could be built which could carry out both functions, though not necessarily simultaneously. If a computer session were recorded--audio, video, and computer--a special monitor could be made to automatically switch between computer and video modes. In the video mode, this monitor would display the images recorded on the video channel; in the computer mode, this monitor would interpret the computer display codes and internally generate the computer display. Of course the special monitor would have to have a display bandwidth consistent with computer displays.
These and other advantages according to the presently claimed invention may be readily understood from the following detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiment when taken together with the drawings in which:
FIG. 1A is a block diagram depicting the recording apparatus for the video tape recorder embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the playback apparatus for the video tape recorder embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the recording apparatus for the transmission cable embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the receiving apparatus for the transmission cable embodiment according to the present invention;
FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the transmission apparatus for the broadcast embodiment according to the present invention; and
FIG. 3B is a blocked diagram of the reception apparatus according to the broadcast embodiment according to the present invention.
The fundamental idea according to the present invention is as follows. The conventional NTSC television signal does not have the bandwidth to record or transmit high-resolution images from a computer display, let alone simultaneously with a television picture and/or audio signal. The usual reasoning is that the computer monitor, refreshing its screen 60 times per second requires a signal bandwidth almost 5 times as great as television because of the five-fold greater resolution of a computer monitor. Since the NTSC bandwidth just accomodates regular television, it would seem impossible to include high-resolution, computer-generated images with the presently available technology. In fact, this reasoning is false. The present inventor has observed that a color computer monitor is driven by a host computer through a standard RS 232 asynchronous communications line. Therefore, as much information as appears on the computer monitor must pass through this RS 232 line. The speed of this communication line usually ranges between 300-9600 baud. Currently, computer codes at speeds of up to 2400 baud are converted by modems into audio tones and sent over regular telephone lines. These telephone lines necessarily have a signal bandwidth less than that of regular television audio. Consequently, if an extra audio channel could be provided, one could transmit the codes necessary to generate a computer-generated image over one audio channel while simultaneously transmitting an audio signal over the other audio channel.
On reception, the transmitted audio tones are then converted back into computer codes by a second modem. The output of the second modem is coupled to a computer monitor which then responds as if it were driven by the host computer itself. Of course, there is no interactive capability with such an arrangement. However, the information necessary to generate the complete computer-generated image may be recorded and/or transmitted at real time without loss of signal.
FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a simple assembly of off-the-shelf components which may be used to practice the present invention. While FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a particularly simple and effective solution, it is to be understood that the teachings of this invention are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, are to be interpreted as covering such equivalent solutions as would suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in this field. The apparatus according to FIGS. 1A and 1B are particularly useful in an instructional television environment or in a teleconferencing situation in which computer displays would contribute to the presentation. For example, a computer training class (including computer-generated, high-resolution images) may be video tape recorded for later use. Video camera 2 and microphone 4 are advantageously positioned to monitor the classroom activities and to convert visual and aural inputs into video and audio signals. The video signals from video camera 2 are input into the video channel of video tape recorder 6. Simultaneously, the audio signals provided from microphone 4 are input into the right audio channel of the stereo video tape recorder 6. Thus, while the professor is conducting class, video and audio images of his presentation are recorded on video tape 8 by video tape recorder 6.
As part of the professor's class, a "computer session" may be presented in which both the instructions to the computer and the computer's response and output are to be displayed/transmitted/recorded. Typically display terminal 12 is used to control computer 10 through communications line 14--a standard, full-duplex RS232 communications line. What is typed by the professor on terminal 12 is coded by that terminal and sent to computer 10 via communications line 14a. Computer 10 sends back to terminal 12 via communications line 14b not only an echo of what was typed on the terminal, but also any output codes generated by computer 10. Terminal 12 decodes what it receives over communications line 14b and from that information creates a display. The resolution and type of display is entirely determined by terminal 12 and the codes sent over the communications line. This structure and method of displaying input commands and computer output is well-known to persons of ordinary skill in this field.
Coupled to line 14a is a first modem 16. Modem 16 may be a standard off-the-shelf 300/1200/2400 baud modem. Such modems have a transmit carrier frequency, and a receive carrier frequency which is different than the transmission carrier frequency.
Modem 16 receives the same computer-generated codes from which computer terminal 12 constructs the image. Modem 16 converts these codes into audio tones which have an audio frequency bandwidth. These audio tones are then input into the left audio channel of video tape recorder 6. Thus, when the professor produces a display on computer terminal 12 for the class, video tape recorder 6 records (a) the visual image of the professor onto the video channel of video tape 8, (b) the audio input of the professor onto the right audio channel of video tape 8, and (c) the audio tones having the display-bearing information onto the left audio channel of video tape 8. This information includes not only image information generated by the computer, but also image information initiated by the professor on the terminal and echoed back to the terminal by the computer.
FIG. 1B depicts the playback apparatus for reproducing the information recorded on video tape 8. Video tape 8 is inserted into video tape recorder 18 and played back. On playback, the audio tones recorded on the left audio channel of video tape 8 are output through the left audio channel output port of video tape recorder 18. These audio tones are provided to a second modem 20 which receives these tones and converts them into the codes which were generated by computer 10. These codes are then provided over a standard RS 232 line 22 to computer monitor 24. Computer monitor 24 then reconstructs the computer-generated images from the codes provided by second modem 20. Thus, those observing the image displayed on computer monitor 24 will see the same image that was displayed on computer monitor 12. The image displayed on computer monitor 24 is an image containing all the information originally generated or echoed back by computer 10, and has the resolution of monitor 24--not the resolution of the recording/transmitting medium.
At the same time that the audio tones are being played back by video tape recorder 18, the audio signals and the video signals recorded on video tape 8 are also played back. The audio signals are played back from the right audio channel of video tape 8 and are provided through the right audio channel output port of video tape recorder 18. This output is routed through a standard communications line to a speaker 26 which outputs the aural information originally picked up by microphone 4. At the same time, the video image recorded on the video channel of video tape 8 is played back through the video channel of video tape recorder 18. The video signals are output through a standard video output line to a video output device such as television 28. Thus, a student observing computer monitor 24, television 28, and speaker 26 would observe the same class that was picked up by video camera 2, microphone 4, and displayed on computer monitor 12.
Thus, an instructional television class involving computer-generated images may be faithfully reproduced at a location remote in time and space from the original class. The image displayed at the remote class can, depending on the display monitor used, be the same high-resolution, computer-generated image as was presented in the original class.
Those having skill in this field will recognize that the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B may be modified depending upon the uses to which this invention is to be put. For example, computer terminal 12 need not display the image since the image codes generated by computer 10 will be provided to modem 16 even if they are not displayed on monitor 12. Thus, a professor could prepare a class without having a display monitor present. The computer-generated images could still be displayed at a remote location through computer monitor 24.
As another modification, it may be desirable to exclude video camera 2 and television 28 from the system. For example, the professor may not desire to display visual information (other than the computer-generated information) to the class. In such a circumstance, video tape recorders 6 and 18 may be replaced with stereo audio tape recorders. Thus, the image-bearing audio tones may be recorded on the left channel of an audio tape while the audio signals from microphone 4 are recorded on the right channel of an audio tape. On playback, the audio tones would be provided to modem 20 for subsequent conversion into codes which are used to display the computer-generated information on monitor 24. At the same time, the audio signals from the right channel of the audio tape may be output to speaker 26. Such a configuration may be particularly useful in hands-on computer operator training.
Those having skill in this field will recognize that the receive carrier frequency of modem 20 must be the same as the transmit carrier frequency of modem 16. Thus, it is believed that some minor modification to modem 16 and/or 20 should be performed in order to effectuate this invention. However, it is felt that, as the teachings of this invention are dissemenated, modem manufacturers may provide off-the-shelf modem which have matched transmit-receive carrier frequencies.
FIGS. 2A and 2B depict another embodiment according to the present invention. The transmission apparatus of this alternative embodiment is depicted in FIG. 2A. In this embodiment, the image-bearing audio tone signals from modem 16, the audio signals from microphone 4, and the video signals from video camera 2 are all transmitted simultaneously over transmission cable 30. Such a cable could be, for example, a cable television line which may be routed between the classroom and the student's home. Transmission cable 30 should include, in parallel, two audio channels and a video channel. Known cable television transmission cables have such a capability.
FIG. 2B shows the reception apparatus according to the alternative embodiment. The image-bearing audio tone signals, the audio signals, and the video signals are received over transmission cable 32 which is coupled to transmission cable 30. As in the video tape recorder embodiment, the image-bearing audio tone signals are converted by modem 20 into coded signals which are provided over RS 232 line 22 to computer monitor 24. Computer monitor 24 thus displays the image generated at computer 10. At the same time, the audio signals are provided to speaker 26 and the video signals are provided to television 28.
In the above-described configuration, a live computer class may be transmitted to a student's home. The student thus observes the computer-generated display on his/her monitor 24 simultaneously with the video and audio signals displayed on his/her television 28 and speaker 26. In this fashion, computer training classes may be made available to locations remote from the class site. Such an apparatus would extensively enhance the availability of computer training to persons now unable to receive such training.
FIGS. 3A and 3B depict another alternative embodiment according to the present invention. This is the "broadcast" embodiment but should be thought of as emcompassing regular broadcast signals and other known methods of tranmitting signals without electrical cables, such as microwave, etc. FIG. 3A shows the transmission apparatus and includes computer 10, computer display terminal 12, modem 16, microphone 4 and video camera 2, as in the heretofore-discussed embodiments. However, instead of storing the signals or transmitting them on an electrical cable, the signals are provided to a transmitter 40 which transmits these signals through antenna 42. Thus, transmitter 40 simultaneously receives the image-bearing audio tone signals from modem 16, the audio signals from microphone 4, and the video signals from video camera 2. These signals are transmitted simultaneously through antenna 42 over first and second audio channels and a video channel.
FIG. 3B depicts the reception apparatus according to this alternative embodiment. Antenna 44 picks up the first and second audio channels and the video channel from transmitting antenna 42 (or a repeater). Receiver 46 receives the output of antenna 44 and thus simultaneously provides the image-bearing audio tone signals, the audio signals, and the video signals. As in the previously-discussed embodiments, the image-bearing audio tone signals are provided to modem 20 which reconverts the audio tone signals into codes which are transmitted via RS 232 line 22 to computer monitor 24. Computer monitor 24 then regenerates and displays the image generated by computer 10. At the same time, the audio and video signals received at receiver 46 are provided to speaker 26 and television 28, respectively.
The embodiment according to FIGS. 3A and 3B may be particularly useful in transmitting computer training classes to locations inaccessible to cable television and/or other electrical cable connections. Thus, even persons in very remote locations may benefit from computer training classes with a simple adaptation of off-the-shelf equipment.
The present invention also provides methods for transmitting the computer-generated image. These methods are readily ascertainable from the operation of the above-described apparatus. Those of ordinary skill in this field will be readily enabled to practice the methods according to the present invention from the description provided heretofore.
Thus, what has been described is a simple yet effective solution for transmitting and/or storing high-resolution, computer-generated images simultaneously with audio and/or video signals. The teachings of this invention will provide great stimulation to further enhance the availability and effectiveness of computer training classes.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the teachings of the present invention are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the attached claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and methods.


text:
Song of the Day 10/1/2009
On this day in1970 – Jimi Hendrix was buried in Seattle, WA.
Question of the Day:
Who in your life has been a blessing to you?
9 Comments
Enoch said,
Dude. Could you ask a more general question?
Anyway, I'll stick with the most recent big change. Yesterday, one of the directors at the Y asked Leann and I to teach an abs class. Huge blessing. It doesn't pay much (at all!), but it lit a fire of motivation under me that is hard to explain. It's just what I needed and I pray that the motivation toward self-discipline sticks.
"I beat my body and make it a slave…" 1 Cor 9:27
Megan said,
Katie. My smart, beautiful, attitude filled, 125% honest, opinionated, loving, tween. She doesn't hesitate to talk to me when she doesn't know something or wants more information. She's still at an age that we're friends and can talk about about anything (some things I wish I could ignore, but won't cut that open communication). She's supportive of me in what I do and will tell me if I'm straying from my goals. All in all, she is my life and I don't know what I'd do without her. I'd be a different (and worse) person without her. I know she's not perfect (by ANY stretch of the imagination)… but that's ok, b/c nobody is.
amber said,
Everyone I choose to keep in my life! My friends and relationships are very important to me.
If I had to name one person, I'd mention my friend Reggie. He is my mom's age or older, and he has gained a lot of wisdom and perspective, which he shares liberally, in his life. He's like a big shining light!
Kevin said,
I would have to say my wife and kids. I know it's more than one person, but they are all blessings to me.
Marlo Miller said,
You didn't say they had to living still. Right now it is of course my best friend and husband Roland, my beautiful, smart, energetic daughters. But someone who has been a major blessing to me in developing the person I am today is my Grandma Vi (Viola) she died in the spring of 99 when Maddie was still a baby. She lived to be 98 years old, never learned to drive a car, she walked everywhere and was in excellent health. I stayed with her a lot as a kid and she taught me about love for myself and the love of god. She treated everyone the same, she was never materialistic and she enjoyed simple pleasures like sitting outside to visit on a nice day. She also made the best hamburger (wheat bun, red onion, mustard, pickle, and american cheese) to this day my family calls it the "Grandma Vi" burger. She was a special lady and I miss her still.
Shannon said,
Amanda, my family. But also the unexpected help from and kindness of strangers.


text:
Song of the Day 10/29/2009
On this day in 1977 – "Bat Out Of Hell" was released by Meat Loaf.
Question of the Day:
What was the best dessert that your mom/dad ever made?
5 Comments
Marlo Miller said,
Hmmm I am trying to think and I don't have an answer to this question. My family was never big on desserts. Neither am I so I guess that explains it. My childhood memories are of BBQing a lot and eating fish, turtle, squirrel, rabbit, quail, and deer….YUCK! The only dessert I remember my mom making was something called divinity that was supposed to be a big deal but I didn't think it tasted that great. My Grandma Vi made the most awesome fudge with walnuts in it. I remember because we had a walnut tree and we had to gather, crack, and pick the nuts each year to give to her in time to make her Christmas fudge. She also made me peach cobbler for my birthday…I miss grandma. Maybe my girls and I will try to do fudge for Christmas, we will buy the nuts though.
Shannon said,
I haven't gotten the swine flu, but my niece did. They caught it very early so she didn't have a really bad case of it, but she was quarantined to her room and nearly died of boredom. A week is a really long time for a 12 year old girl to be isolated from everyone else.
My mom makes coconut cream pie, and I like that a lot. I don't think it's my favorite dessert (I don't think I have a favorite!), But I like it a lot because not many people make it.
amber said,
my mom makes an awesome new york style cheese cake (with the sourcream/sugar coating on top, and banana split cake (it's every bit as decadent as it sounds). I make the banana split cake every year when i go to my dad's holiday meals, and it's a hit!
it's not actually cake, it's a graham cracker crust with powdered sugar and butter, and maybe eggs? blended together, then layers of pinapple and banana topped with cool whip, cherries, and pecans. it's amazing!


text:
The reaction of binuclear bismuth(III) N,N-dipropyldithiocarbamate [Bi2{S2CN(C3H7)2}6] with a solution of AuCl3 in 2 M HCl was studied. Crystallization of the heterogeneous reaction products from an acetone solution afforded the polymeric solvated heteropolynuclear gold(III)–bismuth complex, ([Au{S2CN(C3H7)2}2]3[Bi2Cl9] · 1/2CO(CH3)2 · 1/2HCl)n (I). According to X-ray diffraction data (CIF file CCDC no. 1050766), the structure of I comprises four isomeric [Au{S2CN(C3H7)2}2]+ cations in 1: 1: 2: 2 ratio, namely: cation "A" with the Au(1) atom, cation "B" with the Au(2) atom, cation "C" with the Au(3) atom, and cation "D" with the Au(4) atom, and the discrete binuclear [Bi2Cl9]3– anions. The isomeric gold(III) complex cations are involved in the construction of two types of cationic triads, ["C"···"A"···"C"] and ["D"···"B"···"D"], through secondary bonds and short Au···S contacts. The cation types differ by both the nature of binding and the Au–Au distances. The weak aurophilic binding between the cationic triads (Au···Au 3.5416(2) Å) gives rise to zigzag-like polymeric chains (···["C"···"A"···"C"]···["D"···"B"···"D"]···)n extended along the y axis. In turn, the [Bi2Cl9]3– anions located on one side of polymer chains are held by the secondary Cl···S bonds. The outer-sphere CO(CH3)2 and HCl solvate molecules joined by hydrogen bonds are located in the space between bismuth anions. The thermal behavior of I was studied by simultaneous thermal analysis. The thermal destruction of the complex includes desolvation and thermolysis of the dithiocarbamate moiety and [Bi2Cl9]3– with liberation of gold metal and bismuth chloride (which is subsequently evaporated) and partial formation of Bi2S3. In the temperature range of 712–828°C, bismuth sulfide is oxidized to (BiO)2SO4, which decomposes above 828°C to give Bi2O3. Bismuth(III) oxide and reduced gold are the final products of thermal transformations.
Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry – Springer Journals
Published: Oct 11, 2015
It's your single place to instantly
discover and read the research
that matters to you.
Enjoy affordable access to
over 18 million articles from more than
15,000 peer-reviewed journals.
All for just $49/month
Query the DeepDyve database, plus search all of PubMed and Google Scholar seamlessly
Save any article or search result from DeepDyve, PubMed, and Google Scholar... all in one place.
Get unlimited, online access to over 18 million full-text articles from more than 15,000 scientific journals.
Read from thousands of the leading scholarly journals from SpringerNature, Elsevier, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford University Press and more.
All the latest content is available, no embargo periods.
"Hi guys, I cannot tell you how much I love this resource. Incredible. I really believe you've hit the nail on the head with this site in regards to solving the research-purchase issue."Daniel C.
"Whoa! It's like Spotify but for academic articles."@Phil_Robichaud
"I must say, @deepdyve is a fabulous solution to the independent researcher's problem of #access to #information."@deepthiw
"My last article couldn't be possible without the platform @deepdyve that makes journal papers cheaper."@JoseServera
Save searches from
Create folders to
Export folders, citations
Read DeepDyve articles
Abstract access only
Unlimited access to over
20 pages / month
PDF Discount
20% off


text: Share: Comments Print February 26, 2007 at 4:09 PM Huskies get surprise commitment Posted by Bob Condotta The Washington Huskies got a big surprise gift today — a commitment from Franklin High point guard Venoy Overton. Here's the story that will soon be posted on our website: The University of Washington has taken a big, and somewhat unexpected, step toward solving its point guard woes by getting a commitment from Venoy Overton of Franklin High. Overton, a 6-foot senior, had been committed to USC but said Monday he is changing his mind and will sign with UW in April. "I just did a lot of thinking over the last few weeks that this would be the best thing for me and my family," Overton said. Overton committed to USC last September but did not sign an official letter-of-intent. While the Huskies appear to be full of scholarships for next season, Overton said he will be on full scholarship. UW had had troubles at point guard this season with sophomore Justin Dentmon struggling. Overton said the opportunity to make an immediate impact at that spot played a big role in his decision to change his mind. "They said they really needed a point guard," Overton said. Overton said UW "was always my top choice" but that "I just got caught into that whole USC thing" when he committed to the Trojans last September. Overton said another factor in changing his mind was "I'm not sure about the playing time and how packed in it is there and how I would fit in. I feel it's a better fit for me at UW." USC's recruiting class includes guard O.J. Mayo, considered by some as the top high school player in the country. "Now I get to play against him," Overton said. Overton said he made the announcement Monday so he can concentrate on playing in the state tournament for Franklin. "I wanted to get this out of the way so I could just play basketball," he said. Overton was named to the Star Times team last week after averaging 21.7 points and 5.7 assists this year for Franklin, which is 21-2 and the top-ranked 4A team in the state. Overton said he talked with USC coaches to tell them the news. "It was tough, but they understood," he said. FURTHER COMMENT — The obvious question is how the Huskies will fit him in, given that they already have at least 13 scholarships committed for next year. My answer at the moment is I don't know. Here's how next year's roster now looks: 07-08 roster SENIORS G – Ryan Appleby G – Tim Morris JUNIORS G – Justin Dentmon F – Jon Brockman F – Artem Wallace G – Joel Smith SOPHOMORES C – Joe Wolfinger C – Spencer Hawes F – Quincy Pondexter F – Phil Nelson G – Adrian Oliver FRESHMEN F – Matthew Bryan-Amaning F – Darnell Gant G – Justin Holiday G – Venoy Overton TOTAL 15. Maybe this is a sign that Spencer Hawes is for sure out the door, since him leaving is the most logical way that a scholarship opens. For today, the big news is simply that the Huskies have taken a definite step toward solving what has been an obvious problem this season. UPDATED COMMENT — Remember that Tim Morris can move to walk-on status if necessary. Also, there are apparently some concerns over Darnell Gant's academics, which would also open up a scholarship. UPDATED — Here's a profile of Overton from Rivals.com. Comments


text:
If you could see my TBR Mountain you you would probably cry...It's actually kind of disturbing....I have a whole bookcase (majority of the books on it I have NOT read) and an under the bed storage box full of unread books. So I have come to the cold hard realization that I NEED to stop buying books and start reading and culling the ones that I have. So there I've said it...I've issued myself a "no more buying books" challenge...Hopefully I can stick to this one!
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Me, Myself and My bookcase
17 comments:
- Hannah said...
Set yourself a goal date and promise yourself that you won't buy any books until that date. It might not work perfectly, but if it works for you in the same way that it worked for me, you'll at least cut your book purchases in half. Even that bit has been a HUGE help to my finances. LOL.
Good luck!
- April 15, 2010 at 6:56 AM
- Book Crazy Jenn said...
I would say good luck - but I cant, I am in the same situation...but then - I have restricted, though I did not have much choice it's been kinda nice not buying soo much - then again it's sooo hard! :)
Good luck!
- April 15, 2010 at 7:19 AM
- Gina said...
I know exactly how you feel!
I thought that getting an eBook reader would help me with that issue - but really all I've found is how many books it will hold! It's terrible!!
I have started keeping a wishlist and only adding books to it. My rule is now one new book a week and ONLY from the wishlist. This should be perfect because I usually read about 2-3 books a week.
Ha! there aren't enough weeks in my life to get all of these books!!
Good news - I've made it TWO WEEKS!! Yeah me!!
- April 15, 2010 at 7:25 AM
- MarceJ said...
I think we are addicted. I thought getting my Kindle would help and it hasn't, I buy more books and downloading is far to easy to do.
I am going to try not to buy until June, I overdid it so far this month.
- April 15, 2010 at 7:33 AM
- My Book Barn said...
Good luck!!! I have told myself the same thing! Needless to say my TBR pile continues to grow! lol
- April 15, 2010 at 8:12 AM
- elizabeth said...
Good luck with that! I have a similar problem. My TBR pile keeps growing, and I keep buying books. Yesterday, I ordered 7 books! I need to stop buying books.
- April 15, 2010 at 8:16 AM
- Cecile said...
I have faith in you!! You can do it... Says the woman with the same problem (who still buys books too)... but you can do it!!!!!
Have a great day!
- April 15, 2010 at 9:06 AM
- Lily said...
Good Luck!!!
I've got the same problem. A huge TBR and a really long TBB list. Combined with not enough time to read all the books. We all need to win the Lotto. :D
- April 15, 2010 at 9:27 AM
- Juju at Tales of Whimsy.com said...
You go girl! While I only have about 20 in my TBR pile - I too am under the same self imposed regulation :) Good luck :D
- April 15, 2010 at 9:33 AM
- Ambear said...
Just give up.. keep buying all the books you want to read! You never know when you're going to remember to buy it again, or how many times it'll be reprinted!! all these things that could stop you from reading a great book.
not helping? lol. sorry...
- April 15, 2010 at 10:04 AM
- Jody said...
I was just lamenting the same thing over at my blog yesterday! I keep trying to impose a book buying ban on myself, but then something comes out that I've been waiting for and I cave.
Ideally I'd like to cut the TBR pile in half before I buy anymore new books.
- April 15, 2010 at 11:37 AM
- kathy said...
I just rent the books form the libary. You can usually go on line and preorder them to you do not need to look through the isles. This way I only buy books that have been pre tested or ones that I can't give back. It is also Free. But if you do not live close to a library maybe you can just rent books from yourself. Pack them up into boxes of 5 and open new package once a week. Like a present until you are done.
- April 15, 2010 at 2:30 PM
- Swimmer said...
Good Luck! HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!
- April 15, 2010 at 3:05 PM
- Emidy said...
Wow, good luck! I know how hard it is to resist getting new books, but you can do it!
- April 15, 2010 at 4:04 PM
- Heather said...
It sounds like we all need BBA-Book Buyers' Anonymous...I don't buy that many, only because my mother buys them all the time and passes them on to me. Between that and books I get from friends I still have two full bookcases of books I have yet to read.
- April 15, 2010 at 7:33 PM
- Mama Bookworm said...
Good for you! I need to do the exact same thing. My TBR shelves are overflowing but I can't stop buying.
Good luck!!
- April 15, 2010 at 10:09 PM
- The Book Vixen said...
I've put myself on a book diet too. My TBR pile is out of control!
- April 15, 2010 at 10:15 PM


text:
The staff in the Application Assistance Unit (AAU) is trained to assist with a broad range of questions and issues pertaining to pre-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) and the post-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Data Management (ODM).
Contact us if you have questions regarding the America Invents Act, including legal provisions and rules in effect as of September 16, 2012 or issues as they pertain to the pre-examination and the post-examination processing of patent applications.
Provide feedback on your AAU experience
If you have already contacted the AAU, we want to hear from you. Were you satisfied by the assistance provided by our staff? Please let us know what we can do to improve.
We can assist with questions about:
- Status of an application that is in the pre-examination or the post-examination phase of processing
- Filing receipts
- Missing parts letters
- Pre-examination and the post-examination abandonment notices
- Express abandonments
- Change/withdrawal of attorney; change of address
- Power of attorney
- Inventor Oath and Declaration
We can also assist with:
- Listing a patent for sale in official gazette
- Lost or damaged patent grants or soft copies
- Processing of Certificates of Corrections
Assistance is available Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
The AAU will operate on the following 2018 and 2019 holiday schedule:
|2018 Holiday Schedule
|Monday, October 8
|Columbus Day
|Monday, November 12*
|Veterans Day
|Thursday, November 22
|Thanksgiving Day
|Tuesday, December 25
|Christmas Day
*November 11, 2018, falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, November 12, will be treated as a holiday.
|2019 Holiday Schedule
|Tuesday, January 1
|New Year's Day
|Monday, January 21
|Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
|Monday, February 18
|Washington's Birthday
|Monday, May 27
|Memorial Day
|Thursday, July 4
|Independence Day
|Monday, September 2
|Labor Day
|Monday, October 14
|Columbus Day
|Monday, November 11
|Veterans Day
|Thursday, November 28
|Thanksgiving Day
|Wednesday, December 25
|Christmas Day


text:
An exhibition of paintings, sculptures and photographs begins this Wednesday, 19th November, in New Delhi.
Curated by Nitin Mujumder, an exhibition by multiple artists will be taking place at the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society from 19th November to 25th November, 2014, in New Delhi. Titled Divine Expressions, the show "depicts the essence of reality, creative thoughts and ideas. The show pays tribute to Nature and its various elements and concepts the world revolves around. Every artist has tried to uncover new dimensions of Art, Morality and Nature."
Where as on one hand the exhibition includes a contemporary of the photography industry, Mukul Vasistha, there are others like Sarbari Roychowdhury who is a self-taught artist working at capturing the feelings and emotions of women in her works. Another self-taught artist in this line-up is Pawan Khurana, who believes that art and spirituality go hand in hand.
Johny P Paulose has profound interest in the works of Salvador Dali and in his own paintings he too strives to blur the lines between real and imaginative. Where as artist Rohit Sharma deconstructs the Indian dream, fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and lullabies that are part of our childhood and adult culture.
The complete list of participating artists is: Nitin Majumder, Mukul Vasistha, Nidhi Sawhney, Sarbari Roychowdhury, Ritika Tejpal, Johny P Paulose, Rohit Maurya, Rohit Sharma, Kritika Mehta, Rachna Bhati, Gaurav Dahiya and Pawan Khurana.
View and shop for paintings, sculptures and photographs of this collection of artists at All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, from 19-25 November, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.


text:
Wishing you all including myself a joyous, and happy birthday and a wonderful year.
Yes Airbell it is great to share this month with so many wonderful people.
Thanks for the birthday wish Phoebe. Thanks for the birthday wish Wayne. Love you both.
Much love,
Message Thread
« Back to index
© Copyright 2006-2018 Big Ten '75 All Rights Reserved.
Designed & Maintained by:
Create your own free message board!


text:
When you, or someone close to you, has advanced cancer it is important to get help and support. Find out about what support is available and what can help you to cope with advanced breast cancer.
Find out about the support available to help you cope with emotional, practical and physical issues you might have when you have advanced breast cancer.
You might need some care and support at home due to cancer or its treatment. A lot of practical and emotional support is available to you.
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK
Talk to other people affected by cancer
Questions about cancer? Call freephone or email us


text:
Indeed, a safari themed party sounds like fun, praising the wildernesses, or savannahs of remote terrains. Experience outlandish creatures, for example, elephants, zebras and Giraffes. At that point get eaten by a lion. Or then again not, possibly you simply need to set up a little gathering with companions and thought why not go wilderness style. Well whichever way simply recollect to not offend the armed force ants. They'll eat up the entirety of your visitors in a matter of seconds by any stretch of the imagination. Most safaris occurred in Africa so any exploration you should need to do should center there at around 100 to 200 years back.
A few things to choose first are do you need a savannah subject with meadows, or possibly a wilderness topic with rainforests. On the other hand why not be eager and have both, along these lines you won't need to recollect which creature goes in which setting. You can hurl divider looks of wilderness and savannah view with props and pictures of creatures set all around. Lions, tigers, zebras, gazelles, hyenas, elephants, hippos, these are generally mainstream and effortlessly unmistakable creatures that tend to remain on the savannah. Snakes, crocs, elephants, pumas, gorillas, in some cases lions and hyenas, warthogs, and so on are creatures that can be found in the wilderness. In the event that you need there are a plenty of motion pictures that identify with this topic that can be utilized to engage visitors. Hurl a couple of streamers and standards on the off chance that you like, perhaps hang them off of wilderness styled posts with flames on compose for included impact. Be product of flames however.
As you ought to expect it is a smart thought to buy paper plates, glasses, napkins, and plastic utensils for the safari themed party in the event that you need to make tidy up go substantially less demanding. A large portion of these can be gotten with some kind of wilderness subject to them on the off chance that you look sufficiently hard.


text:
Category Linkin Park
Life Is Hard
The band was in the front row when I played my first solo show, I only seen four people where there was supposed to be five but life isn't fair of course so I only see four.
When I started the music I looked behind me and seen nobody there, I panicked and wished that Rob, Joe, Brad and Phoenix were in their spots playing along but they weren't there wasn't a yellow microphone on stage either.
I knew that I wanted to do a solo show but I didn't know that it would hit me this hard.
I sang the first verse of the song when I seen Brad on the side of the stage whispering words of motivation that I can only guess that he is whispering.
When I start singing the second verse I had tears in my eyes, the tears that I never cried in front of people.
I wasn't full on crying but if you were close enough you could see a few tears.
The chorus was stuttered but I kept trying with no luck, my mind was calling me the worst things in the book.
Brad was still there and the other three band members were in the front row.
I stood frozen in place looking at Brad for direction because I had no clue.
Brad walked over to me slowly and passes me my microphone and starts playing a few keys on the piano.
I sing with closed eyes because I don't stutter when I do so, anything I can do to not stutter I will do it.
When the show was over I fell asleep on the couch in the greenroom.
Brad carried my exhausted form to the car and brought me home to my wife and five children.
My wife, Anna looked at Brad with worried eyes and asked me how the show went just when I was about to say something my younger twin daughters started to make noise in their pack and plays.
My older twin daughters ran in the room and my son Otis trailed behind them.
My son Otis just hugged me with no words and my youngest daughter Parker started to cry, I picked her up and she stopped.
She's a daddy's girl just like her twin sister Berlin and her older twin sisters Aspen and Dallas.
It doesn't make entire sense that my children would favor the parent that is away.
My baby girls were born July 20th the darkest day of my life that I lost someone I love and welcomed two babies into the Shinoda family.
I lost Chester nine o'clock in the morning and welcomed twin girls nine o'clock that night.
I believe he picked them for me but everything happens for a reason.
I remember when he told me that he wanted Parker and Berlin to have my brown eyes and my birthmark that I have under my left eye.
They were just like he wanted them to be my eyes are lost in Parker's eyes that are a duplicate of my own.
I wonder if my eyes were like this before he left this earth, all full of life and most of all had another pair of brown eyes looking at them but a pair of familiar ones not an exact duplicate of my daughter but of a man that came into my life when I needed him like an angel that was borrowed to help and was called back home when the help was done.
I was given two baby girls the same day that he was called back home. It was like he was called back home because he was needed up there.
I am broken but I have a wife and children that need me.
I also have a band that needs me because we worked so hard to get this far and we don't want this to just be over as fast as it began.
The next day I went to the studio and brought Parker and Berlin with me to give Anna a break today because the three older children are at school.
When I got to the studio Rob was there.
We talked about what happened at the show yesterday and I told him that I panicked and it all went downhill from there.
When he was holding Parker he said to me,
"Didn't Chester say he would love if Parker and Berlin had your eyes and your birthmark because they have all the qualities Chester wanted them to have".
I just nodded as I was back to him because I didn't want him to see me cry because the reminders are just too much for me to handle. I just closed my eyes and Parker started to cry, Rob passes me the crying infant.
We couldn't help but think that Chester is trying to give us a sign.
Parker Shinoda crying in the Linkin Park studio.
We don't laugh at it because there is a baby crying, she stops as soon as I talk to her and we can get back to waiting for Phoenix, Joe and Brad. They came fifteen minutes later.
We were all happy to see each other because we have gotten closer since that day, the guys didn't mind me bringing the girls along because we all have taken our children to the studio more than once.