text:
Jennifer Scarborough has been with KRCR News Channel 7 for nearly two decades.
Jennifer grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico (where she went to high school with Chief Meteorologist Mike Krueger) and graduated college at the University of San Diego.
She came to KRCR in 1995 as the Tehama County reporter after a short stint in Carlsbad as an anchor and reporter for KDCI News.
Since 2005 she has been the news director, and anchor of News Channel 7 at 5 and 5:30.
Jennifer is a board member for One Safe Place, formerly the Shasta Women's Refuge and Shasta Family Justice Center, a cause she is passionate about.
"As a mother, I cannot imagine being in a position where I am unable to keep myself and my children safe," said Jennifer. "Yet, so many women and children live with violence every day. OSP provides important services to our community. Helping women, children and men break the cycle of violence so that we can all have a better future."
Jennifer married Gary, a local attorney, in 2003. They have four boys Justin, Connor, and identical twins Carson and Ryan.
"People always ask me how I do it, working full time and raising four boys," she said. "I tell them I don't. Our house is a wreck — it looks like it has been ransacked by tiny burglars looking for Legos and Hot Wheels. But it is a lot of fun! And my husband and I love that we are able to raise our children in such a wonderful community."


text:
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Sergei PROKOFIEV (1891-1953)
Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in F Minor Op. 80 (1938-1946) [30:03]
Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in D Major Op. 94bis (1943)
Three Pieces from 'Romeo and Juliet' Op. 64 [8:06]
Vadim Gluzman (violin)
Angela Yoffe (piano)
rec. December 2012, Sendesaal Bremen, Germany
This release turned up just as James Ehnes's superb two disc
'Complete Works for Violin' (see review) has been receiving massive plaudits. With
this being the 60th anniversary of 1953 these coincidences are
always likely, but unless SACD sound is a deciding factor when purchasing
such releases this does put Vadim Gluzman and Angela Yoffe straight against
stiff competition.
By any standards these are all terrific performances, recorded in
stunning sound - up quite close and personal, but with plenty of space
around the instruments, inviting us in rather than blowing us off our seats.
The BIS balance puts the piano on a more equal footing than that with
Chandos, where the violin is a little closer in feel, though not to the
extent that it covers the piano. Ehnes has a fine parlando feel in
the first movement of the Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1, which
heightens the emotion in a part of the piece which can sometimes sound a
little static. Vadim Gluzman has this and greater eloquence, giving even
passages of restraint an emotional weight which carries us forward into
realms of ever increasing intensity. Ehnes is more abstract, which has its
own strengths, but which keeps this first movement as more of a prelude
rather than a powerful statement in its own right. The drier Chandos
acoustic is less favourable to the chunky notes which throw us straight into
the deep end of the Allegro brusco, played with greater on-the-edge
string-grabbing heft by Gluzman. The theme at 1:07 becomes a dramatic moment
here as if the entire piece has been building to this point, and Gluzman and
Yoffe hold us in a grip of staggering intensity. For all its fine qualities,
Ehnes and Armstrong's performance is somewhat blown out of the water
by Gluzman and Yoffe, whose Andante in this piece is meltingly
beautiful, the muted violin having a nicer tone than Ehnes, Yoffe's
arabesques in the piano and the deeper sonority in the bass line phrases
also having a greater expressive effect. The final Allegrissimo is
hugely exciting in both performances, Ehnes and Armstong being swifter by an
appreciable margin, but Gluzman/Yoffe able to muster massive sonorities and
greater degrees of contrast for the more lyrical passages as a result.
For us flute players the popularity of the Sonata for Violin and
Piano No. 2 in D Major Op. 94bis will always be something of a sore
point, but it is such good music that, in the end, who cares what it's
played on. Once again it is Gluzman and Ehnes in competition, but the
comments with regard to the first sonata are equally valid in this case.
Ehnes and Armstrong are excellent, but Gluzman and Yoffe are just so much
more beefy, more involving. Again it comes back to emotion against
abstraction - Ehnes and Armstrong technically brilliant and musically
sensitive, but Gluzman and Yoffe conjuring a considerable extra layer of
poetry and empathetic impact. Little extra touches of weight on certain
notes or harmonies, a little more detail in the articulation, a few degrees
more breath and freedom in the music all adding up and making the big
difference in the end. There are of course other competitors in this field,
and that with Isabelle van Keulen and Ronald Brautigam on Challenge Classics
(see review) comes from the same Sendesaal acoustic
as this BIS recording. I've only been able to listen to this online
and it does sound like an excellent release, also a Chandos-beater in these
pieces but to my ears still not quite displaying the same degree of
convincing musical depth and weight as Gluzman/Yoffe. Keulen and Brautigam
tend to slightly swifter tempi which have their own excitement, but it is
that sense of every note and phrase conveying its own message, like the
sentences in an intimate letter, which makes this BIS recording a touch more
special. Take the tender Andante of Op.94 bis, which both duos
take at roughly similar, fairly swift and suitably unsentimental tempi.
Keulen and Brautigam have fine phrasing and dynamics, but when compared to
Gluzman and Yoffe appear almost just to be charging ahead and missing the
points the latter find so precious. Without disturbing the flow of the music
Gluzman holds onto notes a fraction longer here and there, Yoffe in perfect
synchronization, introducing a sense of nostalgic yearning right from the
start and delivering that sense of narrative which I always bang on about,
but which I all too rarely find in actual fact. That second section is a bit
like our characters have decided to go for a walk in the park on Challenge
Classics, where at 1:05 our BIS artists manage to establish a magical change
of mood, celestial and poetic - creating all kinds of flitting images in the
mind rather than conjuring amused feet sweeping through autumn leaves.
The Three Pieces from 'Romeo and Juliet' open
with 'that music off of BBC's The Apprentice',
Montagues and Capulets performed with maximum power and a sense or
real orchestral thrust from pianist Angela Yoffe. Prokofiev wrote all too
few works for violin and piano, and this arrangement by D. Grjunes is a fine
addition to the repertoire, also including the Dance of the Girls with
Lilies and Masks.
I've admired Vadim Gluzman's playing before, and all of his recordings on the BIS label
can safely be recommended. It's tricky to be definitive, but of the
more recent recordings of these sonatas I have heard this would be the one
for me. There are others. Ilya Grubert and Matti Raekallio on Ondine is
potent stuff, but Grubert is a bit shouty on some accents and there are too
many unappealing moments to make this a real contender. You might come
across Joseph Szigeti and Joseph Levine's historical performance as a
digital download from Past Classics, and while this is of great interest I
can't bear Szigeti's wobbly vibrato, and the balance between
violin and piano in the Second Sonata is terminally in favour of the
violin, which sounds as if Szigeti is playing while sitting on your lap. So
yes, with stunning SACD sound, everything in its favour and with musical
qualities which make this a recording to relish for years to come, I'm
going to stick my neck out and say Vadim Gluzman and Angela Yoffe are
the best for these two Prokofiev masterpieces.
Dominy Clements

subset: commoncrawl


text:
CONCORD – The Business and Industry Association, New Hampshire's statewide chamber of commerce, has launched an online version of the Handbook of New Hampshire Elected Officials (the Blue Book).
BIA acquired the popular New Hampshire reference guide to government and politics last summer, which includes biographical information and photos of the New Hampshire governor, executive councilors, state senators and state representatives, as well as selected roll call votes, the lawmaking process, committee assignments, state agencies and commissioners, New Hampshire lobbyists, and the New Hampshire Constitution. The Blue Book is published every two years at the start of the biennium.
The online Blue Book, nhbluebook.com, is a subscription-based website that contains content from the print book in an easily searchable database. It also contains graphical committee seating charts, which are not available in the print book.
Subscriptions are available with purchase of a print book, which retails for $49. An individual subscription package with print book is $79; a corporate subscription package, which includes unlimited users within a company or organization, is $199. The subscription gives users access to the site during the current biennium. Access to content expires at the end of the biennium, at which time users may purchase the next edition of the Blue Book and a new subscription for online content.
According to BIA President Jim Roche, subscribers to the online Blue Book will appreciate the site's convenience and functionality, as well as knowing the information is current and relevant.
"The print edition is a valuable reference tool for business and political leaders and the media, but as with any print publication, it can become outdated quickly when legislators resign or change committees and new legislators take office," said Roche. "With the print book and accompanying online subscription, users are guaranteed access to the most comprehensive, relevant and up-to-date information about the New Hampshire Legislature at any time and any place.
Subscribers may also access the online Blue Book from portable devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
The website, which has e-commerce capability, is currently accepting orders for print books and online access. The 2013/2014 print edition and access to online content will be available mid-February. Also available for purchase through the website is the BIA's legislative pocket directory for $10. The BIA will continue to offer one complimentary copy of the pocket directory to all association members and legislators.
BIA has contracted with McLean Communications to produce the print Blue Book and Hopkinton-based StoreyManseau LLC, an integrated marketing firm, to develop the Blue Book website
To reserve a copy of the 2013/2014 Blue Book and subscribe to online content, visit nhbluebook.com or call 603-224-5388 ext. 100.


text:
BenQ Siemens S68 Limited Edition: Shiny, Ceramic, Steel, Materialistic
This Limited Edition, German-only, S68 BenQ phone is made from stainless steel, and a back made from ceramics formed at 1350 degrees celsius. It's the same material used in car brake pads, soooo…if you drop it on the floor, it shouldn't get scratched too easily, and it shouldn't slide too far either. Same 13mm form factor as the regular S68, too. Jump to see the back of this beauuuutiful phone.
More pictures of the BenQ Siemens S68 Limited Edition [via Tech Ticker]


text:
Download the latest version of Fujitsu FMV-DP843 drivers according to your computer's operating system. All downloads available on this website have been scanned by the latest anti-virus software and are guaranteed to be virus and malware-free.
Browse the list of top matching drivers below to find the driver that meets your needs. To see more matches from our driver database, use our to customized driver search engine.
To download, select the best match for your device and then click the Download button. Need help? You can request the driver and we will find it for you.
Fujitsu FMV-DP843 Driver Update UtilitySupported OS: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP
File Version: Version 22.214.171.124
File Size: 2.3 MB
File Name:
Download >>
Medion Many Driver
LifetecSupported OS: Win 2003 Server, Win XP Home, Win XP Pro, Win 2000 Workstation, Win 2000 Server, Win NT 4.0, Win ME, Win 98SE, Win 98, Win 95
Release Date: 2001-07-02
File Size: 714.6 KB
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23,783 DownloadsSubmitted Dec 4, 2003 by Rene (DG Member):
"There are many Medion monitor drivers in this exe-file. It unzips on your C-drive. Made in Germany, so it's good."
Portege M100 Driver
ToshibaSource: Manufacturer Website (Official Download)
Supported OS: Win 98SE
File Version: Version 1
File Size: 337.5 KB
File Name:
Download >>
30 DownloadsSubmitted Jun 11, 2010 by Manivannan (DG Staff Member):
"Intel Montara XGA/SXGA Monitor driver for Windows 98SE"


text:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Race To The Bottom
On November 5th, I weighed in at 230 lbs or 104 kilograms, or better, 16 and 1/2 stone.
Today, February 24th, I weigh 195 lbs or 88.5 kilos or best, just under 14 stone.That lovely lady beside me is not Claire, mind you but Robin Lee, cyclist extraordinaire. Don't we have cool helmets? Come on Nutcase, we want sponsorship! But here, I'm around 203 lbs so it's not entirely representative.No, this is better this shot was taken up on Orcas Island last week to give you better perspective. Incidentally, this photo features my Valentine's Day present which is a "keeper" ring to hold my now very loose wedding ring on my finger. So yes, this weight loss is showing up all over and in many facets of my life.
There are all kinds of reasons for this weight loss. I was tired of breaking bike parts: two cranks, three pedals, one handle bar, numerous chains, rear wheel damage,.... the whole kit and kaboodle. I was also tired of being a slow climber and weighing 40% more than the average bike racer my height wasn't helping me get to the top of anything.
I was also phenomenally impressed with my wife, who after two kids is magically down below her pre-wedding weight and, though I won't tell you where she's at, looks FANTASTIC! What can I say, I don't want to look like the odd couple.
Even more than that, I got some pretty serious scares and scars last year, I was in the emergency room 5 separate times last year. Once for a fall that gave me a wicked scar on my abdomen, and four times to treat the case of MRSA that erupted from said visit, or as the doctors say, possibly from anywhere. I understand plausible deniability.
No, the truth is that with some pretty damning photos that I saw of myself, in conjunction startling health data I received auxiliary to my ER visits, I decided to get in the saddle and move everything southward. There was no reason why a guy who bikes ~120 miles a week pulling kids and cellos should weigh that much or more importantly, test that high. My glycemic was 106 and my cholesterol was 204 (but down from 225 four years ago). It was time for an intervention.
So here I am. I've lost 35 lbs in in just under 4 months. It feels pretty darn good. I've dropped from a very tight set of 38 inch Levi's to a new, comfortable set of 34's so I reckon I'm down about 5 inches in the waist department. I had to get rid of pair of pants in the process and now only the suit I bought in 1996 fits me. Everything else just hangs and I'm afraid to try on any of my tuxedos.
I'll keep you all posted on method and my future goals, but it has a great deal to do with this photo:
Fausto Coppi and I are the same height.
10 comments:
- Robert H said...
I'm interested in hearing how you've been going about this. I'm sure it will be inspirational to more than a few people.
- February 24, 2010 at 8:14 AM
- brad said...
Oh it's coming. Stay tuned. I'm glad you are keeping up!
- February 24, 2010 at 8:53 AM
- Marilyn said...
Fantastic! You are doing this the "old-fashioned way" which, of course, gets more kudos than my surgical intervention, but I'm excited, my goal is to be under 200by Christmas, so far since October I have lost 37! Your scar is ten times worse than mine, ouch!!! And of course, I am blogging about my new lifestyle as well, but I haven't got the putting in pictures down pat, Jackie will be here for a couple of days in April and I plan on her giving me some techno lessons so it will improve
- February 24, 2010 at 9:28 AM
- ghd3 said...
wow -- well done Brad! I need to some coaching so I can lose about 15 lbs as well. I may need some tips on your regimen. Very cool.
- February 24, 2010 at 10:30 AM
- Steve said...
You have been looking gaunt lately. Don't let your new skeletor appearance change your naturally cheery demeanor!!
- February 24, 2010 at 3:39 PM
- Kristina said...
Sweet Brad! You have worked really hard and look great. Such an inspiration. Definitely look forward to the details. P.S. Robin and I went to Gregg's women bike night. We are thinking about doing a mtn bike race in June...assuming I can ride hills again. :)
- March 5, 2010 at 9:30 AM
- stan said...
Hi Brad. Nasty spill there. Sure it left a mean scar... I like you blog and thought you might be interested in our project - http://kck.st/c09uOF - anout cycling culture in South Africa.
Hope you like it. Stan.
- April 24, 2010 at 6:19 AM
- stan said...
Hi Brad. Nasty spill there. Sure it left a mean scar... I like you blog and thought you might be interested in our project - http://kck.st/c09uOF - about cycling culture in South Africa.
Hope you like it. Stan.
- April 24, 2010 at 6:20 AM
- Boxer Bikes said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- May 4, 2010 at 11:04 AM
- Filings from the bench said...
Brad - How cool is that, that you're feeling great and looking good! It was fine to run across you on Dexter a couple weeks ago.
We had our baby on April 22. He is awesome and really cute. Ramone has a little blog about him on the Boxer Bicycles website.
I hope we can ride together again soon.
- May 4, 2010 at 11:06 AM


text:
Xcel Energy has made a $300,000 donation to Voter Approval of Debt Limits, the group campaigning for Issue 310, a Boulder charter amendment that would require a vote on the total debt limit of any future municipal electric utility.
Xcel had been linked to the charter amendment from the moment supporters filed an intent to circulate petitions to place it on the ballot. The company polled the charter amendment language and has its own issue committee in support of the measure.
But this is the first time Xcel has made a significant donation to the group that conducted the petition drive and is campaigning for Issue 310.
Katy Atkinson, a spokeswoman for the group, said members reached out to Xcel Energy for help "to even the playing field" because opponents of the charter amendment and backers of municipalization had received a $60,000 donation from the Sierra Club and were raising money locally and across the country through crowdsourcing.
"We reached out to Xcel to just remind them that the opponents of our measure are putting a lot of resources into opposing us," Atkinson said. "If Xcel was going to get involved, now was the time. We needed to even the playing field."
Atkinson included money the city has spent on communications related to municipalization as money available to opponents of the amendment.
Boulder officials have maintained that all their communications are simply informational, and they say they have been careful not to advocate for or against the initiative charter amendment or a competing measure placed on the ballot by the Boulder City Council.
Representatives of Empower Our Future, a Boulder group opposing Issue 310, said they are not surprised by the donation. They said it makes explicit what they have always contended -- that the charter amendment is not about fiscal responsibility, but, rather, is an attempt by Xcel to stop municipalization in its tracks.
"It has been obvious that Xcel is behind (Voter Approval of Debt Limits) from the start, and Xcel's contributions prove that," said Ken Regelson, a member of Empower Our Future and an energy activist. "Xcel designed 310 to kill the process that Boulder voters approved in 2011, a process that pursues an energy future that is cleaner, cheaper and more reliable."
'Tip of the iceberg'
Issue 310 would require another vote on the debt limit of a municipal utility before Boulder could issue debt to pay for it. That election could only be held in an odd-numbered year, and residents of unincorporated Boulder County who would be customers of a city-run utility would have to be allowed to vote in that election.
Proponents of the charter amendment say it introduces a needed measure of accountability to voters before they take on significant debt, while opponents say it would make it so difficult to issue debt that it would be hard to run the utility or enter condemnation proceedings.
"We're going to be talking to the people of Boulder about what this measure does and doesn't do," Atkinson said. "We're talking about a lot of money and we really need to be careful how we proceed. There are a lot of people in this town who would like a final vote on the debt before we move forward."
The various issue committees have to file campaign finance reports today. Regelson said voters will see that Empower Our Future has mostly raised money from small donors. However, he said the pro-municipalization campaign is in the position now that it was in at the end of the 2011 election, in which supporters of a municipal utility spent $106,760.
Xcel Energy spent $960,689 on the 2011 campaign.
"We're certainly going to do our best," said John Spitzer, another member of Empower Our Future. "I have a feeling based on the last election that the $300,000 is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of what they plan to spend."
New Era Colorado, a progressive political group that focuses on mobilizing young voters, also has entered the charter amendment campaign. Executive Director Steve Fenberg said the group has raised roughly $190,000 from more than 5,000 donors through a crowdsourcing campaign that went viral.
'Get our message out'
Atkinson said the pro-municipalizaton camp is getting money from around the country and even outside the country and is in no position to criticize Voter Approval of Debt Limits for getting money from a corporation.
"They seem to think that some money is dirty and some money isn't," she said. "We welcome Xcel's involvement because it allows us to get our message out."
Xcel Energy spokewoman Michelle Aguayo said the company decided to donate money after seeing there was enough community support to get the measure on the ballot.
She said the money does not come from ratepayers in the sense that the spending is not incorporated into the calculations that determine rates.
"We are very impressed that they were able to get the question on the ballot relying on financial support from Boulder voters and businesses," Aguayo said. "We continue to view the city's plan as extremely risky and costly. And we have always been supportive of allowing affected citizens of the city's plan an opportunity to review and express their preferences on the plan once the final details and costs were known."
Contact Camera Staff Writer Erica Meltzer at 303-473-1355 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Angela is a dangerous girl. She lives the fast life, stealing money from her parents, hanging out with much older guys...and her grandfather's death...that's another horrible story. Her parents have tried everything they can, and what they discovered is Hidden Oak.
Hidden Oak is not just another prep school. It's designed specifically for dangerous girls, i.e. girls who haven't lived up to parental expectations; girls who have rebelled and continue to live a destructive lifestyle; girls who can't or wont life up to their parents social reputations; and girls who have problems, either psychological or emotional, that their parents can't handle. It's a four year school and there are two tracks for students - one is academic, the other is to fight for your life.
Angela makes it to orientation with a chip on her shoulder and plans to leave. But things don't turn out the way she thought. Stripped of all personal belongings, she realizes quickly that Hidden Oak isn't a typical school. You can't talk about what brought you here, you are pitted against other students, the facilities are moldy and falling apart, and your every move is recorded. And that's just the first month.
Angela makes it through orientation and is put into the elit gold group, but she can't quite shake the feeling of dread when it comes to the girls she met during orientation. What happened to Juin, a self-leader and big rebel, or Riley a follower and not to be trusted? She soon finds out when she is demoted into the purple faction and sees the truth for what it is....Now in a life or death situation where everyone is an enemy, Angela realizes that she must maintain her dangerousness in order to survive.
Sober, enthralling, mysterious...those are only a few words that qualify this book for YA readers. They will become engrossed in the lives of all the characters, from students to teachers, and wonder what the outcomes will be and how each girl will be impacted. Strong characterizations and situations will draw readers in, and although the ending doesn't live up to the denouement, this book will fly off shelves, and is an excellent companion book to Todd Strasser's Boot Camp.


text: Pennsylvania lawmakers are working on a bill to update demolition codes, in the wake of a fatal building collapse in Philadelphia in June. The bill would strengthen standards to apply for a demolition permit. The legislation would increase permit costs to establish a fund to be used for training building inspectors and would require the state to review the qualifications of code officials.


text:
Late in the third quarter of October's Broncos-Cowboys game, Peyton Manning underthrew Eric Decker on a midrange pass, leaving the ball hanging in the air for an easy interception. With 20 touchdowns and no picks to that point, Manning had seemed infallible, but now he had somehow faltered. While viewers waited to get another look, CBS cut from the Cowboys defensive backs celebrating, to Manning looking incredulous, back to the defensive backs, and then to—ugh—Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, pumping his fists. Could there be a more banal conclusion to this incredible turn of events? Why do we have to see the man who cuts the checks whenever something exciting happens on the field?
The TV networks show Jones more than most owners. He's made a name for himself by being awful, and broadcasters think this means we want to see him constantly. He's also the team's general manager, meaning he could potentially cut a guy right after the game if he missed a key tackle. So he's important, but that doesn't make him interesting; you certainly didn't need to see him six times during that Dallas-Denver contest. NFL.com even put him in the highlight package. And it's not just the Cowboys honcho who gets a lot of screen time. Robert Kraft, Jeffrey Lurie, Arthur Blank, Jim Irsay—if you're a football fan, you know their names and faces. And that's a shame.
No one needs another boss in his life, nor another intrusion of the market. It's bad enough that sports are cluttered up with a relentless accretion of commercials and logos, but at least there's a clear purpose behind those things. Shots of the owners don't contribute to anyone's bank account. So why am I watching some suit in a luxury box gently fist-bump some other suit before looking up at a screen so he can catch himself in seven-second-delayed action? There is no one in that stadium whose reaction I am less interested in seeing. Or at least no one outside of that booth because, oh God, I'm pretty sure that's Rush Limbaugh sitting next to Bob Kraft.
Show me any player, any assistant strength coach, any sideline neurologist. Much better, show me any fan, somebody who made the dubious decision to fork over a lot of cash to be in the stands and is now being rewarded with his team's success and feeling giddy over it. Just as good: showing that same fan as his team makes a mockery of his faith.
The fact that Jones and company are wearing suits at a football game tells us they aren't part of our community. When I jump off my couch in excitement at home, it is for a completely selfless and silly reason: The Bears just did good, and this is important to me because of an unthinking commitment I made to them decades ago. The average fan has invested only time and sympathy. Well, perhaps he has money riding on it, but even that's not the same sort of financial relationship as an owner, since owners don't really have much at stake with these games. If they didn't inherit the team, they entered the fray as rich men looking for a rich hobby. Seeing them celebrate is like watching someone gloat over their fantasy team. Yes, it's that bad. That touchdown is a private benefit and yet not a particular one. These just happen to be the players they were able to acquire. They might well own different ones another season.
It's even worse when the announcers feel compelled to glorify them. After CBS showed a Kraft high-five and then a replay of that high-five during a Patriots game earlier this year, John Lynch delivered a version of the speech you hear about Kraft pretty much every week: "I gotta tell ya, this is one of the class people in football, and there's an old saying: It starts at the top. And I truly believe that, here in New England, it's not a coincidence that their success has really taken off since Robert Kraft and the Kraft family have taken it over. Tremendous business minds that know how to win. They're great for the community and great people, on top of it." That's a good piece of fawnin' right there!
Since the financial crisis, there's been an influx of TV shows that function as ruling-class PR, stuff like Undercover Boss, Secret Millionaire, and Shark Tank. Are these shots part of that trend? Possibly, but they certainly predate the crash, as does a tradition of power-worshipping entertainment that gave us junk like The Apprentice and Meet the Press. As Matt Taibbi has written, our country has a strange love affair with arrogant executives, a tendency to believe that the richest person is the best person, that any problem can be solved by a benevolent autocrat.
These aren't just rich guys, we're told. They're great guys. Earlier this year, when Dallas was playing against Washington, NBC's Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth sang Jerry Jones' praises for not cutting back costs on his (partially publicly funded) stadium after the financial crisis. In the same game, they lauded him for not riding Tony Romo for the pick he threw at the end of that Broncos game. "Jerry can take the heat off as well as anybody I've ever seen," Michaels said, describing a guy who has complained to the media about players for things like being injured.
CBS announcer Jim Nantz, ever grooming himself to become the NFL's Minister of Information, took a moment during that Broncos-Cowboys game to praise Jones for being the first ever inductee into the National Football Foundation Leadership Hall of Fame. This happened at a "spectacular fundraiser" event, Nantz explained. Now, charity is charity, so you have to give Jones his due for raising money for an important cause like … "Football Matters to Me"? Yes. Its mission is "to identify the men who played college football and subsequently went on to amazing accomplishments with football as a key catalyst to their achievements. The goal of the campaign is to generate a strong understanding of how the values learned through football translate to success later in life." NBC's Michaels was there, along with some retired football players, GE's Jeff Immelt, and oilman T. Boone Pickens. Football matters to them. More importantly, they matter to football, and to the rest of us. But we don't need this organization to tell us that great businessmen give us great football and vice versa; we're given that message during every football game on every network.
Though you won't hear it discussed on Sundays, NFL owners aren't necessarily superior beings. They played a role in the league-wide concussion cover-up, and there are plenty of alleged individual misdeeds to discuss as well. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is under investigation for allegedly defrauding customers at his chain of truck stops. Vikings owner Zygi Wilf was recently found guilty of racketeering. Neither story came up during this year's Browns-Vikings game. Good-guy owners like Kraft, too, benefit from these sins of omission, as when Fox's Kevin Burkhardt claimed earlier this season that the New England owner saved the franchise from moving (true) while failing to mention that he very nearly moved the team out of Massachusetts himself.
I'm not saying we all have to hate NFL owners. I'm just asking not to have to see them. It's especially annoying that the incidence of owner shots increases as the game gets most exciting. Hence NBC gave us three images of Jones in the final 90 seconds of a Week 1 game. There's a clear narrative here: Is the boss happy? The shots multiply in the postseason, making the game ever more about ROI. Indeed, postseason success, not virtue, is what separates those the camera loves from those it just sneaks a peek at now and then.
As much commercialism as there is in sports, it is still possible in the moment to watch an interception and delight in the way the defenders instantly turn to find a man to block and begin a frantic rush to the end zone, and see only that, and not think of the depressing array of dynamically synergistic cash flows involved in bringing that play to your living room. Shifting from this intricate dance to an owner's dull reaction makes for bad, simplistic TV. The players in a sporting event are confined by the dual limitations of the rules and their bodies, against which they struggle using their wits and their wills. When such an event culminates in a money shot, it reduces a beautifully coordinated spectacle of strength, grace, and chemistry to a crass display of power. It cheapens the whole endeavor.
Leave the bosses to their business. Let the game express itself.


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During a recent field day at Shafter, growers of dry beans in the Southern San Joaquin Valley examined test plots of experimental varieties and learned of developments that might someday help restore production to what is was a nearly a decade ago.
Jeff Ehlers, plant breeder at the University of California, Riverside, said one objective of his trials is to find a robust, tougher replacement to the blackeye standard, CB 46. His trials at the UC Shafter Field Station are supported by the California Dry Bean Advisory Board.
Ideally, a successor variety would have larger seeds but the same or higher yields, while having resistance to cut-out, nematodes, and Fusarium wilt.
Among the most promising lines in comparison to CB 46 are Shafter 49 and Shafter 50, which were in this year's strip trials at the station. Shafter 49 shows better resistance to root knot nematode and is resistant to Races 3 and 4 of Fusarium. Shafter 50, although it does have a larger seed, and resistance to the nematode, it is resistant to Fusarium Race 3 only.
Ehlers said although previous variety trials have been on 30-inch rows, this year's plots were planted on 40-inch rows so the difference between the experimentals and CB 46 can be more readily seen.
Good potential
He said Shafter 49 and 50 have also shown good potential in tests on commercial fields and he hopes they can be put on a fast track for accumulating breeder seed supplies. "That would still mean we are about three years out from actual production."
Breeder seed, he explained, would have to be developed in isolation with special attention to sanitation before moving on to foundation and certified seed stages.
The variety CB 5 has an been answer in some parts of the San Joaquin Valley to demand for larger seeded blackeyes, but it is susceptible to Race 3 Fusarium, a particular problem for growers in Kern County.
Ehler's approach has been to "re-create" an equivalent to CB 5 with resistance to the Race 4 Fusarium. Shafter 49 or perhaps another experimental farther along in the process may accomplish that goal.
Complete yield data will be recorded, and production from the strip trials will be used in 10- to 20-acre block trials Ehlers plans to put out next year.
California's blackeye movement for the 2005 season is estimated at 200,000 hundredweight, while the total shipments of all dry bean varieties in the state is forecast at 1.3 million hundredweight.
Production loss
In contrast, the state's 1997 dry bean crop was about 3.2 million hundredweight. The loss of production is attributed to a combination of problems with weather, depressed prices, and acreage shifts to other states.
Bill DeTar, research leader at the station, revealing his observations on subsurface drip irrigation of CB 46, said he found blackeyes have an irrigation crop coefficient about 10 percent greater than that of cotton and send down roots to a depth of five feet much faster than cotton.
His studies confirmed the suspicions of many that blackeyes need more water than cotton.
By the end of the first week in August, DeTar said, the blackeye plot, which was planted May 20, received about 13.5 inches of water. He estimated the stand also mined another 2 inches of water existing in the field.
He said after several years of refinement in using the buried drip system on cotton, the blackeye plot is level in both directions and has a distribution uniformity rating of 96 percent.
Veteran PCA Vern Crawford of Wilbur-Ellis in Shafter reminded growers of black eyes to avoid disrupting the complex of beneficial species.
"In Kern County," Crawford said, "if you want production, you use mite control, and if you want quality, you use lygus and worm control. But to get lygus and worm control, you risk blowing up mites."
That's why, he continued, Temik is a foundation for keeping the number of sprays as few as possible. However, use of Temik has become complicated and its effectiveness is diminished since label changes allow only lower rates on blackeyes.
Asks registration
He said he has been trying to encourage manufacturers to pursue a registration for Agri-Mek or Zephyr for mite control on blackeyes.
Those products, used in tank-mixes with others, would also control leafminers and other pests that pose problems from season to season.
He conceded, however, that manufacturers must invest millions to develop and register new products.
Crawford said Dow Agrosciences' newly registered Intrepid, with a nearly 20-day activity on blackeyes, will control worms without disrupting beneficial species.
Steve Temple, UC, Davis Extension agronomist, cautioned growers to do their homework to avoid Ascochyta blight if they are considering planting garbanzos this fall.
Bean processors have expressed concern with the disease potential, and meetings are planned to alert growers of the threat in both northern and southern parts of the state.
Good yields and improved prices for the California crop in the 2005 season, coupled with lower production elsewhere in the U.S. and Canada, suggest increased interest this fall in planting garbanzos for harvest in 2006.
Ascochyta can level a garbanzo crop, and he noted that California growers may have relaxed their former vigilance after being spared serious problems with it for many years.
"But this year we saw it in definitely higher amounts in several locations up and down the state," said Temple, who listed steps to avoid losses to the fungal disease.
First, use only seed from sources you are confident are free of the disease. Seed treatments with commercial fungicides offer a partial, but not complete, degree of protection.
Treat quickly
If you see it early in the season, apply Bravo or another registered fungicide as soon as possible. In the Sacramento Valley during the 2005 season, some fields had to be sprayed three times.
And be aware the cropping history of the land you plant to garbanzos. Temple stressed that some growers may be leasing ground that had been planted to garbanzos the last year or two.
"We know from long experience in the Palouse region and other growing areas that the one tried-and-true way to limit the disease is by using garbanzos in a three- to four-year rotation."
Field sanitation by cleaning up garbanzo crop residue is also critical to the disease host. Temple said outbreaks in California in 1994 and 1996 were traced back to volunteer garbanzos that harbored the fungus between crops.
In California's Central Valley, Ascochyta flourishes in the spring during alternating wet and warm periods. Its wind-driven spores infect new stands much like wheat rust invades grain fields.
Temple said the disease is economically important to the California garbanzo industry as a whole, since problems with it prevent the Canadian industry from being a stronger competitor with California. The disease is common in all garbanzo growing areas around the world.


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Yahoo results underscore turnaround
SAN FRANCISCO — Marissa Mayer has brought the yippee! back to Yahoo.
Under a company reboot, the Internet pioneer reported earnings that beat analyst forecasts after the close of markets Monday.
Shares of Yahoo initially jumped 4.5% to $21.22 in after-hours trading following the report.
Yahoo reported fourth-quarter profit of $272 million on revenue of $1.22 billion, compared with a profit of $295 million on revenue of $1.17 billion a year ago.
The revenue uptick marks a first year-over-year gain in four years as CEO Mayer has begun turnaround efforts at Yahoo.
Yahoo's adjusted earnings per share of 32 cents beat the 27 cent average of analyst estimates from Thomson Reuters.
"There's a lot of work to be done," Mayer said on a conference call with investors and analysts. "Mobile will be key to our business."
There's a huge exodus of consumers from PCs spending more time on mobile devices that's causing companies ranging from Google, Facebook, Zynga and Yahoo to scramble to meet new advertising needs.
Shares of Yahoo have shot up 30% since Mayer took the role in July on optimism that the former Google executive can turn around the company's fortune as it battles for advertising.
Yahoo reported a 14% increase in search revenue in the quarter compared with last year. "Theoretically, there's a lot of growth potential if they can boost search," says IDC analyst Karsten Weide, a former Yahoo employee.
Google holds 66.7% of the search market, trailed by Microsoft, with 16.3%, Yahoo's 12.2%, Ask.com's 3% and AOL's 1.8%, according to market researcher ComScore.
Despite gains, Yahoo saw a 5% decline in display advertising revenue from a year ago. Yahoo has been dogged by a need for better tools to serve advertisers. "Agencies are increasingly looking for more automation — Yahoo is kind of tepid in that regard," Weide says. I "think that's one of the ways that Yahoo can get out of a crisis."
Yahoo is the No. 2-most visited U.S. Internet destination behind Google, according to ComScore. Ranking after Yahoo comes Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon.com and AOL.
Yahoo said Flickr usage is up 25% since the company refreshed the online photo service in the quarter.


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Our Homestay is a perfect place to shut away from the world. It is a home away home for young and old, friends and family. Visitors dwelling in reading, writing or meditation on a long stay will get discount on food and stay.
The exquisite dinning room offers yummy, aromatic, traditional veggie cuisine.The balcony room offers enchanting view of sheets of rainfall, moving clouds and mist during monsoon, colorful Sunrise during summer and winter. The climax lies in watching it, tucked in bed!
A group up to twelve can fit into Homestay. Kodagu offers scintillating drive through lush green forests, sprawling coffee, Tea and pepper plantations, mist covered hills and natural water falls.
CheersBye © 2019


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When the bullets start flying on October 26, shmup fans will be too busy dodging and shooting to appreciate how pretty DoDonPachi Maximum looks on the iPhone and iPad. Thank goodness for screenshots.
Shoot-em up master Cave is bringing this fresh new take on DoDonPachi to iOS devices later this week. Riffing on previous games DoDonPachi: Blissful Death and DoDonpachi: Resurrection, Maximum sees players testing out the EVAC Industry M.B.S. — Maximum Bullet Simulator. The iOS version features an easy mode for... well, for most everyone, and plenty of unlockable ships, including the incredibly compelling-sounding MX-07 marauding cat robot (Uoratou).
Just look at those clean lines, those bright colors. No really, look at them — come October 26 you won't have time.


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RPC(3) BSD Programmer's Manual RPC(3)
auth_destroy, authnone_create, authunix_create, authunix_create_default - library routines for remote procedure calls
#include <rpc/rpc.h> void auth_destroy(AUTH *auth); AUTH * authnone_create(void); AUTH * authunix_create(char *host, int uid, int gid, int len, int *aup.gids); AUTH * authunix_create_default(void);
These routines establish authentication information for use by the RPC functions described in rpc(3). auth_destroy() is a macro that destroys the authentication information associated with auth. Destruction usually involves deallocation of private data structures. The use of auth is undefined after calling auth_destroy(). authnone_create() creates and returns an RPC authentication handle that passes nonusable authentication information with each remote procedure call. This is the default authentication used by RPC. authunix_create() creates and returns an RPC authentication handle that contains UNIX authentication information. The parameter host is the name of the machine on which the information was created; uid is the user's user ID; gid is the user's current group ID; len and aup_gids refer to a counted array of groups to which the user belongs. It is easy to imper- sonate a user. authunix_create_default() calls authunix_create() with the appropriate parameters.
rpcgen(1), select(2), getrpcport(3), rpc(3), xdr(3), rpc(5), portmap(8) Remote Procedure Calls: Protocol Specification. Remote Procedure Call Programming Guide. rpcgen Programming Guide. Sun Microsystems, Inc., RPC: Remote Procedure Call Protocol Specification, RFC 1057, USC-ISI. MirOS BSD #10-current February 16, 1988 1
Generated on 2017-04-03 16:26:17 by $MirOS: src/scripts/roff2htm,v 1.88 2017/01/29 00:51:06 tg Exp $
These manual pages and other documentation are copyrighted by their respective writers;
their source is available at our CVSweb,
AnonCVS, and other mirrors. The rest is Copyright © 2002–2017 The MirOS Project, Germany.
This product includes material provided by mirabilos.
This manual page's HTML representation is supposed to be valid XHTML/1.1; if not, please send a bug report — diffs preferred.


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Is Chace Crawford, trying to make Ed Westwick jealous? The Gossip Girl hottie swapped his regular bro for Dallas Cowboy hunk Tony Romo, who joined him for a post-holiday celebration in Las Vegas.
In fact, the pair are practically family, since Tony, 29, is dating Chace's little sister Candice, a Texas-based beauty queen.
But there was no sign of the 2008 Miss Missouri at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Friday Nov. 27. Instead the guys were joined at the tables by Dallas Cowboy's wide receiver Miles Austin. The trio were later spotted partying at the hotel's nightclub, Body English.
Jessica Simpson's ex could afford to take the weekend off after the Dallas Cowboys' victory over the Oakland Raiders on Thursday.


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Cherry Sundae needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 239 designs submitted by 63 freelance designers.
Cherry Sundae Media
The company works in the advertising content and TV commercial space. It's a boutique type shop and have fortune 500 clients and advertising agencies. We are pop culture!
Creative types at high end ad agencies and media companies like Dreamworks, HULU.com
Looking for a Cherry Sundae ice cream design/logo with the Cherry Sundae Media word underneath. We want to keep to the white and red color palette with the website we are designing. The background of the web page will be white. Very MINIMALISTIC, cool, simple and overall simple to navigate. Think modern art! My personal website is a good example of what the website will look like - http://www.nelsoncabrera.com.
Open to all designs. Also open to any and all idea so go for it! Be Bold! We are liking the word inside the cherry or cherry sundae. Some other logo we like are the MTV, Comedy Central logo, ESPN, CNN, etc.
What we don't want - cartoonish, over the top design, to many colors, no business cards and PLEASE real designers only, no cookie cutter work! Also, we need both the media version and group version in the final files. No film strips.
Thank you for time and design in advance.
Cherry Sundae.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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The girls' county rival game between Williamstown and Grant County felt like March Madness, as Lady Demons senior point guard Chelsea West hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to lift Williamstown over Grant County 46-45, Dec. 17.
"It was the one we needed," West said after the game. "I didn't shoot well the whole game, but that was the one that we needed."
When West hit the shot the gym exploded and that's how Lady Demons senior forward Tori Wilhoit likes it.
"It was fun," she said. "We didn't even have the band here tonight. This is my favorite game to play just because of the atmosphere. The game is our biggest turnout and having the fans here allows us to feed off that energy."
As a whole, the Lady Demons (4-5) shot 18 percent from the field and were trailing for most of the game to Grant County (0-5).
West said Lady Demons coach Mark Wilhoit set them up to get an open shot to go for the tie or for the lead.
"It was not the shot we were looking for," West said about her shot. "But, it was the one Grant County gave us."
Wilhoit said he was fortunate that Williamston got the victory.
"It was nice for us to get a close win," he said. "Chelsea got a huge shot for us. Anytime she gets her feet set, she is going to knock it down."
That didn't stop West from apologizing after the game for shooting the ball.
"She was afraid she was going to miss the shot and the team was going to be mad at her," Coach Wilhoit said. "I'd rather she have the ball in that situation."
Tori Wilhoit agreed with her father that West was going to make the shot.
"I have played with Chelsea for years," she said. "I knew she had it. It was funny seeing her reaction to it."
On the Grant County side, it was an upsetting loss for the Lady Braves, as they were seeking their first win of the season.
For Lady Braves' coach Darrell Guffey, even in a loss to their county rival Williamstown, he still was pleased with the performance of his players.
"I am very happy with the girls," he said. "They competed and played hard. They have taken tremendous strides since the beginning of the season. You can see us getting better. Tonight was just a heartbreaking loss."
Guffey felt that his team did everything they could to get the victory.
"Grant County deserved to win," Guffey said. "It is one of those experiences that kids have got to go through and learn how to win in situations like that. The girls have not been in that situation and therefore we don't know how to win in that situation."
Sophomore forward Billie Hearn led the Lady Braves in scoring with 26 points.
"Billie was a monster, especially in the first half," Guffey said. "Williamstown did some things to take the ball out of her hands in the second half, but she was a beast and the player that the coaches and I waited to see come out. We see it every day in practice, but now fans have finally seen her do some things and see the Billie Hearn we see in practice."
Hearn was pleased with her performance because of playing her favorite rival.
"I think I did good," she said. "I was more focused in the game, becuase it was Williamstown. They are right across the street. That was the game I really wanted to win."
Wilhoit knew Hearn was causing issues for his Lady Demons and made those adjustments in the second half.
"I had Williamstown get into a zone defense," he said. "I knew we couldn't get Hearn to run, so the zone defense worked for us. Also, slowing the game down helped keep the ball out of her hands. She had a phenomenal game and I told her after the game, that we had no answer for her."
Grant County had an opportunity in the final seconds, but Tori Wilhoit grabbed a steal to seal the win for Williamstown.
"Chelsea's shot was big for us," coach Wilhoit said. "Tori's steal was just as big, because if Hearn catches that ball, I knew the game was going to be over."
Both teams will be in tournaments after Christmas, with Williamstown playing in the Paris-Bourbon County Classic Dec. 28-30 and Grant County will be hosting the Grant County Invitational Dec. 27-30.
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Here's a drink that is popular, but doesn't get much recognition. Of course, there are a number of versions of this cocktail, some being nothing more than 151 proof rum and tropical fruit crystals, which will probably kill you. Aside from that "killer" version, the one I'm talking about is sometimes referred to as a Canadian Killer Koolaid, and is made with vodka, amaretto, melon liqueur and cranberry juice. This is by far the best version and the one that I remember drinking many years ago in college. After the rum and coke and whisky sour, this was probably the first cocktail I drank. At the bar, I still recommend this one frequently and people are always happy to drink it.[wp_ad_camp_3]
In the world of cocktails, there are a few drinks, such as the Martini, Manhattan and Margarita that are elevated to classic status. Part of the reason is that these cocktails are in a class that can be considered the geriatric ward of the cocktail spectrum. That's not a bad thing, but just because a drink was invented over a century ago doesn't mean it is the be-all and end-all of cocktails. True, these drinks are well balanced and eschew sweetness in favour of strength at classic proportions. But, if you look at a well made Killer Koolaid you will also see that this drink is well balanced. Sure it has Koolaid in the name, which usually means "flavoured sugar water" but the cocktail isn't that sweet.
Discussing this cocktail makes me feel like a lawyer representing a client at the Classic Cocktail Consortium membership hearing, discussing credentials and pedigree.
President: Mr. Koolaid is an impostor and could not be considered an elite "classic cocktail."
Me: Why not, he tastes good and has been around for many years.
President: Because for starters Mr. Koolaid doesn't contain vermouth!
Me: Mr. Daiquiri and Miss Margarita don't have vermouth.
President: Mr. Koolaid is not of the proportions of a classic cocktail, and that's why Mr. Daiquiri and Miss Margarita are. Also, Mr. Koolaid doesn't contain bitters.
Me: But Mr. Koolaid has a classic flavour, you are discriminating because he is part cranberry juice and slightly sweeter than your classic definition of a cocktail. And by the way, cranberry juice is naturally bitter, so maybe bitters aren't required.
President: We do not discriminate based on spirit, colour or flavour. Simply put, Mr. Koolaid is a candypop drink meant to be chugged at college frat parties and by people who have simple tastes. Mr. Koolaid does not have the pedigree required for entry.
Me: Simple tastes! I object! If Mr. Extra Dry Vodka Martini can be considered a classic cocktail, and he literally has a simple, if not downright boring taste, then my client should tower above Mr. Extra Dry Vodka Martini in terms of flavour. Vodka tastes like nothing, and if "nothing" can be a classic cocktail, my client should surely be allowed entry into the Classic Cocktail Consortium. I've also seen lots of sophisticated people chug martini's, it ain't pretty!
President: Overruled! Mr. Extra Dry Vodka Martini is an upstanding member of the Classic Cocktail Consortium and we do not appreciate you attacking our members. Mr. Extra Dry Vodka Martini has vermouth, and that qualifies him to be a member.
Me: The Consortium has discriminated against cranberry since membership started. Miss Cosmopolitan has suffered the same treatment. She easily outsells Mr. Gin Martini and Mrs. Sidecar, but yet she has been refused entry because she is made with cranberry juice! Admit it Mr. Consortium President, you hate cranberries!
President: Order Mr. O'Neil! Your outbursts are not helping your clients application. Also, we have nothing against cranberries or any fruit for that matter. We have lots of members who have fruit juice in them, for example, Mrs. Bloody Mary and Miss Singapore Sling. Miss Cosmopolitan is a drunken floozy who made many advances on members of this esteemed panel. Her only goal is to get girls inebriated! Her behaviour is not appropriate for this exclusive club.
Me: Isn't the tomato a vegetable?
President: No, a vegetable is considered to be edible parts of a plant, such as leaves and stalks. A fruit is developed from the ovary in the base of a flower, which is how a tomato grows. The strawberry is another example.
Me: oops, my bad.[wp_ad_camp_2]
President: Mr. O'Neil, do you have any other additional information that would allow us to consider Mr. Koolaid for membership into the Consortium?
Me: Mr. President, my client isn't as bad as you make him out to be. Too many times poor bartending skills make this drink weak and dilute. Miss Margarita suffers the same problem. It's not Mr. Koolaid's fault, if he is made right the combination of cranberries and almond is excellent. Who knew those two flavours combined so well. The addition of melon liqueur provides another flavour level that highlights the drinking experience and is complimentary. The cranberry juice has a bitterness that makes bitters irrelevant in this cocktail. Also, cranberry juice isn't very sweet so a small amount of sugar is required to balance the cocktail and this is provided by the two liqueurs. The vodka makes the cocktail strong without being overpowering. As you can plainly see this cocktail is all about balance.
Sure Mr. Koolaid is a little easier going than other classics like Mr. Old Fashioned, who really needs to loosen up by the way. We respect that your organization takes its role seriously, but just because a cocktail is fun and goes down well on a hot summer day shouldn't exclude it from membership.
If created properly, by a caring bartender, this drink could easily be considered a classic. Unfortunately, too many people confuse Mr. Koolaid with the college frat party koolaid made using Everclear industrial ethanol (Alcool in Canada). It is a case of mistaken identity, my client is properly balanced with unique flavours and subtle bitterness. I urge you to consider Mr. Koolaid entry into the Classic Cocktail Consortium. Thank you.
President: We'll take this application under advisement.
And that's why cranberry cocktails aren't considered classics yet.
Killer Koolaid Recipe
1 oz Vodka
½ oz Amaretto
½ oz Melon Liqueur
Top Cranberry Juice
Build in a tall ice-packed glass. You should use no more than 3 to 4 oz of cranberry juice. Garnish with a lime and serve.


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Crystal Farms Introduces Nibblers Cheese Snacks
Crystal Farms, a subsidiary of Michael Foods Inc., Minnetonka, Minn., introduces Nibblers, a line of 1.5-ounce single-serve bags of real cheese with bold seasonings. There are four varieties: Chipotle Pepper Cheddar Cheese, Habanero Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeno Peppers, Smoky BBQ Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream & Onion Monterey Jack Cheese. A pack of the Jacks contains 9 grams of protein, while a pack of the Cheddars contains 10 grams.
Calories range from 150 to 170, depending on variety.
These easy-open, stand-up bags are great for snacking at your desk or for on-the-go nibbling. Single-serve units come in stock-friendly trays, with eight units per tray and four trays per case. They also come in five-pack multipacks.


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Athletes and exercisers used to take a gulp from the water fountain rather than downing a sports drink after they finished a workout. But times have changed. The sports and health drink business is now one of the fastest growing segments of the consumer beverage industry and is so popular that Coca-Cola is now offering sports beverages as part of its brand.
When Gatorade invented a drink that helped replace electrolytes for athletes after an intense workout, many imitators offered similar products. Today the market has evolved, and companies now sell pre-, during and post-exercise systems to meet the needs of exercisers of all types. These "performance systems" start with pre-exercise beverages and end with recovery drinks that contain vitamin/mineral-enhanced drinks.
Margins in the sports drink category can range upwards of 40 percent or more, so there is a real benefit to embracing a program that will meet the needs of your members. Selling these products in "systems" to your clients makes the process of training, selling and purchasing simple and efficient. A dramatic increase has occurred in consumer awareness of the category, and opportunities now exist to incorporate them into your club's retail offerings. Essentially, most of the thought leaders in this exploding category offer a plan for exercisers and athletes and support them with science in the case of the most credible companies.
While this article isn't intended to be a scientific treatise comparing the validity of different types of sports drink systems, I thought it might be helpful to provide an example of the genesis of one company offering these systems as a means to understand the category. Hammer Nutrition (www.hammernutrition.com) began providing supplements for elite endurance athletes including professional bicycle racers and long-distance runners 18 years ago. Hammer invented the term "endurance supplements for endurance athletes." The company staked its claim by being purists. Its products don't contain sugar, flavorings or inexpensive industrial additives — sucrose, glucose or refined chemically processed sugars including aspartame or sucralose. Hammer essentially continues to differentiate itself with these basic principles today.
The company offers a full line of sports drinks and supplements that can be purchased directly from the company via the Internet and also through a program available to specialty retailers and health clubs. Hammer is piloting POP promotions for many of its products through outdoor and athletic retailers such as REI and a number of specialty retail outlets.
Hammer provides a complete fueling line including an all-purpose sports drink to be used during exercise, a post-exercise recovery drink, and soy and whey protein drinks (naked proteins without additives). These are promoted as fuels as opposed to supplements. The company also provides multivitamins and supplements that include glucosamine and chondrotin. The company reports repeat sales of 75 percent to exercisers using its Web-based selling system.
In conversations with drink system users, the key to repeat sales is support with training, forums for users to ask questions and professional advice availability. Hammer not only provides clubs and retailers with promotional materials and training for staff but also consumer support and education to help members select the right products. They maintain an 800 number that can be called for advice and feedback from nutritionists and other professional staff. Hammer, as with other flagship companies in this industry, offers additional support including an online quarterly newsletter, a 72-page manual, on-site promotional events, a variety of specialty electronic newspapers and an endurance library that contains hundreds of articles.
Several other companies that are promoting and supporting complete sports drink systems, such as Gatorade (www.gatorade.com), Clifbar (www.clifbar.com), Powerbar (www.powerbar.com), First Endurance (www.FirstEndurance.com) or EAS (www.eas.com), also provide many of the benefits noted above. They generally include good training support and material to health clubs, retailers and consumers.
Club owners are taking advantage of these companies and their programs in much the same way that they have been promoting vitamin supplements, meal replacements and other nutritional products. The best of these programs provide simple and understandable education and direction for your sales and fitness staff and for your members.
Gregory Florez is CEO of FitAdvisor Health Coaching Services and First Fitness Inc., which was rated as the No. 1 health coaching online training service by The Wall Street Journal. Gregory can be contacted at email@example.com.


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3 arrested in fatal shooting of medical student
Three people have been arrested in the fatal shooting last summer of a University of Michigan medical student who was also an Air Force officer, police said Thursday evening.
The suspects had no previous connection to victim Paul DeWolf or to the university, Ann Arbor police Chief John Seto said. He said charges weren't immediately filed Thursday but were expected.
Police haven't released the suspects' names.
DeWolf, 25, was found fatally shot at the off-campus Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity July 24 after failing to appear for work at a hospital. He was a native of Schoolcraft in southwestern Michigan and a graduate of Grand Valley State University. He was attending medical school on an Air Force scholarship and held the rank of second lieutenant.
Hundreds of people turned out for his funeral. City and campus police had been offering at least $10,000 for information leading to identification of the culprits.
"Our focus continues to be the successful conclusion of this incident and respect for the DeWolf family," Seto said in a statement. "As the judicial process continues, we ask everyone's patience. Additional information will be released as soon as it's appropriate."
DeWolf's father, Thom DeWolf, told MLive.com that he was relieved to learn his son didn't know the suspects, even if the randomness of the killing was terrible.
"The fact that . it was nobody Paul knew, and no one we're going to know, that was huge," he said. "There's always the concern of: Who is it? Who did it? Is it someone we know?"
University President Mary Sue Coleman released a statement saying she hoped the arrests brought some relief to those who knew Paul DeWolf.
"We hope today's developments provide some solace to Paul DeWolf's family and friends, who remain in our thoughts," the statement said. "We will now join the greater Ann Arbor community in awaiting the outcome of the judicial process in this case."


text: PeNaChO 320 Report post Posted July 25, 2018 (edited) Venho disponibilizar a última source do projeto L2jNetwork com base aCis. Antes de mais nada quero informar que não testei nada, então não sei o que funciona, o que não funciona e os bugs existentes. USE POR SUA CONTA E RISCO! Downloads: Source Rev.32 Patch Files Geodata Revision 32 [28/2/2018] Phoenix Engine: Phoenix events has deleted. PvP Zone: Fixed the problem with respawn button (bug for rev26) Added .exit command. Gives you 3 sec to leave if you aren't in combat. L2FlagZone renamed to FlagZone (as all the others zones). acis update. Skills: Chant of Victory/Magnus/ p.of wind/ p.of fire/ p.of water now you can change from one buff to the other without problem. Fixed the heal with some hero weapons. (again rev 26 bug) Many skills has been fixed/reworked with acis latest rev. Other misc: Fixed the problem with drop items on the ground. Fixed the Observe mode in olympiad. Double archer shot (by acis) Added message when you add a subclass. Removed the Menu panel from revision 28. We use another now. The invul command for GM characters changed from //invul to //setinvul Changed the style of the raidboss info npc. Announce the clan name or player name on raidbosses kill. ex. The raidboss Horus has been killed by blabla Clan. or by killer player. (Thanks Reborn for help) Added announce on end siege when a clan win the castle. ex. The clan Blabla has take the x castle. Added a new way to recovery your MP with mana potion. (New Item Handler for mana potions). With config you can set the value of MP recovery. Added Infinity Mana Potion. Set it true and always you can use only 1 mana pot. Added config for max value P.atk speed & M.atk speed. ex. By default is 2000. So, the player will get max p.atk speed or m.atk speed 2000. Vote System: Removed the server link from announce. Changed the info announce for votes. Startup System: Reworked the whole system. Removed: Preview zones/buffs button/all the icons. Added new style for Startup system. Check the PHOTOS Cleric class removed. It was mistake to have the first class in there. Edited July 25, 2018 by PeNaChO 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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PHOTOS: Erik Hoffman
Words: Chas Truslow
Another session is in the books at Windells Camp and it's just crazy to think that Windells campers, staff and visiting pros have been spending the month of August snowboarding on Mt. Hood. Session 6 saw the return of the Technine Team Takeover, with the likes of Lucas Magoon, Chris Bradshaw, Dylan Thompson, Andrew Brewer, Luke Haddock, Nick Poohachoff, Ben Bilodeau, Zander Blackmon, Brady Larson, and Masaki Toda. Campers were treated to some of the best riding on hill as well as the most fun activities seen all summer long.
Once again Chase Weaver and the Windells Diggers built another mind blowing park filled with endless lines, and creative features. Technine hosted a Jersey Barrier Jam where campers did their best to emulate Chris Bradshaw by ollieing and nollieing the barrier. All session long the Technine team was turning heads left and right with next level tricks on every feature in the park. The highlight of the session was watching Lucas Magoon shiver, roll and bonk his way throughout the park with some of the most unique lines of the summer.
The last snow session of the summer, Session 7, is only days away with the Ipath snowboard and skate team coming to camp for their Team Takeover. Stevie Bell, Lucas Debari, Kevin Kowalski and Shuriken Shannon are coming to camp to kill it both on and off hill. Stay tuned to www.windells.com, facebook and instagram for more updates throughout the summer.


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The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards started out incredibly predictable, and they ended virtually the same way. But sandwiched in between those two familiar slices of white bread was an incredible, unpredictable filling, featuring a number of delightfully shocking winners like Margo Martindale, Peter Dinklage and, in a stunning but welcome farewell tribute, "Friday Night Lights."
Things didn"t start off in exciting fashion when "Modern Family" – a show adored by the Emmy"s comedy branch for the way it melds traditional multi-camera sitcom-style humor with a 21st century aesthetic – swept the first four awards of the night. The show only failed to go five in a row because the fifth award was for comedy lead actor, and all of the show"s actors submitted themselves in the supporting categories. (Host Jane Lynch followed the 4-4 opening by announcing, "Welcome to the 'Modern Family" awards!")
Voters not only loved the show in general but the Dunphy family in particular. Julie Bowen beat out co-star Sofia Vergara (who had a much, much funnier year) for comedy supporting actress – not to mention reigning winner Lynch and perpetual Emmy winner Betty White – and joked that she didn"t know what she would complain about to her therapist next week. Ty Burrell followed, and gave a splendid speech – the right mix of poignant and funny – as he tried to imagine how his late father, who never got to see him act, would feel about a career that left him so fulfilled but also required him to wear makeup.
The "Modern Family" wins (including writing and directing) were followed by an award that seemed like a surprise but probably shouldn"t have been, as "Big Bang Theory" star Jim Parsons repeated for comedy lead actor, depriving outgoing "The Office" star Steve Carell of his final chance to win an Emmy for playing Michael Scott. Carell"s submitted episode ("Goodbye Michael") was a great emotional and comic showcase, but also one that played very strongly off of seven seasons of viewer knowledge of the character, whereas Parsons" submission required no knowledge save that Parsons is very good at verbal and physical comedy. The easiest way to win an Emmy is to have already won one, so Parsons had a leg up on Carell.
As the nominees for comedy lead actress were announced, nominee Amy Poehler raced to the stage, to the surprise of presenters Sofia Vergara and Rob Lowe, and the delight of the audience (in the theater and at home). She was quickly followed by the other nominees in a marvelous parody of various awards ceremonies – the idea was Poehler"s, which she hatched over dinner with fellow nominee Martha Plimpton last week – and even ended with the winner getting a tiara and bouquet of roses. Unfortunately, that winner wasn"t Poehler (the funniest performer in the category), but Melissa McCarthy from "Mike & Molly." (I could deal with Poehler losing to either of the Showtime actresses, who get to show much more dramatic range than her, or to Tina Fey, who was also hilarious in her own submission, but no way should Poehler"s performance in the "Flu Season" episode of "Parks and Recreation" have lost to anyone else.)
The night then shifted back into predictability for the various reality and variety awards. "The Amazing Race," which lost the reality competition series Emmy for the first time ever last year, reclaimed its title, and "The Daily Show" won the comedy/variety/music series Emmy for the ninth year in a row. (Presenter Scott Caan didn"t even try to pretend another show had a chance.)
After that, though, things got incredibly – and often wonderfully – strange.
The drama categories were expected to be a battle between hotshot HBO rookie "Boardwalk Empire" and the fourth season of "Mad Men," powered by the powerfully Emmy-baiting episode "The Suitcase." Instead, "Boardwalk" won its expected award for Martin Scorsese"s direction of the pilot and nothing else (though it cleaned up in the technical categories presented last week), "Mad Men" was shut out entirely from this middle portion of the telecast – the show has still never won an Emmy for acting – and the winners were…
… brilliant.
Matthew Weiner"s script for "The Suitcase" may have taught us what the money was for, but Jason Katims" script for the "Friday Night Lights" series finale taught us one last time what all our tears over that great, great series were for, and it was a win that even Katims didn"t seem to be expecting. ("The Suitcase" is one of the all-time great hours of TV drama, but Weiner also has a shelf-ful of Emmys, and in this case I was so damn happy to see Katims get a kind of career achievement award for the terminally underrated "FNL.")
No word could better describe Margo Martindale"s supporting actress win for her mesmerizing, heartbreaking turn as hillbilly crime lord Mags Bennet than the title of the show she won it for: "Justified." The veteran character actress alternated laughter and tears as she said, "Sometimes, things just take time, but with time comes appreciation," and expressed gratitude for being able to act with "the kick-assest cast on television."
Though HBO"s "Game of Thrones" wouldn"t get any other awards on the night, Peter Dinklage"s supporting actor win for his charismatic, hilarious, touching work as clever imp Tyrion Lannister was extremely deserving.
Julianna Margulies had been expected to win the drama lead actress award last year, and instead got it for another strong season of work on "The Good Wife." (I"d have given it to either Elisabeth Moss or Connie Britton, but Margulies is terrific in her own right.)
Then came the night"s most uncertain award: drama lead actor. Bryan Cranston had won it each of the past three years, and only couldn"t win this time because "Breaking Bad" was ineligible after taking more than a year off between seasons. So on one hand you had Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall and Hugh Laurie who"d been beaten year after year by Cranston. On the other you had first-time nominees Steve Buscemi and Timothy Olyphant possibly poised to swoop in and deprive those guys yet again. And out of nowhere came "Friday Night Lights" leading man Kyle Chandler, whose work episode after episode, season after season, established Coach Eric Taylor as the best on-screen dad since Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, to win the thing. Chandler was so unprepared for the win that he didn"t write a speech (and, as a result, forgot to thank co-star Connie Britton until after his microphone was turned off).
For a show that had begun in such uninspiring fashion – not only with all the "Modern Family"/"Daily Show" dominance, but with a long, strange production number in which Lynch danced and sang her way across most of the shows in primetime (her visit to the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce offices was a lone highlight, mainly for Hamm"s disgust as Don Draper sent her on her way) – this unbridled lunacy, usually in service of people who had long deserved an Emmy, if not always this particular Emmy, was a refreshing change from business as usual.
After that, PBS" "Downton Abbey" largely crushed HBO"s heavily-favored "Mildred Pearce" in the movies/minis categories (though Kate Winslet and Guy Pearce prevented HBO from being shut out in the Emmy portion it usually dominates), including a win for outstanding miniseries or movie.
That left the biggest awards of the night: for outstanding drama and comedy series. "Mad Men" had been shut out to that point, "Boardwalk Empire" had the most Emmys thanks to the technical awards, and "Friday Night Lights" had won two significant trophies during the primetime show. It seemed like the night was ripe for yet another upset, but "Mad Men" restored order by winning the category for the fourth straight year. (And though it"s boring to say that, "Mad Men" still had the strongest season of the nominated dramas.)
But where Weiner seemed honest when he admitted he didn"t expect to win that award, given how the rest of the night had gone, nobody at "Modern Family" had to act the least bit surprised when they made it to the stage for their second straight Emmy coronation for outstanding comedy series. (Nevermind that "Parks and Recreation" clearly had the best season of any nominee; the Academy"s love of "Modern Family" couldn"t have been more clear throughout the night.)
All in all, it was about the best you could hope for out of the Emmys: many deserving winners, some of them pleasantly surprising and some predictable to the point of sleepiness, and only a few completely egregious choices. It"s an awards show. Strange things happen. But most of the strangeness this year was entirely to the good.
So "Parks and Recreation" and Jon Hamm still don"t have Emmys, but "Friday Night Lights" has two. I can live with that, especially since the Emmys don"t change what I know thrilled me when I watched it.
Alan Sepinwall may be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


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text: Relevant? : Goodwin, P.E. (1980) Tinnitus and auditory imagery. Am. J. Otol.;2:5-9 Daniel Rowan ************************************************* Daniel Rowan Research Student Institute of Sound and Vibration Research University of Southampton University Road Southampton SO17 1BJ England, UK Tel: 023 80594968 Email: firstname.lastname@example.com ************************************************* >>> "W. M. Hartmann" <firstname.lastname@example.com> 08/06/02 03:25pm >>> Hello Auditory Gang, The following report comes from a retired colleague (male) who gave permission for this distribution. I promised to collect comments that you might have and send them on to him. It seems like an interesting case. Best wishes, Bill Hartmann "I have a loss of hearing of about 25% in my right ear. A few weeks ago I was sitting at home alone when I began to hear music which appeared to be associated with my right ear. The music was mostly simple songs such as patriotic tunes or religious songs, sometimes a few bars of classical music. A tune repeats itself for a while and then changes to another." "What is interesting about this is not the repetition. I have had tunes hung in my head before, which I suppose is very common. My previous experience with repeating tunes has only involved one tune at a time. I have not had this one tune experience in decades. What is different this time is that this music appears to play in the background all of the time, independent of what I am doing. It doesn't prevent any activities. I can become involved in activities and forget about it. However, as soon as these activities cease the music reappears in the middle of some tune. The reappearance is unexpected because I am not thinking about the music in any way whatsoever. The tune is different from the one that I ceased to hear when I began the activity. The music appears to switch from background to foreground whenever the outside sound has low volume. For example, I am now sitting alone at the computer and can hear it quite clearly. I can talk aloud to myself and still hear the tune in the background." "Associated with the music is a simple harmonic sound. The frequency is about that of a trombone. It rises and lowers as if the trombone were slurring up and down the scale. The range is about one octave. The sound is somewhat "buzzy" like an old fluorescent light." "The music and the accompanying sound are heard at all times independent of where I am. Another oddity is that the tunes increase in volume when I am driving on the expressway. This is very peculiar because the tunes appear to feed upon the noise of the expressway, which is just the opposite of what they normally do. Usually when outside noise increases the tunes disappear. Of course on the expressway a lot of the noise that I hear is periodic associated with the engine and tires, not white noise." "My only medicinal change is that I started taking a diuretic several days to a week before the music and harmonic sound began. I am on a large number of medications but have been on them for quite a while. I have had high blood pressure for many years which is controlled by lotensin. The only person in my family who has had hearing problems is my older brother. He had Meniere's disease and finally lost hearing in one ear. He often felt ill and off balance. I have not experienced this." end


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I saw the following quote in the comments section of a blog:
Instead of keeping writers out, now the gatekeepers are desperately trying to keep writers in.
This struck me as such a wonderfully succinct and correct take on this situation that I wish I'd said it.
Recently there have been a spate of gatekeepers who have publicly posted their views on self-publishing. This is a relatively new phenomenon.
It's not that gatekeepers and those who benefit hugely from legacy publishing haven't voiced their concerns before. The leaked Hachette memo was a classic case of a publisher trying to convince itself it was still relevant. James Patterson's NYT ad was a love letter to the gate keepers. Agent Richard Curtis didn't believe authors should self-publish. And Authors Guild President Scott Turow has said so many stupid things during his reign that fisking him has almost become a fulltime job.
But when Kensington CEO Steve Zacharius makes himself available for discourse, and big name agents like Robert Gottlieb, Donald Maass, and David Gernert make public statements about self-publishing, I can't help but speculate why they've finally come down off their thrones--after years of silence--to address the peasants they've lorded over for so long.
I believe it's fear.
I've tried to imagine the mindset of a gatekeeper. For decades, they were the king makers. All authors who wanted to reach readers had to get their approval and endorsement. We've all heard how absolute power corrupts absolutely. Try to put yourself in the shoes of someone with the power to make dreams come true. The legions who vie for your approval and sing your praises. The feeling of gratification when you sell an author's work, and of vindication when a book you represented becomes a big bestseller.
How can you not begin to buy into your own importance? Believe your own hype? Tens of thousands want to work with you, hundreds love you, everyone shows you respect.
Then, suddenly, you aren't necessary anymore. You're optional, not essential. And while the option of legacy publishing can provide some lucrative benefits (print distribution, major reviews, tours, publicity, possible bestsellardom) it also comes at a high cost that many forward-thinking authors don't want to pay.
So you find yourself defending your way of doing things, which has to be pretty shocking. Even more surprising, you have to contend with people who believe you're the bad guy.
How easy would it be to believe you were a force of good in the world, and it turns out the group you thought you were helping in fact were abused, exploited, and hated the experience?
Could anyone's ego accept that?
I think it would be difficult. So instead of accepting it, the old guard is rejecting it and clinging to the old way of doing things. Of course you would try to argue you've been right all along, that the old way is still relevant.
But your arguments suck. How can you defend against a free market system that evens the playing field and removes barriers to entry? How can you compete with 70% royalties and total author control? How can you justify your continued existence in an ecosystem where you're no longer needed, and more and more authors are realizing this?
First, you ignore it. Then you denigrate it. Then you begrudgingly accept parts of it, while publicly promoting your stance in order to sway those who don't know any better. You openly support those going down on the same sinking ship you are. Hey, we're still a billion dollar industry! We've always been here, and we always will be! The threat to our livelihood is greatly exaggerated!
Yet not a single gatekeeper can answer the simple question: Why do you think authors will keep submitting manuscripts to you, especially in the numbers you'll need to survive?
You do still have something potentially valuable to offer. And some authors still want that. But the cost you demand is high, and the risk is great. The industry is changing faster than you think, because the ways you measure success don't apply to the shadow industry of self-publishing. You don't know how much you're actually losing. You really believe things can remain the same in the midst of a tech takeover and an author revolution.
And it is, indeed, a revolution. We are witnessing a fundamental change in power.
The publishers and agents once controlled the industry. That was a classic seller's market. There was a limited supply of publishing slots, and a seemingly unlimited number of books to fill those slots. Publishers had a monopoly on distribution, so they could pick and choose the books that reached readers.
But it is now a buyer's market. Authors can choose to sign with publishers, or they can reach readers on their own. And readers have more choice than ever, not simply what the gatekeepers chose. Publishers went from being the only game in town, to having to justify their existence. They've gone from being the popular kid that everyone wants to befriend, to the unpopular kid who is losing friends by the thousands and desperately wants to keep the few they have left.
The friends they do have left are important. Big bestsellers. Prestigious award winners. Big brands with big platforms, like Turow and Patterson and Russo, who can command media attention and preach their path to success to newbies.
But this is a house of cards.
I see three insurmountable hurdles that legacy publishers are now facing.
1. More and more readers adopting ebooks.
2. More and more bookstores closing.
3. More and more authors leaving the legacy industry to self-publish.
Any of these three would be deadly. All three at once is catastrophic. But hurdles #1 and #3 are particularly deadly because:
Self-publishing is a shadow industry.
There are no accurate surveys or polls to show how big it is, or how fast it is being adopted. Apologetics like Mike Shatkin downplay the threat. Perhaps some of it is denial, but I get the impression that many in the legacy industry are truly unaware of the breadth and scope of what is happening. It's like the old joke about the guy who was completely healthy until the day he dropped dead. There was a reason he dropped dead; he wasn't paying enough attention to his symptoms. Perhaps he'd been too distracted to notice them. Or maybe he didn't feel they were serious. But those symptoms were there, warning him he was going to die. He just didn't act when he should have.
If the legacy industry is whistling past the graveyard, or denying the threat, or simply doesn't see there is a threat, they won't be able to weather the revolution. Those that do will have no choice but to offer authors better terms, and allow authors greater power. Because authors once needed publishers, and now they don't. When you're no longer needed, you better make a damn compelling argument as to why authors should sign with you. And so far, I haven't seen any compelling arguments.
On a semi-related note, I've seen some remarks on Twitter recently, and just read an interesting post on Jim C. Hines's blog, that seem to believe this is an "us vs. them" pissing contest between self-publishers and legacy publishers. I'm not going to rehash it because I left several comments there, and I encourage writers to check it out.
What I'd like to see happen is for authors to make informed decisions while deciding whatever path they choose. That means learning as much as they can, setting appropriate goals, experimenting, discovering things for themselves, sharing information, and deliberately picking what is best for them.
We now have a choice on how we reach readers. Prior to self-publishing, there was no choice.
When gatekeepers spout nonsense to defend their way of doing business, some writers will agree with that nonsense because they aren't looking at it too closely, or because they want to curry favor with the gatekeeper, or because it aligns with their entrenched beliefs.
That can't last. Not as long as authors talk to one another.
When I blog about the bullshit that the legacy industry endorses, I do so to show how poor their arguments, data, beliefs, and contract terms are. The fact that bigshot legacy insiders are now speaking on public forums to voice their bullshit opinions about self-publishing is extremely telling.
But here's a question to ask: Why aren't any of these gatekeepers fisking me?
If they've committed the time to publicly state their positions. Why aren't they taking the time to dismantle my points, one by one, like I do so often with them?
I have an open invitation on this blog to allow any industry gatekeeper a chance to respond to me.
I've gotten no responses. Even though I'm 100% sure they're reading this.
Why the silence? If I'm full of shit, why not say so?
Can someone show me a single, compelling argument why the Big 5 are still necessary?
Monday, February 10, 2014
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The Lakers look at .500 records the same way they treat Pacific Division titles.
Ugh. Please.
But their 100-86 victory over the Sacramento Kings gave them a 7-7 mark that was significant for one reason Sunday.
GAME SUMMARY: Lakers 100, Kings 86
The team without Kobe Bryant (so far) and Steve Nash (more or less) had the same record through 14 games as last season's alleged dream team.
The franchise that scoffs at anything not in June can smile at something in November. "Amazing, right?" Steve Blake said.
Something close to that.
There wasn't much star power on the court for any big-name musicians who jumped into Staples Center after attending the American Music Awards across the street.
But there was Pau Gasol (20 points, 10 rebounds) and a lot of hustling players, a combination that made the lead singer from LMFAO dance happily during a fourth-quarter timeout.
Xavier Henry had 21 points, one short of his career high, and Jordan Hill had 10 points and 13 rebounds, his fourth double-double in six games since becoming a starter.
The key to the Lakers' three-game winning streak? Not acting like schoolchildren.
"In kindergarten, you share your paste and crayons," Coach Mike D'Antoni said before turning to the present-day Lakers. "They share and they don't care. They don't go in and get a stat sheet, although they're all free agents. I think they've all got great values in the sense that they like their teammates, they like the Lakers and we're trying to win as a team."
Crayons would have been snapped in half and paste purposely spilled last season.
Egos existed uneasily, everybody seemed to get injured and a $100-million payroll disintegrated in a first-round playoff sweep by San Antonio.
Nobody's predicting a playoff spot for these Lakers. Too early. Too risky to do so.
But the Lakers finally found a concept that eluded them the first 10 games. Defense.
The Lakers have held their last four opponents under 100 points.
And people seem ... intrigued?
"It's cool that everyone's happy that we're 7-7, but we want to be better than that," said Blake, who had nine points and 12 assists Sunday.
If nothing else, they're better than Sacramento.
The Kings (4-9) came in with the West's second-worst record and didn't do much to disprove it.
DeMarcus Cousins missed a fastbreak dunk in the first quarter and Luc Mbah a Moute had a fastbreak dunk blocked by Wesley Johnson.
Then it was Ben McLemore's turn to miss a dunk. The first quarter wasn't even halfway over.
Only three Kings scored in double figures: Greivis Vasquez (20 points), Cousins (17) and McLemore (15).
Henry had been quiet the last two weeks for the Lakers, combining for 13 points over four games before his outburst Sunday.
"I know I can score, I know I can play defense hard," he said. "I know I can impact the game a lot of ways, and for me to put it together every night is what my challenge is right now."
The Lakers have a tough time ahead of them, heading out for a three-game trip with a 1-4 record in road games.
Bryant won't play Tuesday at Washington, D'Antoni said. Then come Brooklyn and Detroit, with or more likely without Bryant.
None of the above are off to incredible starts, falling out of the gate with a combined 13-26 record. In fact, Brooklyn's high-cost, low-return story line smells a lot like the Lakers last season.
Not like the Lakers want to revisit their 7-7 mark a year ago, during which Mike Brown was fired, D'Antoni hired and Nash sidelined with the first of many injuries.
This season seems lighter, more breezy with a handful of days left in November. "It's been a fun beginning with some letdowns," Blake said. "But I'm optimistic."