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Inspiring solutions
How to meditate
So much of the stress and tension we normally experience comes from our mind, and many of the problems we experience, including ill health, are caused or aggravated by this stress. Just by doing breathing meditation for ten or fifteen minutes each day, we will be able to reduce this stress.
We will experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind, and many of our usual problems will fall away. Difficult situations will become easier to deal with, we will naturally feel warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships with others will gradually improve.
How to meditate?
1- Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight and relaxed. Rest your hands in your lap, partially close your eyes and let all your stress and tension fall away.
2 – Turn your attention inwards and become aware of your breathing. Don't attempt to control your breathing – just become aware of it, and follow the inhalation and exhalation of your breath.
3- Gradually become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. Focus on the sensation of the breath and try to forget about everything else.
4- Remain focussed on the sensation of the breath. If your mind wanders away from the breath, immediately let go of the distraction and come back to the breath.
5- Gradually your distracting thoughts will subside and you will begin to experience a sense of inner peace and relaxation.
6- Stay with this feeling of mental calm as long as you wish.
The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make our mind clearer and more lucid. This can be accomplished by practicing a simple breathing meditation. We choose a quiet place to meditate and sit in a comfortable position. We can sit in the traditional cross-legged posture or in any other position that is comfortable. If we wish, we can sit in chair. The most important thing is to keep our back straight to prevent our mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy.
We sit with our eyes partially closed and turn our attention to our breathing. We breathe naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control our breath, and we try to become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. This sensation is our object of meditation. We should try to concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else.
At first our mind will be very busy, and it might even feel that the meditation is making our mind busier; but in reality we are just becoming more aware of how busy our mind actually is. There will be a great temptation to follow the different thoughts a they arise, but we should resist this and remain focused single-pointedly on the sensation of the breath. If we discover that our mind has wandered and is following our thoughts, we should immediately return it to the breath. We should repeat this as many times as necessary until the mind settles on the breath.
If we practice patiently in this way, gradually our distracting thoughts will subside and we will experience a sense of inner peace and relaxation. Our mind will feel lucid and spacious and we will feel refreshed. When the sea is rough, sediment is churned up and the water becomes murky, but when the wind dies down the mud gradually settles and the water becomes clear. In a similar way, when the otherwise incessant flow of our distracting thoughts is calmed through concentrating on the breath, our mind becomes unusually lucid and clear. We should stay with this state of mental calm for a while.
Even though breathing meditation is only a preliminary stage of meditation, it can be quite powerful. We can see from this practice that it is possible to experience inner peace and contentment just by controlling the mind, without having to depend at all upon external conditions.
When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. This feeling of contentment and well-being helps us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life.


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In The Beginning…
Dolls, the playthings we know today, began their lives as something quite different. Called poppets or puppets originally, they were created as educational tools and for use in religious ceremonies.
As icons, creche figures, totems, effigies, votive artifacts, offerings, masks, and other stand-ins for human figures, they were ritualistically used. Those poppets lucky enough to have survived the ceremonies were often given to children as playthings. Certainly children delighted to have them — for just as use of poppets in religious ceremonies began to wane, dolls started to become the playthings we know today.
These early poppets were like their earlier votive artifact incarnations in two ways.
One: The form they took. Like the ceremonial poppets, these early dolls were in adult rather than child form. Kid leather bodies were preferred over cloth ones because the leather was much better at forcing the stuffed poppet bodies into the shapely figure of a corseted woman. Something the fashion industry quickly latched onto, using poppets to sell the fashions of the day (until print advertising became a more economical option, anyway). This is at least partly why dolls made prior to the 1850s are not baby dolls.
Two: What they were made from. Wax had widely used in modeling to make the religious effigies and votive artifacts, dating back to 14th century. As dolls grew in popularity, it was only a matter of time before those skilled wax model makers began to see how production of dolls would expand their markets — and income.
Once people could see the beauty of these wax dolls up close, they became quite popular. By the end of the 18th century, wax dolls (wax heads attached to cloth doll bodies by sew-holes on the shoulder plate) were being produced in England, France, and Germany.
Waxing Nostalgic Over Wax Dolls
Wax may not seem to be a great material for making dolls, especially for children. But it makes sense when you compare wax to the other materials available at the time.
Prior to the manufacture of wax dolls, the dolls children had were either ceremonial cast-offs or handmade dolls of wood or cloth. Sometimes the kids themselves made crude little dolls from sticks and the odds and ends adults had cast off as garbage. Remember, there was no plastic or even composition at this time. And wax doll heads didn't shatter when dropped, like china, bisque, or porcelain dolls.
But the true beauty of wax dolls lies in, well, the wax itself!
For many of us today, all we see are the old, aged, discolored, and cracked wax dolls. But when wax dolls are new, they are incredibly lifelike. Wax can be tinted with beautiful, realistic skin tones. The facial features, like cheeks and mouths, can be enhanced with paint. And when dusted with a fine pumice to remove the shine, the whole surface looks like translucent human skin. Those dolls must have seemed like magic!
Three Basic Types Of Wax Dolls
Antique wax dolls are categorized by the way they were made.
1) Poured Wax Dolls Poured wax dolls, sometimes called "thick wax" or "solid wax" dolls are made by pouring a molten wax blend of bleached beeswax, coloring, other additives into a heated plaster mold, resulting in a entirely wax head.
The eyes were cut open and blown or moulded glass eyes were inserted; a small amount of hot wax was used to fix the eyes in place. The hair is either mohair or human hair, quite often inserted a few strands at a time.
Usually poured wax dolls also have poured wax arms and legs, which were also sewn onto the body.
The majority of these poured wax dolls were made in England. These were the first wax dolls; and the most expensive.
2) Wax Over Dolls These less-expensive, later, dolls were made by dipping heads made of papier mache (and even later, composition) into melted wax. This overlay of wax allowed for tinting and a more lifelike appearance than a standard papier mache head. Manufacturers experimented with single and multiple layers of wax, although the final thickness was normally no more than 3 millimeters thick.
The majority of these wax over dolls were made in Germany and France, however, the English made some wax over dolls as well. One English version is the egg-shaped or slit-head wax dolls. These wax dolls are so named for the middle incision where the doll's hair was inserted. (This hair, usually human, was then parted and drawn to each side.) These early wax dolls usually had dark eyes, without pupils.
While these wax over dolls were much less expensive than their poured wax counterparts, wax over dolls came in many different styles.
Many of the wax over dolls have mohair wigs, but some dolls had molded bonnets and hairstyles, such as the "Pumpkin-Head" or "Squash-Head" dolls with molded hair arranged in a pompadour style and the Alice hairstyle with headband.
Wax over dolls also had variations in their glass eyes: Either fixed or sleep eyes. Yes, as early as 1825, there were sleep eyed dolls! Often called wire-eyed wax dolls, the eyes were worked by a wire (or string) which came out at the side of the doll's waist. French versions of these dolls usually have paperweight eyes, while the German dolls have spun glass eyes which are flatter in appearance.
There were also multi-faced wax over dolls. A single head was molded with two or three faces; you turned the head around to change the doll's face.
Body types can vary widely, including almost any number of combinations of cloth, wooden, leather, composition, or wax over limbs attached to cloth stuffed bodies. Some dolls had the Motschmann floating-joint body.
Some of these early wax over dolls even had the ability to cry by pulling a string!
3) Reinforced Wax Dolls Reinforced dolls are later dolls which are rather a combination of the other two types of wax dolls. First, a wax doll head was poured — and then the inside was reinforced by using either plaster or strips of cloth soaked in composition. This provided a stronger support layer to the wax.
While most of the reinforced wax dolls have closed mouths, like the other wax dolls, there are examples of reinforced wax dolls having open mouths. This is likely one of the benefits of the supportive reinforcement material. A few of these open-mouthed reinforced wax dolls even had wooden teeth.
Most reinforced wax dolls have wigs made of mohair or human hair, but some of them have inserted hair. Like the other wax dolls, they too have glass eyes.
Reinforced wax dolls had a variety of body types; the most common being a cotton or muslin body, with either composition or wax arms and legs. These dolls were primarily made in Germany.
The Wax Doll Sensation
Most wax dolls are without maker marks. (There were some later wax dolls do have stamps on the torso to identify the maker; but this is rare.) However, we do know of one of the most famous names in wax dolls: Madame Montanari.
Madame Augusta Montanari may be the best known wax doll-maker of all time, but not much is known about her or her wax sculpture studio. We do know that she and her poured wax works first attracted attention at London's Crystal Palace Exposition in 1851. There she and her winning exhibit of dolls created a sensation that led to imitation, the sincerest form of flattery.
Montanari's dolls were beautiful. Each strand of human hair on the doll's head was set directly into the wax with a hot needle and then an iron roller was used to gently but firmly roll over the head. This secured the strands of hair so well that the doll's hair could be combed without causing any damage or loss.
Her exhibit included male and female dolls — and what is said to be the first baby doll! Many also credit Montanari with creating the first character dolls as each doll was dressed for age and occasion, like an actual person. Eventually, Montanari would create wax dolls for royalty and other wealthy persons, including wax dolls representing some of Queen Victoria's children. These are called the Royal Wax Baby Dolls.
Very few dolls survive with proof of being made by Montanari, Occasionally, one is found with what is believe to be the Montanari signature on the cloth body. But good indications of an authentic Montanari wax doll are the well-defined fingers, chubby arms of wax (or later, composition), and a more natural-looking down-turned mouth.
Historians are not exactly sure when Montanari passed away. We know she left the studio to her son, who had worked with her making the dolls; but by 1890, the studio seems to have closed. By that time, composition and bisque dolls were so inexpensive that was dolls were on their way out. Montanari's death seems to also mark the passing of wax dolls.
Spook-Tacular Antique Wax Dolls
It's October, and with Halloween just around the corner it wouldn't be right not to mention a few spook-tacular or creepy wax dolls.
As mentioned earlier, one of the earliest uses of poppets was for educational purposes. Among these were the medical dolls, like the ancient Chinese medical dolls. Since the doctors were not allowed to view or touch their modest female patients, the women were given a stick which they used to point at a small, usually ivory, medicine doll to show the doctor where they were hurt. But since we're talking about wax dolls…
In the late 17th century, wax modeler Gaetano Giulio Zumbo and surgeon Guillaume Desnoues, collaborated to solve a problem. At this time, there were few bodies available for dissection, and little way to preserve them — which made it difficult to properly educate medical students. However, by using wax modeling techniques it became possible to highlight specific bodily features and structures, painting and marking them, thereby making it easier to isolate and identify them and their functions. And, of course, these wax anatomical models did not decompose (or smell!). They could be stored and used again and again. That made these incredibly detailed wax anatomical models increase in popularity throughout Europe in the 18th century.
Creating these wax medical models was highly labour-intensive: Plaster casts of dissected anatomical specimens were used to produce wax copies. Structures and vessels were painted (others imitated using thread) and then varnished to protect them. The finished pieces were then assembled to provide the illusion of living tissue. Many of these wax anatomical models were so beautiful that they were also sought by museums and private collectors.
Like Augusta Montanari, there was a female wax sculpture artist at the forefront of these wax pieces. Her name was Anna Morandi Manzolini. She was an anatomical wax modeler during the Italian Enlightenment. During her lifetime (1714–74), she was celebrated for her exacting sculptures of human organs and systems. Crowds of physicians, medical students, and the curious would gather in her home to watch her anatomical demonstrations. Recently, there was a book written about her, entitled The Lady Anatomist: The Life and Work of Anna Morandi Manzolini.
While these wax anatomical models were about doctors trying to save lives, there was another type of wax doll all about death.
Some of you may have heard of the many Victorian mourning practices, or mourning memori, such as postmortem photography and mourning hair art. These may seem morbid, but they were deeply valued traditions involving keepsakes to remember lost loved ones by. Another common practice in mourning at the turn of that last century was that of the effigy or burial doll.
When a child had passed away, it was traditional for families who could afford it to have a life-size wax effigy of the child made for the funeral. The wax doll would be dressed in the infant or child's own clothing. Most often the deceased child's own hair would be used to make the doll even more realistic. These wax dolls usually show the deceased in repose, eyes closed, as if sleeping. The backsides of the heads were made flat so that the doll would lay nicely when laid out to rest.
The effigy doll would be put on display at the wake. Often the doll would then be left by the grave-site. But we do know, from the effigy dolls which still exist today, that in some cases these wax effigy dolls were kept.
Wax effigies of infants would be placed in a crib, their clothes would be changed, and otherwise treated like a real baby. The bodies of these wax dolls would be cloth, weighted with sand to give it a more realistic feel when being held. Other times, the effigy itself would be framed. For older children, just the head and shoulders were created in wax effigy, also with the flat backsides, so that they could be placed in a picture frame. They were the ultimate way to attempt to reject the finality of death of a loved little one.
This practice of effigy dates back even further than the Victorians, to Roman times. But other than effigies made in marble or stone, none are left. In fact, these Victorian burial dolls and effigies themselves are extremely rare.
Some people consider these wax effigy grave dolls and the wax anatomical models to be creepy, if not disturbing. Some consider them history objects; others folk art. Still others think they are rare and valuable works of art.
Image Credits (In Order They Appear): Antique Roman wax masks; French P. Imans Full-Size Wax Mannequin Bust Doll; poured wax doll by Montanari; Wax over composition doll named 'Violet'; antique reinforced wax doll; Montanari wax doll from Debra's Dolls via Victoriana Magazine; antique Human Anatomical Model; wax sculpture of Anna Morandi Manzolini, created by the scientist-artist herself; wax effigy child doll.


text: Kitten Hide And Seek is a puzzle online game of hide-and-seek for boys for free. In this game, your goal is to help the little girl escape successfully and get the props she needs, while avoiding being found by the kitten's search. If you love Tamagotchi or green light red light, this game is totally for you. You also can decorate your room with props won by beating the level. Have fun with it!


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Contact And Symplectic Topology (CAST) is a Research Networking Programme (RNP) of the European Science Foundation (ESF). CAST was launched on January 27th 2010, for a duration of 5 years. The goal of this network is to stimulate exchange between researchers from all branches of contact and symplectic topology, in order to create a comprehensive perspective on the field and make progress on some of the basic open questions. The European scale of the network reflects the global nature of these questions as well as the European strength in the subject. The planned activities include workshops, research collaborations, and the exchange of PhD students and postdocs. The research themes of CAST include :
For more information, download the CAST brochure (pdf, 2.1Mb): |


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- Second generation of the award-winning Corsair Flash Padlock drive features 256-bit AES encryption and a rugged rubber enclosure -
FREMONT, California, February 18, 2010 - Corsair, a worldwide leader in high-performance computer and flash memory products, today announced the availability of its new Flash Padlock 2 secure USB flash drive. This unique USB flash drive is very cleverly and comprehensively designed to protect your critical business or personal data from unwanted exposure.
The Flash Padlock 2 employs two security technologies for superb data protection. The first of these technologies is a user-definable personal identification number or PIN. To unlock the drive and access the data, this PIN is entered using the drive's integrated numeric keypad. The Flash Padlock 2 cannot be accessed without correctly entering the PIN for that individual drive. The second technology used is secure 256-bit AES data encryption of the drive contents. 256-bit AES is recognized worldwide by both corporations and governments as the premier standard for data protection, and its use in the Flash Padlock 2 ensures that data protection cannot be compromised by disassembling the drive to gain access to the flash ICs.
"USB flash drives are the floppy disk of the 21st century, and their capacity and convenience allows us to carry our lives with us wherever we go," stated John Beekley, Vice President of Technical Marketing at Corsair. "The Flash Padlock 2 provides valuable protection against loss of personal or corporate data as well as identity theft, allowing us to carry the most personal of data with complete peace-of-mind, and in a rugged, portable, convenient format."
Another key feature of the Padlock 2 is platform independence. Most hardware-encrypted USB flash drives require the use of a software application to enter the password for the device. However, the Flash Padlock 2 has an integrated keypad, so no software application is necessary. This allows the user to access their secure data in any environment, including Windows PCs, Macs, Linux computers, even gaming consoles and home entertainment equipment.
The new Flash Padlock 2 features several enhancements of the original award-winning Padlock drive. In addition to implementing 256-bit AES hardware encryption, the security of the communication between the on-board processor and the USB controller has been dramatically increased. The Flash Padlock 2 also includes the ability to create a new PIN in the event the original PIN is lost, a procedure which securely erases the contents of the drive. Finally, the enclosure is smaller and has been ruggedized, providing your data with protection from the elements as well as from prying eyes.
The Flash Padlock 2 has a capacity of 8GB, and is available immediately from Corsair's authorized distributors and resellers worldwide. The Corsair Flash Padlock 2 is backed by a 10-year Limited Warranty. Complete customer support via telephone, email, forum and Tech Support Xpress is also available.
An image of the Corsair Flash Padlock 2 USB flash drive can be downloaded here.
More information about the Corsair Flash Padlock 2 USB flash drive can be found here.
About Corsair
Founded in 1994, Corsair specializes in premium, high-performance peripherals and components for personal computers. Corsair's award-winning products are the delight of the world's most demanding hardware enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.corsair.com.
Last updated: Apr 7, 2020 at 12:01 pm CDT


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A most dastardly deed occurred last Friday, when the Obama administration issued a 29-page policy statement totally abandoning the federal government's time-honored role in helping Americans achieve the goal of homeownership. Instead of punishing the banks that sabotaged the American ideal of a nation of stakeholders by "securitizing" our homesteads into poker chips to be gambled away in the Wall Street casino, Barack Obama now proposes to turn over the entire mortgage industry to those same banks.
The proposal, originated by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, involves nothing less than a total "winding down" of the 80-year-old federal housing program, setting instead a new goal of a two-tiered America in which the masses are content to be mere renters of the American Dream. Such a deal for a country where, as the report concedes, "half of all renters spend more than a third of their income on housing, and a quarter spend more than half."
This is the same Geithner who during his tenure in the Clinton Treasury Department championed the total deregulation of the then-emerging market in collateralized debt obligations that sliced and diced people's home mortgages into the toxic securities that created what his new report calls the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
Later, as president of the New York Fed, he cheered on the banks as they went hog-wild, conning folks into buying homes they couldn't afford and stuffing them into the incomprehensible securities that form the rot at the core of our bankrupt economy.
This is a made-in-the-U.S. nightmare that we inflicted on the world, thanks to an explosion in those toxic securities brought on by the deregulation that most of the Obama economic brain trust supported when they worked for President Bill Clinton and during the ensuing bubble years, when they enriched themselves.
As the report admits, "The U.S. is … the only high income country in which securitization plays a major role in housing finance." Yet instead of ending that practice, Obama now calls for more of the same: "The administration believes the securitization market should continue to play a key role in housing finance."
Indeed, the plan's goal of eliminating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will dry up the alternative public funding that has provided a source of mortgage support ever since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt launched Fannie Mae to check the power of the banks over mortgages. Now Obama proposes to eliminate that check and leave would-be homeowners to the tender mercy of the banking giants.
Of course, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also bear responsibility for the meltdown. They had morphed into for-profit enterprises and, just as with the Wall Street firms, the massive bonuses paid out to their top executives were contingent on the value of their stock prices, which in turn were fattened by the sale of those same toxic assets.
As the Obama report puts it, "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's profit-maximizing structure undermined their public mission." What the administration should have proposed is to return the government-sponsored housing agencies to their original function as nonprofit entities supplementing, rather than aping, the practices of greedy bankers.
It wasn't meant to end this way, and key Democrats, quite a few of them Clinton alums now in the Obama administration, bear the responsibility for the sad fate of Roosevelt's dream. As the Obama proposal concedes: "Improving how housing was financed was an important part of these broader Depression-era reforms. In the 1930s, following severe mortgage market disruptions, widespread foreclosures and sinking homeownership rates, the government created the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) and, several decades later, Freddie Mac to help promote secure and sustainable homeownership for future generations of Americans. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac held true to their original mission for many years."
What the report then neglects to discuss is the demise of Roosevelt's grand experiment at the hands of Democratic Party hustlers who turned the agencies away from their "original mission" and into their personal piggy banks, while getting Democrats in Congress to approve regulations enabling their greed.
The folks around President Obama know this sad tale well because some of them were principal actors in the housing agencies' betrayal of the public trust. Just take the case of Tom Donilon, whom Obama recently appointed to the highly sensitive position of national security adviser. It was Donilon who was the top legal counsel and lobbyist for Fannie Mae from 1999 to 2005, a period when the agency went off the tracks in backing Countrywide and other private-sector bandits in their irresponsible rip-off scams.
"He was in charge of the lobbyists. … That process involved using the Hill to rein in the regulators," noted Stephen Blumenthal, who as director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, was hindered by Donilon's lobbying. As the report concedes without mentioning Donilon's role, "Over the years, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's aggressive lobbying efforts had successfully defeated efforts to bring them under closer supervision."
Donilon, who received $10 million in the three years leading up to the scandal of 2004, when Fannie Mae was fined $400 million for juggling its books to enhance executive bonuses, will never have any trouble financing a home purchase. Not so the tens of millions of Americans who have lost their homes because of his reprehensible actions and the many more in the future who will be denied government support in trying to get a place of their own.
Robert Scheer is editor of truthdig.com, where this column originally appeared. E-mail Robert Scheer at [email protected].
Copyright 2011 Creators.com
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The Mast Camera (Mastcam) on NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has two rectangular "eyes" near the top of the rover's remote sensing mast. The mast is on the right side of the rover, which puts it on the left side of this image taken from in front of the rover. The image shows Curiosity on a tilt table in the Spacecraft Assembly Facility at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. It was taken Sept. 15, 2010.
The lens openings for the two cameras of the Mastcam instrument are different sizes. The smaller one is for the telephoto eye, which has a focal length of 100 millimeters (see PIA13018). The larger one is for the wider-angle eye, with a focal length of 34 millimeters (see PIA13019). Each of these cameras can provide color images and high-definition video, and they can be combined for stereo views.
NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission will use 10 science instruments on the Curiosity rover to investigate whether one of the most intriguing parts of Mars has had conditions favorable for microbial life and for preserving evidence about whether life has existed there.
Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, has provided three of the rover's 10 instruments: Mastcam, the Mars Hand Lens Imager and the Mars Descent Imager.
Curiosity and other parts of the Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft are being prepared for launch between Nov. 25 and Dec. 18, 2011, and landing on Mars in August 2012.
JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Mars Science Laboratory Project for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, Washington.


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Learn what those dental words mean.
Get dental news feeds delivered directly to your desktop! more...
See a Baby Tooth? See a Dentist
Baby teeth are worth more than just a dollar under the pillow. Providing proper care and oral hygiene during a child's first year of life can mean a lifetime of good oral health.
Traditionally, parents have waited to bring their children to the dentist until primary teeth begin to appear. A 2002 consumer poll by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry shows that nearly 70 percent of parents wait until their children are 3 years old before taking them to the dentist. But a dental visit by age 1 or within six months of the eruption of the first baby tooth is crucial, says Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) spokesperson Cynthia E. Sherwood, DDS.
Dr. Sherwood says this early visit gives a dentist the opportunity to see potential problems such as early-childhood caries (also known as baby bottle tooth decay); educate the parent on proper oral hygiene for the child; and give the toddler a positive experience in a dental setting. This can do wonders in allaying fears and boosting the child's future attitude toward visiting the dentist, Dr. Sherwood says.
Education is the heart of the age-1 exam. "When we see a toddler, we primarily talk to the parents about growth, development, thumb sucking, bottle and breast feeding, oral hygiene and nutritional issues, use of fluoride and why baby teeth are important," Dr. Sherwood said.
During this first visit, the dentist usually will sit knee-to-knee with the parent, with the child nestled in the parent's lap, and the dentist will ask the parent to demonstrate how she or he brushes the child's teeth. Then, if parent and tot are comfortable, the dentist will turn the child around onto his or her lap, so the dentist can get a good look at the child's teeth and gums. This "pleasant, painless visit" should take no more than 15 minutes, Dr. Sherwood said.
"Sitting knee-to-knee with the parent, playing with the baby and talking with the parent, I can get a very good sense of the child's oral health care, and this position gives us a good opportunity to get a good look at the child's teeth," says Dr. Sherwood. "It's a great experience for everyone involved."
Toddler dos and don'ts:
Updated: February 2007


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Thursday, May 8, 2008
Subsurface Scattering I
That's because we're getting roughly the same volume and quality of light bouncing off the surface in what's called diffuse reflection. This accounts for only part of the light that touches the surface of the forms. What happens to the rest of it?
If we turn things around so that the light is coming from behind, everything changes. The cow is darker because the dense plastic absorbs the light on the far side and there's not much ambient light or reflected light filling the shadow on the near side.
The orange section is practically incandescent. Light enters the transparent skin on the far side and bounces around inside the fruit, eventually reemerging through the surface. Note that the glow is brighter where the wedge is thinner.
This effect has the fancy name of "subsurface scattering." It shows up most strikingly when three conditions are met: translucent flesh, small forms, and backlighting. It's also present on the lit side; it's just not as obvious.
If you hold your hand up against the sun or against a bright flashlight at night, light traveling subcutaneously turns the spaces between your fingers bright red.
Subsurface scattering is what makes a person's ears turn crimson when they stand contre-jour. The effect is similar to transmitted light, which describes light traveling through thin membranous surfaces like leaves.
Artists have known about this property for centuries. Peter Paul Rubens rendered skin not as an opaque surface, but as a transparent, glowing, luminous layer.
When academic students who have begun their training on plaster casts transition to the live model, they're often amazed by the way skin glows, especially in the fingertips, nostrils, and ears.
Tomorrow we'll see how subsurface scattering gives realism to sculptures, animatronics, and 3D animation.
Continue reading at on the post Subsurface Scattering II. Related GJ posts: Transmitted Light and Contre-Jour Lighting
The Rubens is thanks to the Fine Arts Museum in Belgium, link:
6 comments:
- Mr Atrocity said...
For an in depth look at subsurface scattering it's worth reading Henrik Wann Jensen's papers as he, in the realm of computer graphics anyway, is the grand-daddy of all of this. Link.
It's really cool that you're covering some of this hard science here. Although I started out as a traditional fine artist I've ended up making CGI for films and I do find that the techniques and scientific theory I've learned doing VFX work feed back into my painting and drawing. It's quite a symbiotic relationship with ideas and theories from one field informing the other. - May 8, 2008 at 4:19 AM
- James Gurney said...
Thanks for that fascinating link. And I completely agree with you about how the pioneering work of the CGI people really benefits traditional painters.
- May 8, 2008 at 7:25 AM
- Erik Bongers said...
Being from Antwerp, this is the best post ever, because it features a face painted by a neighbour of mine - my good friend Peter Paul!
In fact this head he painted is one of my all time favorite painted faces.
It's from a biblical scene and portrays a (hypocritical) high priest, confronting Jesus with an adulterous woman, which lead to Jesus proclaiming the famous words "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone".
Should pay my good neighbour a visit.
Haven't seen him for a while - since...1640 I think. - May 8, 2008 at 8:45 AM
- Sarah Stevenson said...
I wonder how large an object can get before this effect starts to break down? Or if there are any particularly large objects that show subsurface scattering?
Is this the same effect that I'm seeing when I look, for instance, at my opaque bathroom window, which simply shows an evenly distributed glow when backlit? Or is subsurface scattering specific to fleshy objects?
Sorry--I'm full of questions today! This is interesting, though...now I kind of want to do enormous paintings of backlit orange slices... - May 9, 2008 at 8:45 PM
- James Gurney said...
A. fortis: The classic materials for subsurface scattering are skin, wax, marble, jade, and milk. The idea is that the material should have some volume, so that you can see how far the light travels into it. How big? I suppose a huge iceberg could scatter light pretty far inside.
A translucent bathroom window or a backlit leaf or a piece of stained glass is similar, but that falls more into the category of "transmitted light" since it's more two-dimensional. - May 9, 2008 at 9:07 PM
- Sarah Stevenson said...
-Sarah - May 11, 2008 at 8:51 PM


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Some more positive news regarding the upcoming months. Victoria's real estate market is flooded with listings and 5 year Fixed mortgage rates are extremely low, with the Variable rate mortgages at a low risk choice as well.
By Christopher S. Rugaber,Paul Wiseman, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Farewell and good riddance to the first half of 2011 — six months that are ending as sour for the economy as they began.
Most analysts say economic growth will perk up in the second half of the year. The reason is that the main causes of the slowdown — high oil prices and manufacturing delays because of the disaster in Japan — have started to fade.
"Some of the headwinds that caused us to slow are turning into tail winds," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics.
For an economy barely inching ahead two years after the Great Recession ended, the first half of 2011 can't end soon enough. Severe storms and rising gasoline prices held growth in January, February and March to a glacial annual rate of 1.9 per cent.
The current quarter isn't shaping up much better. The average growth forecast of 38 top economists surveyed by The Associated Press is 2.3 per cent.
The economy has to grow 3 per cent a year just to hold the unemployment rate steady and keep up with population growth. And it has to average about 5 per cent growth for a year to lower the unemployment rate by a full percentage point. It is 9.1 per cent today.
As welcome as the stronger growth envisioned in the second half is, the improvement should be modest. For the final six months of the year, the AP economists forecast a growth rate of 3.2 per cent.
So far this year, high gas and food prices have discouraged people from spending much on other things — from furniture and appliances to dinners out and vacations. That spending fuels economic growth.
And some U.S. auto factories had to suspend or trim production after the March earthquake in Japan interrupted supplies of parts and electronics. American dealerships have had fewer cars to sell.
The latest dose of glum news: The government reported Monday that consumer spending was about the same in May as in April, the first time in a year that spending hasn't increased from the previous month.
The report confirmed the toll that high gas prices, Japan-related disruptions and high unemployment have taken on personal spending in the second quarter.
"Here's to a better third," says Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets.
Relief is in sight, economists say. Oil prices have been falling since Memorial Day. The drop has lowered the price of regular unleaded gasoline by 23 cents in the past month, to a national average of $3.57 a gallon, according to AAA.
The timing of the drop in gas prices is especially fortunate because they usually rise during summer driving season, says Robert DiClemente, chief U.S. economist at Citigroup .
And the kinks in the global manufacturing chain are starting to be smoothed out as the Japanese factories that make cars and electronics resume production.
Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial, says auto sales should improve "quite substantially" later this year because the lost production from the earthquake is coming back faster than had been expected.
One sign of that rebound came when the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported Monday that manufacturing in the Midwest rebounded in May after falling sharply in April.
And last week, the government said orders for machinery, computers, cars and other durable goods rose slightly in May after dropping in April. Economists attributed the turnaround, in part, to Japanese factories that started to rev up.
The U.S. economy is also expected to get a slight second-half boost from reconstruction in flood-ravaged sections of the South and Midwest. Construction workers will be employed rebuilding homes and businesses. People will replace destroyed cars and other possessions. Analysts predict the economic losses from the floods in the April-June quarter will be reversed in the July-September quarter.
The economists surveyed by AP predict unemployment will fall to 8.7 per cent at year's end. It is not exactly the start of a boom: The economy is still carrying too much baggage from the financial crisis — damaged banks, depressed home prices, debt-burdened consumers — to achieve much liftoff.
Though some of the economy's weakness in the first half is temporary, "it is hard to see much on the horizon to cheer about," Swonk says.
AP Economics Writer Martin Crutsinger contributed to this report.


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Over the years, I have witnessed an exodus of sorts when it comes to the education of friends' children. More and more parents of children with autism and Asperger's Syndrome are choosing to homeschool. We are the well-kept dirty little secret that your school district doesn't want you to know: often our children can be better served at home than in the school system.
I would have never said such six years ago. I was a died-in-the-wool PTA, room mom, get into the system and change it, agent. But one horrific year with my son's classroom (through no fault of the teacher) and I became a true believer. I figured I couldn't do a worse job than the school, and I might even be an improvement. Besides, my son hated school, to the point I was literally dragging him there. Something had to give.
And now? I homeschool all three of my children, and this is our 5th year. Two have been diagnosed with high functioning autism, they are 7 and 10 respectively. My oldest is going on 15, and though she has never been diagnosed, she has many of the deficits of Asperger's, and is also academically gifted. Her father is a computer engineer, and is most likely also on the Spectrum. (he was never tested, but off the record, our psychologist said so) So, you do the math...
In any case, bringing my children home has worked out wonderfully for us. Homeschooling has allowed me to tailor each program according to what works for each child. My 14 yr old, who went to school for 6 years benefits from a very academic program. She enjoys the structure and it works. My middle guy, at 10, is the one I walk the line with. He isn't unschooled, but his academic structure would, at first glance, seem more relaxed. It is still very scheduled, however. But we benefit from frequent breaks, sensory diet and multisensory approaches. I can choose activities that he enjoys, and we keep work periods short and focused. He can take a break for pogo stick or OT work, as needed. My littlest one, at 7, is the one that learns best through games and Mom Time. She needs one-on-one (as does my son) that she wouldn't get in a classroom. She often has to be taught a concept repeatedly before she gets it.
My middle guy is also dyslexic, which makes it interesting, and I am thinking my littlest may be, as well.
As for socialization...which is a joke anyway... but still. We have found with regular play dates, activities and park outings, my children do just fine. There is more time for preferred subjects (my 14 year old taught herself to both play the piano and knit, because she had more time than if she was traditionally schooled.) We have more time (and funds) for field trips and activities. While other kids are sitting in a classroom, mine are out learning in the world.
There is a park day we attend and have for years. The attendance is large, with many different ages and multiple abilities. There are several kids from all ages that are on the spectrum in varying degrees. It is a very welcoming group. Truly, it was the best decision we ever made for our family.
When my son ended 1st grade, he barely read, was behind in math, his writing was still reversals (though he is left handed, so that made it worse). I would literally dress him like a doll and drag him, kicking, to the public school. He would sit under the teacher's desk, or make games. His aide was useless, only serving to keep him from eloping from the classroom. His work was all sent home. I was already homeschooling, and my son was in the school system!
He is now in the 5th grade, and reads at grade level. His math is also at grade level, or just below. He is above in Science, History, Geography. His writing and penmanship has improved 10 fold. and most importantly, he loves to learn. I have found that learning is a broad term for what we do every day. Mythbusters is learning and exploring Science. Going to the Arboretum is a chance to discuss the environment and botany, as well as the food chain. In fact, every activity has inherent learning in it...you just have to find it.
The most important thing to remember about homeschooling? It isn't something you do. It's something you live. And there really is no wrong way to do it. You can, and your child can... and if it doesn't work, keep tweaking. Also, what your state standards may find important, you may find doesn't mesh with your family. That's ok. I have found that as we go, my kids pick up information I didn't formally teach. And the one thing I want to equip my children with? The ability to find information.
The freedom I have found, as well as the free time away from IEPs, discipline meetings and just general headache is now energy I can pour into helping my son love learning. Less time is spent arguing over what the schools think he needs and more time is given to what he actually needs. We have personalized his goals, and we make sure he reaches them. There is no fighting with autism experts who insist my son is meeting goals that are either too broad, too easy or just plain wrong. I am in control. And my children are the better for it.
That, to me, is success.
T. is a writer, wife and mother of three children, two who have high-functioning autism, one who has undiagnosed Aspergers. She advocates for autism awareness and education, as well as acceptance. She views autism as a growth process and the opportunity to connect parents in support as a privilege.
She is the Special Needs Editor at typeamom and her own site, Send Chocolate reflects her passion for her children and autism. The Autism Sucks blog is her brainchild.


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Yesterday saw many major altcoins rally to their yearly highs, with Ether (ETH) surging past $400, which I expected was a likely scenario in my last article two weeks ago.
In addition, XRP also had a bumper day exceeding $0.32 while momentarily outperforming Bitcoin as expected in my July 1 article.
However, Bitcoin showed its dominance in the space by wiping out several billion of these gains in a little over an hour. So what does the week ahead look like, and just what sort of impact could Trump's TikTok ban have on the cryptocurrency space?
Daily cryptocurrency market snapshot, Aug. 2. Source: Coin360.com
Let's get some perspective
Table of Contents
BTC/USD 1-week chart. Source: TradingView
Bitcoin on the weekly shows a picture of the future. The leading cryptocurrency by market capitalization has already tested the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement level of $12K before being rejected.
If you haven't been paying attention to the weekly fib, then you should probably google how to use the Fibonacci tool on Tradingview right now because it's probably the closest you'll ever get to having Marty McFly's sports almanac in Back to the Future 2 than you'll ever get.
The next level to claim is 0.618, which sits at $13,500, and if you're happy with 20% gains on Bitcoin, that's great. But when you look at other top-tier alts, you will see that most are trading under the 0.236 fib, which means greater upside potential, and this is something we experienced this weekend.
Let's start with Ethereum
ETH/USD 1-week chart. Source: TradingView
Ether (ETH) exploded by 80% from the bottom of an ascending channel and already made a run at the 0.236 fib. Keep in the back of your mind that Bitcoin is currently on the 0.5 fib, or two levels higher than the 0.236, and ETH hasn't even claimed that level yet.
Just wait until this level is broken and Ether makes a run-up to 0.382, that's an ETH price of $660, and this is likely only the beginning.
The potential downside now sits around the top of the channel it broke out from, which is around $300-$330, and below here I would be looking at the center part of the channel of around $280.
Despite the fact levels have already been hit in a flash crash earlier this morning, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they were reached again before the next leg up to $660.
What´s cooking with XRP
XRP/USD 1-week chart. Source: TradingView
If you liked the ETH chart, you'll probably understand why XRP rallied hard too. XRP briefly broke out of the same ascending channel that Ether was in, only XRP still has a long way to go to the 0.236 fib.
As a matter of fact, it has a monstrous 188% move to achieve in order to reach the $0.85c fib target. So if you missed Bitcoin, and you missed Ether, there's still a very good chance that the number three digital asset by market capitalization could provide insane gains from its current level.
The downside potential for XRP using the same channel levels as Ether sits at 24 cents for the middle channel and 19 cents for the lower target. Once again, the first level has already been tested in the flash crash, so whether we will see these levels again in the short term is unlikely considering the current fib targets.
But if you're worried about FOMOing in at the top, there is another leading crypto that is yet to awake from its bear hibernation.
EOS is yet to run
EOS/USD 1-week chart. Source: TradingView
EOS hasn't been getting much attention lately, and technically speaking, it's looking like the next large-cap coin to make a big run-up to 0.236, which in the case of EOS is $6.50 and with the price just under $3, this could give you some impressive gains in the short term.
Since EOS is yet to break out of its channel, it is only logical as other top tier alts start to rally in the shadow of Bitcoin, that traders and investors will start looking at charts trading at the bottom, just like I noticed with ETH and XRP, EOS is currently still trading in the lower part of its channel, not quite the bottom — the bottom is planted at $2.50 — but the risk vs. reward for EOS certainly looks appealing.
There are also other good reasons to be looking at EOS right now. Not only is Brock Pierce currently running for POTUS, which can only be a good thing for EOS, but parent company Block.one are targeting Gen Z users flocking from TikTok with their Voice Social Media platform. In a tweet on July 30, Pierce said:
"Gen Z is mobilizing to stand up for their rights and privacy! Individuals can make a difference. EVERY VOICE HEARD"
Pierce also cites an LA Times about popular TikTok stars leaving the platform amid privacy concerns.
The early Bitcoin investor is known for betting on the right thing and the right time, and with President Trump hinting towards a ban on TikTok as early as tomorrow, there's a hole in the U.S. market where 80 million users may be looking for alternatives.
While this may put EOS in a good position for extra exposure, there are already other blockchain-based social media platforms that are focused on bringing new users to the crypto space.
Once such company has recently undergone a rebrand ahead of its launch this month, called Hyprr, which is U.S.-based and partnered with banking giant Wells Fargo for purportedly easy on and off-ramps into crypto, which puts it in prime position to take over TikToks U.S.-based market share.
I contacted Hyprr CEO David Brieley about his position in the wake of the potential TikTok ban, where he told me that Gen Z consumes 5 billion hours of content per day via social media, which is twice that of millennials.
If you consider that Steemit once occupied a $1.8 billion market cap largely based on speculation and millennial appeal, you can only imagine the positive impact a successful blockchain-based social media platform could have on the market if it took off like TikTok, and what better way than to do in the wake of such a massive controversial ban of one of fastest-growing viral platforms.
The bearish scenario for Bitcoin
If Bitcoin fails to hold the previous multi-year resistance of $10,500 as fresh support, I would expect the downside to be limited to the 0.382 fib of around $9,500. However it seems that the bulls are going to be in control for a little while.
The bullish scenario for Bitcoin
If Bitcoin can push past and hold above $12K, then the next logical area of resistance is $13,500, which represents the 0.618 fib. However, with alts rallying, and the cyclical effect of low-cap alts flowing into top-tier alts, and then back into Bitcoin before starting all over again, I would expect the price of Bitcoin to remain quite flat over the next week.
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of @officiallykeith and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cointelegraph. Every investment and trading move involves risk. You should conduct your own research when making a decision.


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Designing Dreams: Unveiling the World of Luxury Interiors
When you think of luxury kitchens, images of spacious, well-appointed spaces spring to mind. But what sets a kitchen apart, transforming it from just another functional space into one of opulence? The answer lies in the intricate details, the craftsmanship, and the brands that epitomise the zenith of kitchen design, such as Krieder Kitchens.
The beauty of a luxury kitchen isn't just in its appearance but also in its ability to evolve and adapt. In the ever-changing landscape of design, the metamorphosis of the kitchen from a mere utilitarian space to a symbol of luxury is truly commendable. And leading this revolution are brands like Krieder.
Krieder Kitchens, with their roots firmly anchored in architecture and design aesthetics, promise more than just a cooking space. They promise an experience. Whether it's the signature luxury German kitchens, with their sleek lines and state-of-the-art BORA Hobs, or the expansive luxury outdoor kitchens, every Krieder kitchen narrates a tale of design excellence.
As we journey from the interiors to the embrace of nature, outdoor kitchens present a blend of comfort and rawness. They bring the sophistication of luxury fitted kitchens outdoors, letting one relish the charms of nature without compromising on luxury. And if you're aiming for the zenith, the luxury outdoor kitchens, with the perfect amalgamation of design and durability, are your answer.
But Krieder's expertise isn't just confined to kitchens. Dive deeper into their collection, and you'll discover the elegance of luxury wardrobes. These aren't mere storage spaces; they are personal havens. Imagine walking into your luxury walk-in wardrobe, every piece of attire and accessory displayed with grandeur, reminiscent of luxury Italian wardrobes. With Krieder, that imagination transforms into reality.
In today's world, where every square inch matters, the versatility of German kitchen design stands out. With brands introducing compact Gaggenau Appliances that don't skimp on performance or luxury, adapting to urban living has never been more stylish.
The sheer brilliance of luxury kitchen appliances elevates the cooking experience. Whether it's the efficiency of BORA Hobs or the unparalleled performance of Gaggenau Appliances, these aren't just tools; they are the heart and soul of luxury kitchens.
But what sets Krieder apart in this sea of luxury? It's their unwavering commitment to precision and quality. Their products, whether it's a kitchen or a luxury Italian wardrobe, are engineered for life. They don't just adhere to the highest standards; they set them. This passion, this pursuit of perfection, is evident in every design, every line, every curve of a Krieder kitchen or wardrobe.
Furthermore, it's not just homeowners who are enchanted by Krieder. The world of commercial interior solutions reveres Krieder for their impeccable German kitchen designs. Real estate developers, architects, and interior designers continually collaborate with Krieder, ensuring that every space, be it a luxury home or a state-of-the-art commercial space, resonates with elegance and functionality.
In wrapping up, the realms of luxury kitchens, luxury wardrobes, and interiors at large are continuously evolving. But amidst this ever-changing landscape, the allure of well-crafted designs, the charm of brands like Krieder, and the promise of quality and durability remain constant. When it comes to luxury, it's not just about owning a space. It's about living a dream, a dream masterfully crafted by experts, a dream that brands like Krieder Kitchens bring to life.


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DnD: Frameworks: Hill Giant
Excluding Sales Tax
Unpainted & Unassembled
DnD Frameworks miniatures are highly-detailed, customizable figures, created with more experienced hobby painters in mind. These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unprimed, and provide multiple options for building the figure, as well as mixing and matching parts across different miniatures in the Frameworks line.
Key Features:
- Features characters, monsters, and scenery from the DnD universe
- Made of High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS)
- Assembly required.
- Does not include glue or primer
- Some miniatures include translucent parts
Out of Stock


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Welcome to Advanced Clinical Endodontics Houston
Thank you for your interest in ACE Endodontics Houston. We are specialist members of the American Association of Endodontists. We look forward to being of service to you. Our expert team, led by respected endodontic specialist Dr. Ceballos, includes an experienced endodontic staff. We provide the highest standard of professional care in a friendly, comfortable environment.
By referring you to our office, your dentist has shown their concern that you receive the finest endodontic care possible. Our goal is to provide unsurpassed quality in a compassionate environment of professionalism and clinical excellence. We hope to exceed your expectations.
We hope that the information provided here answers many of your questions about endodontic treatment. If you would like additional information, please don't hesitate to contact us at 713-468-8264.


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LingoEncore en español - Yo llevo mi ropa (Downloadable eBook) is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Ideal for beginners, each LingoEncore title consists of a short reading activity, vocabulary practice, flashcards, comprehension exercises, and writing exercises.
There is a lesson sequence for teachers to follow as well as guidance on how to approach shared reading and how to extend the experience. The follow-up activities explore retelling of the text through oral activities.
Volume One of the series (Los globos) is available to download for free.
Please note that you will not receive any physical product.Shortly after checking out, you will receive an e-mail with a link to download the files.
Ref. LSA06


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Yet another project I mentioned would be a good thing to adapt has finally started happening under Alan Horn. For those of you that haven't heard, Walt Disney Pictures is partnering with Harvey Weinstein to make an adaptation of the fantasy novel series, "Artemis Fowl" as a potential new Mouse franchise. Yes, the dreaded F word: the holy grail to most studio suits all around Tinseltown.
For those that haven't heard of the character, Artemis is a multimillionaire, twelve year old boy with a criminal mind bent on restoring his family's former glory. To do that, he actually concocts a magical heist involving fairies. At least that's the basic plot of the first book. The film will be based on the first and second book. I don't know why they couldn't just make the film out if the first one. At least they have a talented writer to adapt it in Michael Goldenberg ("Harry Potter and the Orde of The Phoenix").
The popular eight book series created by Eoin Colfer is a very engrossing world that, if done right, could be a great addition to the fantasy creations of Disney. And I'm sure the Suits would love to have this be the first in a long line of films. Not to mention attractions, games, shirts, shoes, toys, comics, etc.
And maybe even more books...


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A Convenient Morality
By FRANK BRUNI
Published: February 4, 2013 271
Last week, the Obama administration proposed a further tweak to its rules about insurance coverage of contraception, trying to quiet religious organizations' complaints that the edict tramples on their beliefs. Roman Catholic officials have been especially vociferous. Their moral conviction, they insist, cannot be slave to secular convention.
Except, that is, when it works to their advantage. When it profits them. And this two-tracked approach was illustrated by another recent news story, one that flickered onto and then off the public's radar more quickly than it should have, and deserves a closer look.
The news story brought to light a wrongful-death suit by a widower, Jeremy Stodghill, in regard to his wife and the twin 28-week-old fetuses inside her when she died in a Catholic hospital, St. Thomas More, in Cañon City, Colorado.
The hospital's lawyers argued that the woman's death couldn't have been prevented. As to whether proper medical attention might have yielded the delivery of two healthy baby boys, lawyers argued that the question was ultimately irrelevant, because wrongful death can apply only to people and, legally speaking, fetuses aren't human lives.
This isn't how the Catholic Church is supposed to see things. It's the opposite. The church staunchly opposes abortion, holding that life begins at conception, and has even raised concerns about the morning-after pill. And the fetuses inside Lori Stodghill, 31, were four weeks past what's generally considered viability.
Lawyers by nature use the best strategies available to them, in a brutal arena where failing to do so puts clients at a disadvantage. And the Colorado litigation is just one case involving one Catholic hospital, which may not have gotten any green light for its arguments from high-ranking church officials. In fact, Colorado's three Catholic bishops on Monday released a statement that articulated their objection to the hospital's legal approach and said it should be abandoned henceforth.
But the hospital isn't some random outlier. It's run by Catholic Health Initiatives, which operates 78 hospitals in more than a dozen states. And a habit of clinging to a religious identity one moment and abandoning it the next is visible beyond this case, especially in the church's management of its child sexual abuse crisis.
We've been getting a fresh and galling peek into that with the court-compelled release of documents from the Los Angeles Archdiocese, which engaged in a pattern of willful blindness and outright cover-up so egregious that the current archbishop, José Gomez, took the shocking step last week of publicly reprimanding his predecessor, Cardinal Roger Mahony.
The documents show that Mahony and his lieutenants repeatedly failed to report allegations to law enforcement officials and urged accused priests to leave or stay out of the state, lest they face prosecution. They decided, in short, that the church's representatives and reputation mattered more than justice: that the church could hold itself above laws that governed everybody else.
This was hardly isolated behavior. Around the country, the church has beaten back lawsuits by priests' victims and tried not to furnish information about priests' wrongdoing by claiming that such scrutiny violates the free exercise of religion, said Jeffrey Anderson, a Minnesota lawyer who has represented hundreds of victims over three decades. "It's audacious, it's bold and it's across the board," he said.
But the church has simultaneously reserved the right to behave just like any other institution, leaning on legal technicalities, smearing victims and demonstrating no more compassion than a tobacco company might show. "In the name of Jesus," Anderson told me, "they do things that Jesus would abhor."
They do things erratically, that's for sure. From my extensive reporting on the sexual abuse crisis in the 1990s, I don't recall any great push to excommunicate priests who forced themselves on kids. But when Sister Margaret McBride, in 2009, was part of a Phoenix hospital's decision to abort an 11-week-old fetus inside a 27-year-old woman whose life was gravely endangered by the pregnancy, she indeed suffered excommunication (later reversed).
So a fetus matters more than the ravaged psyche of a raped adolescent? And Sister McBride deserved harsher rebuke than a rapist? It's hard not to conclude that a church run by men shows them more mercy than it does women (or, for that matter, children).
And it's hard to keep track: just when is the church of this world, and when not? It inserts itself into political debates, trying to shape legislation to its ethics. But it also demands exemption: from taxes, from accountability, from health care directives.
And in the Colorado wrongful-death case, the hospital suddenly adopted the courts', not the church's, definition of life. Only now, with that argument already made, is Catholic Health Initiatives saying it made a moral error.
A district court rejected Jeremy Stodghill's wrongful-death claims. He and his lawyer, Beth Krulewitch, have appealed to the state's Supreme Court.
One final verdict is already in. On the charge of self-serving hypocrisy, the church is guilty.


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I don't remember where I originally got the ice bowl bug (I'm certainly not the genius who came up with the idea!) but I've been making them since I was a teenager. I used to whip them up them whenever we had summer guests and to this day, even though it was 20 years ago, my beloved Mami (who appears in this video I did on her birthday last summer) still talks about the time I made blackberry sorbet served in lavender-filled ice bowls. These bowls have always made me think of Mami because they are delicate, elegant and graceful, just like her!
As for the strawberry rhubarb sorbet recipe I'm sharing with you today, it is naturally rich and creamy even though it's made up of only 3 ingredients: strawberries, rhubarb and sugar. It's dead easy to make, you won't even need an ice cream maker.


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Summer 2010, the Equal Parenting Bike Trek cyclists will pedal over 700 miles throughout the state of Michigan.
2007 Equal Parenting Bike Trek cyclists Robb MacKenzie and Robert Pedersen are back!
Both will be joining former Kent County judicial candidate Bryan Down, Esq. Attorney Bryan C. Downs has been a dedicated cyclist for the Equal Parenting Bike Trek in both 2008 and 2009. There are three confirmed cyclists for the 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek, with an additional select few who will be joining Robb, Robert and Bryan during the 700 + miles cycling trek for parental rights.
The 2010 Equal Parenting Bike Trek will be departing from Lansing Michigan and will pedal through both the Lower and Upper peninsulas of Michigan in support of a child's right to be loved, guided, nurtured and educated by both fit and willing parents.
Stay tuned for more information on this incredible equal parenting event!
Please support the Parental Rights Amendment


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Sonoran News
by Linda Bentley
July 4, 2012
Ponath hopes his reforms will enable the average citizen to understand his rights and responsibilities under the law
Richard Chadwick (l), a disabled veteran, is pictured thanking Attorney Bill Ponath for his pro bono representation that resulted in securing Chadwick an extension to his eviction until he can find someplace else to live.
PHOENIX – Attorney Bill Ponath, a Republican candidate running in the primary election for Desert Ridge Justice of the Peace, offered his services, pro bono, to Richard Chadwick, a disabled veteran who served in both the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s, upon learning Chadwick was being evicted from his home.
After his landlord died mid lease, Chadwick faced eviction by the bank that took over his lease and was unsympathetic to the terms of that agreement.
Chadwick, who suffers from severe Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS), was promised a peaceful place to live but due to months of unexpected loud construction, his former landlord agreed to waive some of his rent.
The bank had no desire to honor that agreement and served Chadwick with an eviction notice.
Ponath accompanied Chadwick to the Encanto Justice Court, where, after speaking to the judge and opposing counsel, he was able to secure an extension for Chadwick's eviction until he is able to find someplace else to live.
Running on a platform of judicial administration reform, simplification of the eviction process and uniformity of pleadings and procedures, Ponath hopes to avoid unnecessary delays during criminal trials, ensure both landlords' and renters' rights are protected, and enable the average citizen to understand his rights and responsibilities under the law.
In his book, "Verdict for America," Ponath outlines solutions to some of the nation's most pressing problems that will be crucial during the upcoming presidential election.
Ponath, who has been practicing law for 28 years, primarily in the areas of bankruptcy and family law, has also served as a judge pro tem since 2001.
The Desert Ridge Justice Court serves Cave Creek, Carefree, New River, Rio Verde, Desert Hills, and areas in North Phoenix, North Scottsdale and unincorporated Maricopa County.
Visit verdictforamerica.com/blog/3 to read snippets from or to purchase Ponath's book, which covers his positions on abortion, health care, education, immigration, oil, the federal budget and more.
Bill was profiled in the Sonoran News in April: http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2012/120411/frontpage-justice.html and again in June: http://sonorannews.com/archives/2012/120620/frontpage-DesertRidge.html#.T-JTr6fsl6U.facebook
Visit his campaign website at ponath4jp.com
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
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Unfortunately, his prediction proved utterly wrong.
In the last couple of decades, we've seen the development of superbugs – bacteria that are resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, which has left researchers scrambling for solutions. Even a few years ago, our focus was on the targeted elimination of specific bacteria through the use of antibiotics. In an unforeseen consequence, the prevalent usage of these medications has altered entire bacterial populations. This change represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of both humans and companion animals. Fortunately, there is a tool in our arsenal to help us all lead healthier lives.
Beneficial bacteria known as probiotics help to promote health and fight illness in several ways. They actively block 'bad' bacteria from establishing colonies, help maintain a healthy immune system, regulate inflammatory responses and enhance cellular homeostasis (a state of balance in the body).
Probiotics are probably best-known for their promotion of digestive health. However, researchers are finding that their benefits extend beyond the intestinal system. Practically every month, new research is published in medical journals detailing exciting new functions of probiotics.
Take, for example, current research into the application of probiotics in periodontal disease. Advances in probiotic science have given periodontists the ability to employ these friendly bacteria as nano-soldiers in combating plaque. As we all know, plaque hardens into tartar which leads to periodontal disease. Probiotics (L. acidophilus and L. casei) have been proven to inhibit formation of disease-causing plaque by making saliva more acidic. Additionally, we've found that probiotics also produce antioxidants, which can help prevent plaque formation by neutralizing the free electrons needed for the mineralization of plaque. When veterinarian scientists applied probiotics below the gum lines of Beagles, they inhibited the growth of bad bacteria, reduced inflammation and improved bone density (Chatterjee et al, 2011). Furthermore, halitosis, more commonly known as 'doggie breath', is the odor released by volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), which emanate from 'bad bacteria'. Probiotics actually minimize bad breath by altering VSCs into gasses required for metabolism (Chatterjee et al, 2011).
Who knew oral hygiene could be so exciting!
In humans, researchers are now studying the effects of probiotics in the treatment of childhood asthma and eczema, two diseases often related to childhood dietary allergies. Lactobacillus rhamnosus is of particular interest in human medicine, as children supplemented with lysed (broken down) L. rhamnosus cells showed a substantial improvement in quality of life, skin symptoms and skin irritation (Hoang et al, 2010). Yu et al (2010) found that oral treatment with L. rhamnosus prior to sensitization can reduce airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in allergic airway inflammation, suggesting that L. rhamnonsus may one day be used for the prevention of asthma. However, these areas require further study to determine the full promise of treatment by probiotics.
But wait, there's more! Probiotics are currently being studied for potential human treatment in several areas, including dental caries, vaginitis, urogenital infections, irritable bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, Travellers' diarrhea and even various cancers. In the next few years, I believe we will see significant advances in probiotic research that will benefit both humans and companion animals.
Rest assured that all of us here at Life's Abundance are committed to reviewing and utilizing the best of new scientific research to promote the health of you and your fur kids!
Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals
Dr. Jane Bicks
Chatterjee A, Bhattacharya H, Kandwal A. Probiotics in periodontal health and disease. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2011 Jan;15(1):23-8.
Hoang BX, Shaw G, Pham P, Levine SA. Lactobacillus rhamnosus cell lysate in the management of resistant childhood atopic eczema. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2010 Jul 1;9(3):192-6.
Yu J, Jang SO, Kim BJ, Song YH, Kwon JW, Kang MJ, Choi WA, Jung HD, Hong SJ. The Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on the Prevention of Asthma in a Murine Model. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2010 Jul;2(3):199-205. Epub 2010 Mar 19.
Anna Oksaharju, Matti Kankainen, Riina A Kekkonen, Ken A Lindstedt, Petri T Kovanen, Riitta Korpela, and Minja Miettinen. Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus downregulates FCER1andHRH4 expression in human mast cells. World J Gastroenterol. 2011. February 14; 17(6): 750-759.
Elliott DR, Wilson M, Buckley CM, Spratt DA. Cultivable oral microbiota of domestic dogs. J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Nov;43(11):5470-6.


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Venture capitalist (Grossman Ventures https://grossman.vc), Internet protector and industry creator. Founded WhiteHat Security & Bit Discovery. BJJ Black Belt.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Web Browsers and Opt-In Security
Let's look at recent outcomes shall we. According to CA Technologies, "Browser-based exploits accounted for 84% of the total actively exploited known vulnerabilities in the wild." Other industry reports support these findings including, "Of the top-attacked vulnerabilities that Symantec observed in 2009, four of the top five being exploited were client-side vulnerabilities that were frequently targeted by Web-based attacks." 2010 wasn't much different. This is typically the result of a combination of imperfect software and not keeping browsers & plug-in patches up-to-date.
Even in this context the browser vendors (Google, Microsoft, and Mozilla) should still be given a lot credit for having been vastly improved the overall security of their software in the last two or so years. They have better development practices, publish regular and timely patches, included easy scheduled update mechanisms, added anti-malware/phishing features, sandboxes, and bounty programs. Collectively speaking anyway, but that's where it ends. All great benefits that users receive automatically and/or enabled by default. That is, Secure-By-Default. Memory handling issues aside, where these protections mainly focus, are still many extremely devastating attack classes where users have practically zero ability to defend themselves.
I'm talking about Intranet Hacking, DNS Rebinding, Clickjacking (UI Redressing), Cross-Site Scripting, Cross-Site Request Forgery, CSS History Leaks, and WiFi Man-in-the Middle. I see these as being the most pressing. They break the back of the Same-Origin-Policy, the very foundation of browser security, and there's evidence that most of these have been used maliciously in the wild. A malicious website can easily detect what websites a visitor is logged-in to, what sites they've recently visited, take over their online bank/email/socialnetwork/etc accounts, hack into their DSL router or corporate intranet. Or maybe the attacker wants to get the victim in legal trouble by forcing them to attack other systems, post spam, download illegal content, and so on.
Sure, an individual user can defend themselves with add-ons like NoScript, Adblock Plus, LastPass, Better Privacy and so on, of which I'm a fan and user. To reiterate though, this is in no way a demonstration of Secure-by-Default! Users have to first be aware, download the application, install, and finally configure. The reality is most users don't know these attackers are possible and even easy to perform. Only the readers of this blog and the browser vendors themselves do. So from a 10,000ft view of Web security, if a protection feature is not enabled by default then it doesn't matter. Case in point...
To combat these issues, keep the security-minded elite mildly happy, and show that "something" is being done, there's a mile long list of well intentioned security features that extremely few people outside of out tiny Web security sphere have heard of let alone implemented. HTTP Strict Transport Security, SECURE cookie flag, httpOnly cookies, X-FRAME-OPTIONS header, Origin header, Do-Not-Track header, disable form AutoComplete, iFrame security restriction, Content Security Policy, privacy modes, hidden configuration settings, delete browser data, cookie controls, LSO controls, etc. All of these are opt-in, invisible or buried several mouse-clicks deep in the GUI, and likely implemented differently. No wonder "The Need for Coherent Web Security Policy Framework(s)" was published.
There are lots of competing arguments about why these things haven't been or shouldn't be formally adopted. My intention here is not to rehash those, but instead remind us all about the bigger picture. I mean, it is simply amazing how much we are able to do online with just a browser. We can shop, bank, pay bills, file taxes, share photos, keep in touch with friends and family, watch movies, play games, and so much more. Browsers are the most important connection we have to the Internet. And the "we" is a stunning two billion people strong. Clearly browsers play a vital role in online security. Everyone needs a Web browser that is not only fast and stable, but secure as well. Only it is difficult to say that they are (or have been)... secure. That needs to change, somehow, someway, and preferably soon.
15 comments:
- Ericlaw said...
Some discussion of the value of Declarative security policies can be found here: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2009/06/25/declaring-security.aspx
The Compatibility vs. Security tradeoff is often misunderstood. Users will remain on insecure browser versions if more secure versions break compatibility with things they care about. Declarative policies are one way to avoid this Catch-22. - February 2, 2011 at 4:49 PM
- Jeremiah Grossman said...
@Ericlaw: thanks for commenting. I think your Backwards Compatibility vs. Security trade-off explanation is much more succinct of the challenge than mine. At the same time as you point out in the post, a major drawback is "Adoption."
We've been trading in security for backwards compatibility in the browser space for so long and look where we are. When do we swing back the other way? I think I already know the answer. Unfortunately like always its when the attacks starts visibly happening and the motivation for change is clear as day. - February 2, 2011 at 5:51 PM
Newer browser's are simply more secure than older version as aforementioned by Jeremiah with all it's built-in security features. However, the compatibility issues are not because of these new security features or the fact they use to be non-existent, but because of the inconsistency to follow a standard.
Not to play the blame game, but if you take a look at IE7 & IE8...web developers had to put in all these work-arounds, hacks, and snippets of code just to get certain things working in IE7. Well, when IE8 changed the way it handled certain code, all the previously coded web pages that had finally made themselves work with IE7 (read a majority of the internet) now stopped working in IE8. Lots of web developers are upset that all their websites that took a lot of extra work to make IE7 compatible, is now IE8 compatible.
Well, what good is a new browser that doesn't work with the majority of the internet? It's worthless. But it is not feasible for Microsoft to ask the entire internet to recode their now-broken-webpages to be IE8 compatible, so instead the created the "Compatibility View" feature in IE8. It is a necessary feature for the IE8 product to be backwards compatible with the IE7 internet so that the product could actually be used.
There is a trade-off between security and usability, however, this could have been avoided if the would stop flip-flopping and just decide if they are going to use a standard or not. It seems like Microsoft wanted to be the one to set that standard and assumed the internet would follow, and they did, and now Microsoft backed out of its' own standard to go with something else. Just make up your mind Microsoft!!!
I hope that makes sense. - February 2, 2011 at 9:49 PM
- Unknown said...
Oops typo (I should have proof read)...
This should say:
"Lots of web developers are upset that all their websites that took a lot of extra work to make IE7 compatible, is now IE8 INcompatible." - February 2, 2011 at 9:51 PM
All the browser add-ons you are listing are nice tools but do not provide "secure by default" experience either. In fact, configuring them to improve security while not causing significant fallout on legit websites requires a security expert, not a regular user. Which is why browsers will most certainly not adopt these approaches.
What is missing are robust solutions for the problems that you mentioned that will work out of the box without configuring and without breaking the web. Mozilla finally found a way to fix the CSS history leak albeit a complicated one. Same needs to be done for the other issues.
But how does one fix XSS for example? With persistent XSS the browser doesn't have a chance, it looks like a regular website. With reflective XSS one can try - and MSIE did. I don't know for sure but my impression is that they failed to detect XSS reliably enough to make an impact. Which is probably what will happen to any browser-based attempt to solving XSS, websites tend to shoot themselves in the foot in too many different ways. If anything, the <jail> tag proposal (or whatever it mutated into now) might work - but it is still not spec'ed out and anyway, a web developer who would use it is aware of XSS issues which makes him an exception (most problematic websites were created by developers who are absolutely clueless).
As mentioned in the comments above, breaking the web isn't an option. Any single browser vendor who attempted to do it would see a significant decrease in his market share. Even if all major browser vendors would agree on an approach, many users would simply refuse to update - and create a bigger problem than all the issues you mentioned currently present. - February 3, 2011 at 12:28 AM
- Jeremiah Grossman said...
@Aaron: As Wladimir said, there is a careful balancing act that the browser vendors are playing. While reasonable people can disagree where to place the dividing line. For me personally, I think it worth breaking some stuff. The reality is the bad guys will face the issue soon enough.
@Wladimir: IMHO, in which you'd no doubt agree, Adblock Plus could easily be integrated and enabled by default. This would lead to much increased security and privacy, without breaking much of anything. Not to mention users would like it! So, why haven't they done this do you think? - February 3, 2011 at 8:29 AM
In the meantime, is there a good document to guide a Firefox user who wants to maximize security with a combination of downloads and browser settings?
- February 3, 2011 at 9:53 AM
- Andy Steingruebl said...
Now I have to go and respond to Eric too :) - February 3, 2011 at 9:54 AM
Jeremiah: I agree that breaking things temporarily to get everyone on a standard, would be best in the long run, and also for the greater good. It would make life easier for web developers if there was consistency in browser behavior! SIGH....a man can dream.
- February 3, 2011 at 4:48 PM
"Adblock Plus could easily be integrated and enabled by default. This would lead to much increased security and privacy, without breaking much of anything. Not to mention users would like it! So, why haven't they done this do you think?"
Um... Because the advertisers pay the bills? Like it or not, advertisers and their networks are "users" too.
Since we've been waiting on micro-payments since about 94, with little progress, it might not be time to opt us all out of advertising quite yet.
So, the thing you are breaking is the monetization scheme that the content owners/providers have bought into. Not to go all Rand'dian on you - but that's the engine.
On the other hand, maybe the signal to noise ratio goes up after you get rid of all the advertising supported content, swapping facebook for PBS so to speak. Maybe we should try it. :)
But I think I'd tire of the "wikithons" after a bit... - February 3, 2011 at 9:36 PM
- Jeremiah Grossman said...
@Dan: Your right, there's really no denying that the most popular Web browsers right now are designed first to facilitate advertising delivery, everything else comes second. Apple, Google, and Microsoft are all major players in online advertising. Even Mozilla receives the bulk of their revenue from advertising, by way of Google.
Personally, I've got no problem with ads. But let's face it, online advertising is synonymous with tracking. Default tracking without a user's knowledge or consent is creepy and invasive. If a someone decides to supply personal information in exchange for accessing a free web service -- that's fine, it should be there choice. However, their privacy should be protected by default. I think browser users deserve to have an easy and accessible way to choose who to give their data to and when (by turning on ads).
Adblock Plus seemed like the natural choice. - February 3, 2011 at 10:02 PM
Jeremiah, we have been discussing integrating Adblock Plus a while ago. This required quite significant time investment on my part however and I simply didn't have that much time.
Fact is, Adblock Plus user interface is still much too complicated for a mainstream browser (I am working on it). And even if one were to strip away all configurability - it relies on filter lists that can and will cause issues occasionally. It's these issues that are the biggest problem, an inexperienced user rarely has a chance to resolve them by himself. And I doubt that "site X works fine in Chrome but is entirely broken in Firefox" is something anybody wants to hear. - February 3, 2011 at 10:17 PM
- Jeremiah Grossman said...
@Wladimir: I'll of course have to take your word for it as you see the bug reports. However, I've been an Adblock Plus user for a long time and can't think of a single occasion where it noticeably "broke" a website. Adblock might miss an add here or there, but no big deal. On rare occasions some sites ask me to turn it off temporarily but that's about it.
What do you think is likelihood of being able to resolve the concerns you have and make it ready for everyone? - February 3, 2011 at 10:24 PM
It is possible but it is a large project - one that Mozilla will not invest into as long as the Adblock Plus project is alive and kicking. If Adblock Plus suddenly deteriorated they would have to find a solution. But for now there are other priorities.
- February 3, 2011 at 11:08 PM
- john said...
new browsers are really secure in old version.
developer friendly brower is internet explore7.. - February 7, 2011 at 5:09 AM


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From a 2004 AP story:
"Anti-Kerry Book Author Apologizes for Slurs." "One of the authors of a new anti-John Kerry book frequently posted comments on a conservative Web site describing Muslims and Catholics as pedophiles and Pope John Paul II as senile. In chat room entry last year on freerepublic.com, Corsi writes: 'Islam is a peaceful religion - just as long as the women are beaten, the boys buggered and the infidels are killed.' In another entry, he says: 'So this is what the last days of the Catholic Church are going to look like. Buggering boys undermines the moral base and the lawyers rip the gold off the Vatican altars. We may get one more Pope, when this senile one dies, but that's probably about it'." [AP, 8/10/04]If that is a reason not to read Corsi's book, we shouldn't be reading Christopher Hitchens either. What exactly is wrong with being outraged at the scandal of child molesting priests?
From the Washington Times, evidence that Corsi believes a wacko conspiracy theory:
"The real reason behind President Bush's push for immigration reform, says author Jerome R. Corsi, is to unite the United States, Mexico and Canada by erasing borders and creating a 'North American Union.'... Government officials say the idea is no more than an unjustified conspiracy theory spread through the Internet.Corsi also wrote a book that rejects "the fossil fuel theory--that oil comes from dead plants and dinosaurs. He believes it comes out of the ground naturally, and that there's more coming up all the time." Weird. I've never even heard of that theory. What does he think creates it? Eh. I don't want to know.
There are also a lot of Corsi quotes — taken from his Free Republic postings. The worst ones are about Islam. Example: "Islam is like a virus -- it affects the mind -- maybe even better as an analogy -- it is a cancer that destroys the body it infects. A throwback, Medieval, anti-modern, anti-science, anti-knowledge doctrine."
So, has Corsi been thoroughly discredited, or will anyone defend him?


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You Have To Admire Their Optimism |
My latest posts can be found here: Previous blog posts:
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2016/08/28 - You Have To Admire Their Optimism ...Coming back from Australia, Rachel Wright and I landed at Heathrow (which we usually avoid) and caught trains back home. Our final leg was from Chester to home, and I had a look at the live departures board to see how things were looking. Consider the board shown at right. The first train marked there is the incoming train that will form the second service indicated. As you can see, it as due in at 11:57, and then out again at 12:01. So far, so good. But wait! The incoming service is (well, was) running late, not due to arrive until 12:03, fully two minutes after the outgoing service is (well, was) due to leave. And yet that second service is shown as still being "On time". Clearly they are expecting that the late running incoming service will, in the next two minutes (the screen was captured at 11:55) catch up some 4 minutes to enable it to then leave on time. You have to admire their optimism. So that leads me to my question. If the live departures board is updated automatically, why is that second service still shown as leaving "On time"? But if it's not updated automatically, it must be updated "by hand," and that just seems insane. So what is it? How can this be? Perhaps this is a definition of "On time" with which I was not previously acquainted. Most curious.
CommentsI've decided no longer to include comments directly via the Disqus (or any other) system. Instead, I'd be more than delighted to get emails from people who wish to make comments or engage in discussion. Comments will then be integrated into the page as and when they are appropriate. If the number of emails/comments gets too large to handle then I might return to a semi-automated system. That's looking increasingly unlikely. |
Quotation from Tim Berners-Lee |