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How would you feel about adding a family member? All you have to do is adopt it. It's a small robot with amazing capabilities that will proudly provide you with service at home. You can operate it using a remote control, your iPhone or digital tablet. Utopia and an old promise from the 60s? Read the following story. Your owner imagination will probably take off.
Once upon a time there was a small robot called a drone. It was an airplane without a human pilot that could be remotely controlled from the ground or by a flight program on the ground. The drone became known around the world for its military use. The Americans use many of them in their wars. They are nicknamed Barack Obama's drones.
Visionaries zeroed in on the drone's capabilities in civilian life. The little robot was already taking aerial photos. Real estate brokers use the drone to photograph deluxe homes in Los Angeles and Toronto. Practitioners of extreme sports will soon be able to film their exploits with a drone behind them that can fly up to 70 km/hour.
Drones do inspection and evaluation work in fields for farmers. Drainage drones will save Canadian municipalities thousands of dollars to renovate infrastructures.[caption id="attachment_11299" align="aligncenter" width="580"] iStockphoto[/caption]


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John Travolta is officially off the hook.
Cruise ship employee Fabian Zanzi, who sued Travolta, claiming he exposed himself to him and gave him some sort of improper embrace in 2009, has dropped the case, just days after a Southern California judge ruled the case could proceed to trial, according to TMZ.
Sounds like someone opened his checkbook.
Travolta's lawyers argued his cruise ticket stipulated that any dispute between the passenger and the cruise company be settled in arbitration. The judge quashed that idea Friday, saying the matter wasn't between Travolta and the cruise line; it was between Travolta and Zanzi.
TMZ said the case was officially dismissed Monday but terms -- if any -- weren't disclosed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Elimination of wheat is a wonderfully effective way to lose weight. Because saying goodbye to wheat means removing the gliadin protein of wheat, the protein degraded to brain-active exorphins that stimulate appetite, calorie consumption is reduced, on average, 400 calories per day. It also means eliminating this source of high blood sugar and high blood insulin and the 90-minutes cycles of highs and lows that cause a cyclic need to eat more at the inevitable low. It means that the high blood sugar and insulin phenomena that trigger accumulation of visceral fat are now turned off. It may possibly also mean that wheat lectins no longer block the leptin receptor, undoing leptin resistance and allowing weight loss to proceed. And weight loss usually results effortlessly and rapidly.
But not always. Why? Why are there people who, even after eliminating this appetite-stimulating, insulin-triggering, leptin-blocking food, still cannot lose weight? Or stall after an initial few pounds?
There are a list of reasons, but here are the biggies:
1) Too many carbohydrates–What if I eliminate wheat but replace those calories with gluten-free breads, muffins, and cookies? Then I've switched one glucose-insulin triggering food for another. This is among the reasons I condemn gluten-free foods made with rice starch, cornstarch, tapioca starch, and potato starch. Or perhaps there's too many potatoes, rices, and oats in your diet. While not as harmful as wheat, they still provoke phenomena that cause weight loss to stall. So cutting carbohydrates may become necessary, e.g., no more than 12-14 grams per meal.
2) Fructose–Fructose has become ubiquitous and has even assumed some healthy-appearing forms. "Organic agave nectar" is, by far, the worst, followed by maple syrup, honey, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose,and fruit–yes, in that order. They are all sources of fructose that causes insulin resistance, visceral fat accumulation or persistency, prolongation of clearing postprandial (after-meal) lipoproteins that antagonize insulin, and glycation. Lose the fructose sources–as much of it as possible. (Fruit should be eaten in very small portions.) Watch for stealth sources like low-fat salad dressings–you shouldn't be limiting your fat anyway!
3) Thyroid dysfunction–A real biggie. Number one cause to consider for thyroid dysfunction: iodine deficiency. Yes, it's coming back in all its glory, just like the early 20th century before iodized salt made it to market shelves. Now, people are cutting back on iodized salt. Guess what's coming back? Iodine deficiency and even goiters. Yes, goiters, the disfiguring growths on the neck that you thought you'd only see in National Geographic pictures of malnourished native Africans. Number two: Exposure to factors that block the thyroid. This may include wheat, but certainly includes perchlorate residues (synthetic fertilizer residues) on produce, pesticides, herbicides, polyfluorooctanoic acid residues from non-stick cookware, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (flame retardants), and on and on. If you are iodine-deficient, it can even include goitrogenic iodine-blocking foods like broccoli, cauliflower, and soy. Thyroid status therefore needs to be assessed.
4) Cortisol–Not so much excess cortisol as disruptions of circadian rhythm. Cortisol should surge in the morning, part of the process to arouse you from sleep, then decline to lower levels in the evening to allow normal recuperative sleep. But this natural circadian cycling is lost in many people represented, for instance, as a flip-flopping of the pattern with low levels in the morning (with morning fatigue) and high levels at bedtime (with insomnia), which can result in stalled weight loss or weight gain. Cortisol status therefore needs to be assessed, best accomplished with salivary cortisol assessment.
5) Leptin resistance–People who are overweight develop an inappropriate resistance to the hormone, leptin, which can present difficulty in losing weight. This can be a substantial issue and is not always easy to overcome. It might mean assessing leptin levels or it might mean taking some steps to overcome leptin resistance.
Okay, that's a lot. Next: More on how to know when thyroid dysfunction is to blame.


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Test page
Welcome to Cell Biology 2017!
- Identify a chemical SDS and the risks and hazards of that chemical in text. Add a link to the original SDS
- Select 4 reference papers papers related to your selected group project topic sub-section. Read the research papers and write a brief description of their findings and relevance to the selected topic sub-section. The reference along with your description should then be pasted on both your group discussion page and your own personal page.
Lab 3 Assessment - Endo/Exo worksheet questions.
Lab 4 Assessment
- Identify a cytoskeletal antibody.
- Identify the species deriving the antibody.
- Identify the working concentration for the antibody.
- Identify a secondary antibody that could be used with this antibody.
- Identify a paper that has used this antibody.
This assessment will be due by the next lab (Lab 5).
Lab 7 Assessment
The following peer assessment exercise should be completed before next lab (Lab 8 - 2 May) as your individual assessment for this week (lab missed due to public holiday).
Your answer should be pasted in 2 places
- onto each project discussion page (Note you should add anonymously to the discussion page)
- your own individual student page for my assessment.
Each individual will provide a brief assessment of the other groups projects. This should take the form of a brief critical (balanced) assessment identifying both the positive (good) and negative (bad) aspects of the project page as it currently exists online.
You may if you choose, use the final project assessment criteria as a guide. Though you are also welcome to use your own criteria.
Group Assessment Criteria
- The key points relating to the topic that your group allocated are clearly described.
- The choice of content, headings and sub-headings, diagrams, tables, graphs show a good understanding of the topic area.
- Content is correctly cited and referenced.
- The wiki has an element of teaching at a peer level using the student's own innovative diagrams, tables or figures and/or using interesting examples or explanations.
- Evidence of significant research relating to basic and applied sciences that goes beyond the formal teaching activities.
- Relates the topic and content of the Wiki entry to learning aims of cell biology.
- Clearly reflects on editing/feedback from group peers and articulates how the Wiki could be improved (or not) based on peer comments/feedback. Demonstrates an ability to review own work when criticised in an open edited wiki format. Reflects on what was learned from the process of editing a peer's wiki.
- Evaluates own performance and that of group peers to give a rounded summary of this wiki process in terms of group effort and achievement.
- The content of the wiki should demonstrate to the reader that your group has researched adequately on this topic and covered the key areas necessary to inform your peers in their learning.
- Develops and edits the wiki entries in accordance with the above guidelines.
16:04, 7 March 2017 (AEDT)
File:TP10 structure within membrane.TIF
Student Image Template
- Note - This image was originally uploaded as part of a student project and may contain inaccuracies in either description or acknowledgements. Please contact the site coordinator if the uploaded content does not meet the original copyright permission or requirements, for immediate removal.
- No link - PMID: 28257417
- Link - PMID 28257417
Domain architecture of human R3 RPTP members[1]
Schematic representation of human R3 subtype RPTP protein members. For catalytic PTP, FN3 and signal peptide symbols see the figure. Black and light blue boxes represent the transmembrane segments and the cytoplasmatic regions after the PTP domain, respectively. Note the larger size of the juxtamembrane FN3 domain in PTPRQ, PTPRB and PTPRJ proteins. Protein amino acid numbers are indicated in parenthesis below the protein names.
- ↑ <pubmed>28257417</pubmed>
type something in.
2017 Course Content
Lectures: Cell Biology Introduction | Cells Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes | Cell Membranes and Compartments | Cell Nucleus | Cell Export - Exocytosis | Cell Import - Endocytosis | Cytoskeleton Introduction | Cytoskeleton - Microfilaments | Cytoskeleton - Microtubules | Cytoskeleton - Intermediate Filaments | Cell Mitochondria | Cell Junctions | Extracellular Matrix 1 | Extracellular Matrix 2 | Cell Cycle | Cell Division | Cell Death 1 | Cell Death 2 | Signal 1 | Signal 2 | Stem Cells 1 | Stem Cells 2 | Development | 2017 Revision
2017 Laboratories: Introduction to Lab | Fixation and Staining |
2017 Projects: Group 1 - Delta | Group 2 - Duct | Group 3 - Beta | Group 4 - Alpha
Dr Mark Hill 2015, UNSW Cell Biology - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G


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The leaves have turned and still Full House Poker's online "Texas Heat" tournament is in day 119 (and counting) of its summer season on Xbox Live, stoking fears that the game will head the way of spiritual predecessor 1 vs. 100.
Microsoft, according to XBLA Fans, seems content to just let the summer Texas Heat tournament proceed indefinitely. Users felt that the original season stretch (there was a 66-day spring Texas Heat season) was too short to collect the achievements offered. A Microsoft rep said they plan to "refresh the Texas Heat season in the future."
Full House Poker Fall Season Update: No News Ins't Bad News [XBLA Fans]
You can contact Owen Good, the author of this post, at firstname.lastname@example.com. You can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, and lurking around our #tips page.


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Dolphins swim in the background as this Cape Gannet pursues its prey.
Off the coast of South Africa, the water is a beautiful, clear blue. Dolphins swim past playfully, and a huge shoal of silver sardines glitters in the sun as a bird glides by, pursuing the sardines like a feathery torpedo. Wait a minute… a bird 25 feet (eight meters) underwater? But it's not a trick; the creature in question is a Cape Gannet, and this species doesn't mind getting very wet to catch its prey.
Cape Gannets hit the water like avian torpedoes.
"Photographing diving cape gannets is one of the most incredible things I've done so far in my life," says photographer Alexander Safonov. "Seeing hunting birds which normally belong to the air element deep underwater is a surreal sight. Sun rays, bubble trails, scales, chaotically moving bait fish – all contributes to the dramatic spectacle orchestrated and choreographed by nature itself."
A Cape Gannet snaps up a fish before it realizes it's even being chased.
Cape Gannets are large, regal-looking birds with a striking black-and-white coloring. The dark lines around their pale beaks and faces look as though an artist traced them, and the black feathers of their wings and tails are truly eye-catching against their white bodies. White, that is, except for their gold-tinted heads and necks. It's easy to see why people enjoy photographing these magnificent birds.
A Cape Gannet in 'flight' among the bubble clouds
Cape Gannets are picky when it comes to deciding where to raise their young, and there are only six islands on which they lay their eggs. Three of these islands are off the coast of Namibia, and the other three off the coast of South Africa. Cape Gannets can fly great distances, and young birds travel as far as Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, and beyond. Juvenile birds will sometimes follow shoals of sardines – their favorite food – for over 4,000 miles (6,800 km). They have even been spotted in Western Australia!
Cape Gannets spot their targets from the air like a squadron of bombers.
As you can see from looking at these photographs, Cape Gannets are awesome fishers. For one, they can spot their prey from almost 100 feet (30 m) up in the air. Large flocks scour the sea together – sometimes in groups of up to 1,000 – searching for shoals of fish. Then, once the birds spot their fishy meals, they plunge through the air like heavy arrows raining down. Their wings are flexed back against their bodies, and their tails and feet are pointed, making them look like Olympic high divers.
Cape Gannets show off their aerodynamic plunging.
The predatory gannets bomb the water at speeds approaching an incredible 75 miles (120 km) per hour. Luckily, they have no external nostrils for water to force its way into – because at those speeds, a whoosh of water up the nose would really sting! As mentioned earlier, these birds can reach depths of up to 25 feet (eight meters), driven only by their own momentum. Cape Gannets can then stay under the water for three to seven seconds – just long enough for them to snatch their slippery snacks in their sharp bills and gulp them down before surfacing again.
The fish-seeking missiles go to work.
Cape Gannets spend at least a couple of years at sea when they're young, before returning to their island breeding grounds. Here, the male birds claim a section as their territory and try to attract females to this 'patch' through their calls (a loud 'kara-kara-kara-kara') and head-bobbing displays. If a female is enticed, she joins in with some head bobbing of her own, and there will also be a bit of beak fencing between the two. The pair will then build a nest together and take turns incubating the single egg they produce (although very occasionally it's two eggs).
Cape Gannets are as beautiful and graceful in the air as they are underwater.
Once the chick has hatched, both parents continue to take care of it, feeding the baby bird with regurgitated sardines and anchovies. Before it can fly, the chick is unable to get away from predators, and so this is the most dangerous part of its lifecycle. The baby birds will walk and swim after their parents, making them convenient targets for hungry seals. Also, should there be a shortage of fish, parents will not risk longer flights to find sufficient food for their chicks to have enough to eat; instead, they prefer to save themselves with an eye to having more chicks later on.
Trails of tiny bubbles follow the diving birds.
Sadly, Cape Gannets are now threatened and in very real danger of extinction. And, like far too many of Earth's animal species, humans are the main cause for this state of affairs. We share the Gannets' love of seafood but have much larger appetites, which means there aren't as many fish left to feed these beautiful birds. The Namibian population, in particular, is suffering from overfishing of sardines and anchovies, but even in South Africa the population of the birds is shrinking.
Spoilt for choice!
The drop in fish numbers also increases Cape Gannets' likelihood of becoming prey. Predators, such as seals and pelicans, are turning to Cape Gannet chicks (particularly in South Africa) to supplement their diets when they can't find enough fish.
"Pelicans are originally protected birds too," says biologist Ralf Mullers. "Now one protected bird species needs to be protected against another one. On Malgas [a breeding island] you can see entire colonies of gannets being destroyed by pelicans – they can even swallow chicks weighing almost two kilos [4.4lbs]."
A brief respite between dives
On top of reducing the Cape Gannets' food supply, we've polluted their fishing and breeding grounds as well. In 1993, an oil spill left about 5,000 Cape Gannets covered in the toxic substance. And Cape Gannet eggs have also been found with traces of pollutants like DDTs and PBCs. Furthermore, the birds drown thanks to longline fishing, and guano mining is disrupting their breeding islands as well. So with all this, it's no wonder the number of breeding pairs has dropped 20 percent in three generations.
Gliding through the water
Steps are being taken to try and save this wonderful and unique bird. As mentioned, Cape Gannets are now protected, and their breeding islands are all recognized as Important Bird Areas (IBAs). What's more, although seal attacks forced Cape Gannets to abandon one of the islands they inhabit (Lambert's Bay) in 2005, decoys have been used to draw the birds back. Efforts are also being made to keep the seals away from the site as well as the other breeding islands.
There's nowhere to hide in this crowd
Looking through these photographs, we think you'll agree that Cape Gannets are truly remarkable birds. We just hope conservation efforts are successful and that we are able to watch their astonishing plunge-diving skills for many decades to come.


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Rudyard Kipling#19 on top 500 poets
» Click to list general statistics » OR, select a date :
I met my mates in the morning (and oh, but I am old!)
Where roaring on the ledges the summer ground-swell rolled;
I heard them lift the chorus that dropped the breakers' song --
The beaches of Lukannon -- two million voices strong!
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At least according to Borough President Marty Markowitz, who celebrated the occasion with Brooklyn's top Arab-American leaders.
Husam Rimawi helped organize the event. The president of the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge, Rimawi has become a pillar in his community since immigrating to Brooklyn from the Jordanian capital of Amman in 1977.
Rimawi left Jordan to attend college in Egypt, where he studied medicine, then continued west to the United States to get his medical degree. He settled in Bay Ridge, which has a strong Arab-American presence.
"New York in particular is the first state" immigrants come to when they arrive in America, said Rimawi, a gynecologist at Lutheran Medical Center. Many Arab- Americans end up in Brooklyn, he added.
"People bring their cousins, their friends, they see they are happy here and so they come" too, said Rimawi, who still lives in Bay Ridge with his wife and six of their seven children. (One child lives in Ohio.)
The Islamic society, which runs on a mosque on 69th Street and 5th Avenue, was started in 1991. Rimawi is also the chairman of the board at the Al-Noor School on 21st Street in Sunset Park.
The society serves hundreds of Muslims each week, but "at the same time we try to strengthen the relationship with the surrounding community," Rimawi said.
That effort was aided by Markowitz's decision to raise the Egyptian flag over Borough Hall in late February, following the ouster of Egypt's longtime president Hosni Mubarek. It was the latest development in a reform movement that has swept across the Arab world, from Tunisia to Libya.
As Rimawi has watched developments unfold from Brooklyn, he said he is more convinced than ever that moving here was the right thing to do.
"I feel like it is a second country for me," he said. Brooklyn "is like my home. We feel very happy here, very safe."


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Legislative Report
The good economic news for Saskatchewan just keeps rolling in. A new report from BMO Economics indicates our province's economy will grow by 2.9 per cent this year, second only to Alberta. The report goes on to state: "Saskatchewan's economy remains among the top performers in Canada, boosted by a strong resource sector." Our abundant natural resources – potash, oil, uranium – have played a significant role in our province's transformation from "have not" to "have" status. That transformation is part of the Saskatchewan Advantage. As your government, we will not stand idly by when external forces, such as federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair, take positions that threaten that advantage.
In a recent interview, Mulcair suggested a strong natural resource sector was bad for Canada because it threatened manufacturing jobs in Quebec and Ontario. When asked about her federal leader's blatant attempt to win votes by pitting one region of Canada against another, Saskatchewan NDP Energy and Resources Critic Cathy Sproule replied by passing the buck, saying, "If there are issues around economics, that's something the federal government would have to deal with."
That statement provides a great deal of clarity and understanding in regards to the Saskatchewan NDP's inability to grow our province's economy during their 16 years in power. They had no plan, because they expected the federal government to drive economic development. Now they seem to be willing to put your future into the hands of people like Thomas Mulcair, who think our strong resource sector is a "disease" that can only be cured by slowing down our potash, mining and oil sectors, killing thousands of jobs.
This type of language puts much at risk. Not only is Saskatchewan expected to be one of the growth leaders in Canada this year, with the fastest growing GDP in almost 15 years, a record-high population, record-low unemployment and some of the highest average weekly earnings in Canada, we are also unique in that we have the only balanced provincial budget country. One of the reasons that budget is balanced is due to the strength of our resource sector. Comments such as Mr. Mulcair's threaten that strength, which in turn threatens the sustainable spending our government has been able to commit to on programs and services important to you and your family: scholarships for high school students, tax breaks for first time homebuyers, lowering surgical wait times, increased access to cancer treatment and more support for seniors and people with disabilities.
We don't need this type of economic prescription for Saskatchewan and Canada from the federal NDP leader – and we don't need that sort of abdication of responsibility from the provincial NDP. A strong resource sector is good for the entire country. It's good for the Saskatchewan Advantage.
We will continue to take action to protect the advantages that make our province the best place in Canada to live, work and raise a family.
If you have a question about this Legislative Report or any other matter, just Contact Donna.
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Family House Diaries: Anna's Wish: A New Liver for a New Life
This is the fourth in a series from UNC Health Care that focuses on the stories of UNC Hospitals patients and their families who live in the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals while receiving or awaiting treatment.
For Anna W. Barnhill, the third telephone call was the charm. It brought news of a new liver for a new life.
Barnhill, 40, of Clarkton, N.C., a long-time math teacher at East Bladen High School, had lived 12 years with non-alcoholic cirrhosis. The disease was dormant and stable until September when extreme fatigue, memory loss, migraines and fluid retention began clouding Barnhill's days.
"I didn't connect those symptoms with the cirrhosis," Barnhill said. "I lost a good six months of my life and by January, 60 pounds. I still taught school, but not without a pillow and a heating pad."
Under long-term care by gastroenterologists at New Hanover Hospital in Wilmington and UNC Hospitals, Barnhill learned in February that her diseased liver was compromising other body functions and a liver transplant was recommended. By May, she was on the list.
In early May a staph infection and pneumonia hospitalized her, and on May 25, Barnhill was transferred to UNC Hospitals. She was nearing end-stage liver disease and undergoing continuous dialysis because her kidneys had failed.
The first call came in late June, but Barnhill's hopes died when the potential liver tested unhealthy for transplant. A second call, a few days later, yielded the same disappointing results.
"In addition to being physically sick, I was growing depressed and I was scared," said Barnhill, the mother of 11-year-old Dennis and 5-year-old Lindsey. Barnhill and her husband, Tim, 42, continued to find strength from their family's strong faith.
On July 6 the third call came and following a nearly nine-hour surgery led by Alexander Toledo, M.D., assistant professor of surgery in the division of abdominal transplant surgery in the Department of Surgery at the UNC School of Medicine, Barnhill had a healthy new liver, from a young donor.
"Thankfully, I don't remember any of the surgery," Barnhill said. "We don't know the donor, and that's OK. God knows who it is and what matters is that it was the right one."
And timing was everything, Dr. Toledo said.
"The sickest patients work their way to the top of the transplant list, and Anna was at the top," Dr. Toledo said. "Her liver and kidneys had failed, and she was nearing the end of the line. About 2,000 people a year die on the list waiting for a liver transplant. As sick as she was, we were concerned and hopeful she would get a healthy liver in time. She hung in there and did."
Within days of her liver transplant Anna's kidney function improved, and her liver function tests returned within normal limits. By July 31 she was receiving twice-weekly outpatient physical therapy to regain strength and endurance in her arms and legs.
She was released to the SECU (State Employees' Credit Union) Family House, a 40-bedroom hospital hospitality house minutes from UNC Hospitals that provides comfortable, convenient and affordable housing for adult patients undergoing treatment for critical illness and trauma and their family member caretakers. Tim Barnhill, a nursing assistant on disability, has lived at SECU Family House since May.
"It's a good place for solitude and serenity, a sure place for healing," Anna said. "We have some independence and autonomy, but there's comfort in knowing we're near the transplant team if we need them."
Anna and Tim returned home on Aug. 14, well in advance of Lindsey's first day of kindergarten and the couples' 21st anniversary on Sept. 3. Her physical therapy will continue with local resources coordinated by her transplant team. At best, she expects to return to the classroom in a year.
"We have been blessed a whole lot, and Tim and I have grown up and shared every one of the blessings," Anna said. Beyond the liver donor, the transplant team and SECU Family House, the blessings list includes extended family in Clarkton who have cared for Dennis and Lindsey and brought them to visit; their church family from Clarkton First Baptist who have called, sent cards and visited; her students at East Bladen who organized a fund-raiser that netted $5,000; and the teachers and staff at East Bladen who donated leave time – about 70 days – so Anna wouldn't lose pay.
"And we consider my disability another part of God's plan," Tim added. "I'm able to be here in Chapel Hill with and for Anna. We knew this was where she needed to be, and we had no doubt about transferring her here."
Early on, their church family had told the Barnhills that regardless of when they got home, they could count on having meals prepared for 30 days.
"You can't ask for anything more than that," Anna said.
Read original here.


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North Carolina State has added Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey.
Lacey will sit out this season and have two years of eligibility. In a statement from the school Tuesday, coach Mark Gottfried said Lacey "is a winner and really understands the game."
The 6-foot-3 guard started 52 of 69 games over two seasons. Last year, he averaged 11.3 points and 3.8 rebounds while starting all 36 games. He also led the team with 62 3-pointers.
Lacey was a five-star prospect and Parade All-American when he chose the home-state Crimson Tide after being recruited by Kentucky, Kansas and Connecticut, among others. In April, Alabama coach Anthony Grant had called Lacey's decision to leave "a family decision to pursue other opportunities."
Gottfried was Grant's predecessor at Alabama, coaching there from 1998-2009.


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Proud lighthouses standing atop rocky beaches and a coastline awash in brilliant foliage create your picture-perfect voyage along New England and Canada's eastern provinces. Before or after your coastal cruise aboard Holland America Line, spend time getting to know the French-Canadian province of Québec and its beautiful cities.
Whether you set sail in sun-soaked summer or follow nature's autumn bounty, Holland America Line's coastal cruises along the New England and Canadian coasts are ideal ways to explore North America by sea. Beyond Montréal and Québec City, you'll be inspired by the majestic mansions of Bar Harbor, Maine, conjure up visions of Anne Shirley in the gabled home of Prince Edward Island and follow in the path of American revolutionaries in historic Boston.


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Mossberg's Mailbox
Choosing an iMac
There's no other major item most of us own that is as confusing, unpredictable and unreliable as our personal computers. Everybody has questions about them, and we aim to help.
Here are a few questions about computers I've received recently from people like you, and my answers. I have edited and restated the questions a bit, for readability. This week my mailbox contained questions about iMac configurations, the Zune's sound quality and simple digital cameras.
We're going to be purchasing an Apple iMac desktop in the next few weeks. Do you have any recommended configurations? We will be running Microsoft Word and Excel as well as playing music, organizing family photographs and using the Internet.
Apple separates the iMacs by screen size — 17 inches, 20 inches and 24 inches. As the screen sizes increases, the processor speeds and other specs also rise, although you can alter some of them if you order from Apple online. There are two 17-inch models, one with beefier specs than the other. All iMacs use Intel's latest dual-core processor, the Core 2 Duo, with speeds ranging from 1.83 gigahertz to 2.33 gigahertz.
For the usage pattern you describe, even the base $999, 17-inch model would be fine, although I would suggest doubling the memory to 1 gigabyte. That upgrade costs $75, bringing the price to $1,074. Its hard disk, at 160 gigabytes, is plenty for the needs you describe, as is its low-end, but capable, graphics system, and its processor speed of 1.83 gigahertz.
If you think you might like to create DVDs of your photos, you'll need to get at least the beefier 17-inch model, which costs $1,199. That model already has 1 gigabyte of memory. Like the larger-screen iMacs, it can record DVDs, while the base model can only record CDs. It also has a slightly faster processor, at 2.0 gigahertz, and a better graphics system.
If you want bigger screens, you'll have to spend more. The 20-inch model costs $1,499 and ups the hard disk to 250 gigabytes, in addition to increasing processor speed to 2.16 gigahertz. The 24-inch model costs $1,999 and has a fancier graphics system but the same hard disk and processor as the 20-inch model.
In your lengthy review of the Zune digital music player, you didn't say much about its sound quality. Was it good? Was it the equal of the iPod?
As I noted in the review, to my ears, the Zune sounded about the same as the iPod. Its sound is quite good. However, the Zune has fewer equalizer settings than the iPod, and I found its earbuds to be less comfortable than the newly improved standard iPod earbuds.
My wife wants to take up photography as a hobby, but she is a devout technophobe. Could you recommend a good quality camera that is simple to use?
Different people have different opinions on what constitutes "simple," and several brands of cameras are fairly easy to use. But I'd suggest you consider one of the Kodak EasyShare models.
I am thinking of buying a new computer with Windows Vista installed. How can I transfer the files on my current PC to the new one without losing any?
Vista will have a built-in file transfer utility, but I haven't tested it and thus can't say if it's any better than the lousy file transfer "wizard" in Windows XP. In the past, I have recommended a product called Detto Intellimover. I haven't tested it for a while, but I assume it will have a version that works with Vista.
* * *
Because of the volume of email I receive, I can't routinely answer individual questions by email, or consult on individual problems or purchasing decisions. I read all questions I receive and select three each week to answer in the column.
Write to Walter S. Mossberg at email@example.com


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April Kepner is back, baby!
When Grey's Anatomy returns, the twice-fired Seattle Grace doc will make her triumphant return, only to discover that Jackson (Jesse Williams) did not, in fact, leave for Tulane. Considering their recent history — they hooked up during the boards and then shortly after, she stood him up at a bar — things get a little awkward. But the good news is, Jackson goes shirtless in the new clips below!
Scream's Neve Campbell checks into Grey's Anatomy
In other news, Cristina (Sandra Oh) is miserable in Minnesota, though we do get a hint of a smile — sort of. Plus: Alex (Justin Chambers) gets saddled with an intern, to which Callie (Sara Ramirez) has the best response when making sure he doesn't sleep with her. Watch the sneak peeks below:
Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.


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Texture Keyring-340766
- 340766
- Style
Edward Mirell Texture EMK100 Keyring
The Texture Collection is inspired by casual elegance, with attention to quality as a key component. Each piece features screw details which are laser welded and set in gray titanium. The EMK100 features a classic brown, weathered leather inlay accented on a highly polished, gray titanium decorative tag. Attached to the keyring with a finely constructed, hinged bail. Measurement for the tag is approximately 1" x 5/8". The Titanium is a very lightweight metal and provides approximately seven times more strength than platinum.
Edward Mirell is the founder and global leader of contemporary metals jewelry, blending a passion for design with the latest technology to create unique jewelry accessories. The line specializes in award-winning titanium pieces, implementing patented technology to create unique designs, colors and styles.
All Edward Mirell products are designed, engineered and manufactured in the USA at its South Florida facility.
- Type
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- Designer
- Elisa Ilana
- Material
- Leather


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A sense of balance is as important when we drive as it is when we walk, inspiring confidence in every turn of the wheel. We brought together experts to enhance the feeling that the All-New Mazda3 feels like an extension of your body, using human-centric engineering and Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture to make tyres, seats and chassis work in complete harmony with you.
Figures shown in the key features section relate to All-New Mazda3 122ps SE-L model . Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.
*There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures shown however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. The MPG figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing. These are provided for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your actual driving results.
Models shown may not be to UK specification. Colours and some exterior and/or interior elements may differ on screen from the actual model. Bose sound system available on GT Sport and GT Sport Tech models. The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Mazda3 range: Combined 42.2 (6.7) - 56.5 (5.0)*. CO2 emissions (g/km) 128 - 107*


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Hank Risan was ordered to pull The Beatles' catalog from the BlueBeat website this week, but those weren't the actual recordings. The tracks were "psycho-acoustic simulations" of the songs. Too bad that defense will never hold up in court.
Hank calls the technique equivalent to a virtual cover band playing The Beatles' songs. He bought all of their albums, had a computer analyze the waveforms to determine their pitch, timbre and other defining qualities, then destroyed the original copies of the music.
He then had a computer reconstruct the songs based on the data it collected from analyzing the waveforms. It wasn't a recording, but a complete mathematical rebuild of the song.
That's really cool, and incredibly impressive that he managed to recreate the tracks from scratch like that, but there's no way the defense stands a chance against EMI's lawyers. I think I remember this argument being tried before with MP3s. A defendant claimed that because a majority of the waveform data was thrown away during encoding, it was not identical to the original recording.
Nice try, said the judge. As long as it's audibly identifiable as a certain recording, it constitutes as copyright infringement. At least that's what I remember. If anyone knows the specific case or I'm completely wrong, please chime in. Have fun in court November 20, Mr. Risan. [FastCompany]


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3 years ago
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Archies Eid Cards0 comments Posted by Valentine Cards at 9:44 AM
Explore our latest collection of Archies Eid cards exchanging warm Eid mubarak wishes with network friends, colleagues, families and loved ones along with bunch of flowers, pack of gift and more. Get complete and free access over these free ecards by clicking and saving it.
Yahoo Eid Cards, Eid Mubarak Yahoo Collection0 comments Posted by Valentine Cards at 9:35 AM
Explore the beautiful collection of Yahoo eid cards focused on Islamic holiday when people offer special prayers to Allah and celebrate the day with excitement. Hope you would have enjoyed our free gallery based on Eid theme and collection by yahoo greetings.
Labels: Cards
Eid Photo Cards, Happy Eid Photo Wishes0 comments Posted by Valentine Cards at 9:23 AM
Add your personal photo to these greeting cards to exchange warm Eid Mubarak feelings and wishes. You can carry these Eid Photo Cards to exchange warm emotions and sentiments. Not only single but your group photo will work well to make your loved ones feel happy on the occasion of Eid.
Labels: Greeting-Cards, Happy-Eid
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[R2R, Afton Alps] and [R500R, Wild Mountain], both located about an hour east of the Twin Cities, have big plans for family New Year's Eve celebrations and, of course, plenty of skiing and riding.
Afton, one of the area's largest ski hills with 48 trails and 18 chairlifts, will be open for regular skiing and riding New Year's Eve Day, and than will keep the front lifts and snowtubing open until midnight. Your regular lift ticket will be good for the extra hours of skiing and riding. There will be live music to see the New Year in, a torchlight parade at midnight, food, and party favors. Bring the family out for the day and celebrate New Year's Eve together at the Alps.
Wild Mountain, the first ski area to open in the Midwest this winter in mid-November, is throwing a family ski and snowboard party Saturday, Dec. 31, from 3-9 p.m. The cost is $34.50 for ages 13 and up, $25 ages 6-12, and $7 for 5 and under, which includes your lift ticket, spaghetti and meatball dinner, ski movies, party hats and noisemakers, and a balloon drop to welcome in an early New Year. Snowtubing will also be offered from 5-8 p.m. for $19.95 for all ages. You'll be home early enough to watch Dick Clark welcome in New Year's Eve.
"We've been doing this for a few years. The families like the early celebration, and they get home before midnight. It's become kind of a tradition at Wild Mountain," says Wild VP Amy Frischmon.


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This fun little pile of fabric came from Sew Mama's shop just recently and it was all on sale!
Wow. That was fun! What a weekend, thanks to Sew Mama Sew. I will admit I didn't get to visit every giveaway I would have liked and I am still checking out posted links. So please be patient with me. I've never had my inbox so inundated! Thanks so much to those of you who shared. I found some really fun stuff through those links.
I will also try to answer some of the questions too. The main question I can answer here is that no, there is no pattern for that Arcadia quilt. It was my first real attempt at improve sewing. Working with the Moda pre-cuts made it really quick. Basically I can tell you this – it's a big strip quilt. I would sew sets of strips together and at random places, rotary-cut across those strip sets and insert a big layer cake square. All very random. It was a really fun, liberating excercise!
Okay, so now the moment you've all been waiting for. . . (and I'm sorry the wait was so long. First day of summer break here and both the computer and I have more people vying for our attention.)
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
Timestamp: 2009-06-01 15:49:39 UTC
The winner is Candice! Congratulations Candice. I will contact your for mailing info.
MANY thanks to all of you for stopping by! I met so many fun, talented, hilarious, awesome, new bloggers. I wish I had Arcadia charm packs for all of you. And thanks again to Sew Mama for coordinating it all. 🙂 Happy first day of June, folks.


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I received this message from Will:
I found this while updating a certain profile of mine of a certain website called Facebook. You probably already know of this website as it is quite well known to the masses. You have probably already seen what I am emailing you to show you, but in case you haven't I feel the need to send you an email anyway. On with showing. Attached is a .jpg file with a screen shot of my computer displaying the editing of my Facebook profile. I was changing my religious views to "Pastafarian" (naturally) and in doing so when I had only typed in four letters "PAST" the website went on to finish it with a choice of "Pastafarian". I found this quite amusing.
p.s. When I began typing in "Rast" to see if they finish that as "Rastafarian" nothing came up. Which means, if Facebook was the authority on religions in the world, you'd have the Rastafarian's beat. Congrats!
Thanks, facebook. I wonder if Myspace snubs us because of that FSM virus that was infecting their users pages – even though it was almost certainly created by someone who was not a Pastafarian.


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When you think of your home organization, what comes to mind? For me, it used to be that I could never attain any sense of balance no matter what I did - attempting to de- clutter, throwing out my items, packing things away in boxes, etc.
Just what you'd expect from anyone frustrated and tired of seeking an organizational lifestyle to no avail.
Now, thanks to a couple new and innovative organizational tools, Racor's got a new different perspective on storage, and it's one that's super easy and affordable to attain.
So how do you balance your outdoor gear with all the other knickknacks found in the garage? Start with the Single Folding Bike Rack (PSB-1R). Whether you're an everyday rider, marathon trainee, proud coach of two little ones, or an aspiring cyclist, this garage bike rack will help you make significant improvements in your garage and overall organizational space.
Not only does this rack store one bicycle on the wall, but also features a handy utility shelf for all smaller outdoor gear like helmets and kneepads. The rack can dually function as a mechanic's helper, holding your bike in place when tires or chains need to be checked. The folding function is especially useful when not in use. Folding flat against the wall, this garage bike rack stays safe and out of the way.
Just imagine your bike proudly displayed on the wall! A thing of beauty isn't it? Get the Single Folding Rack today for $14.99.
We are often cautious about what organizational tools would work best in our home. We may even be hesitant to invest given some of the unreliable devices out there on the market. But try to put aside any skepticism. Give it your best shot with the Double Folding Bike Rack (PSB-2L).
This garage rack is similar to its single cousin, but allows for storage of two bikes, as well as other equipment and gear. Installing securely with only one stud, this rack features resin-coated arms to cradle, secure, and prevent your bike from damage. This garage bike rack allows you to do more with your space than just lining up your bikes neatly on the ground. Bikes safely stored against the wall is perhaps the best possible outcome to getting great storage in a tight space.
Such a profound storage answer at such an affordable price: Only $24.99.
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you think about making organizational changes in your life. But the single and double bike racks make it something achievable. Taking just one step in any organizational area in your life can have a dramatic positive effect on the balance of the home. Try starting with a garage bike rack.


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police from Florida to Ohio continue to search for a 6-year-old Jacksonville girl who they believe was abducted by her mentally ill mother during a supervised visit late Friday.
An Amber Alert was issued Friday night for Onnika Fisher, as authorities are concerned about her safety because of 39-year-old Charity Chatman's history of unspecified mental problems.
[RELATED: Police: 6-year-old abducted by mom]
WJXT-TV reports that on Saturday, a warrant was issued for Chatman's arrest on a charge of interfering with custody.
"We don't have any indications that she is in danger, but I'm not trying to minimize the seriousness of this," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Assistant Chief Butler said. "Here you have a mother who, basically, the custody was removed from her. She no longer has custody of Onnika. She has sent emails that I would term to be delusional. So, anything is possible."
The Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of the child six weeks ago. In November, Chatman's roommate filed a protective injunction to have the woman kept away from her, and Chatman was recently evicted from her Atlantic Beach home.
Police say the abduction occurred just before 5 p.m. Friday as Chatman wrapped up a supervised visit with her daughter at the Jewish Family and Community Service Center in a Dupont office park.
They hugged and were getting ready to say goodbye to one another when Chatman "basically grabs the child's hand, places the child in the car and drives off," Butler said.
The Florida Department of Children and Families says a caseworker was only feet away at the time, but couldn't stop Chatman.
"She said that she had some gifts for that child in the backseat. And so, it's apparent that she had a plan all along," said DCF spokesman John Harrell.
FDLE Amber Alert flyer | UNCUT: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Saturday briefing
Since the kidnapping, Jewish Family and Community Services changed their policy and will require visiting moms and dads to say goodbye to their children at the front door. Harrell says it was a necessary move to further prevent something like this from happening again.
"They're very concerned about this incident. We're certainly all very hopeful and continue to pray that this child is found safely," Harrell said.
Police say Chatman and her daughter may be traveling in a 2000 dark green Buick Century with this Ohio tag number: FPA4958.
A photo of the vehicle shows a "trailer hitch receiver" under the rear bumper of her car, the Sheriff's Office said, adding in a statement that it was "a unique feature on this style of vehicle."
Since the car has an Ohio license plate, Butler said it's possible that Chatman could be taking the girl back to Ohio, where she has lived in the past.
Butler said Chatman's family and friends -- including the girl's father in South Florida -- also are sharing details about the mother and Onnika with authorities.
By midday Saturday police said they had received 15 tips, but none led to the safe recovery of Onnika.
"For something like this to happen, for a parent to just run off with a child, it's very brazen, it's very hurtful," Harrell said. "Obviously, you have concerns about what that child may be going through right now."
Police say Onnika is at 3 feet 10 inches tall and weights 53 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue jeans and a pink jacket with white polka dots on the inside collar.
Chatman is a black woman, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. She was last seen wearing a red baseball hat, green jacket and blue jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers, at 877-845-8477.


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To the extent required or permitted by law, we may use and disclose personally identifiable information in connection with security-related or law enforcement investigations or in the course of cooperating with authorities or complying with legal requirements. We may also use your personally identifiable information to protect our rights or property, our website or its users. In the event we believe that you have violated the terms for RIAA Shipment Data usage, we also may use and disclose your personally identifiable information in investigating and enforcing our terms against such violation.
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Product Description
- Comfortable-wear with silicone gel pad.
- Made of high quality material, the slim frame is ultra light and never deform.
- The bridge is wide enough to fit comfortably across the nose.
- IP electroplated.
- Glasses Legs: acetate
- Frame Material: titanium alloy
Package Details
Weight: g
Size: cm
Package Includes
1 × Rimless Titanium Alloy Frame


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Commercial, Public Service, Services
By Staff Writer | October 1, 2010
Send Feedback
Two U.S. west coast Kaman K-MAX operators are keeping busy in recent weeks. Kirkland, Wash.-based Rainier Heli-International's K-MAX (shown here) helped contain the Bull Fire in August northeast of Bakersfield, Calif. The work fell under a U.S. Forest Service contract.
Under a separate agreement involving a U.S. government contract, Swanson Group Aviation's K-MAX transferred 2.45 million pounds of massive rocks to the top of Mt. Lassen National Park in northern California. The boulder haul was conducted using a bucket system specifically designed to move rocks while hovering. (From October 2010 Rotorcraft Report)


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Please adjust the options below so we can estimate the most accurate monthly payments.
All pricing and details are believed to be accurate, but we do not warrant or guarantee such accuracy. The prices shown above, may vary from region to region, as will incentives, and are subject to change. Vehicle information is based off standard equipment and may vary from vehicle to vehicle. Call or email for complete vehicle specific information.
*Mileage shown for each vehicle is an EPA estimate. Select vehicles may require financing through VW Credit standard rates. Please see dealer for details.


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My Comments: As a financial planner and investment advisor for the past 38 years, I recognize that we, that's me and you, are moving into uncharted waters. While the future is always an unknown, what we are dealing with now is how whether many of us are going to have enough money to live with some degree of dignity when we reach age 90, age 95, age 100 and beyond.
Medical advances are allowing many of us to survive issues that 50 years ago simply resulted in death. Couple that with the "baby boomers", those born in the years following WW II and you have enormous pressure on a system that is unprepared for it. One reaction in anticipation of this was Obamacare, something which those who perhaps don't believe in global warming would rather decree we get rid of. Not going to happen. See my blog called This Train is Leaving the Station from earlier this month.
As a financial planner, I've steered people away from income annuities for years. It's like handing your wallet to an insurance company and saying to them, "…send me a check every month for the rest of my life and you keep what's left." Just not an appealing thought.
But so many of us are now going to outlive our money that an insurance policy against living too long begins to make sense. At least for some of our money.
By Bob Seawright, Madison Avenue Securities
Since at least 1965 and the seminal research of Menachem Yaari, economists have recognized that retirees should convert far more of their assets into an income annuity at retirement than they do. That they so rarely do what they ought to do is known as the "annuity puzzle."
In a new paper from the Journal of Economic Perspectives, Shlomo Benartzi, Alessandro Previtero and Richard Thaler offer their insights into why the annuity puzzle exists and how it might be solved. The authors frame the puzzle using Franco Modigliani's famous formulation from his Nobel acceptance speech: "It is a well-known fact that annuity contracts, other than in the form of group insurance through pension systems, are extremely rare. Why this should be so is a subject of considerable current interest. It is still ill-understood." It was true then (in 1985) and remains true today. Income annuities remain widely unpopular yet would help to solve a variety of complex problems with which retirees struggle and which cannot be solved otherwise.
The key problem dealt with by income annuities is longevity risk. This risk is increasing steadily in that life expectancies continue to expand throughout the developed world and is exacerbated because we are both retiring earlier and have less and less access to private pensions. Moreover, the distribution of longevity is wide – a 22-year difference between the 10th and 90th percentiles of the distribution for men (dying at 70 versus 92) and a 23-year difference between the 10th and 90th percentiles of the distribution for women (dying at 72 versus 95).
Income annuities hedge longevity risk simply and efficiently as risk pooling makes them 25-40 percent cheaper than do-it-yourself options. Thus retirees who purchase an income annuity assure themselves a higher level of consumption and guarantee it as well. As Benartzi, Thaler and Previtero point out, "You increase your consumption and eliminate risk at the same time… Who says there is no thing as a free lunch?"
A related problem faced by retirees who reject income annuities is the complexity that is added to their lives:
"Households who choose not to annuitize must learn a new skill, namely calculating the optimal drawdown rate over time. Given the complexity of this optimization problem, it is not surprising that retirees might err, either by under- or over-spending. These errors can easily be exacerbated by self-control problems if households have trouble sticking to their drawdown plans, either by spending too little or too much. By converting wealth into an annuity, individuals and households can simultaneously answer the conceptually difficult question of figuring out how much consumption is sustainable given the age and wealth of the consumer, and provide a monthly income target to help implement the plan."
In general, Benartzi, Thaler and Previtero make the well-known case that greater reliance on income annuities would enable individuals to increase consumption, deal with uncertainty, and help people determine the right drawdown rate and timing of retirement. The puzzle, of course, is why so few people take advantage of them. In 2007, $300 billion was moved by retirees from defined benefit plans to IRAs while only $6.5 billion went to purchase income annuities. As stated by the authors, "the sum of this evidence makes a strong case that people should be making greater use of annuities, to increase their consumption level in retirement, deal with uncertainty, and help solve the cognitively difficult tasks of deciding how fast to draw down their wealth and when to start retirement. Why don't they?"
One major hurdle is that the vast majority of 401(k) plans do not offer an annuitization option. That failure greatly reduces the number of retirees who will select annuitization – the easier default option wins a disproportionate amount of the time in virtually any setting. On the other hand, "when an annuity is a readily available option, many participants who have non-trivial account balances choose it." In fact, in a study of a Swiss pension plan that made annuitization the default option, 73 percent elected the annuity, 17 percent elected a combination of the annuity and the lump sum, and the remaining 10 percent elected the lump sum in toto; for another plan where the lump sum is the default option, the take-up rate for the annuity was only 10 percent. Annuitization options should be provided and should be the default setting.
The authors also argue (perhaps a bit optimistically) that this failure to annuitize results more from the "choice environment" than from underlying preferences. An income replacement rate of 80 percent is more attractive than a 20 percent spending reduction. Framing matters. Thus an investment offering a $650 monthly return is selected only 21 percent of the time while a choice offering $650 of spending for life gets a 70 percent selection rate. The choice should be framed accordingly.
Similarly, a typical consumer perceives that he "is taking a considerable sum of money and putting it at risk – the risk being that the consumer will die young, making the purchase a bad deal." Loss aversion comes into play here too. Since losing hurts about twice as much as winning feels good, the perceived monetary loss of dying early carries more weight than the possibility of monetary gain achieved by beating the actuarial tables, especially because a lump sum payment feels like a "sure thing."
So-called "mental accounting" is another significant behavioral factor in this area, with investors reluctant to write a big check to purchase a series of small monthly checks, which seems like a bad deal to many. That's because once we have something – and an account balance or a lump sum option makes us feel like we have something of real value – we are generally reluctant to give it up (loss aversion again).
Finally, Benartzi, Thaler and Previtero explore policy interventions that have improved savings accumulation behavior and which improve retirement income choices. They see the key challenge as helping consumers – who often see income annuities as a risk since they might die before getting their "money's worth" – view income annuities as part of a risk-reduction strategy. This approach is particularly promising in that earlier research has shown that people fear outliving their money more than they fear death itself.
The authors proffer two general policy considerations worth exploring in this regard. With respect to Social Security, they suggest that since accrued Social Security benefits can keep growing through age 70, the Social Security Administration should stop labeling different retirement ages as "full" or "normal." These labels may well be influencing selected retirement dates negatively. They also suggest a "claim and suspend" option for all retirees and that the SSA "encourage people to give careful thought to postponing taking benefits."
The second category of recommended policy changes "involves increasing the supply of easy-to-find annuity options for those of retirement age with 401(k) and other defined contribution plans." Doing so will take government action to make current regulations clearer and will also require employer cooperation.
The annuity puzzle is not insoluble. But solving it will require concerted effort by both government and the private sector so that more retirees will have assured lifetime income.


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DIES ProGRANT: Proposal Writing for Research Grants
Proposal Writing for Research Grants
ProGRANT Proposal Writing for Research Grants is part of the DIES (Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies) program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
The aim of ProGRANT Proposal Writing for Research Grants is to enable researchers and younger PhD holders (up to 40 years of age) from countries in the Global South (mainly Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia) to develop proposal writing skills according to international standards and to design, write and budget a promising proposal for national and international research funding.
The courses are organized and conducted by the International Office of the University of Cologne in close cooperation with ProWiss (Consulting Services for Researchers) and partner institutions in the regions.
ProGRANT is an effective tool for enhancing academic capacity building in the global south and for promoting international research cooperation.
Course Structure
Course Offerings
Information for Applicants
ProGRANT Team
UoC Academic Experts


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Slovakian Chuvach
Veterinarian Reviewed on December 6, 2008 by Dr. Janice Huntingford
Physical Characteristics
Breed Group:
Flock guardian group.
Males weigh approximately 35-45 kg while females weigh approximately 30-40 kg.
Males stand approximately 60-70 cm while females stand approximately 55-65 cm.
This breed is white, occasionally with some yellow on the neck and ears.
The coat is typically between 5 to 10 cm in length and is slightly wavy on the back. This breed also has a mane on the neck.
Slovakian Chuvachs are courageous and intelligent dogs with an incredible ability to retain what they have learned. As loyal companions, these dogs are known for being extremely affectionate with their family members.
Country of Origin:
Slovak Republic.
This breed originated in the Carpathian mountains of the Slovak Republic and has existed since at least the seventeenth century. Although this flock guardian breed nearly became extinct after wolves disappeared from the mountainous regions of Europe, Dr. Antonin Hruza successfully revived the breed after World War II. The first standard was written by Dr. V. Kurz for this breed in 1964 and the Slovakian Chuvach gained official recognition for the first time in 1969. The Slovakian Chuvach, which is similar to the Kuvasz, is still quite rare but enjoys a certain level of popularity in Central Europe.
Chuvach, Kuvac or Cuvac is pronounced "chew-votch." Additional names for this breed include Slovensky Cuvac, Slovakian Chuvach, Tatransky Cuvac, Slovensky Kuvacatransky Cuvac, and Slovensky Tchouvatch.
Slovakian Chuvachs are calm yet alert dogs. Suspicious of strangers, these animals are natural guardians. Although Slovakian Chuvachs can be stubborn, proper training can overcome this trait and obedient behaviour can be instilled. These gentle dogs are excellent with family members and children.
Slovakian Chuvachs require firm training due to their stubborness. These dogs also require a dominant handler with a good understanding of flock guardians and their natural instincts.
This active breed needs space and vigorous exercise.
This breed is not suitable for average pet owners. Slovakian Chuvachs are also not suitable for apartment living and should preferably live on a ranch or farm. This breed has an average life expectancy of 11 to 14 years and requires frequent brushing mostly at springtime and autum. Slovakian Chuvachs enjoy living with large families with children and livestock to look after.
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Our Expert
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan


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- Antoine De Pluvinet
Yay, Dusty! She is a beaut. Blue could have a little spring fever, no? Funny, I asked my instructor to reintroduce me to longing this weekend! After a few moments of coaching and fine-tuning my stance, my boy did wonderfully going one way. However, when I alone tried to longe him the other way, he would have none of it. It was exhausting! Are Dusty and Blue good on both sides when you longe them?ReplyDelete
Hi Wolfie,
At the moment Dusty is good going both directions. Blue used to be equally fine too but since he's decide longeing isn't for him he's being a jackass in each direction too.
Maybe Gem could get tired by the time you switch or if you're anything like me you could be better going in one direction than the other and sending mixed signals. Sometimes my feet don't seem to cross over one another so gracefully going to the right so I get behind in my position once in a while. Guess I can't expect them to be coordinated when I'm a spaz.
I always think horses get a little wild over the winter if they've had lots of time off, they're like kids after the summer holidays. You're right, it is up to us to make things interesting for them and get their work ethic back on track. It's great that Dusty is doing so well, and I'm sure Blue will be back on track in no time. He looks great in that picture!ReplyDelete
I think these are the first full body photos that I have seen of Dusty and Blue. Dusty is a gorgeous golden color. I am glad that she was behaving like a lady. Blue's escapades sound like Harley's recent lungeing session. Hopefully, the excitement will be short-lived!
Blue is moving so beautifully in the lungeing photo.
Sounds pretty much like mine are in spring--they want to do what they want to do. Of course, it's not officially spring yet. In fact, it's snowing. I do think this weather has something to do with their attitudes, too. Mine are grumpy most days. I think it's good that you're getting them in shape slowly, and good for Dusty with her feet doing better! I haven't done any round pen work, and I really need to get my filly, Cia, in shape before I send her to the trainer. Reading your post has reminded me of that.ReplyDelete
Dusty looks lovely - glad she's feeling fine now. And Blue looks great in that picture - must have been good timing by the photographer.
I haven't tried lunging in a while - the last time Val was a complete jackass - he went to crazy town and didn't come back. I have no need to lunge him, other than wanting to be able to do it. I have to pick my battles...
Oh dear... I hope Blue gets his act together shortly. I agree with your assessment about the behavior being the result of having the winter off and not being to keen on going back to work! Glad Dusty has been well behaved and sound. She is so pretty!ReplyDelete
I can imagine that boundaries may be hard to adjust to again after a winter off. Keeping things interesting does require some creativity and commitment on our part.
They are nice photos!
I think Dusty is trying to prove that shes ready for work again because she's board. Maybe Blue had too much fun on vacation?
Isn't it funny how they either chose to 'forget' or remember stuff?
Is Blogger adding ads to everyone's blog, or is it just on my computer?
Anyhow, sounds as if you need to up the ante for Blue, giving him some interesting things to do. My Tucker gets bored and tons of quick transitions help him as does, of course, the challenge of a little jumping now and then. Cavaletti poles, stopping at a certain point, standing still, then backing, and, if you can manage with the line in a neutral position, you can add "reverse" as a command. Make the lungeing a game rather than a chore. "Show me just how smart you are!"
Glad to see Dusty (or her "twin") doing so well on the longe. Maybe she is enjoying the attention now and is looking forward to being your personal mount again. I am sure Blue would be fine with that!ReplyDelete
Hi Jean,
I haven't gotten any ads on my page. I don't know what you'll have to do to get rid of them.
Thanks for the good ideas with Blue.
I'm sure Blue senses the spring bling in the air .....and feeling great. I just love the photo of Dusty....very cute.ReplyDelete
I had to laugh when I realized you now have a new title: wild herd domesticator. :)
I realized awhile back that mine all lunge perfectly when they are tacked up but not so when I just throw on a halter and hook the lunge line to that. I don't lunge them much, so it's not a huge issue. (though I have the opposite problem - when mine don't want to lunge they don't run around like wild things, they come in to ME and act like angels - how I am supposed to domesticate THAT? :) )
This week starts them going under tack on the longe. Normally, I don't longe my horses but Dusty needs it to build muscle before I can ride her and Blue needs more exercise because he's chubby and out of shape.
Adding "wild horse domesticator" to my resume is not a bad idea. Your herd sounds very sweet and not in need of domestication at all.
Getting back to work is hard for everybody. With the time change I can work with both horses after work- but I've hard a hard time getting the motivation to do it. I guess Blue and I are feeling pretty similar right now ;)ReplyDelete
Go Dusty!! That must have been quite a satisfying experience. Unlike Blue ... frustrating for you, I'm sure ... sorry, but his 'escapades' do make me chuckle; it must be the way you write 'em ;o)ReplyDelete
It's so nice of you to take the time to visit. I appreciate your stopping by and commenting on what I've written. Even though I sometimes don't have the time to reply to each comment, I do enjoy reading them.


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Who doesn't love the cool, sweet flavors of tropical fruit, their tantalizing fragrances and brilliant colors bringing to mind the soft lap of crystal waters on white beaches! And you can't forget the lush foliage and gorgeous blooms. Well, if you've always wanted to create your own tropical oasis right at home, our tropical fruit plants will do just that! From bananas and pineapples to kiwi and avocados, your porch or patio will soon become your favorite place to relax, as you're surrounded by all the pleasures of your delectable edibles!


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I've been able to get a few more of our normal mode kills up for the guild (non-narrated!), and similarly to the others that I posted last week I thought I'd go ahead and toss them up here as well so that you can see the fights from a Resto Perspective. I had asked a while back about doing narrated guides for normals vs only doing them for heroics – and a lot of the responses I received were that heroics were what interested folks more. However, if that has changed and folks would like a narrated video for one (or more!) of the normals please do let me know and, time permitting, I'll be happy to try to put one together.
Please keep in mind that this is our second Staghelm kill and our first Rag kill – so I've not perfected my healing for them yet and it's quite likely you'll see me make an error or do something boneheaded here or there 😉
I hope you enjoy the two I'm putting up now! Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions!
Majordomo Staghelm


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Sick of seeing photos of fireworks? Well here's some more.
We watched the show last night in the park with Jeremiah's family. We were all nervous about how Israel would respond but he loved them! And he got to stay up really late too, which he loved even more.
Other Stories
5 comments:
I haven't seen any photos of fireworks, so I am not tired of them at all. Cool picture by the way.ReplyDelete
Yesterday we had fireworks here to at the promenade, I was like WHAT!?ReplyDelete
Lovely pictures, im from the UK, so i havent seen ANY fireworks! I love the fireworks that look like they're in a heart shape :)ReplyDelete
Haha, funReplyDelete
Thank you for your comments, I love hearing from you!
Questions, comments or sponsorship inquires, please contact me via the 'contact' link.


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We warmly welcome Chris Haughton to My Little Bookcase as part of his global blog tour. Chris is enthusiastically promoting his latest book,and we think Oh No, George! is simply wonderful. Read our glowing review here. He is also the author of A Bit Lost.
Chris has been busy visiting some international blogs and answering many insightful questions. We don't have any questions for Chris at My Little Bookcase though. Instead, he has bravely agreed to be the first author/illustrator to step inside the My Little Bookcase Confessional and declare some secrets (well at the very least, some facts YOU may not know about him).
1. I live in my work studio (as opposed to working from home!)
2. I work quite erratically. I usually work quite frantically for a few weeks or months and then take a while off in one go.
3. I studied graphic design because it was the only art department with computers.
4. I probably need to work on my life/work balance!
5. I have about 300 owls and 20 monkeys under my bed.
(Available for purchase at http://shop.chrishaughton.com along with other prints and products designed by Chris. )
I'm sure Chris has left you intrigued and wanting to find out more. We've been following his blog tour so far, and think Chris is incredibly talented and socially astute.
I encourage you to pop by some of these blogs to find out more about this picture book genius. Here are some of the highlights from the tour:
- Picture Book Picnic with Walker Books- The Making of Oh No, George!
- Not Just For Kids- Chris shares his inspiration for illustrating.
- Playing By the Book- Chris describes the unique places he has lived, and talks a bit about his next book.
- Christchurch Kids- Chris describes his research on guilty dogs.
- Wahm Bam!- Chris discusses the colour scheme for his illustrations, and how he goes about writing stories that everyone can relate to.
- There's a Book-A sweet interview with a four year old interviewer, and you'll find out some of Chris' favourite things.
And more will be revealed in the coming days at:
- March 21: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
- March 22: Being a Mummy
- March 23: The Book Chook
With thanks to Walker Books Australia, My Little Bookcase is pleased to offer a copy of Oh No, George! to one lucky reader.
To enter:
Read our book review of Oh No, George! and leave a comment below telling us what you find most appealing about the book.
The winner:
One winner will be randomly selected with the assistance of www.random.org.au to win a copy of Oh No, George!
Terms and conditions:
1. Each reader may enter only once.
2. Entrants must live in Australia to be eligible for this give-away.
3. All entries must be received by 8pm (EDT) Sunday 25 March 2012 to be eligible.
4. The winner will be selected using www.random.org
5. The winner will be notified via email and will also be announced on www.mylittlebookcase.com.au, facebook and Twitter.
6. The winner is asked to respond to the email with a delivery address.
Good luck!


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Calculating interest
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Posts Tagged 'TED talks'
What the Hake happened to Gregg? – Understanding how people become monsters … or heroes
Posted by: shekinahp on November 24, 2010
How Cults Rewire the Brain
Posted by: exmstmember2009 on November 21, 2010
Posted by: shekinahp on November 24, 2010
Posted by: exmstmember2009 on November 21, 2010
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Cynthia Kai
Cynthia Kai, choreographer, studied at North Carolina School of the Arts. Cynthia Kai has performed and choreographed for 28 years. In theaters such as the GöteborgsOperan, the National theater of Oslo, Trøndelag theater, Oslo Nye teater, Chat Noir theater, Wallmanns Oslo and many more, in productions of: Cabaret, Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly, Evita, Rent, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, and Chicago to name a few. She has worked in dance groups in Norway, the Kansas City Ballet in the USA, and Sweden's Joe Labero. She was recently resident choreographer at Östgötateatern, where she also had her directing debut with A Soldiers Tale. She has taught at The Gothenburg University, professional classes in Oslo and Gothenburg, The Ballet academy in Gothenburg and Bårdar Academy in Oslo.


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"Pineapple Express" received a lot of press when it was released a couple of years ago, and rightfully so. It is a very funny film.
The mainstream attention this film attracted, coupled with the popularity of other such films like "Super High Me" and the "Harold and Kumar" series, makes it is easy to believe that portraying drug use in movies is the new frontier of film making.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Well, actually, quite a few things could be said that, technically, would be further from the truth but, for the sake of argument, let's just agree that the "new frontier" stuff that I mentioned above couldn't be further…you know what? Just forget it. Let's move on.
The Entertainment Industry has always had a case of the willies when it came to portraying unconventional lifestyles. Although it might seem to many that doper films sprang full-grown out of the gravel kicked up by Dennis Hopper's motorcycle in "Easy Rider," in reality, drug use has always been a part of the Hollywood story.
It just wasn't so blatantly obvious on screen. In this way it wasn't much different than the way sexual relations were portrayed in films a generation or two ago (think of the fireworks in "To Catch a Thief" and the train going through the tunnel at the end of "North by Northwest").
Looking back now, the symbolism seems childishly obvious, but remember, these films were playing to a much less sophisticated audience. As you read about the following examples you will be tempted to groan, "DUH," but put yourself in the shoes of the average moviegoer of 60 or 70 years ago. Studies show that most of them still believed the Earth was flat and that Karl Marx was the 6th Marx brother. Well, to be fair, I have a feeling that a lot of people still think he was.
King Kong (1933) "King Kong" is actually an underground slang term for a big-time heroin user.
In the film, Kong symbolizes the common everyday dope-fiend of the early 1930s that hung around 42nd Street existing from fix to fix on the typical low-quality, street-grade heroin.
In the film, Kong's "tribe" (think "dealers") out of necessity, can only provide him with inferior-grade native sacrifices. It is obvious that this poor quality merchandise is merely helping him to "maintain" a sub-human existence, sleeping on subway grates and rummaging around in trash dumpsters.
Wait a minute…am I talking about the dope fiend or the gorilla? Just ignore that last part. I'll figure it out later.
One day, he (Kong, that is) is offered the fair Ann Darrow. She symbolically represents the clean, unadulterated "China White" heroin from the Orient. Naturally, Kong cannot handle the high-grade substitute and, in the end, it kills him.
So, actually, the moral of the story wasn't that "beauty" killed the beast. It was the "smack" that did him in.
The Caine Mutiny (1954): Humphrey Bogart plays Captain Queeg in this film that is rich with allusions to the drug world.
Queeg's crew suspects him of mental illness based on the bizarre behavior that he engages in. His overbearing presence crushes the crew's morale. He is suspiciously attached to his pet palm tree and is constantly berating his second in command, Mr. Roberts…
Whoa! Whoa! Hold on, Hannah!…I think I have "The Caine Mutiny" mixed up with "Mr. Roberts." What do you expect; they were both released around the same time. Give me a break, ok?
Everybody knows that "The Caine Mutiny" didn't involve a palm tree. It was a pilfered quart of the Captain's strawberries that pushed Queeg over the "edge."
It was common knowledge in the drug subculture at the time that the strawberries in this film are a reference to a particularly potent strain of marijuana that yielded red-tinged buds. This term would not enter the public consciousness until almost 15 years later with the popular release of the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever."
It also paints the common military order, "Smoke if you got 'em," in a decidedly different light.
Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1949): Again, Humphrey Bogart plays a man whose inner turmoil turns him to a life of addiction. It may seem like the story is about gold but if you look just under the surface you see that Fred C. Dobbs' "goods" represent much more than mere wealth. They become his life force, guiding him into deeper and deeper dependence and unremitting soul-killing paranoia.
Plus, there was an awful lot of dust floating around at the end of the movie. Tell me that isn't symbolic of something. Go ahead, tell me. I dare you!
And while you're at it, take your eyes off of my "goods," Buster!
It's a Wonderful Life (1946): In this post-war drug fantasy, James Stewart plays George Bailey, a man who experiences a psychedelic interlude after being caught in a "snow" storm. He is accompanied by a hallucination he has convinced himself is an angel as he explores a world in which he never existed. And if you can wrap your head around that concept, you're probably eight miles high on the stairway to Heaven right now.
The Wizard of Oz (1939): Hmmmm…let's see, we have black and white changing to color, talking scarecrows, dancing tin men and sissy lions, flying monkeys and apple chucking trees, good witches and bad witches and little annoying people…and don't even get me started on the Yellow Brick Road! (Acapulco Gold, anyone?)
Come on, if this isn't a doper film, nothing is.
Lions and tigers and bears, yeah…right…in your pipe dreams, Sparky.
Hey, gang, it's time to take "The Challenge"!
Just click the logo…Good Luck!
For information on Jessica Atwater, the original Movielady and my mentor, and to read some of her classic film reviews :