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Gift Guide: For Cake Bakers
Do you know someone who loves baking layer cakes, just because, or brings a perfectly decorated tray of cupcakes to every occasion? This is definitely the time of year to reward their interest—who knows, maybe you'll get a sweet gift in return.
Heritage Bundt Cake Pan
My tastes tend towards the classic, so a straightforward Bundt pan has always been a good fit for me and my cakes. However, a few weeks ago I decided plain just wouldn't do and I bought this art deco-inspired mold. Sleek and modern, it's Bundt 2.0. Williams Sonoma; $34.95
Designer Cake Stand
This is a gift you'll get if you've made it to Santa's "Nice" list. I hope I'm on it...Frances Palmer's handmade ceramics are uniquely beautiful. This cake stand ($595) is just one of her collection's pieces that makes my heart skip a beat.
My signature look? An apron. I wear one from sun-up to sun-down. Sometimes, I run to the supermarket and realize I'm still wearing it.
Mini Spatulas
As a food stylist, I own a lot of odd gadgets and tiny cooking implements that make the meticulous arranging of food on set a bit easier. I hate superfluous cooking equipment like avocado slicers, and though these mini-spatulas may seem like they fall into that category, but let me assure you they are not. Use them to scrape out sweetened condensed milk from cans and for spreading icing on cupcakes. Williams Sonoma; $14
Stand Mixer
I could not live without this thing. Period.
For The Cake Baker-In-Training
It looks much different 20-odd years later, but this is one of the reasons why I do what I do today. Easy Bake Oven; $54.99
Good Reading From Kitchen Arts & Letters
If you or your gift-ee don't live in New York City, get a gift certificate to Kitchen Arts & Letters. This is the most magical book store for the kitchen-inclined. (For example, check out this book of 108 plated desserts from French chef Thierry Marx. It may only be available in French, but the photos are universally appealing.)
Cupcake Caddy
I bring dessert to a lot of dinner parties and usually it's an unwieldy situation. I root around for empty boxes and shopping bags, trying to figure out how to transport the cake without any mishaps. It's a lot of work. And stressful. A friend suggested I get one of these caddies. I may self-gift.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Pakistani lawyer beaten after taking on army chiefNovember 17, 2012 03:23
A Pakistani lawyer has accused the military of sending thugs to beat him up after he challenged the army chief in court.
Inam Ur Raheem, a retired military lawyer, says three vehicles surrounded his taxi Wednesday night in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. Several unidentified men jumped out and attacked him with sticks, leaving him with cuts and bruises.
He claimed they said they were there to teach him a lesson.
Raheem says the attack came a day after he filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court challenging the validity of a three-year extension given to army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in 2010.
The army denied any role in the attack Friday, calling Raheem's allegations baseless.

subset: commoncrawl


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The importance of panties in our day to day lives has only increased with time. Earlier, it was initially a garment to protect modesty. But today, it can be a garment that can boost your beauty or aid your fitness regime. But most importantly, it is seen as an article of clothing that is essential to women's hygiene. The fantastic range of panties on Zivame is all these points and a lot more. Be it the modest appeal of boyshorts, no stain period panties or the incredible comfort that cotton panties provide, it is all here.
With our focussed approach to providing the best in lingerie, Zivame has worked hard to provide the best in ladies underwear. Explore the various panty styles through this insightful list of the most popular styles available on Zivame.
Bikini Panties: Slim on the sides, bikini panties feature just enough material to cover the bottom. This gives it the appearance of a bikini bottom. One can call them a fancy cross between panties and briefs.
Boyshorts: Boyshorts go all the way down the hips and are seen as the most modest style in underwear. They are named after their similarity to men's boxer shorts. They offer complete coverage on the sides and the front with a thong base.
Hipster Panties: This one is a medium coverage panty which is a cross between bikinis and boyshorts. Less bulky than boyshorts, hipsters are an excellent choice to wear under mid-rise pants.
Thong Panties: These panties have a triangle shaped front. This front then goes thin on the side. Due to which, it is able to offer minimal coverage on the back. You can also check out thongs and G-string panties which are similar in design. But when compared to thongs, G-strings are smaller and slimmer.
Tummy-Tucker: panties come in very handy for making tummy bulges disappear. They tend to make the stomach area look slimmer. The waist covers the entire abdomen such that it gives a perfect shape and a smooth finish to all your look.
There is a diverse range of styles to explore in Zivame's collection of panties online. This massively improves the scope of pairing them with a variety of outfits. So let's explore those options with these style tips:
When it comes to panty styles, Zivame also offers something special with their trending collections. Different women have different requirements. This called for a range of panties that addressed the specific innerwear needs that often go unaddressed. Hence, the creation of unique collections came into being. Here are some of the popular ones:
Zivame has always been pushing the envelope to provide the best in lingerie for its esteemed customers. As you have seen, it's wide range of panties is no exception. Looking fabrics that feel heavenly on your skin? Or are you looking for some eye-pleasing colours and patterns? Whatever is your need, Zivame is where you got to be. Also, feel free to explore equally fantastic collections of lingerie, night dress, tops and more only on Zivame.


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Dead in the Water: WriterHouse teacher publishes 2nd book
Scottsville-raised Meredith Cole has lived out of Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she wrote her first mystery, she set it in Brooklyn, where she lived at the time. Cole moved to Belmont in Charlottesville last year, but the setting of second novel, Dead in the Water, remains in Brooklyn.
Cole started as a filmmaker and screenwriter, and moved to mystery writing with the birth of her son. The first book in her series about art photographer/sleuth Lydia McKenzie, Posed for Murder, won the St. Martin's/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Competition. In the second, out in May, a hooker McKenzie has photographed becomes a floater in the East River.
Cole has taught mystery writing and screenwriting at WriterHouse, and that's where here book launch party will be at 7pm Tuesday, May 11. The public is invited.


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Spohkes - Real Conceptual [Boston, MA Unsigned Artist]
First visual for upcoming mixtape, "Strength In Numbers" ($.I.N.) coming soon.
Dir. @GREENEFILMS
Follow via @Spohkes
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Paola Navone is probably one of the most famous Italian interior architects and designers. She designed a new rug collection for Swedish manufacturer Kasthall, which es presented at Salone del Mobile 2012.
The deep shade of blue that has become Paola Navone's signature is combined with bold graphic design and motifs from cultures around the world.
The motifs are printed on pure wool carpets which are characterised by different weavings that underline the print pattern and create an interaction between motif and texture. An outstanding piece is the 'Doodle' Carpet, which has been handtufted in wool and linnen.
Kasthall Collections on Architonic


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thrifting part II
These were not thrifted, the title was a bit misleading. I just had to share Israel's new shoes. He's in between sizes so I have to order his shoes since it seems none of the local stores carries the size. Pretty cute huh? It feels kind of ridiculous since he'll grow out of them in a couple months but now that he's running everywhere, the boy needs some decent kicks!
Also, do you remember these Fisher price toys from when you were young? They are still making them, this pull-a-tune xylophone is the cutest. It plays a melody when you pull it, as the name implies, and Israel thinks he's so cool making music around the house.
Gem shaped crayons his Tia Linsey (my sister) bought him, I'm sort of sad to see them get broken but I guess that's what happens with boys. I can't remember the Etsy shop where she bought them but I'll update if I do.
We fed the ducks today. They surrounded us in angry droves and consumed a loaf of bread in about a minute. We left soon after.
Now about the thrifting we did yesterday. I found this pair of ceramic Japanese candle holders for $2/each. A teak bird for $3-his beak pinches closed and I'm trying to figure out what the original intention was for that. A $2 teak tray that I used to collect some pottery and our antenna, although I was liking how it disappeared into the white background and now putting it in the tray might defeat that. I might have to rearrange it. Still, I love trays and the wood is really lovely. And a drafting lamp, for $2.
Thanks also to Anna and Rachelle for the Polaroid film suggestion!
Other Stories
13 comments:
where do you find such awesome stuff for so cheap!!?ReplyDelete
I'm almost certain that the bird's beak is a memo holder. You found some really great items!ReplyDelete
Love the bird! I'm so jealous!ReplyDelete
Ok, the picture with the ducks and geese reminds of "The Birds" - large gatherings of birds kind of freak me out. Love your finds, especially the tray.ReplyDelete
The white shelving unit that you have reminds me of something my parents had (have?!). The metal was black and I think the shelves were teak. Must ask my mom.
Hello ! I've been following your blog for several weeks now and I really like all the items you found... Actually I love all your post ! Have a good day !ReplyDelete
Cool finds, Miss Merry! I love the shoes: can't wait until we can walk and buy sneakers over here, too.ReplyDelete
Wow you always find great stuff and so cheap!!, love the sneakers, very cute.ReplyDelete
Those shoes are too cute!ReplyDelete
so.... tell me about the legs on your desk in the last photo?ReplyDelete
Wow! Good finds indeed. Love that tray and the bird is darling...ReplyDelete
Your kid is lucky to have those crayons! I think I'd be tempted to draw in crayon (even at my adult age!) if I had those. So cute.
oh wow, we don't have crayons with this shape in switzerland ;-( would be nice to get the name of the etsy shop!ReplyDelete
So many amazing mod finds for damn good prices! Love 'em all.ReplyDelete
wow! some fabulous finds! i like the candle holders and the birdyReplyDelete
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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Oracle has released the new Oracle VM VirtualBox 3.2, which can be summed up as the "Three P's" — performance, power, and platforms. Highlights of this release include support for all of the latest Intel processors, new OS releases, multiple monitors, and the ability to run Mac OS X clients on Mac OS X hosts. There are also major enhancements in the areas of networking, the virtual disk system, video acceleration, memory usage, and USB devices. Overall, performance and compatibility has been improved across the board.
- Latest Intel processors
- Large page support
- In-hypervisor Networking
- Storage I/O
- Remote video acceleration
- Page fusion
- Memory ballooning
- Multi-monitor support
- Virtual SAS support
- Hot-plug CPUs
- Snapshot merging
- OVF enhancements
- Guest automation
- USB support
- Oracle Enterprise Linux
- Ubuntu 10.04
- Mac OS X guests on Mac OS X hosts
For more information on VirtualBox, see Virtualization for Developers with VirtualBox and Using VirtualBox 3.0 Virtualization Software to Measure Multicore Scalability.


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Sold Out $19.95
The girls' section has always been stuffed full of "Love" shirts, and we think that is awesome, because what is better than love? But why don't the boys ever get any love-themed shirts? We decided to put a little twist on it and send a message that love can be powerful and masculine - maybe even a superpower. Because it really is, isn't it? Designed with boys in mind, this shirt has been a big hit with girls as well, and we love it on all kids.
Fashionable Garments, Ethically Produced
All of our clothes are designed in Seattle, ethically cut and sewn abroad in Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production-certified facilities so you know they're sweatshop-free and guaranteed free of child labor, and then screen printed with tons of love in the USA.
Sizing and Fit
Our baseball tees run true to size. The fit is relaxed and loose. Your shirt will shrink a little the first time it is washed.
Fabric Content
Baseball tees with grey bodies: 60% cotton / 40% polyester
Black and white baseball tees: 100% cotton


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Available for flights across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Central America, as well as overflights of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
FlightAware can integrate VHF or satellite datalink for aircraft serviced by ARINC, ARINCDirect, Garmin Connext, Honeywell GoDirect, Satcom Direct, SITA, Spidertracks and others.
Real-time aircraft positions captured multiple times per minute for aircraft flying over land in over 185 countries. This allows for live ground tracking of your aircraft.
100% global flight tracking with once-per-minute position updates, including coverage over oceans, deserts and the poles.
Learn More About Our Data Sources and Coverage.Learn more
Selective unblocking lets you maintain complete privacy while allowing friends, family, employees, and business associates to track your blocked aircrafts' movements.
FlightAware Global's online management interface makes it easy and convenient to delegate access, add/remove aircraft, and configure flight alerts. You also have the option of allowing FBOs to track your aircraft when visiting their facility -- even if your aircraft is normally blocked to the public. This is perfect for business aviation and charter operators to allow administrators to make changes as needed.
Notifications of flight plans, route changes, delays, departures, and arrivals. Live ground tracking alerts are now available through Ready to Taxi™ and are included in the FlightAware Global subscription. Sent via text message, email or mobile push alert.
Whether you're in business aviation or you are a charter operator, FlightAware Global puts you in control. This service allows business associates, pilots, employees, clients, passengers, family, or anyone else to be advised of your aircraft's whereabouts.
View live aircraft autopilot settings and heading/altitude pre-selects (e.g., LNAV 280° VNAV 12000) as well as airport weather conditions (flight rules, visibility, cloud conditions, RVR, temperatures, density altitude, sunrise/sunset) live on flight tracking pages for situational awareness and improved safety.
The best solution for displaying worldwide, live flight tracking and weather imagery on your HDTV.
Perfect for offices, hangars, and operations centers!
Worldwide 4D turbulence and icing forecasts, worldwide satellite IR, lightning, and winds/temperatures aloft. High-resolution, current RADAR throughout Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada and the United States.
Great for giving situational awareness to passengers, family and friends!
Easily reconcile flight logs for reporting purposes using a detailed Excel file with data for all aircraft's flights.
Includes all of the data needed for the most comprehensive flight tracking analysis imaginable, such as origin and destination airports and flight times.
Available as a monthly and annual report.
Questions? Give us a call: +1-713-877-9015Get Started & See Pricing
FlightAware is an exclusive authorizer of third party call signs for the FAA's PIA Program. If you're a FlightAware Global customer, this service is included in your subscription.
Blocking an aircraft prevents it from being publicly visible on sites like FlightAware. Blocking practices vary by country but typically require an owner/operator to either opt-in or out of the service.
In some countries, like the United States, owners/operators must complete an application requesting their aircraft to be blocked from public tracking on sites like FlightAware (opt-out).
Elsewhere, including in Europe, non-commercial aircraft are automatically blocked. Owners/operators must complete an application requesting that their aircraft be unblocked (opt-in tracking). In Europe, opting-in enables non-commercial operators to track their own aircraft but flight data is never publicly disseminated.
Owners/operators located in countries that require opt-out blocking (i.e. the United States) are unable to track their own aircraft once the opt-out process is complete. Owners/operators located in countries that require them to opt-in to tracking (i.e. countries in Europe) lose privacy since their aircraft becomes visible on public sites like FlightAware.
Selective unblocking, offered through FlightAware Global, solves both opt-in and opt-out challenges by enabling owners and aircraft operators to track their aircraft while hiding it from public view.
Yes. FlightAware Global is used by aircraft owners and operators to selectively unblock tail numbers around the world. In Europe, non-commercial aircraft are blocked from public tracking on sites like FlightAware by default. Owners/operators must opt-in to public tracking if they wish to track their aircraft. FlightAware Global makes it possible for them to do this and maintain privacy.
Only an aircraft's owner/operator and the individuals they delegate access to may privately track it with a FlightAware Global account. Proof of ownership is required during the sign-up process.
To track a blocked aircraft, you must be the owner or operator and it must be selectively unblocked through a FlightAware Global subscription.
Subscribe to FlightAware Global and we'll make sure everything else is taken care of. We provide same-day blocking on FlightAware.com and facilitate the process to block your aircraft from public tracking on other services. You will continue to have secure access to track your aircraft through your FlightAware account and will be able to provision access to friends, loved ones and colleagues as needed.
That's up to you. We don't limit the number of users and the self-management interface makes it easy to add or remove users.
That's up to you. The self-management interface lets you group your aircraft and provision access based on the individual needs of each user.
It's easy to add or remove users from your FlightAware Global account through the self-management interface.
If you block your aircraft, you may be unable to track it depending on your datalink provider. FlightAware Global solves this problem by integrating your datalink subscription free of charge. This enables you to privately track your blocked aircraft and enhances your datalink coverage by combining it with FlightAware's other sources, including ANSP flight plans and terrestrial ADS-B. It also provides a means by which you are able to share your datalink tracking with others, such as friends, family and colleagues.
No. Only people you authorize through your FlightAware Global account will see your datalink positions. If you own or operate blocked aircraft, these will be entirely hidden from public view.
FlightAware Global gives you the option of sharing your flight information exclusively with FBOs without sharing it with the public. This allows FBOs to provide the highest level of service.
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It was time to celebrate her life and not worry about the next set of test results.
The belle of the ball, Samantha shines in a new tiara and ball gown with the added knowledge that she made it to 17.
Born with a single-ventricle heart, Samantha has spent her whole life dealing with its challenges – hospital visits, treatments and medical tests. With the built up fear and anxiety over her life-threatening medical condition, it was time to celebrate her life and not worry about the next set of test results.
She was finally 17, and she wanted to celebrate MTV's "My Super Sweet 16" style.
Volunteers from Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley go to work to set up the luxurious party to embrace Samantha's upcoming adulthood and wonderful future ahead – her wish come true. The volunteers shared her story with community members gaining tons of support for the party.
Jewelers for Children – a long-time supporter of Make-A-Wish – sponsor the party allowing Samantha to pick out formal invitations and select a flowing white ball gown and tiara. A professor - and a former wish dad - at the nearby U.S. Military Academy at West Point arranges for the military academy to take part in Samantha's wish experience, and for the landmark Hotel Thayer to host and cater the gala. A hairstylist, make-up artist and manicurist also donate their services for Samantha to look like the beautiful princess she is during her birthday debut.
On her birthday, Samantha rides in a limousine to West Point.
Fans of "My Super Sweet 16" know the most anticipated moment of the birthday is the girl's grand entrance and Samantha's gala is no exception.
In a regal ballroom at West Point, party guests exchange eager glances. Outside, six uniformed West Point cadets stand alongside a red carpet with their sabers at ready. Four more comprise a military brass band.
The limo pulls in front of the ballroom and – to Samantha's surprise and delight – a West Point officer announces her arrival. The brass band welcomes her with a trumpet fanfare, and other officers create the famous saber arch for her to pass under.
She enters the elegant doors to a crowd of cheering friends and family. Pastel pink and white balloons line the walls and flowers adorn the tables. A deejay starts the music and Samantha and her friends sing and dance the night away – taking every opportunity to pose for photographers.
Nobody enjoyed the party as much as she did. For her, the best part of the wish was getting to spend time with her friends.
Share this quote
Chris Febles, wish coordinator
This story makes me feel
I got goosebumps from my head to my toes while reading about the wishes. What a glorious mission. Keep it up. I have submitted my interest at the website today. God continue to bless you!
January 16, 2008 - 10:43 AM
I think that it is really cool how the Make-A-Wish Foundation is granting wishes for kids everywhere! I've always wanted to be a part of something like this, and just to know that there are people out there that actually care about whats going on in society makes me have hope that maybe the world isn't as bad as everyone thinks it is! So thank you Make-A-Wish, for helping children around the world!
February 26, 2008 - 11:09 AM
It makes me so happy that, no matter how hard life, is she will always get to look back and remember the best 17th birthday party anyone could ever imagine. She looks like an angel!!
September 11, 2008 - 3:53 PM
Hodgkin lymphoma
I wish to have a royal Sweet 16
non-Hodgkin lymphoma
I wish to go see 'Dancing with the Stars' live
brain tumor
I wish to have the perfect Christmas with my family
Stay in Touch!
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Friday 25 January
|Rangifer (1)
Known as caribou in North America, the mammals (Rangifer tarandus) is a charismatic and hardy species that inhabits the northern reaches of the planet (3) (4). While the reindeer may occur as a number of different subspecies throughout its range, all are superbly adapted to a life in the extreme conditions of the north (2) (4).
The reindeer's coat is made up of a thick, woolly under layer, and an overcoat of stiff, tubular hairs which trap a layer of insulating air (2) (3) (4). Although the colour of the coat can vary with location from almost black to pure white, it is generally brown to grey on the upperparts, and pale to white on the underparts, inner legs and rump (2) (5). The face is typically dark, and the male reindeer develops a mane of long, lighter coloured hairs along the underside of its neck (5). During the winter months, the coat of the reindeer tends to be paler (2).
The ears of the reindeer are relatively short and rounded, and the tail is short and furry (3) (5). Inside the long muzzle there is a large surface area over which incoming air can be warmed, and moisture can be extracted from exhaled air to conserve water (3) (4).
Another of the reindeer's superb adaptations is its large, flat hooves, which act as snow shoes in the winter, and provide stability over soft ground during the summer (2) (3) (6). During autumn and winter, the hooves harden and develop sharp edges which is useful for breaking through snow and ice when searching for food (3). Hair between the toes of the hooves prevents snow from clogging them up (7).
A striking feature of the reindeer is the long, sweeping antlers that are re-grown each year. These vary greatly in shape between reindeer, but generally curve back and then forwards from the head, with a forward-projecting section which may be shovel-like in appearance (2) (5) (6). Unlike horns which grow from the base, antlers grow from the tip, rather like the branch of a tree (4).
Reindeer are the only deer species where both the male and the female possess antlers, although the antlers of the female are much smaller and simpler (2) (5). The female reindeer also tends to be smaller and more slender than the male (3). Unlike many other deer species, the coat of a young reindeer lacks spots when it is born (6).
A variety of vocalisations are produced by the reindeer, including the snort given by an adult when alarmed, the bawling cries of a young reindeer and the roars made the adult male reindeer during the breeding season (2).
Reindeer taxonomy is complex, with a number subspecies suggested based on genetics, morphological observations and the location of particular groups (3) (8). Generally, the following subspecies are recognised in the literature, although these may be subject to change: Eurasian subspecies include the Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) and the Eurasian forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus). The Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) and Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) inhabit high Arctic islands (4).
In North America, the reindeer is commonly split into the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Alaskan or Grant's caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) and the barren ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) (3) (4).
A highly gregarious species, the mammals can be found in herds of up to half a million animals (1) (2). These herds are usually made up of smaller, single-sex groups which band together during the annual spring and autumn migration. Most reindeer populations undertake seasonal migrations, with the annual distance travelled by some individuals being at least 5,000 kilometres, the longest of any terrestrial mammal (1) (2). Migration routes often involve crossing rivers and fjords, and, with its buoyant, air-filled coat, the reindeer is an excellent swimmer (1) (4).
During the day, the reindeer is almost constantly on the move. As it walks, the reindeer produces a characteristic clicking sound caused by a tendon in the foot slipping over the bone (2) (5) (6). At a run, the reindeer can reach speeds of 60 to 80 kilometres per hour (2).
A wide range of plants make up the diet of the reindeer (2), with this species typically selecting the food that is the most nutritious and easily digestible (3). New green growth and leaves are taken in spring and summer, while in the winter the reindeer uses its excellent sense of smell to find mats of lichen and plants hidden under the snow (2) (3). Remarkably, reindeer can see ultraviolet light which also helps them to find food during the winter (10). Like other ruminants, the reindeer has a compartmentalised stomach and relies on micro-organisms and re-chewing in order to digest its food (3).
The antlers of the reindeer are re-grown each year, and during the growing period they have a well-developed blood supply and are covered in fur, or 'velvet' (4). Once the antlers are fully grown, they harden into bone and the blood supply is stopped and the velvet brushed off (4). The breeding season, or rut, usually begins in autumn, and the male reindeer will compete to control a harem of 5 to 15 females (2). During this time the male uses the antlers in displays, threats and fights (5). Fighting between male reindeer can lead to serious injury or even death, and involves shoving and wrestling. A male reindeer may also take parts in bouts of 'bush thrashing', where they thrash their antlers through vegetation (5). The antlers of the adult male reindeer are shed after the breeding season, while a younger male reindeer may retain them into winter or even spring (3).
Mating occurs mainly in October, and the female gives birth the following May or June, after a gestation period of 227 to 229 days. A single calf is usually born, although twins are not unheard of, and the young reindeer can follow its mother after only one hour, and outrun a human after only a day (2). The young are weaned after around six months (1). The female reindeer retains the antlers until after giving birth, and this is thought to aid them in competing for food during the winter (3) (4).
The reindeer has a number of natural predators, including wolves, bears and cougars (1) (5). The maximum age for a wild reindeer is thought to be around 15 years, though an individual in captivity has been known to live to just over 20 years (2).
The mammals has a circumpolar distribution which spans the northern parts of North America and Eurasia (1) (3) (4). Although historically more widespread, in North America the reindeer can now be found Alaska, Canada and the northernmost parts of the United States. In Europe, the reindeer occurs in Norway and Finland, and it can also be found in Russia, Greenland, Iceland and Mongolia (1) (3).
The northernmost population of reindeer occurs on the islands of Svalbard, in the High Arctic (9).
The reindeer inhabits Arctic and sub-Arctic tundra, as well as boreal coniferous forest. In parts of its range, it also inhabits mountainous areas (1) (2).
The reindeer is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Although the mammals may not be considered to be globally threatened, it is hunted extensively for its meat, fur and antlers, and has disappeared from areas of its former range, including Germany, Poland, and the southern limits of its range in the United States (1) (2). There were originally an estimated 5 million reindeer present in Russia, with this number reaching a low of 300,000 individuals in 1940. Wild reindeer have also been threatened by persecution from domestic reindeer herders, as well as habitat destruction and modification, which sometimes results in the blockage of migration routes (2).
Another threat to the reindeer of North America is a parasite carried by the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), whose range is spreading northwards due to habitat modification (2). While the parasite has no effect on the white-tailed deer, it is fatal to the reindeer (1) (2). In Finland, the reindeer may also be at risk of hybridisation with semi-domesticated animals (1).
The reindeer may be affected by future climate change, which could increase the frequency of rain and subsequent icing over of this species food sources, leading to starvation. Warmer weather could disrupt migration routes by affecting the break up of sea ice, and could also increase the number of parasites of reindeer (1).
The mammals is protected in Europe by its listing on Appendix III of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (also known as the Bern Convention), which aims to regulate the exploitation of this species (1) (11). It is also listed on Appendix II of the EU Habitats and Species Directive, which means that protective measures must be taken to ensure its conservation (1) (12).
Hunting of the reindeer is now strictly controlled in Norway and Russia, though poaching may still occur, and fencing has been erected in Finland to prevent the hybridisation of wild reindeer with semi-domesticated animals (1).
The Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi) subspecies is considered to 'endangered' by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) (13), and is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA), and by land-claim agreements that recognise and specify Aboriginal rights to harvest wildlife (14).
For more information on the reindeer, see:
Find out more about the conservation of deer species:
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
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One show just aired the second episode of its freshman season while the other is a little further ahead on its fifth, but today HBO treated them as equals by announcing The Newsroom and True Blood will each get another season.
The Aaron Sorkin scripted cable news drama reeled in 2.1 million total viewers, which is just shy of the numbers for the series premiere of Game of Thrones, and that was enough to impress the cable network. On the content side of things, the second episode which just aired last night was a vast improvement on the already promising pilot, especially with series regular Alison Pill making a huge stride in one of the episodes' more prominent plot points, and further development on the relationship between Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer. Overall, the series felt like it had found more solid footing after delivering a lot of what people already expected from Sorkin anyway. Either way, it's good to hear The Newsroom will at least last one more season longer than Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, a show that would've done much better on HBO and with better comedic sketch writing.
Details on the renewal of True Blood after the jump.
It's been five seasons of bloody, erotic vampire, werewolf and fairy business on True Blood, but HBO is still thirsty for more. TV Line says the fantasy drama will get at least one more season, but remember, that Alan Ball will not be returning as showrunner, and executive producer Mark Hudis will be replacing him. I know some fans have grown leery of the series, but HBO seems to think that enough are still enjoying the ride to at least get one more season out of them. Only time will tell where the new season will take us with plenty of episodes left in the fifth season. The question is how many of the series regulars will survive to return for another season?


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(HealthDay News) — Women with demanding jobs that provide few opportunities to make decisions or use their creativity are at increased risk for heart attacks, according to new research.
For the study, researchers analyzed data provided by 22,000 women over 10 years regarding their job strain, job insecurity and other health and lifestyle information. Most participants were white health professionals. The women, whose average age was 57, answered questions about the pace of their workday, how hard they worked and to what extent they had to juggle competing demands.
After taking into account factors such as age, race and income, the investigators found that women with high job strain were 38 percent more likely to have heart-related events, such as stroke, heart surgery to clear blockages, or death. Heart attack risk was 70 percent higher, according to the report published July 18 in PLoS ONE.
Women who had highly stressful jobs but who also had a lot of control over their work — such as physicians, executives, nurses, teachers and managers — also had higher risk of cardiovascular events, according to the researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital.
"Previous long-term studies of job strain, defined by the combination of psychological demand and job control, and heart disease risk have mainly focused on men and a more restricted set of cardiovascular conditions," said Dr. Michelle Albert, a cardiologist and researcher at Brigham and Women's Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
"Our study indicates that high job strain can negatively affect your health. There are immediate and definite long-term, clinically documented cardiovascular health effects of job strain in women, and it is important for women and their health care providers to pay attention to the stresses of their job," Albert explained in a news release from Partners HealthCare.
While the researchers found an association between stress at work and heart attacks, they did not prove that there is a direct cause-and-effect relationship between job strain and heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems.
SOURCE: Partners HealthCare, news release, July 18, 2012
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Until the 1980s, most U.S. automated space explorers bore names connoting ventures into unknown parts - Explorer, Pioneer, Ranger, Surveyor, Mariner, and Voyager. Most people today identify the last of these names with the spectacularly successful pair of outer Solar System flyby spacecraft launched in the late 1970s. There was, however, an earlier Voyager program. First proposed in 1960 as a follow-on to the planned Mariner planetary flyby program, the original Voyager aimed to explore Venus and (especially) Mars using orbiters and landing capsules.
Carl Sagan, an assistant professor of astronomy at Harvard, and Paul Swan, Senior Project Scientist at Avco Corporation, published results of a study of possible Voyager Mars landing sites in the January-February 1965 issue of Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. For their study, they invoked a Voyager design Avco had developed in 1963 on contract to NASA Headquarters. The "split-payload" design comprised an orbiter "bus" based on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mariner (or proposed advanced Mariner-B) design and a landing capsule shaped like the Apollo Command Module (that is, conical, with a bowl-shaped heat shield). Bus and capsule would leave Earth together on a Saturn IB rocket with an "S-VI" upper stage (a modified Centaur stage).
The Voyager lander would be sterilized to prevent biological contamination of Mars. Near Mars it would separate from the orbiter, enter the martian atmosphere, and float to a gentle touchdown suspended from a parachute. The Avco design included no landing rockets, which meant that more lander mass could be devoted to instruments for exploring the planet. The lander would operate on Mars for at least 180 days. The Voyager orbiter, meanwhile, would fire rockets to slow down so that Mars's gravity could capture it into a polar orbit, from which it would image the entire martian surface and serve as a radio relay for the lander.
Swan and Sagan noted that operational constraints would limit possible Mars landing sites. For example, the orbiter and Earth would need to rise at least 10° above the horizon at the landing site to permit daily radio communication sessions, and the Sun would need to be rise at least 10° above the horizon so that the lander's solar-powered science instruments could function properly. Such constraints would combine to create landing "footprints" that would vary widely depending on the Earth-Mars transfer opportunity used. The footprint for the 1969 minimum-energy opportunity, for example, would take the form of a north-pointing wedge centered on 270° longitude and spanning from 70° south to 60° north latitude.
Avco's Voyager lander was designed so that it could be targeted to specific regions within such footprints, Sagan and Swan noted. They proposed that exobiologically interesting sites be accorded top priority in Voyager lander site selection. Sagan and Swan then looked at possible exobiologically interesting areas accessible to the Voyager landers launched during the 1969, 1971, 1973, and 1975 minimum-energy opportunities.
Their list of such sites was, of course, based entirely on Earth-based telescopic observations, for no spacecraft had yet visited Mars. They also used surface feature names that had been assigned by telescopic observers (image at top of post); those names would be superseded soon after the 1971-1972 Mariner 9 Mars orbiter mission.Sagan and Swan described the "wave of darkening" observed since the 19th century. The "wave" was regularly observed spreading from the pole to the equator in the martian springtime hemisphere. When they wrote their paper, it was widely interpreted as indicative of martian water, atmospheric circulation, and vegetation. Theory had it that, as the polar ice cap melted, atmospheric moisture increased and circulated toward the equator. Hardy plants then darkened as they absorbed the moisture from the thin air.
The first two Voyager landers would reach Mars on 31 October 1969, during springtime in the planet's southern hemisphere. The wave of darkening would be near its peak, making it the best biological exploration opportunity until 1984. Top priority landing sites would include the northern hemisphere regions Solis Lacus and Syrtis Major, which Sagan and Swan described as the "[d]arkest of the Martian dark areas." On the landing date, both regions would lie at the northern extreme of the southern hemisphere darkening wave and would be relatively warm.
Voyager spacecraft launched in the 1971 minimum-energy opportunity would arrive at the planet on 14 December 1971. Swan and Sagan noted that the 1971 opportunity would need the least amount of energy of any opportunity they considered, and suggested two possible ways of taking advantage of this. Four landers (two per orbiter) could reach Mars as the southern hemisphere wave of darkening faded. Top priority landing sites for this approach would be the southern polar cap, southern hemisphere dark areas Mare Cimmerium and Aurorae Sinus, and Lunae Palus in the north.
Alternately, the 1971 Voyager missions could use a higher-energy path to deliver two landers to Mars as the southern hemisphere darkening wave began. "Thus," they wrote, "the exobiologically highly desirable characteristics of the 1969 arrival [could] be completely duplicated in the 1971 launch period."
In the 1973 opportunity, which would see a landing on 24 February 1974, two landers would explore Mars's deserts and "the so-called canal features." The accessible landing sites would be relatively cold on the arrival date. Top-priority sites would include Propontis, a region containing a "typical Martian canal," and Elysium, a "near circular anomalous bright region of 'pinkish' coloration" in the northern hemisphere.
Sagan and Swan proposed that two Voyager landers leave Earth during the 1975 minimum-energy opportunity. They would land on Mars on 28 August 1976. Top-priority sites would include the northern polar cap and Mare Cimmerium, where the wave of darkening would reach its peak as the 1975 landers arrived.
Swan and Sagan looked briefly at the possibility of launching Voyager spacecraft on the powerful Saturn V rockets that were under development for the Apollo manned lunar programat the time they wrote their paper. They found that "superior site selection could be performed" if the giant moon rocket were applied to Mars exploration. In fact, their "preliminary calculations" showed that "the landing footprints for all post-1971 opportunities may be made to superimpose on the [highly favorable] 1969 footprint" if the Saturn V were used.
The first successful automated Mars spacecraft, 261-kilogram Mariner IV, departed Cape Kennedy, Florida, on an Atlas-Agena rocket on 28 November 1964, and flew past Mars on 14-15 July 1965, six months after Sagan & Swan's paper saw print. Mariner IV revealed a cratered, distressingly moon-like Mars with an atmosphere ten times less dense than expected. The 21 grainy images of the planet the little spacecraft beamed to Earth revealed no signs of water or life. The Avco Voyager design Sagan & Swan had invoked for their study would have depended entirely on parachutes to descend to a soft landing; Mariner IV showed that, while parachutes might still be used, heavy landing rockets would also be needed to slow a lander enough for a soft touchdown.
This new operational constraint contributed to NASA's October 1965 decision to employ the Saturn V as Voyager's launcher. At least as important as the new Mars atmosphere data in this decision was, however, the desire to find new tasks for the Saturn V after it had done its part to place a man on the moon. In 1964-1965, at the request of president Lyndon B. Johnson, NASA had begun to plan its post-Apollo future. In January 1965, the Future Programs Task Group, a body appointed by NASA Administrator James Webb, recommended that the post-Apollo NASA program be based on Apollo-Saturn hardware.Accordingly, in August 1965, NASA Headquarters formed the Saturn-Apollo Applications (SAA) Program Office. By mid-1966, SAA planners expected to fly as many as 40 manned missions using Saturn-Apollo hardware beginning in 1968.
At about the same time, NASA began high-level agency-wide studies of Saturn V-launched manned Mars/Venus flyby missions - what Charles Townes, chair of the President's Science Advisory Committee, dubbed a "manned Voyager" program. The first of these missions was expected to leave Earth for Mars in September 1975.
Despite Sagan & Swan's endorsement of the Saturn V, the fledgling planetary science community harbored mixed feelings about the decision to launch Voyager spacecraft on the giant rocket. The decision in December 1965 to postpone the first Voyager mission to the 1973 Mars-Earth transfer opportunity reinforced these misgivings. Combined with the post-Mariner IV redesign, the switch to the Saturn V drove the estimated Voyager cost-per-mission past $2 billion. The high cost made the program increasingly vulnerable as NASA funding reached its Apollo-era peak in 1965-1966 and began a speedy decline.
In August 1967, in the wake of the Apollo 1 fire, Congress killed Voyager and manned flyby mission studies and slashed funding for the Apollo Applications Program (AAP), as SAA had become known. The manned flyby program all but disappeared from NASA's collective memory and AAP shrank rapidly to become the Skylab Program. In October 1970, NASA permanently closed the Saturn V assembly line, which had been on standby since 1968. The last Saturn V to fly launched the Skylab Orbital Workshop in May 1973.
Voyager, for its part, rose again. In fact, one might argue that it rose again twice. In October 1967, NASA officials, citing Soviet planetary ambitions, met with Congressional leaders to propose a new NASA robotic program for the 1970s. In the new plan, which Congress first funded in 1968, Viking replaced Voyager. Like the Avco Voyager, Viking comprised a lander and a Mariner-derived orbiter; unlike Avco's Voyager, the Viking orbiter was meant to retain its lander until after it had captured into Mars orbit. The Viking Program's Titan IIIE-Centaur launch vehicle was approximately equivalent to Saturn IB-Centaur in capability. Scientists and engineers began to search for landing sites for the twin Viking landers almost as soon as the program received approval; the earliest Viking landing site candidates appear on a map that apparently dates from December 1970.
Funding shortfalls pushed the Viking launches from 1973 to 1975. Viking 1 left Earth on 20 August 1975 (image at top of post), and Viking 2 followed on 9 September 1975. In July-August 1976, the Viking landers became the first and second spacecraft to land successfully on Mars.
Meanwhile, in 1972, Congress approved the Mariner Jupiter-Saturn (MJS) flyby mission. The twin MJS spacecraft were christened Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 and launched in 1977. Voyager 1 flew past Jupiter (1979) and Saturn (1980); Voyager 2 flew past Jupiter (1979), Saturn (1981), Uranus (1986), and Neptune (1989). To date, Voyager 2 remains the only spacecraft from Earth to have visited Uranus and Neptune.
Carl Sagan's career after 1965 is well documented. He was involved in nearly all subsequent planetary missions, including the twin Vikings and twin Voyagers, and became by the early 1980s arguably the most important science popularizer since Galileo Galilei. His death at age 62 in December 1996 left a void that has not been filled. Paul Swan, for his part, led Avco's seminal 1966 study of manned Mars surface operations and joined the staff of NASA's Ames Research Center by 1970. He remained active there until at least the late 1970s.
The Voyagers continue to operate more than 34 years after launch and more than 50 years after the Voyager name was first proposed. Voyager 1 is the most distant human-made object; at this writing it is about 120 Astronomical Units (AUs) out (one AU = the Earth-Sun distance of about 93 million miles). Sunlight needs more than 17 hours to reach Voyager 1. Both Voyagers have entered a poorly understood borderland called the heliosheath; Voyager 1 is widely expected to cross the heliopause and enter interstellar space before 2015.
Martian Landing Sites for the Voyager Mission, P. Swan and C. Sagan, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Volume 2, Number 1, January-February 1965, pp. 18-25.
On Mars: Exploration of the Red Planet, 1958-1978, NASA SP-4212, Edward Clinton Ezell & Linda Neumann Ezell, NASA, 1984.


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You know what they say, the strongest, most comical and outrageous people you know are the ones who are weak deep inside. It's not that they deliberately and intentionally blind themselves of the fact that other people exist in their "perfect, happy world". Truth is, they see you. They think about you constantly. They imagine leaving their "perfect, happy world" in exchange for yours. It's not that they weren't there. They're just too scared to admit it.
I've been meaning to upload this song that I made. Oooh, it's the one that I mentioned in a blog posted earlier. Like I said, I haven't written the verses yet, so all I have here is the chorus. Tell me what you think! BE nice though. HA HA HA HA.
No Title - T


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Colorado Mountain College Accreditation
Accreditation at CMC is an on-going effort to meet its mission and help students succeed
Colorado Mountain College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Commission can be reached at: 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411, telephone: 800-621-7440. CMC has chosen the Higher Learning Commission's alternative accreditation through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP).
AQIP defines six categories in which our performance is evaluated. AQIP requires that we ask ourselves and our constituents how we're doing, how we can improve, and what projects we can complete to achieve our goals. Learn more about the six AQIP categories.
Systems Portfolio
CMC's progress toward creating a culture of evidence is presented in our Systems Portfolio, which documents our success and is updated periodically. In response to the Systems Portfolio, the HLC provides feedback regarding the college's strengths and opportunities for improvement via a Systems Appraisal.
- Download/view the current Systems Portfolio
- Download/view the current Systems Portfolio Guide
- Download/view the current Systems Appraisal
The 2014 Quality Checkup Visit was positive and encouraged us to keep moving forward with our strong commitment to AQIP and continuous quality improvements. CMC is committed to becoming data informed - using data and information to make decisions that improve student learning and student support. The next Systems Portfolio is due June 1, 2018.
Download/view the Colorado Mountain College AQIP 8-year Cycle Transition Map
For more information about the Higher Learning Commission, please visit www.ncahlc.org or call 800-621-7440.


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Aaron Rasmussen was 16 years old when a chemistry teacher told him to mix red phosphorous and potassium chlorate.
The two chemicals are volatile when mixed, but they don't normally combust without some form of impact. But these chemicals were in their pure form. The blast hit Rasmussen straight in the eyes, knocking him out. When he awoke, he was blind – a condition the doctors said might be permanent.
"Step one was figuring out what room I was in," he said. "Step two was running into things. Step three was getting the hang of navigating blind."
To Rasmussen, it was reminiscent of the careful learning process of a new videogame. Over time, Rasmussen's vision slowly healed, but the memories of blindness never faded. He decided he wanted to share the experience with the world in the form of a game where the player must stumble around in the dark. To fund the game, called Blindside, Rasmussen turned to Kickstarter, the crowdsourcing website that lets artists with a big idea but no money seek funding from potential customers.
Within a month and a half, Rasmussen and Astolfi had raised over $14,000 from 550 different sponsors hooked by the idea of a game that can't be seen.
BlindSide, which Rasmussen expects will be released early this year, isn't an anomaly. Since its founding in 2009, Kickstarter has already generated millions of dollars in funding for gaming-related projects as diverse as a museum of gaming culture and a zombie-fueled workout game for your phone. Developers are finding that the combination of free publicity and early engagement with the gaming community can help generate fans for a project while it is still just an idea. And crowdsourced funding lets inexperienced coders avoid the complicated and frustrating process of wooing big game publishers. In 2011, film and music projects were the most popular Kickstarter projects, but games boasted the largest increase in backers: nearly 46,000 backers pledged over $3.6 million last year, a 730 percent increase in funders from 2010. Some 253 gaming projects were deemed successful.
"BlindSide is a passion project, so we would've made it happen however we needed to," Rasmussen says. "[Without Kickstarter] it just would've taken much longer, and we would've had to cut a lot of corners."
Selling Ideas ————-
Founded in 2009 by day trader Perry Chen, Kickstarter is a crowdfunding tool that has evolved into a literal marketplace of ideas, facilitating generosity and serving as a financial pipeline between auteurs and their fans. The website allows anybody to pitch their projects and seek funding from potential customers.
The process is simple. First, somebody asks for donations to fund a project, like a book or a webseries or a set of graphic novels. He sets a financial goal and a deadline by which to meet it. If he raises enough money before the deadline, the project is funded. If the goal isn't hit, nobody pays.
It's a process that has done wonders for many aspiring gamemakers and indie developers. Game ideas on Kickstarter have found loads of success, even when they're not as unusual as BlindSide.
Fara, a mobile action-role-playing game created by two former employees of Doom maker id Software, earned almost $6,000 on Kickstarter. That money was was essential to getting the game off the ground, said co-creator Andrew Strickland.
"We had put so much of our own personal money into buying advertising and paying for our cost of existing while the game was finishing," he said in a phone interview. "I think near the end we thought we might be in some trouble if we didn't have somebody supporting us."
"Without Kickstarter, we might not have had any advertising money."Strickland and co-creator Brett Estabrook used the Kickstarter cash to place advertisements on gaming websites like Destructoid.
"Without Kickstarter, we might not have had any advertising money," Strickland said. "It doesn't go real far, but helps to know that you're at least spreading the word."
Kickstarter can get customers invested, both literally and figuratively, in a game before it is released. With nothing but an idea, a bit of video and a few screenshots, a developer can start building a loyal fan base.
The promise of fostering a personal connection with a game's developer can get people to open their wallets in advance. Jon Krusell, a frequent Kickstarter donator who helped back Fara, says he isn't even interested in RPGs.
"If I like the personality of the team, I may donate even if I don't intend to use the product myself," Krusell said in an e-mail. "By donating to Fara I was able to live vicariously through the dev team."
Jeff Hsu, whose iPhone game Catball Eats It All earned over $4,000 on Kickstarter, feels similarly. He says he used the crowdfunding website as a way to drum up publicity and collect early feedback from potential players.
Kickstarter also allows developers like Hsu to circumvent the traditional process of getting a game published. For inexperienced, small developers, getting funding from big game publishers can be a Sisyphean task.
"Pitching to a publisher or other major investor is a really involved process," Hsu said. "It requires that you first get in touch with them, find the right people to talk to, pitch your game, catch their interest, and if you get
that far, then you'll need to negotiate funding and terms, including who gets what. It's simply too much work for time-strapped indie game developers."
Dancing in the Dark ——————-
Some years after his temporary brush with blindness, Aaron Rasmussen was studying at Boston University when he befriended a fellow undergrad named Michael T. Astolfi. The two clicked immediately, bonding over weekly poker nights and a shared love for all things gaming. Both had grown up surrounded by videogames; both had dabbled in programming.
In 2011, the pair began work on BlindSide. They envisioned an adventure game like Zork or Myst, one that dropped players into a strange new place and forced them to solve environmental puzzles using nothing but a few basic keyboard commands. The twist, of course, is that you are blind, navigating the game's world and escaping its monsters with nothing but your ears and your wits.
Several months into the project, Rasmussen and Astolfi had a problem. They felt that they had a winning idea, but in order to execute it well they were going to need more money. They had to pay voice actors and buy software distribution licenses, not to mention pay rent and eat food. With no income stream and no publisher footing the bills, they couldn't afford to work full time on BlindSide.
They considered throwing the whole project on a couple of credit cards and praying that they would sell enough copies of the game to make the money back, but that was a huge gamble. Kickstarter was less of a risk: If they didn't get enough funding to comfortably complete the game, no one had to donate at all and they could try another idea.
The pair put up a video, a FAQ and a long description of BlindSide on the Kickstarter page. They then sent out links to various media outlets, some of which picked up the story and linked their page. Between press exposure and word of mouth, fans flocked to the fledgling game.
"It's a great idea," said Bo Gehring, a former audio developer who donated $25 to BlindSide. "I have a background in 3-D audio and have been waiting for something like this to come along."
Donating to a Kickstarter project isn't just for charity: Every page has a list of tiered prizes that donators can receive. The more you donate, the bigger the reward. Donate over $250 to BlindSide, for example, and you'll get a personalized version of the game, recorded with your name in place of the main character's. Pledging over $1,000 to Fara meant that backers would see non-playable characters named after them pop up in the game's world.
Kickstarters for indie games usually give out free copies of the game to donors. But there are some exceptions. Star Command, a sci-fi simulation game for iOS and Android that was successfully funded in October, had a boldfaced note on its Kickstarter page advising donors that they couldn't get the game free.
Star Command co-creator Jordan Coombs says this wasn't done out of malice or greed but out of sheer necessity. For every free copy of Star Command he gives away, he loses a potential download on iTunes or the Android Marketplace, he said. And without those downloads, he can't get the game on one of the featured lists that drive a large portion of sales in both mobile stores.
"You simply have to get onto these lists or the general public will never even know about your game," Coombs said in an e-mail. "If you dont, you become lost in the deep sea of 'non-Top 25 Apps' purgatory."
Coombs was successful regardless, earning almost $37,000 for Star Command, which he describes as "sci-fi meets Game Dev Story." Perhaps the massive success drew from his other rewards, which included posters, MP3 soundtracks and dedicated in-game characters for anybody who donated over $1,000, an offer that two people took him up on.
"Kickstarter really gives these donators a way to feel satisfied and even accomplished by donating with their tiered rewards system," says Craig Snyder, a backer who has donated to almost 30 Kickstarter projects including Fara. "It's cool to donate and contribute to the development of these projects, but it's even cooler to receive a little bit of acknowledgement and thanks in the form of being mentioned in the credits of a game."
Snyder says he has given between $10 and $30 each to around a dozen gaming-related projects. He has not regretted a single one, he says.
Kickstarter For Big-League Games? ———————————
One of the successes of Kickstarter is that it takes the guesswork out of greenlighting games. Publishers of larger games have to carefully choose which titles they publish, lest they lose a bunch of money on a quirky game that doesn't sell. Kickstarter is all reward, no risk, since nobody has to pay if the project isn't completely funded. But does the idea scale?
On the website Snack Bar Games, writer Graham Russell suggested in an editorial that top-tier publishers like Capcom and Nintendo should use the crowdfunding site as a metric to measure fan interest in games they're unsure about releasing in the U.S.
But publisher Xseed Games, which specializes in releasing niche Japanese games like Corpse Party and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, says it's not that easy.
"As a publisher that acquires rights to publish games developed and owned by other companies, it would be extremely difficult for us to use Kickstarter effectively," said Xseed Director of Publishing Ken Berry in an e-mail to Wired.com.
"It would be extremely difficult for us to use Kickstarter effectively."In order to strike a licensing deal, Berry says, Xseed first confirms the availability of a given title and then puts down money as an upfront guarantee. If Xseed were to use Kickstarter, it would have to ask the IP holder to sit on the license to see if Xseed could raise funds for the project.
"Not only does this come across as being very unprofessional, it also eliminates any risk we would have had by putting up an upfront minimum guarantee ourselves," Berry said. "While that may seem like a blessing that we have no risk on our side, the main benefit to the licensor is that the licensee is willing to take on all the risk since they are guaranteed a certain amount of money no matter how poorly the title sells."
In other words, the IP holder lowers its rewards in exchange for lower risk, letting Xseed do the gambling.
"If the licensor sees that the risk can be easily overcome by using Kickstarter, they would be much more inclined to publish it themselves rather than licensing it out," Berry said.
There's also the risk that a Kickstarter project could meet its goal and Xseed could use the money to sign a deal only to have unforeseen circumstances lead to things falling apart at the last minute, says Xseed senior editor Jessica Chavez.
"Things like this happen and we wouldn't want fans, especially after such a show of support, to be disappointed," she said in an e-mail. "Or angry. Or to send us painstakingly handwritten notes suggesting unpleasant things that might be done to us with blunt and/or sharp objects."
When asked by Wired.com if it would ever consider using Kickstarter, publisher Sega said it had no comment. Several other game publishers did not respond to Wired.com's inquiries.
For the time being, it would seem that Kickstarter's version of crowdfunding might not work for big business. But without a website like Kickstarter, many unique game ideas by young upstarts might have never made it past the drawing board. BlindSide's Rasmussen says the site has been nothing short of fantastic.
"The whole experience has been overwhelmingly positive," he said. "Our contact with the Kickstarter staff has been great [and] the community as a whole is genuinely interested in supporting creative projects."


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Man, what a month! Pretty much the usual commute thing, not much other riding. A little bit of driving to take care of some bizarre errands here and there that just couldn't be accomplished any other way.
Today, we turned the keys in for our old apartment. It seems like I've spent the last 3 weeks doing nothing but busting my ass at work, only to come home and bust my ass packing things into boxes, cleaning the old place up, moving boxes between apartments, unpacking those same boxes, organizing things and deciding what's going to remain boxed up for now. I'm a bit of a packrat. I gave away or discarded literally half a ton of random kipple that's been crowding my closets during the process of moving this time.
A lot of what's left had no rhyme or reason to how it was stored, with half a dozen large plastic bins all full of random computer, photography and bike stuff. Most of last week was spent finding a place for every thing, or a thing for every place, but I'm finally satisfied with how stuff is organized. Audio/Visual cables and hardware is finally stored in one thing. Networking stuff in another. Wall Warts and Power Bricks together. Bike parts together. I even have a 5 gallon pail completely full of ethernet patch cables. At least now I have a bunch of small messes of related items rather than one big mess sprawled across many different containers. I can't help but think I need to jettison some more of it, but you never know when you'll need an AUI to UTP transceiver balun or a NuBus Ethernet Card. Oh, wait. I needed one of each last week. Yes, really.
My plan for completing the 100 Pushups program fell completely apart as I encountered nights where I averaged 4 hours of sleep after an eight hour day working and an equal amount of time spent on moving tasks. The balance of my day was taken up by everyday boring stuff and a bike commute to keep me sane.
I'd imagine I have another week or so of getting settled in.
Putting additional stress on things, I barely listened to any music in October. Music gets me through things, and there just wasn't time to put the headphones on and get into the zone at work. And at home... you already know.
At any rate, I'm stoked for what November will bring. Stresses at work and at home are settling down. The temperature's falling, and we're going into one of my favorite times of the year to ride.
Monday, November 01, 2010
October Recap
Man, what a month! Pretty much the usual commute thing, not much other riding. A little bit of driving to take care of some bizarre errands here and there that just couldn't be accomplished any other way.
2 comments:
- Pat Ring said...
I've always said we should make prisoners move our stuff. It's the worst job in the world and I am positive it would deter crime more than any other punishment imaginable.
I am laughing about your cat-5 cables. Until recently I still had an old Trantor external SCSI device cable and a 1X speed external CD-ROM drive. I still had the floppies, 3.5 and 5.25, used to install the drivers to recognize the cable so I could attach the drive to reimage a PC. I've trashed all of that stuff now. I keep a 25' cable around in case one of my wireless routers dies, and that's about it.
I hope you get settled in...
- November 01, 2010 10:27 PM
- Noah said...
Most of the cat5 I have stored is longer. 25-50' when I am setting up a mobile lab for presentations or whatnot.
My wife and I are both nerds. There's my wife's gaming PC, my old Windows/Linux mini-tower, my OpenBSD 1U Server, IBM RS/6000 Model 250, Sun Ultra 5, and my Apple G5 XServe that all need to be hard-wired. I mean, I suppose I could go wireless on three of those, but it'd be a hardware investment and I generally dislike wireless if I can avoid using it.
- November 02, 2010 7:14 AM
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- Fachbereich Maschinenbau und Verfahrenstechnik (5) (remove)
A general framework for the thermodynamics of open systems is developed in the spatial and the material setting. Special emphasis is placed on the balance of mass which is enhanced by additional source and flux terms. Different solution strategies within the finite element technique are derived and compared. A number of numerical examples illustrates the features of the proposed approach.
The main concern of this contribution is the computational modeling of biomechanically relevant phenomena. To minimize resource requirements, living biomaterials commonly adapt to changing demands. One way to do so is the optimization of mass. For the modeling of biomaterials with changing mass, we distinguish between two different approaches: the coupling of mass changes and deformations at the constitutive level and at the kinematic level. Mass change at the constitutive level is typically realized by weighting the free energy function with respect to the density field, as experimentally motivated by Carter and Hayes [1977] and computationally realized by Harrigan and Hamilton [1992]. Such an ansatz enables the simulation of changes in density while the overall volume remains unaffected. In this contribution we call this effect remodeling. Although in principle applicable for small and large strains, this approach is typically adopted for hard tissues, e.g. bone, which usually undergo small strain deformations. Remodeling in anisotropic materials is realized by choosing an appropriate anisotropic free energy function.
 Within the kinematic coupling, a changing mass is characterized through a multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into a growth part and an elastic part, as first introduced in the context of plasticity by Lee [1969]. In this formulation, which we will refer to as growth in the following, mass changes are attributed to changes in volume while the material density remains constant. This approach has classically been applied to model soft tissues undergoing large strains, e.g. the arterial wall. The first contribution including this ansatz is the work by Rodriguez, Hoger and McCulloch [1994]. To model anisotropic growth, an appropriate anisotropic growth deformation tensor has to be formulated. In this contribution we restrict ourselves to transversely isotropic growth, i.e., growth characterized by one preferred direction. On that account, we define a transversely isotropic growth deformation tensor determined by two variables, namely the stretch ratios parallel and perpendicular to the characteristic direction.
 Another method of material optimization is the adaption of the inner structure f a material to its loading conditions. In anisotropic materials this can be realized by a suitable orientation of the material directions. For example, the trabeculae in the human femur head are oriented such that they can carry the daily loads with an optimum mass. Such a behavior can also be observed in soft tissues. For instance, the fibers of muscles and the collagen fibers in the arterial wall are oriented along the loading directions to carry a maximum of mechanical load. If the overall loading conditions change, for instance during a balloon angioplasty or a stent implantation, the material orientation readapts, which we call reorientation. The anisotropy type in biomaterials is often characterized by fiber reinforcement. A particular subclass of tissues, which includes muscles, tendons and ligaments, is featured by one family of fibers. More complex microstructures, such as arterial walls, show two fiber families, which do not necessarily have to be perpendicular. Within this contribution we confine ourselves to the first case, i.e., transversely isotropic materials indicated by one characteristic direction. The reorientation of the fiber direction in biomaterials is commonly smooth and continuous. For transverse isotropy it can be described by a rotation of the characteristic direction. Analogous to the theory of shells, we additionally exclude drilling rotations, see also Menzel [2006]. However, the driving force for these reorientation processes is still under discussion. Mathematical considerations promote strain driven reorientations. As discussed, for instance, in Vianello [1996], the free energy reaches a critical state for coaxial stresses and strains. For transverse isotropy, it can be shown that this can be achieved if the characteristic direction is aligned with a principal strain direction. From a biological point of view, depending on the kind of material (i.e. bone, muscle tissue, cartilage tissue, etc.), both strains and stresses can be suggested as stimuli for reorientation. Thus, whithin this contribution both approaches are investigated.
 In contrast to previous works, in which remodeling, growth and reorientation are discussed separately, the present work provides a framework comprising all of the three mentioned effects at once. This admits a direct comparison how and on which level the individual phenomenon is introduced into the material model, and which influence it has on the material behavior. For a uniform description of the phenomenological quantities an internal variable approach is chosen. Moreover, we particularly focus on the algorithmic implementation of the three effects, each on its own, into a finite element framework. The nonlinear equations on the local and the global level are solved by means of the Newton-Raphson scheme. Accordingly, the local update of the internal variables and the global update of the deformation field are consistently linearized yielding the corresponding tangent moduli. For an efficient implementation into a finite element code, unitized update algorithms are given. The fundamental characteristics of the effects are illustrated by means of some representative numerical simulations. Due to the unified framework, combinations of the individual effects are straightforward.
Point defects in piezoelectric materials – continuum mechanical modelling and numerical simulation (2010)
The topic of this work is the continuum mechanic modelling of point defects in piezoelectric materials. Devices containing piezoelectric material and especially ferroelectrics require a high precision and are exposed to a high number of electrical and mechanical load cycles. As a result, the relevant material properties may decrease with increasing load cycles. This phenomenon is called electric fatigue. The transported ionic and electric charge carriers can interact with each other, as well as with structural elements (grain boundaries, inhomogeneities) or with material interfaces (domain walls). A reduced domain wall mobility also reduces the electromechanical coupling effect, which leads to the electric fatigue effect. The materials considered here are barium titanate and lead zirconate titanate (PZT), in which oxygen vacancies is the most mobile and most frequently appearing defect species. Intentionally introduced foreign atoms (dopants) can adjust the material properties according to their field of application by generating electric dipoles with the vacancies. Agglomerations of point defects can strongly influence the domain wall motion. The domain wall can be slowed down or even be stopped by the locally varying fields in the vicinity of the clusters. Accumulations of point defects can be detected at electrodes, pores or in the bulk of fatigued samples. The present thesis concentrates focuses on the self interaction behaviour of point defects in the bulk. A micro mechanical continuum model is used to show the qualitative and the quantitative interaction behaviour of defects in a static setup and during drift processes. The modelling neglects the ferroelectric switching mechanisms, but is applicable to every piezoelectric material. The underlying differential equations are solved by means of analytical (Green's functions) and numerical (Finite Differences with discrete Fourier Transform) methods, depending on the boundary conditions. The defects are introduced as localised Eigenstrains, as electric charges and as electric dipoles. The required defect parameters are obtained by comparisons with atomistic methods (lattice statics). There are no standardised procedures available for the parameter identification. In this thesis, the mechanical parameter is obtained by a comparison of relaxation volumes of the atomic lattice and the continuum solution. Parameters for isotropic and anisotropic defect descriptions are identified. The strength of the electric defect is obtained by a comparison of the electric internal energies of atomistics and continuum. The appearing singularities are eliminated by taking only the energy difference of a infinite crystal and a periodic cell into account. Both identification processes are carried out for the cubic structure of barium titanate, which decouples the mechanical and the electrical problem. The defect interaction is analysed by means of configurational forces. The mechanical defect parameter generates a directional short-range attraction between defects. An electrical defect parameter produces the long-range Coulomb interaction, which predicts a repulsion of two similar charges. Additionally, an interaction with defect dipoles is taken into account. It is shown that a defect agglomeration is possible for any static defect configuration. Finally, defect drift is simulated using a thermodynamically motivated migration law based on configurational forces. In this context, the migration of point defects due to self interaction, and the influence of external fields is investigated.
In contrast to the spatial motion setting, the material motion setting of continuum mechanics is concerned with the response to variations of material placements of particles with respect to the ambient material. The material motion point of view is thus extremely prominent when dealing with defect mechanics to which it has originally been introduced by Eshelby more than half a century ago. Its primary unknown, the material deformation map is governed by the material motion balance of momentum, i.e. the balance of material forces on the material manifold in the sense of Eshelby. Material (configurational) forces are concerned with the response to variations of material placements of 'physical particles' with respect to the ambient material. Opposed to that, the common spatial (mechanical) forces in the sense of Newton are considered as the response to variations of spatial placements of 'physical particles' with respect to the ambient space. Material forces as advocated by Maugin are especially suited for the assessment of general defects as inhomogeneities, interfaces, dislocations and cracks, where the material forces are directly related to the classical J-Integral in fracture mechanics, see also Gross & Seelig. Another classical example of a material - or rather configurational - force is emblematized by the celebrated Peach-Koehler force, see e.g. the discussion in Steinmann. The present work is mainly divided in four parts. In the first part we will introduce the basic notions of the mechanics and numerics of material forces for a quasi-static conservative mechanical system. In this case the internal potential energy density per unit volume characterizes a hyperelastic material behaviour. In the first numerical example we discuss the reliability of the material force method to calculate the vectorial J-integral of a crack in a Ramberg-Osgood type material under mode I loading and superimposed T-stresses. Secondly, we study the direction of the single material force acting as the driving force of a kinked crack in a geometrically nonlinear hyperelastic Neo-Hooke material. In the second part we focus on material forces in the case of geometrically nonlinear thermo-hyperelastic material behaviour. Therefore we adapt the theory and numerics to a transient coupled problem, and elaborate the format of the Eshelby stress tensor as well as the internal material volume forces induced by the gradient of the temperature field. We study numerically the material forces in a bimaterial bar under tension load and the time dependent evolution of material forces in a cracked specimen. The third part discusses the material force method in the case of geometrically nonlinear isotropic continuum damage. The basic equations are similar to those of the thermo-hyperelastic problem but we introduce an alternative numerical scheme, namely an active set search algorithm, to calculate the damage field as an additional degree of freedom. With this at hand, it is an easy task to obtain the gradient of the damage field which induces the internal material volume forces. Numeric examples in this part are a specimen with an elliptic hole with different semi-axis, a center cracked specimen and a cracked disc under pure mode I loading. In the fourth part of this work we elaborate the format of the Eshelby stress tensor and the internal material volume forces for geometrically nonlinear multiplicative elasto-plasticity. Concerning the numerical implementation we restrict ourselves to the case of geometrically linear single slip crystal plasticity and compare here two different numerical methods to calculate the gradient of the internal variable which enters the format of the internal material volume forces. The two numerical methods are firstly, a node point based approach, where the internal variable is addressed as an additional degree of freedom, and secondly, a standard approach where the internal variable is only available at the integration points level. Here a least square projection scheme is enforced to calculate the necessary gradients of this internal variable. As numerical examples we discuss a specimen with an elliptic inclusion and an elliptic hole respectively and, in addition, a crack under pure mode I loading in a material with different slip angles. Here we focus on the comparison of the two different methods to calculate the gradient of the internal variable. As a second class of numerical problems we elaborate and implement a geometrically linear von Mises plasticity with isotropic hardening. Here the necessary gradients of the internal variables are calculated by the already mentioned projection scheme. The results of a crack in a material with different hardening behaviour under various additional T-stresses are given.
With the burgeoning computing power available, multiscale modelling and simulation has these days become increasingly capable of capturing the details of physical processes on different scales. The mechanical behavior of solids is oftentimes the result of interaction between multiple spatial and temporal scales at different levels and hence it is a typical phenomena of interest exhibiting multiscale characteristic. At the most basic level, properties of solids can be attributed to atomic interactions and crystal structure that can be described on nano scale. Mechanical properties at the macro scale are modeled using continuum mechanics for which we mention stresses and strains. Continuum models, however they offer an efficient way of studying material properties they are not accurate enough and lack microstructural information behind the microscopic mechanics that cause the material to behave in a way it does. Atomistic models are concerned with phenomenon at the level of lattice thereby allowing investigation of detailed crystalline and defect structures, and yet the length scales of interest are inevitably far beyond the reach of full atomistic computation and is rohibitively expensive. This makes it necessary the need for multiscale models. The bottom line and a possible avenue to this end is, coupling different length scales, the continuum and the atomistics in accordance with standard procedures. This is done by recourse to the Cauchy-Born rule and in so doing, we aim at a model that is efficient and reasonably accurate in mimicking physical behaviors observed in nature or laboratory. In this work, we focus on concurrent coupling based on energetic formulations that links the continuum to atomistics. At the atomic scale, we describe deformation of the solid by the displaced positions of atoms that make up the solid and at the continuum level deformation of the solid is described by the displacement field that minimize the total energy. In the coupled model, continuum-atomistic, a continuum formulation is retained as the overall framework of the problem and the atomistic feature is introduced by way of constitutive description, with the Cauchy-Born rule establishing the point of contact. The entire formulation is made in the framework of nonlinear elasticity and all the simulations are carried out within the confines of quasistatic settings. The model gives direct account to measurable features of microstructures developed by crystals through sequential lamination.


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Tom Everett is grateful for his life in music — as are his listeners. by Kathryn Good-Schiff
Tom Everett feels about his job the way everybody wants to feel about theirs: "I do what I love to do," he says. As Harvard University's director of bands since 1971 and founder of its jazz...


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As the public debate over Hurricane Sandy turns in part from the immediate impacts of the storm to its possible links to climate change, a new theme is emerging: Sandy is not just part of a new normal – scientists actually predicted it well in advance.
One of the most prominent exhibits being used to back this case is a paper (PDF) published in Nature Climate Change earlier this year by Ning Lin, Kerry Emanuel, Michael Oppoenheimer, and Erik Vanmarcke. One blogger described it with the following headline: "Peer Reviewed Research Predicted NYC Subway Flooding by #Sandy". CNN went with the following:
"[Scientists are] telling us we shouldn't be surprised that this 900-mile-wide monster marched up the East Coast this week paralyzing cities and claiming scores of lives…. In a paper published by Nature in February, [Oppenheimer] and three colleagues concluded that the 'storm of the century' would become the storm of 'every twenty years or less.' New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo agrees. 'After what happened, what has been happening in the last few years, I don't think anyone can sit back anymore and say 'Well, I'm shocked at that weather pattern,'' Cuomo said Tuesday."
The Lin et al paper is meticulous and absolutely fascinating. (I particularly recommend reading the introduction for a primer on how climate change does and doesn't influence storm surges.) Everything that Oppenheimer told CNN is sound. But the paper does not say what the journalists and pundits claim or suggest that it does. A more careful reading of it points to more subtle – and intriguing – conclusions.
The Lin et al paper uses four different climate models to estimate the frequency of different storm surges at New York's Battery both under present conditions and, assuming rising greenhouse gas emissions, in a hundred years. The results are summed up in this figure:
What do their models say about the present probability of a 4.16 meter flood surge, which is what we saw during Sandy? One of the four models says that it's probably a less-than-one-in-ten-thousand-year event given current climatic conditions. A second model puts the odds closer to one-in-eight-thousand-years or so. (Take these numbers with a big grain of salt – I'm reading them off the above figure with a ruler.) The final two models put the odds at between one-in-two-thousand and one-in-three thousand. The models themselves, of course, have internal uncertainty, which the paper takes into account. But even the most foreboding of the analyses suggest that there is at most a one-in-ten chance that surges like the one we saw this Monday have become more-than-one-in-a-thousand-years-or-so events. The takeaway here is simple: none of the models said that the storm was anywhere remotely close to likely given current climate conditions. The message from those models is pretty much that Sandy was a very unlucky fluke.
The far more worrying part of the paper is what it projects for the future. I'm a focus-on-risk guy so I'm going to concentrate on what the paper says is unlikely but plausible. What the paper basically says is there's a one in ten chance that storms like Sandy will become one-in-a-few-hundred year events. But the paper also says that flood surges north of about 1.5 meters – currently enough to create flooding in downtown New York – will go from one-in-nearly-a-hundred-year events to something that happens more than once every decade.
What I would really love to see (and I know that this isn't simple to do) is a backcast from Lin et al that estimates what the likelihood of a Sandy-scale flood surge would have been a hundred years ago. That would help us answer the question on everyones' minds: how much did climate change contribute to Sandy?
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Report: Dillon Gee, Mitch Moreland, Allen Craig
Miguel Olivo, C, Mariners
A move to Seattle is usually enough to limit your fantasy production for power hitters, but not Miguel Olivo. The veteran backstop has blasted home runs in three straight games (all at home). He now boasts seven bombs on the season with 26 RBI, 26 runs, and even two steals. Olivo has been a model of consistency averaging greater than 16 home runs over the last five seasons. He's a solid fantasy pick up.
Dillon Gee, SP, Mets
He's been treated as a low potential prospect by the Mets over the last few years, a franchise often giving opportunities to Pat Mitsch over Dillon Gee, but this Gee knows how to pitch. The 25-year old has now made 16 appearances and the numbers are sensational: 8-2 record, 2.90 ERA, and a .209 average against. Gee is 6-0 this season and is a must-start at home where he is 4-0 with a 1.77 ERA. His next start will be this weekend at Pittsburgh.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, Rangers
Get to Know Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland. The 25-year old left-handed slugger is riding a six-game hit streak with two home runs over that stretch. Those six-games, by the way, have all come on the road, so this is a bit different than usual for a Rangers pick up. Moreland was supposed to be a platoon option for the Rangers, but his .313 average ad eight home runs are leading to extended action. Though he has struggled this season against southpaws, he may get some extra opportunities as the Rangers look to keep his bat in the lineup.
Josh Collmenter, SP, Diamondbacks
Similar to the Mets Dillon Gee, Diamondbacks hurler Josh Collmenter has shocked everyone with a stellar start to his Major League career after less than stellar results in the Minor Leagues. Through 43.1 innings, Collmenter is 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. He hides the ball well in his delivery, which may explain how he has only surrendered runs in three of his 12 appearances this season. Similar to Gee, Collmenter's next start will come against the Pirates, which makes him a solid pick-up this week.
Allen Craig, 2B, Cardinals
If you're looking for a sleeper in the middle infield, I really like Cardinals 26-year old Allen Craig. He is the ultimate utility man and a heck of a bat. Through 106 at bats this season, Craig is batting .340 with four home runs, 23 RBI, and four steals. If this doesn't sound sustainable to you, consider that in two seasons of Triple-A baseball, Craig hit .321 with 40 home runs and 164 RBI. He is a fine hitter and he's finally getting his chance.


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Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking!
Gerard Alessandrini brings this spoof-fest triumphantly back to New York in a guffaw-provoking new edition.
While this version, the first in four years, may not be the absolute best of the 30-year-old series, as it pokes fun at the peccadilloes, pretenses, and perils of the Broadway musical, it often registers as among the finest editions.
Indeed, it has been directed for endless hoots by Alessandrini and Phillip George, and hilariously acted by cast members Natalie Charle Ellis, Jenny Lee Stern, Scott Richard Foster, and Marcus Stevens, with David Caldwell, back at the piano, demonstrating stamina equal to a 24-piece Broadway orchestra.
This jovial attack begins as a Brigadoon-like reawakening of the beloved spoof-fest before hitting one of its highlights: "Evita 2012," with Stevens as a forever-grinning Ricky Martin and Stern as Elena Roger declaring she suffers from "just a little lack of star quality."
Even better is the Nice Work If You Can Get It sequence, where Marcus earns yuks as a song-and-dance-challenged Matthew Broderick, Ellis is Kelli O'Hara, having difficulty getting laughs, and Stevens and Stern arrive to help send up Kathleen Marshall's vigorous choreography.
Even immeasurably more guffaw-provoking is the sequence that has Stevens donning a gray beard as Stephen Sondheim to bemoan the revivals of Follies, yet to earn any money on its huge investments, and the Public Theater's Into the Woods, with Ellis as a woefully disguised Donna Murphy.For some, however, the show's peak may come in the second act, during which Ellis, as ousted Spider-Man director Julie Taymor and Foster's Bono employ "Sue Me" from Guys and Dolls to lacerate each other verbally; followed by "Mandy and Patti," an opportunity for Stevens and Stern to parade imitations of Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone so on the money that it might be the real top-liners mocking themselves; and the hysterical "Judy," a swing at Tracie Bennett's appearance in End of the Rainbow, in which the spot-on Stern sings "Gimme, gimme, gimme an ovation/She lost the Tony for her phony imitation."
True, not every entry connects. Annie as "Granny-Annie" is so-so; the brief Ghost ribbing doesn't quite make it, and neither does The Book of Mormon sketch, when Stevens as Matt Stone and Foster as Trey Parker maintain they're just in it for the money.
But there's no missing Alessandrini's sharpest underlying satirical point — expressed by Ellis' Mary Poppins in "Feed the 'Burbs," chastising audiences and producers alike for choosing "tepid vapid titles they know." Luckily, there's nothing tepid or vapid about this kick of a show!


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Bishop Lamont (Feat. Liz Rodrigues Of The New Royales) - Rain
"New music video for Bishop Lamont's "Rain" featuring Liz Rodrigues of The New Royales and produced by non other than the good doctor, touches upon a haunting and personal tale from Bishop's past that occurred on the night of All Hollow's Eve. Play very close attention to this story as it is indeed inspired by true events. This singles is from The Shawshank Redemption (Angola 3) street album available now."
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