text:
Recently a fellow blogger posted an interview with yours truly. Check it out, thanks to RenKiss of Cultural Fascinations for helping to spread the word. It's a good cause people, i cant tell you enough...sexuality in Pakistan, or the lack thereof, affects our people in more ways than you can imagine. As a nation we need to be more aware about the issues surrounding it. We've got to be comfortable discussing this stuff, because without dialogue, theres no telling what kind damage our own thoughts can do to us.
but where were we... ah yes.... still talking about 'self-help', and thats a topic that seems to have sparked a huge amount of interest. So I'll blab on a bit more.
Through my sexplorations on the interweb, one thing that kept cropping up in relation to touching yourself is a quote from the Qur'an:
"And those who guard their chastity. Except from their wives or those their right hands possess - for them, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors." 23.5-7
The words 'those their right hand possesses' refer to slaves or captives…yup…so you are legitimately allowed to
Simply put, it's saying that sex is only for your spouse or slave (not even going to get into how many ways the slave sex is wrong....an almighty, all knowing god would know that slavery is morally fucked up, no?). Anyone looking for action beyond that is no good. And since most of us don't have slaves anymore (no thanks to 'god', who totally okays it in his book), I'm assuming sexual activity is solely reserved for your spouse. Even you yourself are not entitled…wtf! Slave rape - ok. Maturbation - NOT ok. Priorities.
You see that same kind of mentality in the Christine O'Donnell video i posted in the last post, where people refer to sexual acts outside of marriage as 'adulterous' - so its not *just* the Muslim world... plenty of such types in every religion.
Words are always open to 'interpretation' though, which is where the inconsistencies and confusion comes in (god wasn't a great communicator). I did find some 'liberal' Muslim websites that claimed it was ok to masturbate if that was going to prevent you from committing the greater sins of adultery or pre-marital sex.
This explanation makes a bit more sense to me…certainly a lot more progressive than I expected…
But it can get a little boring reading page after page on the same topic, saying basically the same thing. So, I decided i'd go looking for a 'Muslim chat room' and see what people had to say first hand. Ah chat rooms …they had to be out there still… I remember when the internet was a relatively new thing – 'chatting' online with strangers was all the rage, but I haven't heard of anyone doing it for like 8 years at least.
Perseverance pays though, cuz I did find some interesting chat rooms…the first day I was a young man in search of guidance…
*Note: Irrelevant material has been edited out from the conversation
*giggle* enjoy me trying to act like a young conservative Muslim guy:
Me: I am a young man…hope you can understand the problems that come with hormones and youth.
Him: what is the problem?
Me: Well…how do I say this? Do you think masturbation is a sin?
Him: No, depends what matthab you follow – do you follow an imam?
Me: I am muslim…don't really follow an imam, but I pray at the mosque
Him: most say it is allowed..
Him: Imam Hanafi says only if it stops you committing a sin.
Him: but most imamz say it is allowed
Me: are you serious? but I feel so guilty
Him: If you masturbate to porno then there is a problem…
Me: Oh…but isn't it the same with or without porno? I was reading online
And I don't know how reliable this is…
Me: Online it said that masturbation is like adultery
Him: No, masturbation is a measure to control yourself.
Think abt it.
All that hormonic action not being released…
What will it do?
Make you prone to true adultery
Me: True…true…
* * *
And that was the last thing he said before his connection died.
-I have to say, the guy made some sense. He claimed to be quite a religious guy too, and he certainly seemed to know what he was talking about religion-wise. But who knows – maybe he was a female trying to write a blog about sex and pretending to be someone else….you never really know online. But – talking to him and seeing that he was offering milder, more reasonable advice than "YOU WILL BURN IN HELL FOR MASTURBATING" was encouraging.
As in, there are still some semi-reasonable folks in religious, preachy chat rooms, that use some degree of logic.. I don't think 'hormonic' is a word…but I get what he's saying.
The next day, I wanted to be a woman who was seeking similar advice from other women. What surprised me, is that being a 'guy' in a chat room…other guys were still willing to talk….but being a woman in the chatroom seemed to deter other female chatters from wanting a conversation with me. Weird. I tried for ages to talk to another female…but they just wouldn't respond…and I couldn't exactly ask a guy in a Pakistani chat room about masturbation and his opinions because either he would think I was a guy…or I was a slut… or try to have cyber sex with me or something… I don't know…he could even become offended…
…anyhow, since I waited around for hours trying to talk to any girl….and had no luck I decided to go ahead and talk to a guy instead...its not like he'd know who I was anyway. So I thought of a fake name, decided on how old i wanted to be.. and off i went;
_Lhr1: This is A*** from lahore
girl22: nice to meet u ...
_Lhr1: 25 yers old , employee in software company
_Lhr1: thts all about me
girl22: good for u ... im 22, and i live in toronto
_Lhr1: thankyou .
girl22: i've been to lahore once when i was younger...but my family is from khi
_Lhr1: o ok
_Lhr1: nice to meet u too
_Lhr1: may i know ur name ?
girl22: i'm still in uni
girl22: My name is
girl22: Sarah
_Lhr1: nice name.
_Lhr1: so Sarah, do u ask ur 5 time prayers well on time ?
girl22: i try my best... but not always
_Lhr1: i say u like to u ask ur prayers 5 time
girl22: why do you ask
_Lhr1: just asking
girl22: what about you?
_Lhr1: its our duty , i think
Oh lord, this guy is on a serious mission….so far he's asked me my name, where I'm from and then jumped straight to whether I pray 5 times a day or not….that certainly rubbed me the wrong way (no pun intended) but like the good little girl that i am... i lied and said I try....
girl22: it certainly is...
_Lhr1: Alhamdulillah i try my best to do tht
girl22: do you have a lot of knowledge about islam?
_Lhr1: listen me ...sarah..if a person is comming back from shop after purchasing milk
girl22: yes?
_Lhr1: and milk is dropping on earth ...i think every one ask me hello hello ur milk is dropping ..even if they are stranger..
_Lhr1: but when a muslim skip to ask his prayers on time ..no body tell him/her tht O Mr. /Ms ur losing ur good deed...
girl22: hahahahah
girl22: good point
girl22: great...ur a wise man
LOL - That was some metaphor for telling people to pray…I guess he's trying to say that if you've just bought milk, and its spilling…and you can't tell…then people on the street are going to let you know…if you skip your prayers it should be the same way – ugh, whut? That comparison to losing prayer time and spilling milk is cringeworthy. Milk is a real tangible thing buddy.
I'm all about letting people live the way they want, as long as it doesn't harm or impose on others…so I don't really agree with how pushy he is about this… and wow…he's really got just one thing on his mind…an internet-evangelist…
_Lhr1: you r u going to make angry ur Beloved Prophet ...muhammad (s.a.w)
girl22: why?
girl22: im agreeing with u
_Lhr1: when u skip ur prayers....muhammad (s.a.w) feel sadness
What on earth is he smoking? I'm agreeing with the guy...which is obviously not my real life POV... and still, he says I'm gonna make the 'Beloved Prophet' angry...
_Lhr1: dont hv much knowledge but ...i think wht i hv , i like to forwrd it
Yah, I picked up on that :P
girl22: ur doing a good duty by imparting your wisdom..
*cringe* (I had to believable, come on)
girl22: but is that ur only purpose for chatting online?
_Lhr1: no please
_Lhr1: i chat on all topics
_Lhr1: i try to become a good muslim
girl22: yeah me too
girl22: its not easy ..
girl22: do u think its wrong for men and women to chat online?
_Lhr1: its easy Sarah but we r too weak
_Lhr1: yes i think its wrong ..but if u hv good purpose thn i think its good also
_Lhr1: wht about ur mom dad ?
_Lhr1: they harsh on u if u dont follow islam ?
girl22: no... not so much
girl22: i have lots of questions... i need to find someone to ask
(As you can see I'm on a mission too – I'm desperately trying to lead upto the part where I can ask him his opinion on masturbation)
_Lhr1: they used to say their prayers ?
Are you fucking kidding me? this guy is concerned with my parents prayer habits too?! In the real world, i might have uppercut him in the crotch. What a fucking nosy moron. But alas I have some questions to ask, and so far this is the only access i've had to truly 'conservative' thoughts.
girl22: yea they do
_Lhr1: u can ask...but i am not a scholar
_Lhr1: wht i hv , i will reply u on the base of my poor knowledge
girl22: they are kind of personal ...female questions...
girl22: im a bit shy... but i can only ask someone over chat because i feel too embarrassed face to face...
Alright, building up….here it comes
girl22: will u mind...?
_Lhr1: ok
_Lhr1: no please
_Lhr1: u can ask..
girl22: are u sure?
_Lhr1: yes Sarah
_Lhr1: u can ask...
girl22: ok ...
girl22: umm....do u think masturbation is haraam? (forbidden)
_Lhr1: but dont mind if i suddnly got disconect..u know its big issu in pk about electricity
Oh Pakistan and it's electricity problems…constant disconnections and ongoing blackouts….I remember living through that! It was frustrating beyond belief…!
girl22: yea
girl22: do u think its a sin?
_Lhr1: masturbation ??
Uh-oh – have I offended him?
girl22: yea... i told u it was an embarrassing question
_Lhr1: please ask me in simple
girl22: u don;t understand?
_Lhr1: no please
_Lhr1: u know we pki r not much good in english
_Lhr1: i am sory for tht
No – wait, he just doesn't understand the word….good thing I haven't pissed him off yet, but explaining this in simpler English may do just that…lol
girl22: ahha no problem...
_Lhr1: ask me again
girl22: ok... uh... well ... masturbation is when someone touches themself for sexual pleasure
girl22: hello ?
_Lhr1: ahh
_Lhr1: i m thinking about it
_Lhr1: please wait
girl22: oh ok ... do u understand what i'm talking about though?
_Lhr1 has left.
girl22: hello?
Unforunately, that was the end of our conversation. I don't know if his electricity went out as he had warned me it might…or if he just didn't know how to respond. Great timing though, eh? Fak!
Well, discovering diverse Pakistani opinions on masturbation has been one of *the* most difficult tasks this blog has put upon me so far. I've tried different avenues, different types of people….it's certainly been an exhausting journey….my chatroom friend has left the building… and I'm done with chatting…
So this is how this post ends.
Sucks that we won't know how _Lhr1 would've answered the question...but i think thats pretty representative of what a lot of people with his world view would've done... even if i had been talking to them face to face... they'd just leave...or have me burnt at the stake.. *shrug*


text:
Indicative Rate * AU$6.75 to AU$27.00
***NOTE: as a response to COVID-19, all camping areas in Queensland's national parks are closed to the public until further notice. Check park alerts for updates.
Long beaches, dramatic coloured-sand cliffs, natural sandblows, rocky headlands and pristine freshwater lakes and streams are some of K'gari (Fraser Island's) spectacular natural features.
There are 45 camping areas on K'gari (Fraser Island) in Great Sandy National Park. All camping areas have capacity limits and may become booked out, especially during peak holiday periods. To avoid disappointment, book early—bookings are available six months in advance.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site. Book your camp site and purchase your camping permit in advance. Bookings can be made on-line, over the counter or by phone.
Vehicle access permits must be purchased for every vehicle before arriving on K'gari (Fraser Island)
Image credits: Qld Govt
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
With its high-resolution 2.36M-dot OLED display and the world's highest magnification ratio of 0.77x* , the FUJIFILM X-T1's Real Time Viewfinder allows a true connection to your subject and a purely immersive shooting experience. The viewfinder achieves a wide viewing angle of 31°, and with the display's lag time of just 0.005 seconds (less than a tenth of conventional cameras), you'll immediately see any changes to your composition, keeping you in touch with your subject.
"FULL" mode takes advantage of the high magnification ratio of the FUJIFILM X-T1's viewfinder to give an unrivalled view of the scene. "NORMAL" provides an optimum view, including shooting settings, and "DUAL" is specially designed for manual focusing with a clever split view.
In the "NORMAL" and "FULL" modes, the view automatically rotates for a vertical orientation when the camera is held vertically.
Taking full advantage of the high magnification ratio of the FUJIFILM X-T1's viewfinder, "FULL" mode gives you the full field of vision available. Any obstruction of the view is avoided by placing shooting information at the top and bottom of the display screen. Ideal for composing expansive landscapes, Wide is also great when manually focusing for portraits and other subjects, allowing you to easily determine the perfect focus.
When shooting with Auto Focus, the "NORMAL" mode lets you concentrate on framing the shot while keeping you aware of how the shooting conditions are changing, making it the perfect setting for sports and action photography.
Hold the camera vertically and the information display automatically and smoothly rotates so it's ideally positioned for easy reading. Without taking your eye from the viewfinder, you can also check your images in vertical orientation for a truly seamless shooting experience.
In the viewfinder's "DUAL" mode, you can enjoy a view of the subject unlike anything seen through a traditional optical viewfinder. In Manual Focus, Dual cleverly displays a split screen that lets you see both a regular view of the scene, as well as the Focus Assist view (Focus Peaking and Digital Split Image Focus) at the same time, so focusing is easy and precise.
You can even customize the shooting information that's displayed in the viewfinder for easy confirmation of just about any setting you might need — it all helps to free you up, keep your eye on the action and concentrate on the essential pleasure of photography.
Tapping the power of the phase detection pixels integrated in the X-Trans CMOS II sensor, Digital Split Image helps you manually focus your shot with greater precision. While checking the split image displayed in the LCD monitor or EVF, you can manually adjust for pinpoint focus which is especially helpful when working with an open aperture or macro shooting.
When manually adjusting focus, this function highlights high contrast areas of your subject for smoother and more accurate focusing. You can select from 3 different colours (White / Red / Blue).


text:
It is all to play for between the greyhound and AFC Wimbledon bids after an inspector said the Plough Lane site would be suitable for either sport.
After months of deliberation, an independent inspector has deemed the controversial Wimbledon site suitable for both greyhound racing and football, leaving it for Merton Council's planning committee to decide.
AFC Wimbledon has said it is delighted by the result, whereas greyhound supporters remain stoic as the hard work is not yet over for either side.
The future of the site has been mired in controversy as both AFC Wimbledon and supporters of greyhound racing, which is currently housed at the stadium, have been battling it out to make the historic venue their home in Wimbledon.
Merton Council leader Stephen Alambritis said he is pleased inspector Robert Yuille has agreed with the council over the suitability of the location for 'sporting intensification' after months of speculation.
Coun Alambritis said: "We are pleased the inspector has gone with us for the greyhound stadium.
"It is right for sporting intensification.
"Planning permission will be given for flats, the number of them is to be decided. "It is all to play for for any sport."
Counc Alambritis emphasised the need for both sides to fully consult with residents.
Inspector Robert Yuille heard arguments from all sides about the suitability of each sport, plus ideas on retail and residential use at a hearing in late January this year, as part of a review of Merton Council Sites and Policies Local Plan.
AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson said he was delighted with the inspector's conclusion.
Mr Samuelson said: "We can now move to the next stage of the process.
"There's still a long way to go and a lot of hard work to be done but this is a significant moment in our plans to return to Wimbledon."
Greyhound supporter Diane McLean, of the We Want Wimbledon group, said: "I am not excited by the result; it is not anything new as far as we're concerned.
"Things are underway - if the football think they can railroad through they are mistaken.
Ms McLean said they will put in a planning application to the council in due course and it will quite rightly be scrutinised by the public and the council.
AFC Wimbledon will hold a number of public consultations this summer on dates to be announced.
In the report, the inspector said: "Time will tell whether either of these schemes is viable or suitable on this site.
"I see no compelling planning reason at this time why the Plan, which at present allows for either, should seek, in effect, to favour one rather than the other.
"I do not, therefore, consider it necessary for the Plan to specify that a greyhound stadium should be retained on the site."
Irish business man Paschal Taggart's £60m plans for the stadium feature a new world class squash club with seven courts, a four tier 4,500 capacity greyhound racing stadium, supermarket and residential apartments as well as a multi storey car park, medical centre, dance studio and gymnasium.
If AFC Wimbledon win the bid, the club would build a mixed use development featuring a 22,000 capacity stadium, starting at 12,000, 500 residential apartments, a hotel, education and retail space and an intention to replace the squash courts and gym at Christopher's Squash Club.
The Planning Inspectorate's report on the examination into Merton Sites and Policies Local Plan was published on Wednesday, June 4.
It will be discussed at a council meeting on Wednesday, July 9 in the Civic Offices in Morden.


text:
Mayoral candidate Lhota at funding crossroads
Given the ability of political money to talk, swear and wail, the credibility of Republican Joseph Lhota's mayoral campaign cleared a big hurdle this week by reporting that he raised $730,000 in the two months since he announced his candidacy.
Lhota's ex-boss Rudy Giuliani contributed, along with several of his former aides who have been out of the public eye for years -- names from the City Hall past such as Howard Wilson, John Gross and Dennison Young. There were still other names from ex-Gov. George Pataki's former administration, including former aides John Cahill and Charles Gargano. Big business and real-estate donors included Mitchell Modell of Modell's Sporting Goods and New York Mets chief operating officer Jeffrey Wilpon. Lhota also tapped family and friends.
Now Lhota, the former MTA chairman and executive with Madison Square Garden and Cablevision, Newsday's parent company, faces a new funding crossroads. He must decide by June whether to accept matching public funds under the city's strictest-in-the-nation finance rules, and in doing so agree to cap his overall spending. Campaign aides say that if he signed on to the program, the matching funds would add some $270,000 to the $730,000.
Regardless of whether a candidate chooses to apply for matching funds, the rules limit contributions to a total of $4,930 per donor in both the primary and the general election, and to only $400 for those who do business with the city.
But in a crucial twist, another GOP mayoral candidate, George McDonald, is suing to void those contribution caps so candidates can accept the state's much higher maximum contributions -- $19,700 per donor for the primary and $41,100 for the general election. So far, a state judge has ruled McDonald, founder of the nonprofit Doe Fund for the homeless, may raise the money but cannot spend it pending the case's outcome.
Lhota advisers say that outcome could determine the next phase of Lhota's fundraising strategy. If McDonald succeeds in court, it could help Lhota -- by allowing both of them to draw more from their field of contributors.
An important part of the funding scenario: A third Republican candidate, billionaire John Catsimatidis, plans to shun spending limits, as did Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Catsimatidis aides say he has put $1 million of his own into the race, and contend Lhota's fundraising can only be assessed in light of how he spends it and what it gets him. "Can he sustain that level of fundraising? It takes a lot of energy and time. John can write a check whenever he needs to," said one.
So far, Catsimatidis also has gotten support from some party officials in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, and "we have a shot at the Bronx," said the aide. Thursday, Pataki also endorsed him.
All the Democrats in the mayoral primary thus far are expected to take part in the campaign-finance program. In Albany, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has proposed to replicate the city program on a state level, although Republican lawmakers have resisted authorizing the use of public funds for campaigns.
Giuliani's public bid to help Lhota raise money recently took the form of a warning that the city could regress if the wrong choice is made in the mayor's race.
"If you don't think the city can slip back to its unmanageable, ungovernable ways, just listen to Joe's Democratic opponents," the former mayor said in a recent email blast. "He will stand up to the destructive policies of tax-and-spend politicians who put New York and America in peril."


text:
Port Chicago Naval Magazine was dedicated as a National Memorial in 1992 to honor the courage and commitment of the Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Merchant Mariners, and working civilians killed and injured in the largest homeland disaster during World War II. With roots reaching back to the mid-1800s, Port Chicago is one of the oldest Naval ordnance support bases on the West Coast. In 1942, the 13,000-acre port, located along the Sacramento River Delta in Concord, was annexed by Mare Island Naval Shipyard as an ammunition transshipment facility. Tragically, Port Chicago is best remembered as the site of a catastrophic explosion on July 17, 1944, that took the lives of 320 servicemen, including 202 African Americans. Five thousand tons of munitions being loaded for transport to the Pacific detonated, launching a tower of fire and smoke two miles into the sky.
Disparate treatment of the survivors only deepened the wounds. Black sailors were ordered to return to work almost immediately while white officers were granted a leave of absence. In protest, 50 African Americans refused to serve under these harsh conditions. They were subsequently court-marshaled and found guilty of mutiny, prompting future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to declare the proceedings "one of the worst frame-ups we have come across." On December 23, 1999, one of the few surviving convicted mutineers, Freddie Meeks, was granted a full pardon by President William J. Clinton.
Visitors to the site can still see the ruins of piers destroyed in
the blast, as well as bunkers and revetment and munitions boxcars. The
Port Chicago National Memorial edges the Concord shoreline, featuring
interpretive panels and a granite monument engraved with the names of
those who perished in the explosion.
World War II Home |
List of Sites | Maps|
Learn More | Itineraries | NR Home
| Next
Essays: Seacoast Defense | Mobilization| Port of Embarkation| Shipbuilding| Women at War| Preservation
Comments or Questions


text:
CUESA's 3rd Annual Summer Celebration
CUESA - Center for Urban Education About Sustainable Agriculture
Sunday, July 14, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM (PDT)
Tickets are available at the door for $125.
We look forward to seeing you tonight!
An Evening Supporting 20 Years of Connecting
Urban Eaters and Local Farmers and Artisans
At CUESA's third annual Summer Celebration, star chefs and bartenders focus their palates and talents on six culinary families — berries, nightshades, grains and legumes, alliums, leaves and flowers, and of course stone fruits — creating original tastes that celebrate the height of the summer harvest.
Guests will feast on unlimited food and drink at the themed tasting areas, where chefs and bartenders have been challenged to create dishes that highlight each grouping. Imagine an eggplant baklava with tomato honey (nightshades) or pork confit with a blackberry-habanero salsa (berries) or a sip of an aperitif made with California poppies (leaves and flowers). And what CUESA event would be complete without the presence of farmers, displaying their bounty and offering farm-fresh tastes, as well as hands-on educational activities and fun?
Proceeds from the night provide much-needed support for CUESA's ongoing education initiatives, including free cooking demos, kitchen skill-building classes, the Schoolyard to Market youth entrepreneurship program, and sustainability scholarships for farmers.
Tickets are $125, $85 of which is a tax deductible donation.
Win a year of dining out at the Bay Area's best restaurants! Purchase tickets for CUESA's Summer Celebration Raffle at the Saturday Ferry Plaza Farmers Market or on the night of the event. Need not be present to win.
Participating Chefs & Restaurants
Ryan Farr
Adam Dulye
Kory Stewart
Staffan Terje
Jen Musty
Ruggero Gadaldi
Alexander Ong & Mario Tolentino
Francis Hogan
Ryan Pollnow
Brett Emerson
Joseph Ahearne
Michael Bilger
Alicia Jenish
Robin Song
Tim Archuleta
Lauren Kiino
Mike Ransom
David Barzelay
Jake Des Voignes
Alejandro Morgan
Ben DeVries
Vincent Russo
Isaac Miller
Meg Ray
Michelle Pusateri
Dennis Lee
Michael Rotondo
Daniel Capra
Tu David Phu
Pressed Juicery
Thomas Odermatt
Pablo Estrada
Deepak Kaul
Larry Finn
Charles Phan
Matt Paul
Alison Mountford
Adam Timney
Telmo Faria
Sean Thomas
Chad Blunston
Matthew Dolan
Evan Bloom & Leo Beckerman
Participating Spirit Companies, Wineries,
Breweries & Other Beverage Companies
|Rye & Rye on the Road
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
Table Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Photos by Winnie Wintermeyer
CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing thriving communities through the power and joy of local food. Founded in 1994, CUESA operates the world-renowned Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and Mission Community Market in San Francisco, and the Jack London Square Farmers Market in Oakland. CUESA is a cutting-edge force in influencing how people grow, produce, and eat food in the Bay Area and beyond. Learn more at cuesa.org.
In order to purchase these tickets in installments, you'll need an Eventbrite account. Log in or sign up for a free account to continue.


text:
Michael Sepe
Amorphous polymers are generally considered to be a molder's insurance policy against the problems of dimensional stability.
Amorphous structures undergo a smaller and more predictable change in volume as they cool from the melt to the solid, making them easier to mold to close tolerances. If you study the shrinkage behavior of a part molded in an amorphous material, you will also find that the part achieves stable dimensions in a shorter period of time. However, over time amorphous polymers also undergo a slow and subtle structural change that can result in continued shrinkage. This process is known as physical aging and it was not well understood in polymers until the 1970s.
Featured Content
Any process that involves melting and re-solidifying a polymer involves a compromise between achieving the perfect structure and producing a part that can be sold at a price that the market is willing to pay. Optimal structural stability is achieved by allowing the polymer chains in a system to reach their ideal configuration in terms of spatial separation. In a semi-crystalline material, as we have already discussed, this means attaining an optimal degree of crystallinity. In amorphous polymers, where no significant level of crystallinity is obtained, the ultimate objective is something called thermodynamic equilibrium. In both cases this involves allowing the polymer chains to reach their ideal arrangement at the molecular level. This is typically achieved by maintaining the material at an elevated temperature for a prolonged period.
Unfortunately, perfection requires too much time to be practical from an economic standpoint. So the objective of good process control is to achieve a level of structural stability that is adequate for applications in the real world. When a part is molded in an amorphous polymer, the material has not reached thermodynamic equilibrium. It spends the rest of the life of the product trying to get there. Physical aging can be thought of as the slow contraction of the polymer as the chains get closer, collapsing into the excess free volume that remained when the part was first produced. This closer approach produces a structure that is stronger and stiffer than the original matrix, however it also loses toughness in the process.
The rate at which physical aging occurs is a function of the difference between the application temperature and the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer. The closer the temperature is to the Tg the more rapidly physical aging occurs. So it is not surprising, in retrospect, that one of the first practical implications of physical aging was observed in an amorphous polymer with a relatively low Tg, PET polyester.
The amorphous PET used to mold preforms and then blow beverage bottles has a Tg of about 172 F (78 C). At room temperature, the degree of physical aging needed to produce a measurable change in mechanical properties can be as long as one to two years. However, when bottles were stored in a warehouse at 120 F (49 C), this reduced the gap between the application temperature and the Tg by about 50% and accelerated the rate of physical aging by approximately an order of magnitude. Bottles stored under these conditions exhibited a measurable loss in impact strength in just a few weeks.
Physical aging only occurs in what material scientists refer to as glasses, which are essentially any amorphous material that exists as a "solid." All commercial polymers, even semi-crystalline ones like polyethylene and nylon, contain some amorphous regions and exhibit a corresponding glass transition. Therefore, technically it is possible for semi-crystalline materials to undergo physical aging and the associated changes in properties.
However, in most cases these changes are overshadowed by the contributions from the crystalline phase. But some semi-crystalline materials achieve a relatively low level of crystallinity that is highly dependent upon processing conditions. These tend to be the high-performance materials such as PEEK and PPS, where failure to cool the polymer at an appropriate rate will result in an almost completely amorphous structure. In these materials physical aging can occur and has been observed along with the associated property changes.
Because physical aging involves a change in volume, it can be detected as a change in dimensions. This represents a relatively small dimensional change, as a percentage of the size of the part, so detection either requires making very precise measurements or the part must be very large so that this small percentage results in a readily measurable difference. Precise dimensions are not demanded in a beverage bottle, but there are industries that make measurements in microns. They have observed that parts molded in amorphous polymers with low glass-transition temperatures, such as rigid PVC, continue to exhibit a very small degree of dimensional change over a period of months. These changes are much smaller than the ones that occur due to the solid-state crystallization that we discussed previously, but they can still result in a part that drifts out of print over an extended period of time, even though the parts are only exposed to room temperature.
This process can be slowed down if the parts are stored at sub-ambient temperatures, but it cannot be stopped completely unless the temperature is lowered to the point where the polymer undergoes another more subtle transition called the beta transition. For most polymers this transition takes place at a very low temperature that would not be practical for part storage and certainly will not be encountered in most application environments. For example, the beta transition in PVC occurs near -58 F (-50 C) and in polycarbonate it is at -148 F (-100 C).
Up to this point, we have discussed long-term behavior that causes molded parts to become smaller over time. But there are some long-term influences that actually cause parts to grow. In the next installment we will discuss this behavior and look at the mechanisms behind it.
Editor's note: You can read the next part in the series by clicking here.
The Effects of Temperature
The polymers we work with follow the same principles as the body: the hotter the environment becomes, the less performance we can expect.
The Importance of Melt & Mold Temperature
Molders should realize how significantly process conditions can influence the final properties of the part.
Thermoplastic Polyesters: It's Time to Know Them Better
There's more to TP polyesters than you think. You may know PET, PBT, and PETG—but what about PCT, PCTG, PCTA, and PTT? If you're not sure what they are, how their properties compare, and who sells them, we have the answers—and lots of new developments to report.


text:
Female • 6 weeks
Puppy ID #655853
DOB August 15, 2020
Available October 10, 2020
Color Light Golden
Mom's Weight 60 - 65 lbs
Dad's Weight 85 - 90 lbs
Registry AKC
1/4 steps complete
Bonded with Mom
Old Enough
Weighs Enough
Golden Retrievers always rank high among the most popular breeds in the United States. These loyal, sociable dogs are excellent with children and families, and excel at obedience training and therapy work. Developed in the 1860s to be swimmers & retrievers, these pups love doing both of those things! Goldens are fairly large in size and have a medium-high energy level. They are known as loveable, confident and eager to please companions and do well in many environments, from apartments to larger living spaces.Read More
We do all of the 'ruff' work - screening and vetting breeders, performing health checks and coordinating travel so you can focus on what really matters: welcoming home your new furry family member! Learn more
PuppySpot will help find the right puppy for you. Search by breed or take our Breed Match Quiz to find the perfect furry friend.
Connect with your very own Puppy Concierge, who will help you find your new best friend!
A friendly Puppy Manager will help get your pup home safely! Take a peek at our pup-friendly travel options.
Congrats on your new furry family member! Don't forget to share your Wet Nose Moments on social media using #PuppySpot.
Reily U.
Golden Retriever
PuppySpot was able to arrange 2 conference calls with the breeder, which allowed our family to ask a lot of questions & "get a feel" for the expertise of the breeder. We were also able to get photos of the puppy's parents. I appreciated the "what to expect" & puppy tip emails along the way, and PuppySpot's help in arranging our pick up location with the breeder was both essential & comforting. The medical records that came with Birdie were thorough, and I was glad to be able to register her chip no. with the AKC as a complimentary service. Having Birdie is a dream come true for our family & I look forward to training her to be a library dog & go to work with me when she is grown!
Geetha E.
Golden Retriever
I think one of the best decisions we made was to get our Golden Retriever puppy from PuppySpot, everything went so well from the time we selected our puppy to when he was delivered home to us. I highly recommend them
Siddharth S.
Golden Retriever
We adopted an 8 week old English cream retriever through Puppyspot. The process was as smooth as expected, updates were often, questions and concerns were promptly answered. At 8 weeks our happy healthy puppy showed up in a well provisioned transport vehicle with all the requisite paperwork. His akc registration indicated he was a top quality well pedigreed pup and his health exam confirmed PuppySpot's initial exam that our bud was a happy, healthy intelligent puppy. Our bud got into the habit of sleeping through the night within a week and within 2-3 weeks (as of now) the accidents are few and far between. While Puppyspot is priced at a premium, you get top notch service and a healthy, happy ehtically bred companion. Thanks much!


text:
Guess Who's Back
2013 has been a big year for us at the BCS! For starters, we celebrated the 1 year anniversary of our Manhattan location. Gramercy, a quaint nook located just blocks from the Union Square Green Market, has been such a welcoming neighborhood to us. We opened our doors and wheels to our neighbors and friends to celebrate our paper anniversary. Prizes and goodies were auctioned off to support the Daphne Zeppo's cheese scholarship program and our friends at Allswell provided some stellar nosh to accompany the cheese, wine and Brooklyn Brewery spirits that were flowin'. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the first of many milestones for our baby brother, Bedford.
The Fancy Food show rolled into our neck of the woods and made being an over eating food-snob encouraged and accepted for three sweet days. Friends and fellow food enthusiasts stopped by to share in the good word of cheese. Essex St. Cheese CO. rolled through with a star studded cheese panel and hosted a cheese class by producers for patrons. Bridges being built between consumers and producers is always a beautiful sight to see. The Cheesemonger Invitational followed giving us cheese enthusiasts a venue to curd out in. It's a guaranteed good time and this year our very own, Kris Garrand placed in the top 10. Congrats to Justin Trosclair of the St. James Cheese Shop for taking home the gold and for being a part of the party that is, CMI.
Now that the dust has settled and we are in the calm clammy heat-wave after the storm, we are ecstatic to announce a revival of the Bedford Cheese Shop blog. Make sure to check back here daily for captivating rants from us to you about our favorite fermented foods and for information about new products, classes and events happening at the shop. Our cheesemongers are on board to deliver diverse and interesting posts catering to the food lovers in us all. And remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram AND Vine for live updates on all things cheese.


text:
Listings in Process Services, Collaboration, Information Governance, Artificial Intelligence, Change Management and Low Code Development Platforms in Longmont
Parascript, LLC.
in Taxonomy and Metadata, Robotic Process Automation, Process Automation, Multi-channel Capture, Low Code Development Platforms, Information Governance, Document Management, Data Recognition and Extraction, Content Services, Artificial Intelligence
Parascript software, driven by data science & powered by machine learning, configures and optimizes itself to automate simple and complex document-oriented tasks such as document classification, document separation, data entry and data verification.
6273 Monarch Park Place
Longmont, CO 80503
United States


text:
baby's 1st trip to new york city...
five months...
I'm just the luckiest mama ever to have had your first five months at home with you (with one more full month to go). In the last month, your personality has blossomed and it seems you are learning at least a dozen things each day. You are a terrific supported sitter now and I have a feeling you'll be doing it your own very soon. You enjoy your Prince Lionheart seat and spin (and chew on) the attached toy with vigor! You spend at least 30 minutes a day in your exersaucer, jumping, laughing and playing with all of the attached toys you are getting to know so well. Daddy and I get such a kick out of watching you learn new things and hearing your coos, giggles and squeals of delight.
Another new 'toy' of the moment is one that is never far....your foot! The changing table continues to be one of your happy places and as soon as we lay you down for a change of diaper or clothes you grab a foot - or both - and have it up to your face for a closer look with lightning speed. And those toes must be as delicious to you as they are to us because they find their way into your mouth much of the time. So stinkin' cute!You had your first taste of food earlier this month (organic rice cereal and banana) but, I felt you really weren't quite ready yet so we held off for just a bit longer. You have your whole life to experience all of the wonderful varieties of food in your world - and we do hope you'll be adventurous - no need to rush.
George, you are growing so quickly and right on schedule. At your four month pediatric appointment you weighed in at 14 lb, 10 0z and measured 25.5" long. The doctor joked that the growth charts were modeled after you as you continue to be right around the 50th percentile for weight, height and head circumference. You handled your vaccines really well and reverted to smiles seconds after the tears started when the nurse distracted you with juggling and bubbles. And your hip is doing much better. You are in the harness only from bedtime to waking in the morning. As of today, there are two weeks to go until your next appointment when, we hope and pray the orthopaedist is right, you'll be sprung for good. You've been in the harness for exactly four months now and, while we are grateful that your dysplasia was not severe and didn't require more aggressive intervention, we are ready for you to get a clean bill of health and to help you move on.
You are not even close to sleeping though the night. Every couple weeks or so you give me a night with only one wake up but, most still require two or more middle of the night feedings. I know that this will lessen over time and establishing a good night-time routine for you has started us on a better path to sleep: harness and pj's, quieting the house and dimming lights, read a book or two, one last feeding then, bed.
Each morning, your Daddy and I wake to your coos and content chatter over the monitor - starting our days of with smiles. You are such a happy boy, so interested in the world around you, at ease around other people and oh! The flirting! Your grins charm everyone you meet. It's that elusive charisma and you seem to have an abundance.
I look a you at least once a day and marvel that you are here and ours. We're starting to see traits of me and your Daddy in you. You inherited my habit of raising one eyebrow and you have Daddy's half smirk. There are times I look at you and I know you are an exact, scale replica of your father. Then you change up your expression and I see that maybe, just maybe, you have a little bit of me through the eyes and nose. A little bit of both of us and a whole lot that is all wonderfully, uniquely you.
I love you to the moon and back,
playtime in the park...
1st mama's day...
a moment captured by my wonderful husband.
a simple snapshot that says so much.
this little treasure i hold makes it all happen and all worthwhile.
the worry and the wonder.
the poopy diapers and the pride.
the exhaustion and the excitement.
the tears and the tummy laughs.
my little monkey,
thank you for being the reason i celebrate today.
all my love,


text:
Reports: GP Format Changes on Horizon?
November 19, 2012 1:50pm | by: Chase Stallo
Racer X European Correspondent Adam Wheeler is reporting that the FIM World Championship is considering some radical changes to their 2013 race program for fly-away races in Qatar, Thailand, Mexico and Brazil. He is also reporting that the changes, which would see a proposed combined MX1 and MX2 class for second motos, could be applied for the full series in 2014. For more on the story check out Ontrackoffroad.com.


text:
Our customizable Disney/Orlando/Kissimmee/Davenport/Clermont area vacation rentals are simply perfect for families, or groups, like sports teams and reunions, who want all the benefits of a luxury vacation home or townhome for less than the cost of one hotel room.
Bella Piazza Condo Rentals - Davenport
Enjoy these beautiful Bella Piazza condo rentals just minutes from Disney and local golf courses. Designed with the charm of a Mediterranean village, these Davenport vacation rentals are elegant, yet affordably priced, vacation community where everything you love about Orlando and Davenport is within your reach, including golf courses, theme parks and excellent restaurants and shopping. Enjoy lots of extra amenities at an affordable price, including swimming pool, clubhouse, gym, outdoor lounge area, game room and internet cafe.
Bella Toscana
Bella Toscana is a newer Davenport community. If you are planning to travel to Florida with your family, this peaceful and recently established community is an ideal spot to begin your journey to any of the local attractions. Book today!
Calabay Parc
Calabay Parc is only minutes from the Posner center, Floridas soon to be largest shopping mall. Although Calabay Parc has such great access to busy shops and the Disney theme parks - it offers quiet and peace for guests who stay.
Lucaya Village Resort - Kissimmee
These vacation homes are fully equipped to help you enjoy your vacation. Youll enjoy the community swimming pool, rec room, and proximity to golf courses and Orlando theme parks. Perfect for families and small groups.


text:
Website is being updated. please bear with us.
Achievable Goals wp.me/p6myQE-aB via @JenstraAllen #writingtips #authors
have to agree twitter.com/MisterSalesman…
Why Editors Won't Touch your Bookhttp://www.bookdaily.com/authorresource/blog/post/1716895 #writingtips #bookdaily
For a different take on the #zombieapocalypse check out. tinyurl.com/mzbwvf5 #Zombies
"As an avid Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Brian Lumbley fan, this one ranks right up there amongst them." tinyurl.com/m5d72ot
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin
The Dark Tower - Stephen King
Guardians of the Flame - Joel Rosenberg
Almost anything by R.A Salvatore
© 2020 H.V. Purvis
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑


text:
There Is More Than Thrill At Slot Jar Android Casino - Enjoy First Deposit 100% Bonus Up to £200 Free
Online Casino Slots and Android Casino Special Review for SlotJar.com
Casino & Pay by Phone Bill Blackjack, Roulette, Slots, Poker…
Since the introduction of the Android operating system in 2008, the smartphone has seamlessly got integrated into the world of online gaming. One of the greatest features that Android users enjoy is its web browser's compatibility with HTML5 and Flash formats. This allows gamblers across the world to enjoy casino compatibility across several devices to a greater extent. The implication of this is that you can now fully enjoy our casino at Slot Jar with a lot of ease and compatibility.
Slot Jar Is the Best Android Casino to Play At – Sign Up Now
Slot Jar Is the Best Android Casino to Play At –
Sign Up Now
The Android casino at Slot Jar is a thrill apex in the community of online gamblers across the world. Our casino fully gives you the opportunity of playing your favourite games using your Android device wherever you are. Being one of the newest Android slot and casinos in the UK, we, at Slot Jar casino believe in offering something special to our players. Our Welcome Bonus stands at an iimpressive figure – 100% first deposit match bonus to the tune of £200! Other offers at our casino include:
- Several weekly surprises
- Massive cash backs
- Free credit for you to use on our promotional Slots games
- Free Slots with bonus rounds on your Android
- Free Android casino Games
- Several Android casino no deposit bonus codes
To know more about our offers and bonuses, feel free to visit our website for details. See our Slotjar.com/casino-slots-fruit-machines/ for top casino slots!
Benefits Of Playing At Slot Jar's Android Casino
Playing at our casino gives you the opportunity of taking our casino games wherever you go. This means that you can play Poker while in the toilet, train on your Blackjack while at your place of work and play Slots while on the train. The fact that both the casinos and the games are portable is a real game changer. If you are in a place in which sports' betting is legalized, our casino will even make it possible for you to bet on live matches while at the stadium! That's thrilling, isn't it?
Payment and Withdrawal Methods At The casino
This casino real money no deposit at Slot Jar offers you the greatest opportunity of enjoying the most hassle-free payment methods. We can use our deposit by phone or mobile phone billing option, SMS billing and BT landline billing services. Standard options like eWallets and debit/credit cards are also available. However, our SMS billing is the most convenient and fastest payment method.
Join us for more.
Compatibility Over A Wide Range For Maximum Fun
All mobile casinos support mobile compatibility. Our casino games are both desktop and mobile versions. There is no retrofitting of old games so that they can work on an Android device here at our casino win real money site! This is simply because we have the newest games and the most novel collection of both mobile and online casino games. Contact our customer service via email, phone and live chat for more information regarding our casino, our Android casino Apps and casino games offline.
An Effective Customer Service To Contact Us
We, at Slot Jar prize the role played by good customer service. For this reason, we offer effective customer service through our friendly customer service agents. Please contact the team via live chat, phone and email.


text:
- in Recipes by RealAdviceGal
Slow Cooker Showcase: Venison Chili
Each Thursday during the Fall and Winter The Centsible Family will showcase a slow cooker (crock-pot) recipe that one of the Mavens of Money have tried and tasted. By sharing we hope you will be able to save a little time during the week as we all know saving time is just as valuable as saving money. And you will be able to enjoy a hot meal at the end of your day.
This week's recipe is Venison Chili by Jenny at The Healthified Mom and Freebie Spot that is sure to warm you on a chilly night! If you don't have venison you can substitute with ground beef, turkey, chicken, etc. Prep time should be about 15 minutes and will cook for six hours and yield about 8 servings.
- 1 lb ground venison
- 1 lb ground italian sausage
- 1 T olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can mild chili beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can green chilis, drained
- 1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
- 6oz dark beer
- 2 T chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- Cook venison and sausage in olive oil over medium heat until browned. Add onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes or until tender. Drain. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In a slow cooker, add all remaining ingredients and mix well. Add meat mixture and combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 2 hours. After cooking, skim off fat. Serve topped with sour cream or cheddar cheese with a side of corn bread or tortilla chips.
Are you in need of a slow cooker or crock pot for this recipe? Amazon is having a "Crocktober" Fest with a $5 cash back rebate offer for a limited time. Order any of the crock-pot slow cookers and you can get $5 back through their rebate. Prices range from $24.88 for a 6 Quart Manual Portable Crock Pot to $34.50 for a 6 Quart Programmable Crock Pot to the deluxe 6-1/2 Quart Programmable Touch Screen Slow Cooker for $78.99.
Thanks The Centsible Family!


text:
New Spyder and coupe boast V8 and V10 engines.
Sports Cars
Editor: G.R. Whale
$114,200 Base Price MSRP
$162,275 As Tested MSRP
Model Lineup: Audi R8 Coupe 4.2 ($114,200); Spyder 4.2 ($127,700); Coupe 5.2 ($147,500); Spyder 5.2 ($161,000)
Standard Engine: 5.2-liter dohc 40-valve V10
Engine Options: 430-hp 4.2-liter V8; 525-hp 5.2-liter V10
Standard Transmission: 6-speed manual
Transmission Options: 6-speed manual; 6-speed automated manual
Basic Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
Assembled In: Neckarsulm, Germany
Model Tested MSRP: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder ($161,000)
Standard Equipment: leather 10-way power, heated sport seats, climate control, tilt-telescoping flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel, AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sirius stereo, HomeLink, Bluetooth, cruise control, trip computer, bi-xenon headlamps, magnetorheological shocks, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, 465-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system, navigation and rearview camera
Options As Tested: none
Standard Safety Equipment: frontal airbags, head/chest side-impact airbags, knee airbags, pop-up rollbars on Spyder; electronic stability control, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, all-wheel drive
Optional Safety Equipment: rearview cameraDestination Charge: $1,275
The R8 offers a high-revving 430-hp V8 or a 525-hp V10. The engine is mounted amidships and can be seen on display beneath a clear engine cover on the coupe or found nestled under the Spyder's stowed soft top. The R8 comes with quattro all-wheel drive, massive multi-piston brakes, aluminum suspension components, and a nearly flat floor to help keep it on the ground at speed.
Inside is a finished cabin with controls very much like any Audi. The R8 is stylish but not gaudy, luxurious without forsaking efficiency, roomy enough to avoid feet squeezed off to one side or your skull stuck in the headliner. Seats are contoured to fit a variety of sizes without reshaping them, and you can hold a conversation without an intercom. As one indicator of how far Audi's gone to make the R8 useable as a daily driver, consider the Bluetooth microphones in the driver's seatbelt on the Spyder.
Audi was able to exploit some engineering development from sister-company Lamborghini in the form of the Gallardo V10 engine, transmissions and chassis, but any notion of the two being the same car wearing different badges should be banished. If the Lamborghini, or any other angry Italian exotic is Lucifer in outlandish Milan-runway garb, the R8 is still Lucifer but one that's been to finishing school and toting a classic Navy blazer.
Exotics and high-performance sports cars vary greatly in style and concept compared to more plebian cars so there is no set class the Audi R8 competes in. Those cars potential R8 buyers might also be interested in, to what degree determined by their location on the performance-style continua, include the Aston Martin DB9 and Vantage V12, Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Porsche 911, and Nissan GT-R.
Coming soon is the Audi R8 GT, which will go on sale in the U.S. as a 2012 model. The GT is a bit of a misnomer given it's the sportiest R8 and the least useful for grand touring purposes. The R8 GT will be right at home on race track, however, as it is tuned to play with Porsche GT3 and Ferrari Challenge cars. The R8 GT features a higher-revving V10 engine near 560 horsepower. Lightened by 220 pounds, the R8 GT can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds and can top 198 mph, according to Audi. It's expected to come with ceramic brakes, lighter glass and polycarbonates, fixed rear wing, and a much lighter battery. Expect it be just slightly faster than an R8 5.2 FSI but notably quicker around a road racing circuit. Only 333 will be built. We anticipate a price around $190,000.
The 2011 Audi R8 is offered in coupe or convertible form, with V8 or V10 power. All R8s are all-wheel drive.
Audi R8 4.2 FSI coupe ($114,200) comes with a 430-hp V8 and 6-speed manual gearbox. Standard features include leather and Alcantara upholstery, 10-way power, heated sport seats, climate control, tilt-telescoping flat-bottom multifunction steering wheel, AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sirius stereo, HomeLink, Bluetooth, cruise control, trip computer, bi-xenon headlamps, magnetorheological shocks, and 19-inch alloy wheels. A 6-speed automated manual R-Tronic transmission ($9,100) is optional.
Audi R8 4.2 FSI Spyder ($127,700) is equipped much like the coupe, with the addition of a power folding hardtop with power rear window, leather treated to be cooler, and Bluetooth microphones in the driver's seatbelt. A 6-speed automated manual R-Tronic transmission ($9,100) is optional.
Options include Nappa leather upholstery ($2000); a convenience package ($2,100) with rearview camera, hill-hold assist, auto-dimming heated folding outside mirrors; MMI navigation ($2,100); alternate side blade colors and finishes; complete LED front lighting ($3,500); alternate wheel styles/finishes ($500); metallic paint ($650); 465-watt 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system ($1,800); Alcantara headliner ($1,300); piano black cabin trim ($1,640); carbon fiber trim; illuminated door sills ($875).
R8 5.2 FSI ($147,500) comes with the 525-hp V10 engine, Nappa leather, LED headlights, Bang & Olufsen sound, navigation and rearview camera.
R8 5.2 FSI Spyder ($161,000) has everything from 4.2 Spyder and 5.2 coupe, plus power-folding, heated, auto-dimming rearview mirrors.
Options for the 5.2 versions include the enhanced leather package ($3,500), and the cosmetic upgrades of the V8: carbon fiber, piano black, alternate colors/finishes, headliner and door sills. (All New Car Test Drive prices are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices, which do not include destination charge and may change at any time without notice.)
Safety features that come standard include frontal airbags, head/chest side-impact airbags, knee airbags, pop-up rollbars on Spyder, electronic stability control, and all-wheel drive. The optional rearview camera enhances safety by increasing the chances of the driver spotting a child or other hazard behind the car when backing up, so we recommend it.
Walk Around
High-performance cars tend to have unique and easily identified styling. Fortunately in the case of the R8, unique and attractive go together, and since the luster hasn't worn off in the five years from its debut, the R8 doesn't change for 2011.
At the ends every R8 is similar. Three separate grilles on the front and more on the rear, gloss-black on V10, variously inhale and exhale cooling air. Bi-Xenon headlights are traced by LED running lights on the V8 while the V10 uses LED headlamps, some chrome details and slightly larger grilles with fewer slats. At the rear rectangular light inserts echo the Audi TT; twin tailpipes on either side identify a V8, a single oval on each side a V10. The GT version will get a big round barrel on each side, air extractors behind the rear wheels, a fixed rear wing, more aggressive diffuser and a wider, more contoured leading edge.
Aerodynamic function and engine placement define the basic bones of any mid-engine sports car. A low snout improves visibility and keeps the nose to the ground, and the creases above the front wheels keep air moving over the windshield and not spilling over the sides. At the tail end a pop-up spoiler automatically lifts at certain road speeds or if the engine needs maximum cooling; it can be done manually as well for cleaning. Look underneath and you'll find it almost totally flat like many race cars.
In profile the R8 coupe is dominated by what Audi calls a sideblade, that vertical slice of bodywork that runs from the roof to the bottom just ahead of the rear wheels. It can be ordered in a variety of finishes, including painted to match the rest of the car. All the scoops and vents are there for machinery cooling or propulsion, and on the V10 the sideblade scoop is larger. Both V8 and V10 come with 19-inch wheels, five twin-spoke on the V8 and five tri-y design on the V10.
The Spyder features a fabric folding top (two colors) with two buttresses over the engine cover. It can be opened or closed in about 20 seconds, and it can be done so at speeds up to 30 mph. The buttresses help direct air around the rear of the car but they don't actually sit on the paint and won't scratch it. The silver panels behind the headrests are engine bay cooling vents, replacing those that run down the roof pillars on the coupe. What the Spyder loses to the coupe is the clear engine cover that lets onlookers admire the beast within.
A Spyder has an electrically lifted rear window (with defrost) to limit some noise and buffeting, and a drop-in wind-blocker closer to the headrests for further reductions. We found with just the window it's possible to converse at legal speeds with the top down, and lowering the window with the top up adds engine intake sounds to the exhaust noise.
The coupe has a minor advantage in cargo space. Coupe and Spyder have a small 3.5-cubic-foot trunk up front, a compact but deep well that might hold your carry-on duffel or a half-case of wine. The coupe has another 3.1 cubic feet of storage space behind the front seats for soft-sided bags or a minimal golf bag. On the Spyder that space is consumed by the folding top.
For those accustomed to putting on their sports car rather than getting into it the first observation of most R8 occupants is it's surprisingly roomy and civilized. Yes it's low and a wide step in but it looks more conventional than the average exotic car, and downright familiar to any Audi driver.
Powered and heated sport seats provide plenty of comfort and rely partially on the encapsulating doors and console for lateral retention. They are not as confining as some sport seats that assume a 30-inch-or-smaller waist, and not as heavily bolstered and contoured as some Audi S or RS sedan seats. Not only do 6-foot, 4-inch adults fit inside, their feet fit in the footwells, a common pinch point in mid-engine cars.
With a range of power adjustment, a good dead pedal, and a manual tilt/telescoping steering column, it's easy to get a suitable driving position and good view of the instruments. Forward and rearward visibility are good, while rear quarter vision is better in the coupe with the small rear side windows and slightly compromised with the convertible top up.
The V8 cars come with leather-framed, alcantara-center upholstery; full leather of the V10 is available, and both cars can be enhanced further with leather for the dashboard and upper door panels. Spyders have specially treated leather to keep cooler than regular leather. Aluminum style cabin trim is standard; upgrades include carbon fiber and piano black, the latter high-gloss that suggests it might be a good idea to test drive in the sun top-down before ordering one that way. Audi's cabins are well-regarded and if there's a weak point in the R8's cabin it's the plastic console trim.
All the instruments, including oil temperature and electrical condition, are in a pod ahead of the driver with a glare-free covering. The steering wheel foregoes an excessively thick rim and has redundant-control thumbwheels and switches, but the flat-bottom shape is not ideal for urban driving or ribbons of mountain roadway that require more than a turn of the wheel. Flat-bottom steering wheels are better suited to formula cars. A proper handbrake is immediately right of the driver, much preferred over the electronic kind.
The manual shifter has a slotted metal gate like Ferraris of yore; R-Tronic cars use paddles on the wheel.
Stalks handle the usual wiper/signal/main beam/cruise chores. The navigation screen is easily seen in direct sunlight, with or without polarized lenses). The audio/navigation system is a standard Audi part and reasonably intuitive, and the climate controls are right out of the TT. Bluetooth and iPod integration are well thought out, detailed to the point the Spyder driver's seatbelt has three microphones in it for hands-free calling with the top down. Cabin storage space is moderate in the coupe, smaller in the Spyder.
Driving Impressions
If you can use such an expression, the slowest R8 coupe will run the standard 0-60 sprint in about 4.6 seconds and manage 187 mph; a V10 posts values in the high-three-second range and can top 195 mph. Spyders carry more weight so they are not quite as quick yet still plenty potent; you'll be illegal by third gear. The R8 has been compared to Acura's NSX of 20 years ago as a supercar without all the drawbacks. The NSX wasn't fastest in class, nor is the R8. It turns out some drivers have higher priorities than outright speed.
Although it uses an aluminum chassis the R8 is no featherweight: All-wheel drive, solidity and luxury add up to a weight of 3600-3900 pounds. The fiercest acceleration in the competitive set comes from the Porsche 911 Turbo S which explodes to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds and continues the momentum as unabated as a V10 R8. But the 911 can't match the sound from either of the R8's engines, and Ferrari's 458 could cost six digits more. Both the all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo and rear-wheel-drive 458 use more sophisticated 7-speed dual-clutch gearboxes and weigh about 200 pounds less than a V10 R8.
Despite identical cylinder dimensions each R8 engine has a unique note. The V8 sounds more threatening at idle, more musclecar in the midrange, and singing as it passes 8000 rpm. The V10 has a quieter, more subdued purr at idle, more mechanical midrange and syncopation, and simply wails approaching its 8500 rpm limit. Both must be revved for maximum power, the larger engine more so, yet there is such an abundance of power and proper gearing they can be driven around town very briskly while behaving as sedately as a limo.
Regarding fuel economy, let's just say it's about what you'd expect for a silly-fast car, and the 24-gallon tank won't last as you think it might. If you want to be green and fast simultaneously, the 911 Turbo is better in that regard.
The direct-drive (1:1 top gear) 6-speed manual uses a gated shifter with quick throws that make a metallic click through the light action, not unlike a small-bore rifle. It's simple to drive and a joy to operate even in traffic, causing us to wonder why, even at this price, anyone pays $9,100 for the optional R-Tronic. So our recommendation is to go for the manual.
The R-Tronic is not an automatic transmission but rather an automated 6-speed manual that does the clutch and shifting for you. The R-Tronic relieves the driver of two-foot coordination. It may be better around a racetrack because it shifts so quickly, almost violently, and you can keep both hands on the wheel, but on most public byways it's clunky, slow and doesn't feel much more advanced than a Smart's transmission. We've found that partially lifting off the gas when changing gears will smooth things somewhat. We've also found this type of transmission awkward when maneuvering in and out of tight places that require moving fore and aft, such as pulling into a tight parking space or garage; it lacks the precision and speed of either a manual or an automatic in such situations.
Every R8 is all-wheel drive, quattro the term Audi has used on its performance cars since the Quattro coupe debuted in 1980. In the R8 the nominal split sends 90 percent of the thrust to the rear wheels, giving it a rear-wheel-drive feel. In certain conditions, either model can send at least 30 percent of the power to the front wheels. You can haze the rear tires around a track but in general every horsepower the engine doles out translates directly to forward motion. It also gives the R8 a slight advantage in putting power down in a corner or helping it get around one quicker.
One word of caution about quattro: Since slowing is done by brakes and tires the R8, like any all-wheel-drive car (including the 911 Turbo and Nissan GT-R), does not stop any better than a car with similar brakes and tires. Maybe even a foot or two longer because of the added weight. Too many original Quattro owners incorrectly figured Audi had re-written Newton and stuffed a high percentage of Quattros into ski-resort snowbanks.
With the heaviest part of the car right behind the driver and low to the ground, the R8 changes direction quickly and easily, in the process feeling lighter than it really is. Sticky tires generate big grip and corners become mere changes of scenery out the windshield, with no drama, wiggle, or mid-bend correction needed.
Brakes require just a light touch to erase a lot of speed and leaning on them hard should not be done with anything heavier than a tissue loose in the cabin because it may not slow down as fast as the car. With relatively large, high-compression engines, there is some engine braking available merely lifting off the gas.
Sophisticated shock absorbers constantly adjust in milliseconds and help the R8 offer that precision and grip without any sense of harshness, even on the tighter V10 model. Many lesser two-doors don't ride as well and those that do don't handle this well. Lighter mid-engine cars may change direction better (the Lotus Elise and Ferrari 458 come to mind) but the R8 is extremely well sorted out so it's easier to find the limit, and that is perhaps the R8's greatest virtue; you don't have to be a skilled racer to drive it quickly.
Although it frequently leads to a less-stiff structure, the Spyder felt as tight and solid as a coupe with no squeaks or groans on bad roads or severe-angle driveways. It felt no less weather tight than the coupe, and we couldn't hear any more wind noise. Bear in mind the R8 is insulated but with 420 ponies at your ear it's never luxury-car quiet. Cowl shake wherein the windshield vibrates slightly because there is no roof attached was absent on the Spyder, as the inside mirror was completely stable: a good thing too since the R8's soundtrack invites you to be a hooligan and you'll be checking it frequently.
The Audi R8 does what you expect from a high-performance sports car: it goes like Meat Loaf's second album title, changes direction like a K Street spin wizard and stops as well as it stops traffic and draws admiring stares. And it does so with daily livability, turn-key reliability, and perhaps in your style more than any other. You could drive it to the office in the rain, go parts shopping, then do a few laps at your favorite track all in one day, changing nothing more than the radio station or iPod track.
G.R. Whale filed this NewCarTestDrive.com report after his test drives of R8 Spyder and coupe models with V8s and V10s in Southern California.
Top Cars


text:
Recycling cans changes an industry
Note: This article is a sidebar to one of this issue's feature stories, Northwest is asked to give up 18 dams.
Andy Kerr's proposal to dismantle or not build 18 dams rests in part on the fact that Americans in 1992 recycled 67.9 percent of their aluminum cans.
That recycling saved an immense amount of electricity, and helped make the Northwest's aluminum plants more marginal than they would have been without recycling. Peter Merner, an industry analyst in New York City, said, "The effect of more recycling is to reduce the price of aluminum."
Merner said it is difficult to quantify how much recycling depressed aluminum's price, but it is easy to quantify how much electricity is saved. According to the Aluminum Association, based in Washington, D.C., it takes 20 times more electricity to make an aluminum product from scratch than it does to make it from recycled material.
There is more to the aluminum industry than beer and pop cans. Food containers consume only 28 percent of all U.S. aluminum. Transportation (autos and aircraft) use 19.5 percent of aluminum and construction consumes 14.3 percent. Much of the aluminum in automobiles is also recycled.
Merner predicted that the Northwest's aluminum smelters would be priced out of the region's electricity market within a decade or two. But he also predicted that the electricity freed by their demise would be consumed by residential and commerical growth in the region.


text:
This was delayed, however, because the prime minister of the new coalition government was not sworn in until the end of June. The plan will be made public once it has gained approval from the government.
The outgoing government was not very enthusiastic about wind energy and it remains to be seen whether the new administration takes a more positive approach.
In its initial forecast, the Czech Republic stated that it expected to meet its target of a 13% share of renewables in energy use by 2020 and that the increase in renewables contribution would follow the trajectory mandated by the EU directive. The draft says the government does not plan to sell surplus renewables to other member states.
The Czech wind energy association expects that only 30-40MW of wind capacity will be installed in 2010, to raise the total to 220-230MW. Another 20-30MW could be installed in 2011 to reach about 250MW. Altogether, about 2GW of wind potential has been identified for the Czech Republic, but the 2009 report estimated a more realistic figure for implementation would be around 350 turbines with a total 800MW, without giving a date for achieving this amount.


text:
Artist raises funds for local domestic-abuse agency
A domestic-abuse survivor is using art to help and inspire others.
"I think that art chose me," said Eugenia Ortiz. "That is why I am here, and (to) make the world more beautiful."
One way Ortiz is bringing more beauty to the world is by using her talent to help out Safehome.
"They helped me when I needed them with my domestic-violence situation. And they helped my life so much, I just wanted to give back," she said.
Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from Ortiz's art show at 1705 Baltimore Ave. will go to the domestic abuse agency to assist victims.
News of the gift touched Safehome's executive director, Janee Hanzlick.
"To see her grow and come to the point where she is a nationally recognized artist is a great source of pride for Safehome," Hanzlick said.
Ortiz said her art is worth $38,000. She hopes to give about $10,000 to Safehome. Her exhibit runs until July 27.


text:
La Marzocco: Espresso Machines, Grinders, Parts
From top of the line home espresso machines to a wide range of commercial options, La Marzocco delivers. The Italian espresso authority was founded in 1927 in Florence, and has been a premier manufacturer of high-end espresso machines since the very beginning. These days, La Marzocco still makes every single Italian espresso machine in their lineup by hand in Florence. These machines are often employed by cafés and restaurants, but are also appropriate for home use by dedicated espresso lovers.
Learn More
La Marzocco: Espresso Machines for Purists
Why should you trust La Marzocco? Besides the fact that they're well-known for their durability, consistency and striking designs, La Marzocco is also an expert when it comes to usability and quality. La Marzocco machines are also highly customizable to fit the needs of your commercial setting. For Example, the La Marzocco Linea and GB5 machines come in auto-volumetric, mechanic paddle and semi-automatic options, with even more customization available on a per machine basis.
Which One is Right for Me?
Here at Seattle Coffee Gear we're always happy to lend a helping hand. Purchasing an espresso machine for your café carries a big price tag, so it's important to get the right machine. We're here to help! Just give us a call or send us a message and we'll be happy to assist. Check out our Blog and Coffee 101 pages for even more info!
La Marzocco GS/3 Espresso Machine$7,100.00


text:
Here you can see a detailed look at the forecast for the next 48 hours. Note that the base for this is our Meteogram product, which shows a good average forecast for Wilhelmshall (Harz, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany).
However, you can also look at our compact prediction based on any other model that forecasts for your chosen location.
The following models are available for Wilhelmshall:
Swiss Super HD (2-3 days), COSMO-D2 (1-2 days), ECMWF 6z/18z (3 days), ECMWF IFS HRES (5 days), ICON-EU (5 days), Swiss HD (3 days), EURO-4 (2 days), GFS (5 days), GEM (5 days), ACCESS-G (5 days), ICON (5 days), NORWAY (5 days), SwissHD MOS (3 days), DWD MOSMIX (5 days), Serbian MOS (5 days)
This plot displays the 14 day temperature forecast for your selected location, Wilhelmshall.
The red numbers show the expected high temperature for a given day, while the blue numbers show the expected low temperature. Because forecast uncertainty increases with time, we also display the range of possible high/low temperature outcomes, shown as the shaded red/blue regions. The actual high/low temp could fall anywhere in that shaded region, and the larger the shaded regions are, the higher the forecast uncertainty is.
Current weather - Here we've put together a glance at all the most important information about the current weather in Wilhelmshall (Harz, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany). You can see with the radar HD if precipitation is falling at the moment, or headed towards Wilhelmshall soon. You can also see where there are thunderstorms currently ongoing, as well as where thunderstorms have occurred in recent weeks and months with our lightning analysis tool. Our HD satellite images of Wilhelmshall will show you whether there's sunshine currently in the area, or if clouds are making for a more gloomy day. Finally, current observations will tell you what current temperatures look like around Wilhelmshall at the moment, as well as if it's humid and/or windy.
Forecast for the next few days - The weather forecast for Wilhelmshall is available in several different versions, all clearly and simply displayed here on the Weather Wilhelmshall page. For the short term, we have data based on a single weather model that is known to deliver the best forecast for Wilhelmshall. For the longer term, we have forecasts for the next two weeks based on an analysis of many different possible forecast outcomes that will give you a sense of not just what's most likely, but how the forecast could change in future updates as we get closer to any given date. If the range of possible outcomes is narrow, you can have high confidence in the forecast. If the range is wide, you know there's more uncertainty, and to not give too much credence to any one possible forecast outcome. We also have other products such as Meteograms and Forecast XL elsewhere on our site to give you additional options for figuring out the forecast for Wilhelmshall.
Neighboring places around Wilhelmshall
- Huy-Neinstedt, Anderbeck, Mönchsheu, Mönchhai, Aspenstedt, Athenstedt, Dingelstedt, Badersleben, Sargstedt, Huysburg
Cities, towns, villages
- Abbenrode, Allrode, Altenbrak, Anderbeck, Arbketal, Asmusstedt, Aspenstedt, Athenstedt, Bad Suderode, Badeborn, Ballenstedt, Benneckenstein, Berßel, Blankenburg, Blankenburg (Harz), Brockenhaus, Börnecke, Büchenberg, Bühne, Cattenstedt, Dankerode, Danstedt, Dardesheim, Darlingerode, Deersheim, Degenershausen, Derenburg, Diocese Halberstadt, Ditfurt, Drübeck, Eckerkrug, Eilsdorf, Elbingerode, Elend, Emersleben, Endorf, Ermsleben, Falkenstein/Harz, Friedrichsbrunn, Friedrichshöhe, Gernrode, Groß Quenstedt, Göddeckenrode, Güntersberge, Haferfeld, Halberstadt, Harsleben, Harzgerode, Hasselfelde, Haus Nienburg, Hausneindorf, Hedersleben, Heiligenkopf, Heimburg, Helsungen, Hessen, Heteborn, Heudeber, Hohne, Huy, Huy-Neinstedt, Hüttenrode, Ilsenburg, Ilsenburg (Harz), Kahlenberg, Klein Quenstedt, Konradsburg, Königerode, Königshof, Königshütte, Langeln, Langenstein, Lerchenfeld, Lessingplatz, Lüttgenrode, Meisdorf, Mulmke, Mönchsheu, Münchenhof, Neinstedt, Neu Runstedt, Neudorf, Neue Turmwarte, Neuehütte, Neustadt, Neuwerk, Nienhagen, Nord-Dedeleben, Nordharz, Nöschenrode, Oberharz am Brocken, Odorf, Oesig, Opperode, Osterode, Osterwieck, Pansfelde, Pulvermühle, Quarmbeck, Quedlinburg, Radisleben, Reddeber, Rhoden, Rieder, Rohrsheim, Rothehütte, Röderhof, Rübeland, Sargstedt, Schauen, Schauenteichen, Schielo, Schierke, Schmatzfeld, Schwanebeck, Selke-Aue, Silberhütte, Sinsleben, Siptenfelde, Sorge, Stapelburg, Stecklenberg, Stiege, Straßberg, Ströbeck, Tanne, Thale, Timmenrode, Treseburg, Veckenstedt, Veltheim, Voigtsfelde, Voigtstieg, Waldschlösschen, Wasserleben, Weddersleben, Wedderstedt, Wegeleben, Wernigerode, Westerhausen, Wienrode, Wieserode, Wietfeld, Wülperode, Zilly
Mountains and hills
- Großer Winter-Berg, Hohnekamm, Kleiner Brocken, Kleiner Winter-Berg, The Brocken


text:
Welcome to the Perinatal Center at the Heidelberg University Women's Hospital
We believe in innovative prenatal diagnosis, careful prenatal medicine, and modern obstetrical care to the highest international standards: we combine highly advanced medical technologies with gentle methods to give you the best possible start to parenthood.
The Perinatal Center at the Heidelberg University Women's Hospital is one of the largest centers of its kind in Germany. Here obstetrician-gynecologists and specially trained pediatricians work closely together. In addition to the labor and delivery units, we have a neonatal intensive care unit in the same building, where premature infants from 23 weeks of gestation and sick newborns are cared for according to a unique concept of care. A pediatric specialist is present around the clock.
The close collaboration under one roof between obstetrician-gynecologists, midwives, and pediatricians, together with counseling services for expectant parents, guarantees reliable and personal support beginning in pregnancy through delivery and afterwards. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you are in good hands with us. You can be sure of a maximum of medical care around-the-clock, seven days a week.
The holistic care concept at the Heidelberg University Women's Hospital has been well received. About 1,600 children are born here every year. In addition to offering state-of-the-art medical technology, we also offer a number of alternative birthing methods.
One of our areas of specialty at the Heidelberg University Women's Hospital is in prenatal diagnosis. In addition to conventional ultrasound testing, we work with innovative 3D and 4D diagnostic procedures, which provide a precise look at the unborn child and his or her physiological functions. We also use cardiotocography (CTG) to monitor fetal heart rate during pregnancy. These devices enable us to obtain a precise recording without significantly inconveniencing the patient. They also make it possible to monitor twins simultaneously.
If significant problems arise during pregnancy, such as the onset of premature labor, they can be well managed in our labor unit. Frequently, our experienced physicians can prevent a premature birth by using specific interventions, or if this is not possible, can gain additional time before the birth. Our labor unit has 14 beds. Midwives and professional nurses with many years of experience in labor and delivery provide for your care, and the pediatrician participates in ward rounds at regular intervals.
Our range of services includes
- ultrasound diagnosis,
- nuchal translucency test,
- prenatal diagnostic counseling,
- invasive diagnosis and prenatal medicine,
- delivery,
- and post-partum care.
We wish you all the very best during your pregnancy.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Christof Sohn
Managing Medical Director of the Heidelberg University Women's Hospital


text:
Quadrant News
It's been well over a year in the works, but the new transwarp drive that has been so painstakingly installed on the U.S.S. Vanguard is almost ready to be tested. Invented by a Bajoran team lead by...
Shipboard News
With the U.S.S. Vanguard having been chosen by Starfleet Command to test the new transwarp drives developed by Professor Sizaen Yatri of Bajor and her team of Starfleet Scientists, the Vanguard has...
Recent Events
USS Vanguard returns to Earth dock to install experimental drives.
Upcoming Events
USS Vanguard to test experimental transwarp drives.
Past Events


text:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
All new Winnie the Pooh book releases soon! Read the first chapter.
A sequel to Winnie-the-Pooh and The House At Pooh Corner is set to be released on October 5th, 2009. The book called Return to the Hundred Acre Wood written by David Benedictus will be the first authorized sequel ever to be published since Winnie the Pooh arrived on the scene 80 years ago. The book is illustrated by Mark Burgess.
The first chapter is available for online viewing in full color. "Rumour" has it that Christopher Robin is the one who returns to the Hundred Acre Woods. From the preview it looks like the book contains a few Pooh-ish touches and a splendid Pooh hum. There's also a YouTube video featuring the well-known narrator Jim Dale reading the Exposition, perfectly setting the stage for this exciting new release.
I'm a longtime Pooh fan and own copies of A. A. Milne's books. I'm excited to read about Pooh's newest adventures and see how they compare to the beloved tales. What are your thoughts about this new book?
Related links: http://www.penguin.com/pooh
2 comments:
- Lynn said...
How exciting. I wonder if it will have the same feel and charm of the original. I wouldn't want to be in the author's shoes, trying to take over for A. A. Milne. Or maybe I would. We'll definitely be looking for this one when it's out. My husband is a huge fan, and we have at least two sets of the original stories for our son, even though he's too young to enjoy them.
- September 29, 2009 at 9:39 PM
- ibeeeg said...
My 14 year old daughter loved Winnie the Pooh when she was 2-6 years old. Loved it. Would snuggle with Pooh, watch Pooh and have Pooh read to her. My other children never really got into PoohBear. Interesting.
The First chapter appealed to me. A bit too long for my little ones but my 10 year old may actually give it go...maybe.
Thanks for this post. I do hope that this book lives up to the original Winnie the Pooh stories.
- September 30, 2009 at 10:50 PM


text: The DataGrid can hide columns according to the specified priority if screen width is not enough to display all of them. The hiding priority is specified using the hidingPriority field of an item in the columns array. Switch between the landscape and portrait layouts to see how the DataGrid looks on wide and narrow screens.


text:
Lizzo is looking for love and it seems like the pop star is down to find an Aussie who can do the trick.
During her recent appearance on Australian TV show, The Project, the MTV VMA performer seemed open to the idea while speaking about an evil Gemini ex of hers. When host Carrie Bickmore admitted that there are "a lot of great Geminis Down Under," she was receptive, saying, "All right! Turn up! I'm ready! I'm going to find a Hemsworth cousin. I'm going to find the Hemsworth younger brother and see what's up." At that point, Bickmore suggested the newly-single Liam Hemsworth, but it didn't seem like the singer/rapper had any interest in him. "Oh, I'm not messing with Miley [Cryus]'s man. I need my own Hemsworth," she responded.
As you know, Cyrus and Hemsworth shocked fans when word spread that the pair separated. On Monday (August 12), the Hunger Game star addressed his feelings on the split, which comes nearly eight months after their late 2018 marriage. "Hi all. Just a quick note to say that Miley and I have recently separated and I wish her nothing but health and happiness going forward," the 29-year-old star wrote via social media. "This is a private matter and I have not made, nor will I be making, any comments to any journalists or media outlets. Any reported quotes attributed to me are false. Peace and Love."
Photo: Katherine Tyler for iHeartRadio


text:
An Exploration Of The Empathic Mind
a resource for the reality analyst
share YOUR favourite tunes with The Mob
Be Somebody
Design, Garden and Living
Indian Fashion and Luxury Style Blog
Beyond the Veil
...finding Gods truths in random places.
The Consciousness that the Supreme Authority Resides Within Each Individual
Discovering art in everything
imagination is the key
A Forest, a Retreat, a Tribe, a Botanical Ark, a Culture.
by Tracee Dunblazier, spiritual empath
What's New, Interesting, Historic, or the Best in Design from Atlanta to Savannah and way beyond.
BonneTable soon in English - Modern cuisine - Food photography


text:
Arsenal had fought back from behind at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday to lead through a quick-fire pair of goals from Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs in the last 10 minutes, only for Graham to pounce at the death to take a gripping tie to a replay.
Swansea had led through a 58th-minute effort by Michu, scorer of both goals in a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in December, but Swansea appeared to be heading out until Graham found the roof of the net with three minutes to play.
Michu began on the bench for Swansea, perhaps with an eye on Wednesday's League Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea, while Arsenal made three changes and deployed Olivier Giroud as a lone striker.
Arsenal threatened through Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla, but it was Swansea who created the clearest openings in the first half.
Graham extended Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with a crisp strike in the 13th minute, while former Arsenal trainee Kyle Bartley rattled the crossbar with a header nine minutes before half-time.
Giroud tested Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm twice early in the second period, before Michu rose from the dug-out to tip the tie in the hosts' favour.
The Spaniard had only been on the pitch for a minute and 13 seconds when he collected Nathan Dyer's knock-down, lobbed the ball over Per Mertesacker, and then beat Szczesny to claim his 15th goal of the campaign.
Podolski swivelled on a loose ball to level in the 81st minute and Gibbs then slammed in a sumptuous volley from Giroud's chipped pass to put Arsenal ahead two minutes later, but Graham had the final say.
One of the most evocative ties of the third round takes place later on Sunday, when Liverpool bid to avoid an upset at fifth-tier Mansfield Town.
Newcastle United were cast onto the FA Cup scrapheap by second-tier Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, while Manchester United needed an injury-time Robin van Persie equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw at West Ham United. – AFP


text:
DSA,Inc. has the red LED light and the rubber eyepiece, or they did have it.
D S Arms
Does anyone know the tritium vial size to reactivate this scope? Mine still has the original holder, but was scraped /cleaned some, breaking the vial.
Any source or alternate for the scope rubber eyepiece?
I've put this on an excellent aussie set, with inch imbel receiver.
Thaks ken
Rubber eyepiece incoming. No info yet on the vial size, or placement/location/fastening.
Did you find out the tritium vial size? Merkava at the Candle Power Forums has several sizes available for sale. One for sale link is For Sale: Tritium Vials - CPFMarketPlace - he has other threads in their marketplace, just look around.
No responses to vial size. I've just posted (and doubled, sorry) yugo site replacement using your link source. Am going to have to experiment on the tri-lux. If successful, will post results. Those vials are BRIGHT
don.t know if this helps but i seem to remember a guy over on the falfiles posting about buying/selling? either leds or tritium vials for the trilux. sorry it's been a while read it back when they(trilux's) were cheaper.


text:
PuppetFest MidWest in Trenton,
where puppeteers
of all ages learn
the ropes
PuppetFest MidWest in Trenton,
where puppeteers
of all ages learn
the ropes
PuppetFest MidWest in Trenton,
where puppeteers
of all ages learn
the ropes
Heather Berry
Heather Berry
Heather Berry
The room would
be silent if not for a rhythmic tap-tap of tiny feet on the tile
floor. Bette Midler, Liza Minelli and a goggle-eyed Swiss Miss girl
look on from the rack where they quietly hang, waiting their turn
to practice.
"Watch their
posture," says instructor and
professional marionette performer Phillip Huber. "Excellent
personality," he says as a student
parades his puppet past a mirror-lined wall. "Good manipulation," Huber
says to another.
The occasion is
PuppetFest MidWest, an annual gathering in Trenton of puppet enthusiasts
who want to become masters of puppetry. Students have descended upon
the north-central Missouri town to excel in the performance art. While
nearly a dozen students learn advanced marionette techniques in
class, 50 other
puppeteers are hard at work in other workshops.
Years ago, after
performing at the Grundy County Jewett-Norris Library's
Hoover Theatre near the North Central Missouri College campus, professional
puppeteers Peter Allen and Debbie Lutzky-Allen thought the small
campus was the perfect site for a week-long puppet workshop. After
sharing that dream with the Rumpelstiltskin Society, a close-knit
group of puppetry friends, they decided to help inspire and instruct
future master puppeteers so the art wouldn't die. So
they created PuppetFest MidWest, a training institute for both
long-time and aspiring puppeteers.
"The art
of live puppet theater, as opposed to television, movies or computer
animation, is very important to us," says Peter Allen. "Most
of us have been performing for 20 or 30 years and we're starting
to realize that if we want to see good puppet theater after we
retire, we'd better start
teaching the next generation now. We dinosaurs in the art are starting
to die off."
While there are
numerous puppet festivals held around the world, few offer the intense
study that PuppetFest MidWest offers attendees.
"There are
many festivals where 600 people can choose from a buffet-style selection
of classes," says instructor Jim Napolitano. "But you
get maybe an hour and a half in a session and you come away with
only a feel for that type of puppetry. It's difficult to
come away with that 'Oh,
I can do this at home' confidence.
"Here you
get at least 20 hours of instruction in small groups and you can
go home with a puppet recipe and create puppets over and over again," says
Napolitano, who teaches a technique called shadow puppetry at
the school.
During this year's
July 10-15 institute, attendees can choose such classes as developing
puppet character, rod puppet design and performance, advanced marionette manipulation
or ventriloquism technique to name only a few.
really aren't any other options like what we're doing
here," says Debbie Lutzky-Allen. "You could take
long university courses or expensive short courses or you
can come here for an intensive, affordable, fun week of school."
MidWest evidently meets a need, as attendance has grown
every year since its beginning in 2003. Last year more than 60
puppeteers from all across the United States, Canada and
Japan attended the school. To the layman, the instructors
might not be well known, but in the world of puppetry they're
recognized masters.
"Most of
these guys make big money doing this, but they're willing
to come here for a small honorarium, a dorm room and
cafeteria food. That's
definitely commitment to the art," Debbie says.
school costs $570 per person, which includes one workshop
of your choice, room, meals and tickets to evening
performances. Scholarships are also available to PuppetFest students.
aspiring puppeteers, the experience is well worth the cost. Bruno
Descaves, a Brazilian marionette puppeteer who resides in Japan,
has attended two of the workshops and plans to come back again.
a 12-hour flight here from Brazil," Descaves says, "but
good marionette classes are so hard to find. And
Phillip Huber is so generous with his knowledge."
student Lisa Hager of Kansas says she hopes to make puppets
for use with vacation Bible school as well as Renaissance festivals
she attends.
"The fact
that I can sit in this small class and pick the brain of a master
puppeteer amazes me," says
Hager. "They don't know me from
Adam, but they'll talk to a novice like
they would a world-class puppeteer. It's
For the public,
evening performances are offered for $5 at the Hoover Theater. After
watching the performances, one can see that
puppetry isn't only for
kids. Even adults sit still with rapt attention.
is good, family entertainment," says
Peter. "Our goal
is to help continue to produce good puppet
theater and help train up-and-coming puppeteers."
For more details, go to www.puppetfestival.org.
You may contact the Allens at email@example.com or
by calling (660) 684-6825.