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The Haven family has been farmers and ranchers in Southern California for 100 years. Annie Haven would like to carry on that life and business but it's not easy as the region attracts more development.
That's why she came up with the idea to sell manure teabags.
Annie Haven is a bridge between Orange County's agricultural past and its suburban and high tech present. On one side of the bridge, her small business, Authentic Haven Brand in San Juan Capistrano and Murietta is a livestock business with between 12 and 160 head depending on the availability of water and other resources. On the other, the business is an e-commerce Web site and wholesaler.
"American farmers and ranchers as far back as I can remember have never had just one business," Haven said. "You cut off dead limbs and sell it for firewood, recycle scrap to sell."
And then there are the manure teabags that Haven calls "a value-added byproduct of my livestock business."
They are also a profit center created out of necessity.
Haven raised cattle in southern Orange County and northern San Diego County with her father for more than 40 years. She still considers livestock to be her primary business, even though her dad died in a car accident in 2003. Haven breeds and sells cattle, but prolonged periods of below-average rain had left her with too few head of cattle to live on, so she started commercializing the natural soil conditioner that's a part of cattle ranching.
Haven didn't invent manure tea.
"My grandmother brewed manure tea," said Haven, most of whose family is still in ranching and related industries farther north.
There are other brands of manure tea as well as other types, Haven said. Some sell worm casting tea, chicken manure tea. Several companies sell their product in large bags and the gardener is left to do the steeping. However, Haven insists that pre-brewed and bottled liquid manure tea doesn't last because it loses nutrients.
Haven tea comes from cattle that are fed grass and no chemicals and no nutrients are added to the manure. "People ask what the urine content is, but these aren't dairy cows, so this doesn't have urine in it," Haven said of her teabags.
She decided to create the teabags as a marketing gimmick. But she's not even the first to think of this packaging.
A competitor, no longer in business, made spoon-sized bags that could be easily mistaken for the human variety, Haven said. She deliberately makes Authentic Haven Brand teabags 3-by-5 inches, larger than varieties for human tea to avoid any mix-up.
Manure tea tastes like you-know-what to humans, but it's nectar to garden plants and roses, she said. The manure itself may be too strong if applied directly to the soil, but the liquid derived from steeping "is like all natural, liquid vitamins."
Customers steep the bags in a large water jar just as if they were making sun tea, but don't leave the resulting brew on the porch with the lunch sandwiches and cookies, Haven warned with a wink.
She has managed to place the teabags in several stores including Sherman Library and Gardens, Corona Del Mar; Delaney's Artisan Market, Temecula; La Chatue, Murrieta; and DuPonts Winterthru Library and Gardens in Delaware.
However, most of her sales are through her Web site, Haven manure teabags are sold online at www.AuthenticHavenBrand.com. The suggested price is three for $12.95, 9 for $21.95.
She knew nothing of Internet marketing, leaving the Web site and online promotion to her brother, Paul. But when he became ill, she had to learn how to run the site, handle orders and use social media tools. Now she has more than 3,000 followers on Twitter.
It's a great bridge between her ranching and retailing lives, she said.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7927 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Read more small-business stories at ocregister.com/jan


text: Even with tweaks for musicians, Google+ Hangouts On Air have had sub-par layouts for presentations and performances; one-way stream from a band or teacher crops the view to a smaller size. As of a quick update to the social network, common sense prevails. One-way performances now default to occupying the full available view; multi-participant chats can go a similar route by using the Cameraman app to push all but the primary speaker to the background. It's a simple change, but one that could make a big difference for those who just want to lean back and watch.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Romulo Yanes
A shot of vinegar enlivens the concentrated sweetness of roasted parsnips—a perfect complement to simple roast chicken.
- Yield
- Makes 4 servings
- Active Time
- 10 min
- Total Time
- 30 min
- 1 1/2 pound parsnips
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 chicken breast halves with skin and bone (3 1/2 pounds)
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
- Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle.
- Peel parsnips and quarter lengthwise. (If large, cut lengthwise into eighths and cut out cores.) Toss with 1 tablespoon oil in a large shallow baking pan and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast, stirring occasionally, while preparing chicken (about 5 minutes).
- Pat chicken dry, then sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over high heat until it shimmers, then brown skin side of chicken, about 3 minutes.
- Transfer chicken, skin side up, to pan with parsnips, reserving skillet, and roast until chicken is cooked through and parsnips are tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes.
- While chicken roasts, reheat fat in skillet with remaining tablespoon oil, then add vinegar and red-pepper flakes and boil, stirring, 30 seconds. Pour into a cup and keep warm, covered.
- Serve chicken and fries drizzled with spicy vinegar.
Per serving: 414 cal, 18 g fat (4 g saturated), 30 g carbs, 8 g fiber, 31 g protein (nutritional analysis provided by Nutrition Data) See Nutrition Data's complete analysis of this recipe ›


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PIEDMONT — The kid who loved moving furniture around and grew up to become a nationally syndicated show host, author and decorator will appear Oct. 27 at the elegant Piedmont Center for the Arts.
Nate Berkus, the darling of decorating, will talk about his new book, "Things That Matter," in conversation with local floral designer/author Ron Morgan. In the book, Berkus shares intimate stories of his life, and talks about the people and experiences that have shaped it. Photos of distinctive interiors of Berkus' home and 12 others in the book reflect each owner's style.
Kathleen Caldwell, owner of Great Good Books in Montclair, pulled the right strings to attract Berkus to Piedmont. She and Valerie Corvin, who does public relations for the arts center, wrote a proposal this spring to publishers Spiegel and Grau.
"We heard back in July," Caldwell said. "I am so excited. The center is such a great venue. We wanted to do something big."
The appearance of Pulitzer Prize-winner Anna Quindlen earlier this year helped bolster the chances for Berkus' appearance, Caldwell said.
Growing up, Berkus developed a love of style and design from his decorater mother. After graduating college, he did an internship with Dominique Aurientis in Paris, then went on to form Nate Berkus Associates in 1995 at the age of 24.
He caught the eye of icon Oprah Winfrey in 2002, where he became a featured design expert on her show. His first book, "Home Rules," in 2005 went on to become a New York Times best seller.
His daily syndicated talk show, "The Nate Berkus Show," was launched in September, 2010 and returned for a second season in the fall of 2011. The energetic Berkus was also executive producer for the Oscar-winning film "The Help."
His firm continues to design interiors across the country and around the world. He brings his line of home goods and accessories to Target stores next month.
"I can't wait to meet him in our own back yard," Caldwell said. "This really puts our community on the map."
Center for the Arts founder Nancy Lehrkind, is delighted with the literary event.
"We're trying to branch out in all ways to fulfill all the arts," Lehrkind said.
The ticket price includes a signed copy of Berkus' book. Tickets are not refundable, but if you are unable to attend, you may still pick up a signed copy of Berkus' book at Great Good Place for Books with proof of ticket purchase.
Checks for tickets should be made out to GGP, memo Nate Berkus, and mailed to Great Good Place for Books.
WHAT: Literary event with designer Nate Berkus
WHEN: 7 p.m. Oct. 27
WHERE: Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont
TICKETS: $45; Great Good Place for Books, 6120 LaSalle Ave., Oakland, 510-339-8210


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From next year children in the Archdiocese of Liverpool will be confirmed before receiving their First Communion, reversing the usual order of sacraments in the Catholic Church.
A leaflet being sent to all parishes in the archdiocese next week explains the changes. It says: "These three sacraments make up the process of belonging to the Church (called Christian Initiation). The sacraments weren't always in that order, and adults preparing for initiation have always received them in the original order: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (Communion)."
From September 2012 children in the archdiocese who have been baptised will follow this order.
"Those aged eight by September 1 2012 will be invited to receive Confirmation and First Communion in the days between Ascension Sunday and the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) in 2013, and the same pattern will be followed each year after that," the leaflet said.
The details are also on both the archdiocesan and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral websites. The decision to restore the order of the sacraments of initiation and to introduce a family catechesis approach, supported by parishes and schools, was made by Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool, with the encouragement of the Council of Priests, at the end of 2008.
The new procedure will involve families far more in the way children are prepared for the sacraments.
"Instead of teachers, catechists and priests teaching children and parents about the sacraments, they will help the parents to hand on their own faith to their children, fulfilling the privileges and responsibilities expressed in the Rite of Baptism. New resources will help parents to prepare their own children for these sacraments with the support of the local church community," the leaflet says.
"These changes are meant to help us understand that sacraments are gifts of God's grace, that parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith, and that we are all called to get to know Jesus better throughout our life's journey."
The families of these children will be invited to explore and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with them during Advent each year, while teenagers and their families will be invited to explore and celebrate Reconciliation during Lent each year.
The next two years will be a transition period from the old process to the new. In 2011 there will be no First Communions in most parishes. Children in Year 6 (aged 10-11) should be confirmed; in 2012 this will be children aged 8 to 11. From 2013 onwards the norm will be that children aged eight will receive Confirmation and Holy Communion during the same celebration.
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text:
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text:
Tobacco companies forced to run 'apology' ads
Their plan excludes most black media
By George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief | 5/1/2014, midnight
A revised plan for major tobacco companies to purchase court-ordered ads to admit that they deliberately misled the public about the dangers of smoking would add nine White-owned newspapers to the list of publications carrying tobacco 'apology' ads, but shut out more than 90 percent of Black newspapers and all Black-owned radio and television stations, according to documents filed in federal court.
"If they had asked, we could have helped them develop a better plan than this," said National Newspaper Publishers Association Chairman Cloves Campbell. "They didn't consult us and the end result is that we're back to where this process started last year. What they have put on the table is totally unacceptable."
If the NNPA files a motion in opposition to the revised plan, as expected, the judge has a number of options from which to choose, including making a final decision on the merits of the case or ordering the defendants to come up with a more comprehensive plan.
After being sued by the Justice Department and the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, the major tobacco manufacturers were found guilty in 2005 of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Organizations Act (RICO) when they deliberately misled the public about the dangers and addictiveness of smoking.
U.S. Judge Gladys Kessler ordered them to halt the offending practices and place a series of full-page ads in newspapers and commercials on network TV during prime time for a year, reported by Target Market News to be valued between $30 million and $45 million, acknowledging their wrongdoing.
The defendants—Philip Morris USA, Inc., Altria Group, Inc., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (in its own capacity and as successor to Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation and American Tobacco Co.) and Lorillard Tobacco Company—went along with a plan proposed by the judge that excluded all Black-owned newspapers and broadcast companies.
The tobacco companies submitted a revised plan last week after the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB), two trade associations whose member businesses reach more than 95 percent of all African Americans, filed an amicus or "friend of the court" brief challenging the original plan to run court-ordered ads only in White and Latino publications and on the three major television networks.
In an amicus brief supporting the Black Press, the NNPA said, "To rectify the damage created by defendants in their targeting of African American communities, this court should require defendants to use NABOB and NNPA member organizations to fulfill its remedial order. Black-owned print and visual media remain a primary method of receiving information for African Americans."
After accepting the filing by NNPA and NABOB, Judge Kessler ordered the defendants to address the issues raised by the two trade associations and cable networks that later filed similar briefs protesting the arrangement that favored the three major broadcast networks over them. Among those joining the action were Fox Network News, Viacom (the parent company of BET, MTV and VH1), Univision, TV One, Radio One, CW Network and A&E Television Networks.


text:
FIRST LOOK: Rihanna's Gucci Ad Campaign for UNICEF
Courtesy Gucci
Rihanna and Gucci are giving us a sneak peek of the singer's ads for the brand's 4th annual campaign to benefit UNICEF. And talk about looking good while doing good! The series of ads, which won't hit magazines in December, feature the singer modelling luxe goods from Gucci's "Tattoo Heart" collection. A portion of proceeds from the all-white line will go towards improving the lives of children in sub-Saharan Africa through life-saving programs. And the singer couldn't be happier to continue her work with the charity. "The work that UNICEF does in the world is so incredible," she says. "And I am honored to be able to join forces with Gucci to create this amazing campaign which will contribute to UNICEF. I think the campaign and the sales of these beautiful products can make the difference." Click here to learn more about UNICEF.


text:
- Home
- Nail decorations - filet blanc
- Description
Give your nails a romantic, sensual look with these subtle, sophisticated decorations.
- Instructions for use
Cut the shape required for the decoration out of the material to create the desired effect.
Flex, stretch and crumple the material, then place it on the nail and adjust. Fix the decoration with 2 coats of top coat and hold it in place with a manicure stick until it has adhered to the nail.
For gel: apply the decoration on to the first coat of finishing gel. Polymerize under a UV lamp for 2 minutes and then cover with a second coat of finishing gel. Polymerize then degrease.
Can be used with Paint Mania paints (149930 to 149945) for the stamping/stencil technique using mini-sponges 155413. Apply the paint to the palette 155332 and then take it up with the sponge and stamp it on using the decoration as a stencil.
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text:
2011 Lab 4
- 1 Immunochemistry
- 1.1 Objectives
- 1.2 Before you Start
- 1.3 History
- 1.4 Immune Response
- 1.5 Polyclonal Antibodies
- 1.6 Monoclonal Antibodies
- 1.7 Antibody Techniques
- 1.8 Alternative Techniques
- 1.9 Immunochemistry Method
- 1.10 Web Links
- 1.11 References
- 1.11.1 Journals
- 1.11.2 Textbooks
- 1.11.3 Books
- 1.11.4 PubMed
- 1.12 Terms
- 1.13 Related Topics
- 1.14 2012 Course Content
We have looked at microscopy techniques and how to grow and fix cells. Now we will begin to look at analytical techniques in cell biology. This laboratory is an introduction to immunological methods for analysis of cells and tissues in cell biology.
Previous labs have looked at how to look at cells (microscopy), how to grow cells in vitro (tissue culture) and how to preserve cells (fixation). We will now begin to look at techniques used in analysing cells using antibody techniques (immunochemistry). In cell biology there are many different techniques that use antibodies, only a few examples will be given in this current class.
In order to understand this technique you need a basic understanding of the immune response and antibody-antigen interaction. The laboratory handout and textbook alone contain enough information as an introduction to the subject for this level of study. If you are interested in further reading, I have also included below links to more detailed textbooks and websites with further information and images. Please note this additional information is not necessarily examinable, but may be useful if you have not previously studied immunology.
- Note - immunochemistry can also be called immunohistochemistry or immunocytochemistry.
Archive: 2009 Lab 4 | 2008 Online Lab - Immunochemistry
- Understand historic background of immunology
- Brief understanding of immune response
- Brief understanding of Polyclonal antibodies
- Brief understanding of Monoclonal antibodies
- Understand major antibody techniques
Before you Start
The simplest form of analysis involves looking at the cells following fixation, histological staining and analysis of microscopic images of cells.
This analysis includes quantification of: cell size, shape, specialized processes and number of cells.
cell size - can inform about cellular growth.
cell shape - can inform about cell differentiation, cell motility and cell death.
specialized processes - can inform about cell differentiation.
number of cells - can inform about proliferation, cell cycle and cell death.
1938 - Antigen-Antibody binding hypothesis by John Marrack
1948 - antibody production in plasma B cells
1957 - Clonal Selection theory by Frank Macfarlane Burnet (Nobel Prize 1960)
1972 - Structure of the antibody molecule
1973-75 - Specificity of the cell mediated immune defence by Peter Doherty and Rolf Zinkernag (Nobel Prize 1996)
1975 - monoclonal antibodies produced by Georges J.F. Köhler and César Milstein (Nobel Prize 1984)
Links: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1960 | Frank Macfarlane Burnet Guide to Records | The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1984 | Nobel Prize César Milstein autobiography | MRC Labs - Cesar Milstein | The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1996
Immune Response
Links: MBoC Figure 24-10. Primary and secondary antibody responses | Figure 24-8. The clonal selection theory
Polyclonal Antibodies
Links: Biochemistry Figure 4.32. Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibodies |
Monoclonal Antibodies
- Myeloma is a bone marrow tumor that has been adapted to grow permanently in cell culture.
- Fusion of myeloma cells with antibody-producing spleen cells.
- Hybrid cell (hybridoma) can produce and secrete large amounts of a monoclonal antibody.
- See also terms HAT Medium.
- Identifying cell organelles by antibody Abcam Subcellular Poster
Links: Immunobiology - Figure A.14. The production of monoclonal antibodies | A-12. Monoclonal antibodies | MCB Figure 6-10. Procedure for producing a monoclonal antibody to protein X MCB Movie: Preparing Monoclonal Antibodies | The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1984 |
Antibody Techniques
Immunofluorescence Labelling
Uses fluorescent labelled antibody or the anti-immunoglobulin antibody used to detect the intracellular location of proteins with a the fluorescence microscope. (see also Microscopy Methods confocal microscopy, TIRF microscopy)
Links: MBoC Figure 9-15. Immunofluorescence
Uses enzymes linked to antibodies to generate a coloured reaction product deposited at the site of antibody binding in the cell or tissue section.
Links: Biochemistry - Immunoelectron Microscopy
Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)
Uses fluorescent labelled antibody bound to the surface of living cells to identify and sort using a laser to detect the fluorescence.
Links: MBoC Figure 8-2. A fluorescence-activated cell sorter
Western Blotting
(immunoblot) - Uses a labelled antibody to specifically detect proteins separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE). Can also be modified as a dot-immunobinding technique, spotting a specimen directly onto a nitrocellulose membrane followed by reaction with monoclonal antibody and a biotin-avidin-peroxidase indicator system.
Links: Biochemistry - Figure 4.36. Western Blotting | MBoC Figure 8-18. Western blotting
Immunoelectron Microscopy
Uses antibodies to detect the intracellular location of proteins at high resolution by electron microscopy. Antibodies are labeled with gold particles and then applied to ultrathin sections, which are then examined in the transmission electron microscope (TEM). Gold particles of different diameters can be used to visualise two or more proteins simultaneously.
Links: Metallic Silver Deposit | EBS - Immunogold Labelling in Scanning Electron Microscopy | Immunogold labeling EM level
Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay
(ELISA, enzyme immunoassay or EIA )- Uses a labelled antibody to detect and quantify isolated proteins usually in a 96-well microtiter plate.
Links: Biochemistry - Figure 4.35 Indirect ELISA and Sandwich ELISA |
Antibody Microarray
Uses antibodies bound to a slide or substrate to specifically and quantitatively bind proteins from a cell extract (proteomic profiles), the protein levels in one sample are compared to those in a second sample.
Links: Clontech - Antibody Array
Antibodies in Tissue Culture
Uses antibodies bound to a tissue culture plate
Use of an Immobilized Monoclonal Antibody to Examine Integrin alpha5beta1 Signaling Independent of Cell Spreading. Bao W, Strömblad S. Biol Proced Online. 2002 Nov 11;4:81-87. PMID: 12734565
Alternative Techniques
Antibody Production in Yeast
A yeast platform for the production of single-chain antibody-green fluorescent protein fusions. Huang D, Shusta EV. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006 Dec;72(12):7748-59. Epub 2006 Oct 6. PMID: 17028228 PMC
Antibody Production in Prokaryotes
Production of fluorescent single-chain antibody fragments in Escherichia coli. Schwalbach G, Sibler AP, Choulier L, Deryckère F, Weiss E. Protein Expr Purif. 2000 Mar;18(2):121-32. PMID: 10686142
Phage Display
Phage display is a technique which physically links antibody DNA with antibody protein, i.e.e genotype with phenotype.
CysDisplay is an improved version of phage display allowing specific elution of antibody displaying phage binding to antigens through the disruption of a disulfide bridge between phage and antibody. This ensures that all specific binders are eluted independent of their binding affinity to the antigen. (SeroTec)
SeroTec - (Human Combinatorial Antibody Library
Immunochemistry Method
There are many descriptions of immunochemistry specific methods. The steps below give an example of some typical basic steps.
- Fixation - Cells/tissue section is fixed and if necessary permeablised.
- Blocking - with a protein solution to prevent non-specific binding of antibody.
- Primary Antibody Incubation - diluted to appropriate concentration in buffer or blocking solution. A range of times and temperatures can be used for this step e.g. 1 h at 37C, 2 h at RT, overnight at 4C.
- Washing - a series of washing steps to remove the excess primary antibody.
- Secondary Antibody Incubation - diluted to appropriate concentration in buffer or blocking solution. A range of times and temperatures can be used for this step e.g. 1 h at 37C, 2 h at RT, overnight at 4C.
- Washing - a series of washing steps to remove the excess secondary antibody.
- Mounting - there are a number of lab-made and commercial mountants that preserve either flourescence or colour precipitate.
Web Links
- The Nobel Prize The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1984
- Oklahoma State University Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyOSU Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics of Antibodies
- Nature Protocols immunological techniques
- Commercial Resources Millipore - Antibodies Tutorial | Invitrogen - Molecular Probes | SeroTec - Human Combinatorial Antibody Library | Abnova - Protocol Movies
- Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
- Histochemistry and Cell Biology
- Biotechnic and HistochemistryEuropean Journal of Histochemistry
- Journal of Molecular Histology
Essential Cell Biology
- Antibodies Panel 5-3 pp158-159.
Janeway, Charles A.; Travers, Paul; Walport, Mark; Shlomchik, Mark New York and London: Garland Science; c2001
Molecular Biology of the Cell
Alberts, Bruce; Johnson, Alexander; Lewis, Julian; Raff, Martin; Roberts, Keith; Walter, Peter New York and London: Garland Science; c2002
- Figure 24-10. Primary and secondary antibody responses
- Figure 24-8. The clonal selection theory
- MBoC Figure 9-15. Immunofluorescence
- MBoC Figure 8-2. A fluorescence-activated cell sorter
- MBoC Figure 8-18. Western blotting
Molecular Cell Biology
Lodish, Harvey; Berk, Arnold; Zipursky, S. Lawrence; Matsudaira, Paul; Baltimore, David; Darnell, James E. New York: W. H. Freeman & Co.; c1999
- MCB Figure 6-10. Procedure for producing a monoclonal antibody to protein X
- MCB Movie: Preparing Monoclonal Antibodies
The Cell- A Molecular Approach
Cooper, Geoffrey M. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates, Inc.; c2000
- Biochemistry - Immunoelectron Microscopy
- Biochemistry - Figure 4.35 Indirect ELISA and Sandwich ELISA
- Biochemistry - Figure 4.36. Western Blotting
Molecular Imaging and Contrast Agent Database
Search Online Textbooks
- PubMed is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that includes over 18 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles back to 1948. PubMed includes links to full text articles and other related resources. PubMed
- PubMed Central (PMC) is a free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) allowing all users free access to the material in PubMed Central. PMC
- Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a comprehensive compendium of human genes and genetic phenotypes. The full-text, referenced overviews in OMIM contain information on all known mendelian disorders and over 12,000 genes. OMIM
- Entrez is the integrated, text-based search and retrieval system used at NCBI for the major databases, including PubMed, Nucleotide and Protein Sequences, Protein Structures, Complete Genomes, Taxonomy, and others Entrez
Search Pubmed
- "immunochemistry" Entrez all databases
- "polyclonal antibody" Entrez all databases
- "monoclonal antibody" Entrez all databases
- Wingren C, Borrebaeck CA. High-throughput proteomics using antibody microarrays. Expert Rev Proteomics. 2004 Oct;1(3):355-64. Review. PMID: 1596683 PMID: 1596683
- Chaga GS. Antibody arrays for determination of relative protein abundances. Methods Mol Biol. 2008;441:129-51. PMID: 18370316
- Schwalbach G, Sibler AP, Choulier L, Deryckère F, Weiss E. Production of fluorescent single-chain antibody fragments in Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif. 2000 Mar;18(2):121-32. PMID: 10686142
- Huang D, Shusta EV. A yeast platform for the production of single-chain antibody-green fluorescent protein fusions. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006 Dec;72(12):7748-59. Epub 2006 Oct 6. PMID: 17028228 PMC
- Pope ME, Soste MV, Eyford BA, Anderson NL, Pearson TW. Anti-peptide antibody screening: selection of high affinity monoclonal reagents by a refined surface plasmon resonance technique. J Immunol Methods. 2009 Feb 28;341(1-2):86-96. Epub 2008 Nov 28. PMID: 19041872
- Patel JD, Joseph JM, Falkler WA Jr. Direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in clinical specimens by a dot-immunobinding technique using monoclonal antibody. J Immunol Methods. 1988 Apr 6;108(1-2):279-87. PMID: 3280688
adjuvant substance that increases the antigenic immune response and is used to increase production of antibody.
antibody (Ab) the protein secreted by mature B lymphocytes, plasma cells, in response to an antigen.
antigen any substance that induces the formation of antibodies.
ascites the accumulation of serum in the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen. Used in animals to generate a high concentration of antibody solution.
Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) the adjuvant that produces very high antibody levels by stimulating a hypersensitive, painful inflammation at the injection site. A water in oil emulsion with inactivated and dried mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Named after Jules T. Freund (1890-1960) a Hungarian-born American immunologist.
HAT Medium (Hypoxanthine Aminopterin Thymidine medium) - selection medium for generating monclonal hybridoma cell lines. Media contains: Hypoxanthine, Aminopterin and Thymidine. Only cell lines expressing both hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT+) and thymidine kinase (TK+) can survive in this medium. Aminopterin inhibits de novo synthesis of nucleosides, while HPRT and TK supply them from hypoxanthine and thymidine.
hybridoma the cell produced by the fusion of a myeloma cell and an antibody-producing cell, the resulting hybrid is both long-lived and produces a continuous supply of antibody.
lymphocyte a particular type of white blood corpuscle; B lymphocytes arise in bone marrow; lymphocytes in the thymus develop into T-cells.
monoclonal arising from a single cell, in the immune system these cells produce a single antibody specific for a particular antigen and derived from hybridoma cells.
myeloma a tumor of B lymphocyte cells arising in the bone marrow.
Related Topics
organelle labels, aldehyde cross-linking, artefatcs of fixation, immunochemistry, monoclonal antibodies
2012 Course Content
Lectures: Cell Biology Introduction | Cells Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes | Cell Membranes and Compartments | Cell Nucleus | Cell Export - Exocytosis | Cell Import - Endocytosis | Cell Mitochondria | Cell Junctions | Cytoskeleton Introduction | Cytoskeleton - Intermediate Filaments | Cytoskeleton - Microfilaments | Cytoskeleton - Microtubules | Extracellular Matrix 1 | Extracellular Matrix 2 | Cell Cycle | Cell Division | Cell Death 1 | Cell Death 2 | Signal 1 | Signal 2 | Stem Cells 1 | Stem Cells 2 | 2012 Revision | Development
Laboratories: Introduction to Lab | Microscopy Methods | Preparation/Fixation | Immunochemistry | Cell Knockout Methods | Cytoskeleton Exercise | Confocal Microscopy | Microarray Visit | Tissue Culture 1 | Tissue Culture 2 | Stem Cells Lab | Stem Cells Analysis
|2012 Projects: Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 | Group 5 | Group 6 | Group 7 | Group 8 | Group 9
Dr Mark Hill 2015, UNSW Cell Biology - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G


text:
The main difference from the embodiment of rigid riser kit -. Smaller springs and spring capacity. Such a lift kit is recommended to be installed on standard cars without weighted power bodywork, winches, and other additional equipment.
One of the most important stages of the off-road tuning is the installation of a reinforced suspension, allows to improve the car's behavior on any terrain, improve the geometric continuity, increase the power consumption of the suspension.
All the components of a lift-kits RIF are specially designed for use off-road car in difficult conditions on different road coatings. Springs, shock with Foam Cell technology and the spring RIF not only compensate for the weight of the installed additional equipment on the off-road vehicle (bumpers, sills, extra fuel tanks, winches, etc.), but also significantly increase the capacity of the car. Elongated ladders RIF and earrings made of high quality material and have an increased margin of safety. With springs sleeve REEF made of polyurethane has a high elasticity, durability and heat resistance to high or low temperatures
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Hurricane Sandy Highlights Need for No-Flat Tire Systems
Fullerton, CA (CFEpr+) Nov. 2, 2012 – @cme FlatFree Wheel Systems is making their pre-mounted wheel and tire sets available with no shipping costs for the month of November, in reaction to the cycling needs of Hurricane Sandy victims and people who want and need a bike that they can ride in any circumstances. The company was founded in July 2012 via initial funding through a KickStarter Campaign.
Disaster Proof
"Hurricane Sandy forced thousands of people to pull their bikes out of their hiding places so that they could get around," says Steve Boehmke, President of @cme Bike Parts. "Unfortunately, many of these bikes had flat tires from sitting around for months, and most people don't have adequate pumps and supplies to get their bike up and running in no time."
"The Serenity tires on the @cme Wheel Systems never flat and are always ready to ride," Boehmke says. "However, they only fit on a very specific rim size, and are more difficult to mount than standard tires, so we are offering them as ready-to-ride wheelsets.
@cme's initial offerings include pre-built wheels with tires mounted in 26 x 1.5" and 700c x 35, with 8/9 speed freewheels and flip-flop single speed hubs, and Shimano coaster brake models. Higher-end hub configurations are also available.
"I ride my @cme FlatFree equipped bike to get coffee every morning, but it will sure come in handy when the "Big One" hits Southern California!" continues Boehmke.
For Enthusiasts Too
Even though the wheels are attractive to casual cyclists, Boehmke feels that enthusiasts will want a pair of these wheels too. "Everybody I know in the bike industry has a stable of bikes," continues Boehmke, "This is the perfect wheelset to have on your town bike, fixie or grocery getter. Get up, hop on, and get it done. Voila!"
The tires themselves are rated to last over 3000 miles, and they weigh approximately 1400 grams a pair. "These are not racing wheels, for sure," Boehmke says, "But for when your ride demands reliability, the @cme wheel system can't be beat."
The tires also feature a reflective sidewall that illuminates the bike for night riding. The wheelsets as currently spec'd retail for @299.
Source: CFEprPlus


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Giving Back: Brittany Bergquist of Cell Phones for Soldiers
CAUSE: Calling home from abroad is an expense that many United States military personnel cannot afford, and Brittany Bergquist believes that staying in touch with family should not be an inaccessible luxury. With her brother, she started the non-profit organization Cell Phones for Soldiers to provide free pre-paid calling cards to those serving overseas.
**EFFECT: ** Since 2004, Brittany and her brother have provided more than 150 million minutes of free talk time to deployed military members and raised more than $7 million.
GET INVOLVED: Cell Phones for Soldiers just launched a new initiative called Helping Heroes Home. AT&T is jumpstarting the initiative with a $450,000 grant, and will also donate $2 (up to $50,000) each time a viewer watches the video on Causes.com. Click to make a difference!


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Say I have a Ninja with certain configurable skills. By configurable, I mean the program reads in a configuration file and adds them in at runtime. ie:
Ninja: color: Red Skills: - High Jump - Invisibility
Now, assume these skills need to dynamically add functionality to the Ninja class. As in, if we configure Ninja to have a High Jump skill, then the class needs to follow the CanHighJump Interface, with public void highJump() as a method.
Now there are two ways I can think of to go about this. My first reaction would be to have a Ninja class with String color and then use Reflection to add in the functionality. However, now I realize I could do it through a relational database as well. Have a Ninja class with String color, and forget about any objects relating Ninjas with Skills - instead, whenever I need to check for a skill, just make a call to the database retrieving the possible skills that class can use. Those are the only two truly dynamic solutions I can come up with, and I can't comprehend the design pros/cons of each. I have a feeling the database solution would be far more scale-able, but the reflection method would make most sense to me when coding. No need to guess which skills a Ninja has, because I could easily check for the interface.
I'm hoping someone can give me a bit of insight over a standard design solution for this problem. Whether it be one of the two I came up with, or more likely something i didn't think of.
Thank you,


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|Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange
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Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
Annual, perennial herb, sometimes aquatic
Leaves generally basal and cauline, generally alternate, simple or compound; petioles at base generally flat, sometimes sheathing or stipule-like
Inflorescence: cyme, raceme, panicle, or flowers solitary
Flower generally bisexual, radial; sepals generally 5, free, early deciduous or withering in fruit, generally green; petals 0many, free; stamens generally 10many; pistils 1many, ovary superior, chamber 1, style 1, generally ± persistent in fruit as beak, ovules 1many
Fruit: achene, follicle, berry, or utricle-like, 1many-seeded
Genera in family: ± 60 genera, 1700 species: worldwide, especially n temp, tropical mtns; many ornamental (Adonis, Aquilegia, Clematis, Consolida, Delphinium, Erianthis, Helleborus ),
some highly TOXIC (Aconitum, Actaea, Delphinium, Ranunculus )
Reference: [Duncan & Keener 1991 Phytologia 70:2427]
Perennial; root generally < 10 cm, ± fibrous or fleshy; buds generally obscure
Stem generally 1, erect, generally unbranched; base generally ± as wide as root, generally firmly attached to root, generally ± reddish or purplish
Leaves simple, basal and cauline, petioled; blades generally palmately lobed, deep lobes generally 35, generally < 6 mm wide, generally also lobed; lower leaves generally dry, often 0 in flower; cauline merging into bracts upward
Inflorescence: raceme or somewhat branched, terminal; flowers generally 1025; pedicels generally ± spreading
Flower bilateral; sepals 5, petal-like, generally spreading, generally ± dark blue, uppermost spurred; petals 4, << sepals, upper 2 with nectar-secreting spurs enclosed in uppermost sepal, lower 2 clawed, with blades generally 48 mm, notched, generally ± perpendicular to claws, generally colored like sepals, generally obviously hairy; pistils 3(5)
Fruit aggregate of 3(5) erect follicles, generally 2.54 X longer than wide
Seed dark brown to black, often appearing white, generally winged when immature, generally without inflated collar; coat cell margins generally straight
Etymology: (Latin: dolphin, from bud shape)
Reference: [Lewis & Epling 1954 Brittonia 8:122]
Hybrids common, especially in disturbed places. Root length here includes coarse but not thread-like parts. Most species highly TOXIC, attractive and causing many deaths to cattle, less often to horses, sheep.
Horticultural information: Exc as noted, successful In cultivation only within natural range and habitat. Lowland subsp.: DRY. Upland species: winter chilling required.
Root generally > 15 cm, distally branched
Stem 15125 (generally < 50) cm; base narrower than root, not firmly attached to root, generally glabrous
Leaves mostly on lower 30% of stem, ± glabrous; lobes 310, > 6 mm at widest or not
Inflorescence: pedicels 1580 mm, 750 mm apart, glabrous to glandular-puberulent
Flower: sepals scarlet to orange-red, rarely dull yellow (maroon to magenta in hybrids), forward-pointing, lateral 816 mm, spur 1234 mm; lower petals flattened, blades 23 mm, ± glabrous
Fruit 1326 mm, curved
Seed with inflated collar at widest end, otherwise smooth
Chromosomes: 2n=16
Ecology: Common. Moist talus, wooded, rocky slopes:
Elevation: 02600 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Cascade Range, n&c Sierra Nevada, Central Western California (except Inner South Coast Ranges), nw Modoc Plateau
Distribution outside California: sw Oregon
Generally hummingbird-pollinated; hybridizes with most other larkspurs in its range
Horticultural information: DRN, DRY: 5 &SHD: 1, 2, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17.


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Norfolk sinks Bisons, 9-0
The Bisons fell to Norfolk, 9-0, after the Tides exploded for seven-runs in the sixth inning of Friday night's game at Harbor Park.
Bisons starter Mark Cohoon worked through the first five-innings allowing one-run and spreading out three-singles and a couple of walks before he got into trouble in the sixth.
Cohoon gave up a leadoff single to Brandon Snyder and then a quick homerun to Jake Fox to put the Tide ahead, 3-0. It was Fox's second homerun in triple-A in only his sixth game at this level. Cohoon was pulled from the game following the homerun.
Brian Sweeny came in from the bullpen, and started things off by walking Josh Bell. Sweeny proceeded to give up five-runs on three-hits, after walking two batters and striking out two. He left with runners on second and third.
John Lujan entered the game to face Snyder in his second at-bat of the inning. Lujan gave up a single to Snyder scoring two more runs and giving the Tides an, 8-0, lead. After walking Fox, Lujan got Josh Bell to fly out to center-field.
The Tide added another run in the eighth inning for his third RBI of the game. Fox went two-for-three scoring one run in the process.
The Bisons failed to plate a run in the game, only the fourth time in the 2011 season that they have been kept off the scoreboard. The Herd nearly plated a run in the third inning when Nick Evans was thrown out at home.
In the ninth inning the Bisons loaded the bases with two-outs but Jose Diaz managed to get Luis Hernandez to fly out to close out the game.
Game Notes: Michael Fisher extended his hit streak to 11-games while Luis Figueroa failed to get a hit ending his hit streak at 11-games…It was only the fourth time this season that the Bisons have been kept off the scoreboard…The Bisons are now 6-3 in their last nine games against Tides and go to 36-18 at Harbor Park, the home of the Norfolk Tides…Buffalo Pitching walked eight batters in Friday night's game.


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UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls
Update on Stafford Loan eligibility for graduate students: The Subsidized Stafford Loan will no longer be available to graduate students starting July 2012 as a result of the Budget Control Act passed by Congress. The Unsubsidized Stafford Loan will still be available.
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SoGE is a Star Wars Total Conversion for SoaSE: Rebellion with it's roots in the Homeworld 2 mod Star Wars: Warlords which features the two primarily sides of the Galactic Civil War, the Clone Wars, and the Yuuzhan Vong War. The current public version works for Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion 1.90 and, with or without, all DLC. Rated #6 players choice in MOTY 2014. An editors choice in MOTY 2015.
The file you are trying to view (SoGE R1099 patch for SOASE Rebellion 1.52+ - soge_r1099_reb_patch.rar) uploaded by Lavo has been deleted and is no longer available. This may have occurred at the uploaders request, or it may have occurred because it violated the sites Terms of Use. If this is a mistake and you are the uploader of this file and would like it re-activated, please contact us with the details.
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Ladies Dressing Gowns are a must have item, when you get up in the morning you put on a dressing gown, when you get out of the shower or the bath you put on a dressing gown, when you get home after a hard day and you're tired you put on a dressing gown and at night when you're getting ready for bed - you've guessed it - you put on your dressing gown!
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So if you are going to the gym, packing for your holiday or just cosying up by the fire, the perfect gown is here waiting for you to put it on!
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Shop → Hair Care → Mixed Gift Collections → Dog Shampoo Extra Large & Gift Boxed
Dog Shampoo Extra Large & Gift Boxed
New in 2014 - a bigger more solid version of the dog shampoo, gift boxed and tagged. This makes a novel and useful gift for dog lovers everywhere.
Makes washing a pooch easier, as you still have one hand free to stop him running away! Leaves the fur beautifully soft and silky.
Just wet dog thoroughly, wipe the poo bar over the dog hair a few times, massage up a thick creamy lather, leave on a few minutes, then rinse off.
Sodium cocoyl isethionate, cocamidapropyl betaine, stearic acid, cetearyl alcohol, vegetable glycerin, neem oil, PEG almond glycerides, guar gum, hydrolyzed oat protein, pure essential oils of manuka, tea tree, citronella, kunzea (tick bush), lemon scented tea tree, lemon gum and German chamomile, cosmetic grade ultramarine orange.


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One of the most valuable lessons I've learned about life over the past several years is that your good hours are the only valuable ones.
You know exactly what I'm talking about. There are a few hours during the day where you're revved up. Your mind is clicking. You're efficient at solving problems. You're able to produce great things.
At other points in the day, though, you're nowhere near as able to produce good work. You sit there staring at the computer screen or at your desk, not really achieving anything. You feel tired and muddled.
Once upon a time, I believed that a good worker would push through those hours and still accomplish stuff. I'm "on the clock," so I should be achieving something, right?
Working outside of an office environment, though, I've learned that I usually accomplish very little outside of those key productive hours. If I feel that I'm off of the peak and I'm not writing as well, I'm largely wasting my time continuing to make myself write.
Instead, I do something else, usually something mindless. I go for a walk. I file some papers. I clean the house. It could be anything. If I feel an urge to write, I return to writing, but if it's not there, it's just not there.
The result of this has been that my life has simply become far more productive than it used to be. Instead of burning eight hours writing (with only, say, three of them involved in effective wordsmithing), I quit after the first two hours of good writing, go do something else for a few hours, then come back and (possibly) ride another burst of writing. I still get those three hours in, but I also get five hours of other tasks in. (These numbers are approximate, of course.)
The amazing part is that I could have easily applied this at almost every job I ever worked at. For example, I used to work on some fairly brain-burning data analysis projects in the office. I'd work on them all day long, but for much of the day, I'd be grinding. I'd stare at the problem and hope a solution would reveal itself – and, often, that solution would pop into my head on the commute or in the shower that night or playing in the yard with my kids that following weekend.
At the same time, there would be five forms that need to be filled out sitting on my desk, a big pile of stuff that needed to be filed, and a bunch of mindless data entry that needed to be handled. Instead of just banging my head against a problem, the best solution would have been to just stop when I felt myself banging my head and then work on the other less-intense tasks I needed to accomplish.
Yes, sometimes there are menial tasks that you just have to grind away at, but thankfully most of those tasks are ones where you can almost shut off your mind and do on autopilot. For me, those menial tasks are the "escape" tasks and I often do shut off my mind while doing them. Amazingly, good ideas often appear when my mind is "shut off."
This entire post boils down to two principles.
First, if you feel yourself "grinding" against a problem at work, you're not being very productive with it and would probably be more productive doing something else. If you possibly can, put the problem down for a while, shut off that part of your brain, and do something productive that doesn't require you to think too much. That way, you'll get the "boring" stuff out of the way during the hours where your mind isn't working at top speed.
Second, and this is why I'm mentioning it on The Simple Dollar, the more productive you are at work, the better your job stability, chances of promotion, and potential for recruitment are. This stabilizes and improves your personal income, making your financial life that much easier.
It's about good hours, not more hours.


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Saturday, October 04, 2008
Jake Kotze and Synchromysticism
On the latest SW podcast, I chat with synchromystic Jake Kotze, in Winnipeg, Canada. I discovered Jake's work ("scrying" popular culture for hidden archetypal resonances) a few months back, and was curious to find out more about his philosophy. As you'll hear on the show, Jake and I have pretty much the same take on things, but seem to opt for a different emphasis. Jake is more playful and "optimistic," leaving me to play my usual role as somber doomsayer and devil's advocate. Is the species really heading for "galactic consciousness" or is it simply self-destructing? More to the point: is there a difference?
Jake argues that the conspiracy view of global events and culture is passé, because behind all the plots is a single intelligence guiding everything – thus propagating a religious view over that of paranoia. Yet isn't paranoia a form of religion and religion a form of paranoia? My counter-argument is that the two views need to co-exist, at least for now, rather than for the one, "holistic" view to prematurely supplant the other.
In my view, Jake is trying to hopscotch over the global web of control we are ensnared in and go straight to the Source (via movies, no less!). I don't think this is possible, or even desirable. Since we have no choice but to interact with our culture and society, we have no choice but to acknowledge the forces that are controlling it (and us). Jake says he no longer sees it this way, that since all is One, the controlling elite don't exist. OK, but then neither does he. So who's having this conversation? So long as there is a subject-object relationship between the perceiver and what is being perceived, surely we have no choice but to recognize (and honor) the layers of good and evil that come between us and "It." Isn't that just good manners? More to the point, how can we counteract the manipulation if we aren't fully cognizant of it?
In Jake's own model (one I have also written about in different ways), there are two views of reality. I have called them focused and unfocused awareness (tonal and nagual); Jake describes them, very effectively, as "side-on" and overhead views. Though he uses a mandala image, I would posit a maze as a more apt example: from the one POV, side-on, we see an endless series of corridors and walls; from above, we can see the pattern of the maze itself (and therefore the way out).
Jake himself admits that it's not about the "higher" view supplanting the lower but both viewpoints co-existing; yet isn't he attempting just such a supplanting with his dismissal of the conspiracy layer (of pop culture) as irrelevant to his concerns? As I see it, the side-on view of the maze does not allow for intelligent movement down the labyrinth, while the overhead view takes us out of the reality experience entirely. Therefore, as Jake says, free movement between the two points of view would seem to be the key. Of course, the POVs aren't equal, because being stuck in the maze doesn't give us the option of rising above - while once we are looking down, from an "impersonal" viewpoint, we still have the option of returning to "the trenches" (though at the risk of forgetting and getting snared by a personal perspective again).
Put differently, once we move the assemblage point beyond the dualistic view of "us and them/good and evil," we retain the memory/understanding of dualism, and the option of returning to it without being restricted by it. While we are still ensconced in polarity consciousness, however, we cannot ever see beyond it – it is all we know.
Though it's true that from the overhead view, there are no controlling elite, only movement of energy, this is a luxury that only avails as long as we are outside our reality tunnel. Once we move back inside it, the conspiracy comes into being again, along with everything else. If our movement to unitive awareness is premature, however, if it depends on a denial/rejection of the polarity view, then it is clearly a suppression of truth (and the personal) rather than its evolution.
It could be that I am simply attached to my viewpoint and too jaded to see Jake's "follow your bliss" optimism as wholly authentic. Or it may be that Jake simply likes watching movies too much to admit he's using them as much as a means to escape reality as to access it. I am not sure. Probably a bit of both.
9 comments:
- Peggy Carter said...
"Truth is Comfort? Lies are Worse"
I became very "allergic" to the "Everything is One, "We" can safely ignore the politics, please" after living almost twenty years in and around an Ashram.
My guru, Swami Muktananda, told a story about a blissed-out fellow who ignored a rampaging elephant. The young man had been put into the state-of-bliss from the teaching "Thou art That."
After he was thrashed by the elephant the man exclaimed, "But I was told 'All is the Absolute'" The answer was: "Yes, it is. And so were the people who were shouting to you to get out of the way."
"Conspiracy theorists" make a tempting target - since the culture-at-large is coached to despise and belittle them. Don't you think Jake K. should take "higher consciousness" and "peacefullness" a step further and stop referring, in print, to "conspiracy whackos."?
Aren't *people-who-know-the-truth - or are much closer to it than the "mainstream," deserving better treatment?
Isn't that a spiritual arrogance? To have the attitude: "I am above all that, since I know the truth." "Nobody bother my *bliss, please?" "Please don't bother my bliss with inconvient facts."?
Shouldn't one use *bliss and synchromystical attunement to help one get through ... what are obviously horrendous times? - not as a vehicle of escape or denial?
(which I think is what "stormy weather" said more politely than I was able)
When Kotze starts talks about the "Mega-ritual," as if it's the greatest thing *ever to happen to the human race, I start to feel as though someone just slipped a bucket of maggots down my back i.e. seriously creeped out.
Yes, that is *my *own *problem. As "spiritual" people are wont to point out.
I was around people for *years who, if one criticized anything or complained, it was then considered a "faux pas" and "not getting it"
It just became New Age Fascism, a way to insure power structures were left unchallenged and a dead end street: stultifying and boring. The ultimate "cult" teaches you to control your own thoughts to avoid "negativity."
- 1:53 pm, October 04, 2008
- Jasun said...
thanks for that Peggy - i had a feeling there would be a lot of people who felt this way, which was precisely why i felt compelled to play devil's advocate with Jake even tho (between you, me, and the Blob) i have taken Jake's position myself before, and probably will again. ; )
For one consciousness to maintain a dialogue, there must be disagreement as well as agreement.
- 2:04 pm, October 04, 2008
- Jasun said...
oh, there's a debate on this going on at Rigorous Intuition also:
- 3:00 pm, October 04, 2008
Couldn't it be that New Age Fascism is an example of a successful and diabolical psy+entity op? To engender in people a visceral distaste for our common enough gnostic experience of Oneness?
Westerners being encouraged to pursue Eastern (style?) Mysticism (the Beatles anyone?) even tho Westerner's egos tend to be too massively reinforced to be undone by any of the tools in the Eastern Mystic's box?
The result is the horror of the Spiritualized Ego, where openness and softness are the norm when in a carefully contrived, consensual environment but which lashes out viciously when the devotee is not getting their own way.
This seems to me to be a good place for paranoids and mystics to get together, peel the onion, shed the tears and uncover the Source.
- 4:48 pm, October 04, 2008
Hi aeolus. I have had many run-ins with the New Age fascists myself and am alway amused at how just plain NASTY and vindictive they can be when one finally pierces the veil of their "love" (in other words, when they get angry), so it seems to me that their so-called "love" is really a defense against their own hostility. They are all lovey-dovey until someone genuinely disagrees with them, and then watch out! I highly recommend a book called "The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power" (one of my "reading list for the perplexed" selections). It seems to me that we live in a both/and as well as an either/or situation at the same time. Allow me to explain: human love, for instance, is both conditional and unconditional but switches between the two depending on the situation (the context). Anyone who insists that they always practice unconditional love (for instance) is probably a fraud...no one is that super-humanly good, and what one sees with such people is not genuine detachment but a pseudo-detachment that quickly dissolves when they are challenged. As far as synchromystisism is concerned, I think it would be a total disaster for mankind as a whole to practice a similar pseudo-detachment, a la Jake's hopscotching. It would be just another form of denial about the true situation we are in as a species and play right into the hands of the controllers, like Leary's "turn on, tune in, drop out" crap...just another way for the controllers to defuse the mass awakening. I used to go to Jake's site for a while but got bored with it. I got tired of looking for the hidden meanings within everything...sometimes a cigar IS just a cigar (besides, alot of movies are really not worth watching). I do appreciate what he is trying to do though.
- 10:07 pm, October 04, 2008
Ohhh wow Man...Excellent stuff.
Now this is weird...I seriously cannot believe ur Afghan..What a small world. Not for a second did i think that an Afghan(like myself) would be in the SynChro_Sphere. Im glad to know that im not the only Afghan. BisyaaR khoob!!!
Keep up the fabulous work.
PeaCe out mate
- 9:47 am, October 05, 2008
Is Jake Kotze being accused of New Age Nazism?
He doesn't seem so to me.
Besides, I think his work is valuable in thet it demonstrates a decided chink in our culture driven mechanistic paradigm.
It may not be the whole story but imagine tens or hundreds or thousands or more young people deconstructing their received media/entertainments with Kotze's enthusiasm....
the blow-back to the paradigm genrators in the Hollywood machine would be considerable.
The praxis of looking through the overt messages of our cultural overlords to that of a more subtle and perhaps divine intellegence is worthy of pursuit and ncouragement.
- 9:51 am, October 06, 2008
- Jasun said...
no, no one accused JK of beng a new age nazi, just of possibly, unwittingly, pandering to the psi-op that has engendered this meme.
to be frank it's pretty much unavoidable, it's such a powerful meme, and i have done my share of pandering to it also.
- 11:41 am, October 06, 2008
- Z said...
Excellent interview. I wonder if you have listened to an interview Jake did with Ben Fairhall on Red Ice- a similarly flavored dialogue with Ben taking your role in so far as also cautioned against moving past the conspiracy angle too quickly. I think it all depends on where you are on the path. I think the conspiracy angle is more important until you have fully accepted the gravity of the conspiracies that surround us. Jake's view is sorta like conspiracy grad school. A poor analogy perhaps, but that is my view.
Peggy- when you read Jake referring to "conspiracy whackos" (actually the preferred terminology is conspiraloon) please trust that this is a term of absolute endearment and kinship.
- 8:07 pm, October 19, 2008


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An honest look at U.S. racism, and the liberal platitudes that attempt to conceal it:
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The Heart of Whiteness is both a cautionary tale for those who believe that they have transcended racism, and also an expression of the hope for genuine transcendence.
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Resort Living Comes to Campus
Developers looking for new areas of growth are turning to colleges, where students have acquired a taste for luxury amenities; studying in the sauna or by the pool
Residents at a new rental community in Orlando, Fla., lounge around a resort-style pool in private cabanas. They practice their golf swings at the putting green and meditate in a Zen garden. Videogamers sip complimentary coffee while playing "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" on a multiscreen television wall. Now, they're facing final exams.
Welcome to University House, a $65 million private college dormitory that just opened near the University of Central Florida. Built by Inland American Communities Group, University House is...
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The following is an interview with Jen from Life With Levi. Jen bought a PumpEase from us a couple of months ago and so loved it that she contacted us to pitch an idea to PIP (pump in public) on Black Friday, take pictures and blog about it! We were SOOO game! So we sent her a complimentary PumpEase (so that she had one for work and one for home) and sat back and watched her go! Jen then told us she also wanted to review PumpEase which we were also thrilled about. And as you can see, er… read, she wrote an honest, thorough and detailed review! Keep your eyes on Jen – she is an exclusively pumping mom with lots of experiences to share!
OK, now for the interview…
Wendy: When did you know that you wanted to breastfeed your baby?
Jen: I always planned on breastfeeding. I guess I didn't really consider that there were other options. I mean, I know formula exists, but I've always thought of formula as Plan B, not Plan A.
Wendy: How were the early days of breastfeeding for you and your son?
Jen: They were a struggle from the beginning. At the hospital, I had a lactation consultant visit to help me. She recommended using a nipple shield, since I apparently have a flat nipple (This was news to me, but it's true. Amazing what you learn about your body when breastfeeding!). Even with the nipple shield, breastfeeding was a struggle. I went back to see the lactation consultant a week later – she told me part of our issue was my letdown, and that I should try pumping a bit before breastfeeding so that the milk was already flowing when Levi latched on. Trying to manage pumping, getting a nipple shield in place, and a squirming, crying newborn was tough, and it only worked partially for us. I was lucky if I could get Levi to feed for more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time. After we both got frustrated, I would switch to pumping, then bottle feed him the pumped milk. I wanted to keep our breastfeeding relationship going, but I also wanted to make sure he got enough to eat when he was hungry, and that's what worked for us.
Wendy: How were the early days of pumping? How was your letdown? Finding the time to pump? Was it hard to pump enough milk?
Jen: Pumping for me was an emotional experience in the early days. I would cry while pumping, because I felt like a failure that I wasn't breastfeeding the "normal" way. It was both a relief and a chore – the pump didn't have latch issues or pull away from my breast, but it did take time. As a sleepless, exhausted new mom, it was a tough cycle – trying to find time to pump with everything else going on was really hard. Once I started pumping, though, I had absolutely no trouble maintaining my supply. In fact, I probably have an oversupply of milk now thanks to all the pumping I did in the early days and continue to do now.
Wendy: What brand/model of pump do you use? Do you rent or own?
Jen: I own two breast pumps currently – a Playtex Embrace that I bought while I was still pregnant, and a Medela Pump In Style that I bought to keep at work when I returned after maternity leave. I also have two sets of parts for each pump, so I can still have another to use when one set is drying.
Wendy: What led to you pumping exclusively?
Jen: Long story short – I developed a breast abscess that required surgical drainage when Levi was only a couple weeks old. It was too painful to try to breastfeed, but I had to keep expressing milk or the infection could get worse, so pumping was really my only option. I wound up needing two surgeries and a 4-day hospital stay to clear the infection. By the time everything was healed up, two months had gone by and I was already used to exclusive pumping.
Wendy: How long after giving birth did you return to work? How did you prepare for this transition? Did you build a stash? Talk to your boss?
Jen: I went back to work after 12 wonderful weeks of maternity leave. I had burned through all of my freezer stash when I was recovering from surgery, but thankfully was able to build up a new stash before I went back to work. I work for a global company in a relatively small office (about 30 people). I made sure to research my legal rights before returning to work, and my boss knew I was breastfeeding, but I didn't talk to her specifically about logistics until I started back. (If I could do it again, I would definitely have this conversation in advance.) Luckily, she had no issues with it, and just let me do what I needed to.
Wendy: Did you always have your "pumping cave" or did you have to fight for a private place to pump?
Jen: I'm definitely spoiled when it comes to my "pumping cave". I've had it from day one. I assumed that would be the setup when I returned from work, but wasn't sure until I spoke with HR. For those that are wondering, my pumping cave is a private office on a vacant side of the building that's for my exclusive pumping use. Technically, our company doesn't lease that side of the building, so it's not something that will always be available to people in my company. Most of the women in my office are past menopause, so I think HR just handled this on a case-by-case basis. I know I'm blessed, because I've worked for companies that don't have space set aside for moms who pump, and I've heard stories of women who have to fight with their bosses to get ample time or adequate private space to pump.
Wendy: What has been the hardest thing about pumping? The most rewarding?
Jen: The middle of the night pumping sessions are the hardest. All I want to do is sleep, but instead I'm up and pumping. I've started going longer between nighttime pumping sessions, but wake up engorged and uncomfortable. Plus, going longer between pumping sessions is a slippery slope – I find myself pumping every 4 or 5 hours instead of every 3 more often now, especially at work.
I almost hate to admit this, but the most rewarding thing for me right now is how much I'm not spending on formula. Yes, I'm feeding my son the perfectfood, I'm lowering my risk factor for breast cancer, etc… those are all things that I love, but I guess I kind of take them for granted at this point. But my bank account is something I keep a close eye on, and knowing I don't have to budget for formula is a huge relief.
Wendy: What surprised you the most about pumping? About breastfeeding?
Jen: It's super easy once you get the hang of it. I just realized I've been doing this for almost 4 months now, and show no signs of stopping. My supply has leveled out. I no longer leak through all my shirts. Pumping is relatively easy to work into my schedule, and I find I enjoy pumping as a bit of "quiet me time" now.
Wendy: How did you come up with the idea to try pumping while shopping on Black Friday? At any point during the day, did you ask yourself, "WHAT am I doing????"pump bag (I'm guessing she recognized it, because she looked at my chest next and gave me a knowing smile). Now that I know just how well my PumpEase holds up, I'd love to try out pumping and doing other things. I'm somewhat holding off until I find a more portable pump to use, though. I'm not super modest, but I would prefer something that doesn't stick out six inches from my chest.
Thank you LOADS Jen for agreeing to this interview. I believe that moms need to TALK MORE about the fact that breastfeeding and pumping are NOT always easy in the beginning, but that it DOES get better! I am inspired by your journey and look forward to hearing more as you continue down the path of exclusively pumping for your son.
So, how was breastfeeding for YOU in the early days? What about pumping? Looking back, what one thing did you wish you had known before you had your baby? By sharing your experiences, as Jen just did, you will be helping countless other moms, present and future, beat the Booby Traps!
{Photo credit: Jen / Life with Levi}


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Wednesday Evening Ride: 5:30 PM start at Thomas A Dixon Park for a 25 mile ride around BWI airport to Pataspco Valley State Park. Pace 14-15 MPH. Jim Van Horn or Len Jones will lead.
Thursday: 8:00 am sharp at Generals Highway Corridor park right across from the Renaissance Festival, following a 27 mile route. See Tuesday's description for details.
Copyright 2019 Annapolis Bicycle ClubP.O. Box 224Annapolis, MD 21404


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Whether assessing real property, personal property, or a business, a professional appraiser will provide an unbiased and thoughtful analysis of value. Understanding the value of your assets is essential to making informed decisions and protecting your financial well-being.
As the Congressionally authorized source of appraisal standards and qualifications in the United States, The Appraisal Foundation (Foundation) places great importance on public trust in the valuation process. The Foundation works to ensure public trust by establishing high quality standards of practice and qualifications on those entering the profession. The standards, qualifications, and guidance developed by the Foundation encompass all property types including real property, personal property, and business and intangible assets.
Consumers can feel confident that an appraisal completed by an appraiser who adheres to these standards and qualifications will produce a reliable estimate of the value of the property being appraised.
Read the Foundation's advice for consumers of all property types in the The Huffington Post.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Established by the US Congress, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) helps protect consumers by carrying out federal consumer financial laws. The CFPB works to ensure that consumers obtain all the necessary information to make informed financial decisions.
Appraisal Complaint National Hotline
The Appraisal Complaint National Hotline (Hotline) is a referral system for complaints on alleged violations of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and/or appraisal independence requirements.
State Real Estate Appraiser Regulatory Boards
Each US State or Territory has a state appraiser regulatory agency, which is responsible for licensing and certifying real property appraisers and supervising their appraisal-related activities, as required by Federal law. A complete list of state agencies and their contact information.


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By the time you're halfway up the notorious Lamjura Pass – which rises in one lung-busting, 2km-high staircase of green, terraced hillside from steamy river to airy ridge – you'll be asking yourself why. Why did I ever think of walking to Everest Base Camp? Why did I carry so much stuff? And why did I not fly in to Lukla, halfway up, like all the other trekkers?
At the top of the pass, feelings can change dramatically. It's not just the glass of spicy-sweet chiya tea from a trailside lodge that does it, nor even the nip of home-distilled raksi. It's the astonishing prospect. Behind lies two days' tough walking, stretching back to where the tarmac ended. On either side, stony slopes festooned with prayer flags rise into a thin sky. Ahead, the eye – and the path – climbs and falls over ridge and succeeding ridge towards Everest.
Another two or three days of switchbacking past Buddhist monasteries and ramshackle villages brings you to Lukla. Here, an improbable airstrip, perched on the side of the gorge, receives the vast majority of Everest trekkers. From Lukla, all trekkers toil on up together through stony Khumbu, the fabulous high heartland of the Sherpa people. And all trekkers, as long as they can stand the thin air, arrive at either the great glacier beside Everest Base Camp or the heady peaks and lakes of Gokyo.
The Everest trek is a transformative, uplifting experience, however you do it. Walking in on the old route from Jiri, however, offers something extra. You'll find a greener and maybe more authentic side of Nepal, where the lodges are smaller and where fellow walkers on the trail are often as not Nepalis. You'll be fitter – you'll have come the hard way. And you'll really feel you've earned your Everest.
Jiri is 12hr by bus from Kathmandu, and Jeeps continue by rough track towards Bhandar, which can save a day or two's walking. The Jiri route takes three to four weeks to Everest Base Camp and back (though you can always fly back out of Lukla, 35 dizzy minutes by plane from Kathmandu).
For hundreds more ultimate travel experiences, get Rough Guides' Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth
Top image: View of Mount Ama Dablam and Mount Kangtega, colorful prayer flags on the Everest Base Camp trek © Olga Gavrilova/Shutterstock


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Hi there,
I thought that by creating two queues for one device, it would be possible to overlap data transfers and kernel execution.
An example:
I transfer the data for the first kernel to the device. Once it's there, I start the first kernel. In the meantime I transfer the data for the second kernel to the device (to a different part of the device memory, of course).
In theory, it should be possible to overlap the execution of the first kernel with the data transfer for the second kernel, right?
I wrote a small test program and used profiling to see when the commands are executed. But even if the first kernel is running for quite a while, the second data transfer to the device only starts when the kernel execution has finished. Is that a limitation of the hardware? Or of the Nvidia implementation? Or am I missing something?


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Violent crime rates in the U.S. are reaching historic lows, according to new FBI data released Monday.
Instances of murder declined overall by 1.9 percent from 2010 figures, while rape, robbery and aggravated assault declined by 4 percent nationwide, according to records from more than 14,000 law-enforcement agencies around the country, FBI spokesman Bill Carter told msnbc.com.
The number of property crimes also registered a 0.8-percent drop, motor-vehicle thefts declined by 3.3 percent, and arson was down by 5 percent.
Although the findings, released in the FBI's Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report, represent a seemingly small decline in crime overall, they aren't just a blip. Rather, criminologists say, the decline is part of larger downward trend and the result of a series of changes that have contributed to a more peaceful society.
"This is actually a pretty significant drop, which is fascinating because we'd normally expect crime to go up when we're in an economic downturn," Gary LaFree, a criminology professor at the University of Maryland, told msnbc.com, adding that the U.S. is experiencing the lowest crime levels since World War II.
According to FBI analysis, the homicide drop would mean that nearly 280 fewer Americans were murdered last year, which would be the lowest homicide death toll since the mid-1950s.
LaFree said a combination of factors – from a weak economy and an aging population to increased immigration and a more robust police presence across the country – have contributed to the drop.
"One of the responses of society is to pull together when there's a huge crisis and a feeling of great difficulty," LaFree said, adding that the economic climate may have contributed to this peaceful trend.
Additionally, with the current U.S. median age at 37.2 years, older than ever before, the aging population is another possible cause, LaFree said. "There is some truth to the fact that younger people commit more crimes," he said.
"We also have a record number of immigrants, and contrary to popular belief," LaFree said, "immigrants have lower crime rates than the rest of society."
But some argue the data may not signify such remarkable changes.
"Year-to-year changes are notoriously volatile, especially for lesser-volume crimes like murder," James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University in Boston, wrote in his blog. "They must be viewed with caution, avoiding the temptation to make too much out of rather little."
Fox said it's possible the long-term downturn in crime has slowed and even bottomed out.
Still, LaFree argued there's a reason the numbers indicate what they do.
"Compared to years ago, "There's nothing that's ripping apart the fabric of society in a political sense," LaFree said.
The mass protests during the Vietnam War and the beginnings of crack cocaine epidemic contributed to more violent crimes in the past, LaFree said. He said he thinks there are fewer problems as extreme as either of those in society today.
As for the serious crimes that do occur, there exists a strong deterrence factor in the prison system, despite debates about its effectiveness, he said.
But more importantly, LaFree said, there has been a "quiet revolution" in law-enforcement policy over the past few years.
"Police departments have become much more proactive across the country," Lafree said. "They used to deploy resources to handle crime, but now they're much more likely to target problems beforehand and emphasize a solution."
Fox, however, warned against resting on news that could be seen as too positive.
"With rates relatively low, this is not the time to diminish crime fighting-efforts," he said. "If we naively presume that the crime problem has been solved (as opposed to just controlled for the time being), the crime rate could easily rebound."
The FBI's final crime figures will be released this fall.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- US Commerce secretary in car crashes suffered a seizure
- Chicago's bloody weekend: 8 dead, 40-plus wounded
- Sandusky child sex-abuse trial under way
- 3 killed, 3 wounded in shooting near Auburn University
- Report: NYPD fires Orthodox Jew recruit for refusing to trim beard
- Video: Stepfather in hot water for child beating


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The University of Houston athletic department unveiled its new logos, including a new interlocking "UH" and a new Cougar logo, also now known as the "Oval Cougar."
Here they are. Vote in the poll and feel free to expand your thoughts in the comments:
The new white UH logo:
The new red UH logo:
The new "Oval Cougar:"
The new oval cougar on a white background:
Here's a little bit of what UH athletic director Mack Rhoades had to say about why UH decided to refresh its logos and marks at this time:
"A great day for Houston athletics. So much has happened over the past three years and all the successes, not just with the athletics department but certainly with the university, Tier One status, the new conference on the horizon, new facilities on the horizon, record-breaking academic achievement, increased ticket sales, revenues and just an overall sense of pride about this university and about this athletics department.
"People ask why? Why now, why a refresh in terms of the logo? That's why. We felt like as we continue to grow and we continue to move forward and to become part of a national stage — and certainly we think that will happen with the Big East and it's already begun to happen that we need a bold and a brand new identity but without forgetting our past, because we've had such great, great tradition.
"So when you look at the 'block UH' we felt like we needed to stay relatively close to that because of the great brand equity. And we worked with LRG (Licensing Resource Group), our licensing partner, and they were terrific. We really felt that we needed to stay close to it but we needed a cleaner look, we needed to refresh it, adding the beveled look to it we felt like it was more modernized."
Here's a video put together by the UH athletics staff regarding the logo change:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scTc6BU_-f4&w=420&h=315]
Here's some more reaction today from the Twitterverse:


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Et Tu, Molina? (Pars Duo)
A few years ago I wrote a cautionary piece foretelling the eventual departure of one Yadier Molina — SUPREME JEFFY MANCRUSH — if the Cardinals somehow didn't resign Albert Pujols to a long, career stabilizing contract. I wrote it flippantly, thinking this will never happen in real life.
And then real life hit.
Albert Pujols is gone and Yadi doesn't seem to be as in love with the Cardinals as the Cardinals faithful are in love with him:
"I love the city. I love the fans, I love the park. But it's out of my hands. Whatever they like to do is how it is … They let Albert [Pujols] go. It's business for the team, too. It's out of my hands." (source)
Um… wrong. One, dearest Yadier, it most certainly IS in your hands. And two, the Cardinals DID NOT "let Albert go." They made him a very good offer, one that would most likely highjack the team for the latter half of this decade, one that would have made Albert a very, very, VERY rich man.
And he declined.
For more money.
I don't have a problem with millionaire ballplayers chasing the money — but I do have a problem with framing the situation in a salacious manner. To say the Cardinals did not put any effort in retaining Mr. Pujols' services is as reckless as it is inaccurate.
Here at RSBS, it is no secret that Yadier is my most beloved Cardinal. The St. Louis brass would be wise to pay the man whatever he wants, and I would applaud their efforts to do so.
But if I've learned anything about professional sports the last few months it's that I've been clinging to the delusion that athletes give a f*** about the "home team", about creating a "legacy", about "loyalty".
It's about money and it will always be about money. I'm okay with that now.
If the Cardinals do the right thing and throw bank at Molina to keep him, then I'll be ecstatic. But I also live in reality these days, so I'm fully prepared to see him in a Halos jersey in 2013.
Hate me. Just don't hate me 'cuz I'm right.


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Wondering how to charge your Sinestro Corps ring? Or looking for a new Power Girl bust, as designed by PG artist extraordinaire Amanda Conner? You'll get your chance to find what you're looking for at next week's Toyfair 2010.
DC Direct's new Sinestro Corps battery prop and Women Of The DC Universe: Power Girl bust are just two items debuting at Toyfair 2010, running from the 14th through the 17th of February at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. We'll be there, taking pictures and making you want to spend money, but until then, enjoy these exclusive looks at your new Must Haves.


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The capital and largest city is Jerusalem, its status has been claimed since 1949. The eastern half lies in the West Bank. Other major towns include Tel Aviv-Yafo, an industrial center; Haifa, the country�s busiest seaport; and Holon and Ramat Gan, both manufacturing hubs.
The most widely spoken language is Hebrew, but Arabic is used frequently in schools, legal affairs, and the legislature. Many residents speak English, Yiddish, Russian, or any of a number of other European languages.
The affairs of the three major faiths, Judaism, Islam, and
Christianity, are overseen by the ministry of religious affairs through
councils established by the various organizations.
Holy days and the weekly Sabbath are, by law, observed throughout the country, and only kosher food is served in the army, hospitals, and other official institutions. About 82 percent of Arab citizens are Muslim, and most of the rest are Christian.


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NPPA, RCFP Keep Journalists Safe During Conventions
September 10th, 2012 by Advocacy Intern and tagged Democratic National Convention, first amendment, journalism, Mickey Osterreicher, national press photographers association, police, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
One could easily imagine that, after seeing how well things went during the RNC in Tampa, that members of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) might have let their guard down as the DNC began. To the contrary, officers there remained on high alert throughout the convention and made use of every available resource to ensure that the DNC would go just as smoothly.
Mark Newbold, Deputy City Attorney for CMPD, said that after inclement weather deterred protestors at the RNC, CMPD officers were prepared for an increase in DNC protests. While the number of protestors stayed below their expectations, Newbold said that his department's preparedness allowed those who did come to protest to do so with limited police involvement.
"Most of the protestors, even the rowdy ones, have been willing to comply," Newbold said. "The main focus of the police is that we don't focus on speech, we focus on criminal behavior. You can say and do what you want as long as you don't take violent acts against people or property."
While the CMPD sought to create an open environment for demonstrations, several protestors were arrested during the convention. However, no journalists were arrested, a fact that Newbold credits in large part to NPPA General Counsel Mickey Osterreicher, who came to Charlotte in April to help educate and train officers regarding First and Fourth Amendment rights. Newbold said the work of the department and the NPPA helped to create understanding between journalists and police rather than confrontation.
"After things went as well as they did in Tampa I was concerned that the coverage of the protests in Charlotte might be more problematic, but fortunately the feedback I received was that the police were extremely professional, cordial and accommodating in both cities," Osterreicher said. "It is a credit to the Tampa and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police departments that they were not only willing to embrace the idea of allowing the media to do their jobs but that they properly trained officers from so many other agencies to adopt and adhere to that policy," he added.
Just like during the NATO Summit in Chicago, where Superintendent Gary McCarthy led his officers and in Tampa, where Police Chief Jane Castor and Hillsboro County Sheriff David Gee led theirs – CMPD Chief of Police Rodney Monroe was out on the street directing operations. It is believed that this hands-on approach is also credited with encouraging proper behavior and discipline by officers.
Brian Cunningham, public information officer (PIO) for CMPD, said that an important step the department took was to place field PIOs in several locations to work with the media. The PIOs answered journalists' questions and informed them of where to go. Cunningham also credits Osterreicher with helping the department develop policies such as the field PIO program.
"Mickey helped with training on working with the media for large scale events," Cunningham said. "We were able to train our entire department in media relations, which was critical to our success."
Journalists across the nation feared the worst in the days leading up to the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Memories of the mass arrests of protestors and journalists during the 2008 conventions in St. Paul and Denver had not faded, and the arrest of journalists across the nation had steadily increased each year since then.
Although no journalists were arrested during the DNC, on the Saturday before the convention, Washington Post photographer Bonnie Jo Mount said she was approached by Bank of America security guards, who told her that she was not allowed to photograph the outside of their building even though she was on a public sidewalk.
Mount got in touch with Osterreicher, who immediately contacted the head of Bank of America corporate security and the head of security for the building to get clarification on their policies regarding photography. Osterreicher said that the heads of security acknowledged that Mount had every right to photograph the building from the street, and assured him that the security guards would be made aware of the policies reflecting that right.
"It was very clear from my conversations with Bank of America that they were not happy about some of their overzealous security officers and were more than willing to remedy this problem," Osterreicher said. "Later in the week I took a picture of the security fence and a guard in front of the building and no one said a word."
There was also some Twitter traffic regarding two journalists being confronted by police at the direction of "undercover agents" who the journalists had apparently recognized and photographed. According to reports one of the journalists voluntarily deleted his images after both were stopped and searched by uniform police. No official complaints about this incident or any other interference with journalists were received by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP), which ran a hotline for journalists to handle any problems.
"If [the hotline] keeps one person from going to jail and allows them to get back on the street and reporting the news, then it's worth it," said Gregg Leslie, Interim Executive Director for RCFP.
Leslie said the hotline's inception resulted from strife between police and the media back in 1972, when journalists felt that police were targeting them for arrest. Since then, attorneys have stood at the ready for when a call comes through from a distressed journalist.
"Over the years it's really been useful," Leslie said. "One to two times during a convention, there will be a mass arrest and reporters will get swept into it." The NPPA and the Reporters Committee have worked together in the past but Osterreicher said the "cooperation between our organizations is a concrete example of what can be accomplished by partnering on these critical issues."
In order to give journalists the best chance to have their charges dropped and get back to reporting, RCFP employed attorneys in the host cities of the convention. This year those positions were assumed by Gregg Thomas and Carol LoCicero of the Tampa firm Thomas & LoCicero, and John Buchan of the Charlotte firm McGuire Woods. They attributed the fact that no calls of problems being received to the level of preparation that went into training officers for the convention.
"We informed the police from the outset that we were here and what our plans were [in the event of a journalist's arrest]," Thomas said.
LoCicero said that officers were very receptive to the training that they offered prior to the convention, noting that the Tampa Police Department implemented a policy requiring an officer to get approval from a supervisor before making an arrest of a member of the media.
Buchan especially credits the work done by NPPA and the Reporters Committee in the months prior to the convention for informing officers of press rights and the importance of remaining cognizant of those rights while protecting public safety. Buchan said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) did a great job of using the training to see that police and journalists alike would be able to do their jobs during the convention.
"The police in Charlotte really went to school on what happened in St. Paul and Denver and especially at this year's Chicago NATO Summit," Buchan said. "They didn't want a repeat of the arrests that took place in 2008 and they did a great job implementing policies to ensure that did not happen."
Osterreicher noted that while he still continues to deal with photographers being interfered with and arrested on an almost daily basis around the country he is very pleased that in those situations where the police have made a concerted effort to avoid such confrontations, they have for the most part not occurred. "The NPPA board of directors made a decision in January of this year to take substantive steps to avoid a repeat of the mass arrests that took place during protests at prior national conventions," Osterreicher said. "I am very appreciative of the support and direction I received from the board and the opportunity to have helped in some small measure," he added.
NPPA President Sean Elliot said, "this is a great example of the positive effect of pro-active efforts by NPPA and other groups to reach-out to government agencies;" adding "journalists, not just NPPA members, owe Mickey and all those involved in these efforts, a debt of gratitude." "It is my sincere hope that such success can be built upon and spread to more routine interactions between the police and visual journalists," he concluded.
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