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Petuelring 130
80788 München, de
BMW Group: Market climate significantly deteriorated
- Additional burden of approx. euro 1.3 bn in first three quarters
- Nine-month EBIT down to euro 1,639 million
- Operational improvements achieved in first nine months
- Forecast for 2008 no longer possible due to financial crisis
- Clearly positive earnings expected for the full year
- Profitability targets for 2010 and 2012 confirmed
- BMW Group will emerge stronger from current market climate
The knock-on effects of the international financial crisis and a downturn in the global economy had a significant negative impact on the performance of the automobile industry in the third quarter. Ongoing consumer reticence on the main sales markets, the weak state of the pre-owned car markets together with difficult refinancing conditions also took their toll on the BMW Group, resulting in a perceptible drop in revenues and earnings.
Group revenues for the quarter were down by 8.6% to euro 12,588 million (third quarter 2007: euro 13,778 million). The profit before financial result (EBIT) fell by 60.2% to euro 387 million (third quarter 2007: euro 973 million) reflecting the significant impact of adverse external factors. The pre-tax profit, at euro 279 million (third quarter 2007: euro 765 million), was down by 63.5%. The profit after tax decreased by 62.9% to euro 298 million (third quarter 2007: euro 803 million).
Higher expense for residual value and bad debt risk provision
Nine-month revenues increased marginally to euro 40,425 million (first nine months 2007: euro 40,412 million). EBIT amounted to euro 1,639 million (first nine months 2007: euro 2,904 million/-43.6%) and the profit before tax was euro 1,522 million (first nine months 2007: euro 2,682 million /-43.3%), both below the previous year's figures. Group net profit fell by 39.7% to euro 1,292 million (first nine months 2007: euro 2,143 million).
In the face of a general reticence to spend by consumers, the ongoing difficulties of the pre-owned car markets and increased bad debt risks, the BMW Group again raised its provision for residual value risks and credit risks during the third quarter. The expense for risk provision was euro 342 million in the third quarter, bringing the total expense recognised in the first nine months of the year to euro 1,037 million. In addition, a further euro 258 million was incurred during the period from January to September in conjunction with previously announced measures to reduce the size of the workforce.
BMW Group will emerge stronger from current difficult situation
"The financial crisis is by no means behind us yet, particularly its impact on the real economy in 2009. The automobile industry is without doubt facing some extreme challenges. However, we need to look at the opportunities such times may bring us. As a strong and innovative company, the BMW Group will overcome the current difficult situation, putting it into an excellent starting position for the future", stated Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG in Munich on Tuesday.
Due to the worsening of the financial crisis, it is currently impossible to make stable forecasts for the rest of the year and beyond. "Difficult business conditions and the volatile climate on the market mean that it is as good as impossible from today's perspective to make a reliable prediction of the earning outcome for the financial year 2008. We will, however, achieve a result that is clearly positive", continued Reithofer. Previously, the BMW Group had forecast a return on sales of at least 4% for the year: this is no longer feasible given the sharp deterioration in market conditions.
The BMW Group forecasts that its worldwide sales volume for the full year will not be as high as the previous year's record level. In view of the weak state of the global economy, the BMW Group will bring production volumes into line with market demand, and in additional to the 25,000 units already announced, will cut back production for the year by at least a further 40,000 units compared to the original forecasts. The BMW Group has a highly versatile production network with flexible working-time accounts which allow it to "breathe".
Profitability programme generates operational improvements
A host of efficiency improvement measures are being implemented at great pace on both the cost and the revenues side to enable the BMW Group to rise to future challenges. One important aspect of this is investment in the future, pushing ahead for example with measures such as "EfficientDynamics" and "project I" as part of its strategy Number ONE. The sharper focus on profitability will result, amongst other things, in product decisions being revisited. As a result, the BMW Group will no longer produce a series version of the Concept CS since this vehicle does not meet the internal requirements for rates of return.
The BMW Group has continued to achieve improvements in operational terms during the period under report, even if the general positive trend has been increasingly overshadowed by the impact of adverse external factors (risk provision and severance pay) totalling approximately euro 1.3 billion.
The BMW Group has significantly increased efficiency in the area of research and development, with third-quarter R&D expenditure down by 5.1%. Sales and general administrative costs also fell sharply after adjustment for severance pay expense. Third-quarter cost of sales was reduced by 5.5% despite the higher level of expense recognised in the areas of risk provision, currency and raw materials. This is a clear indication that efficiency improvements are beginning to benefit material and fixed costs.
Discussions are currently being held with the Works Council with a view to achieving a closer link between voluntary payments over and above union-agreed rates and the BMW Group's financial performance. These negotiations have already resulted in some successes. In view of the expected decrease in company earnings, the employee profit share for the current financial year (which is due for payment in 2009) will be reduced compared to the previous year. The Christmas bonus for the current year will be paid on the old basis. From 2009 onwards, a new basis will be used.
In the light of the increasing effectiveness of its profitability improvement measures as part of the strategy Number ONE, the BMW Group continues to target a group return on sales of at least 6% for the year 2010. This does, however, depend on the markets recovering. For the year 2012, the BMW Group continues to target a return on capital employed (ROCE) in excess of 26% and an EBIT margin of between 8% and 10% for its Automobile segment.
Numerous new models launched
The BMW Group will launch a number of new models in the near future that will provide momentum for business. The revised models of the BMW 3 Series Limousine and the BMW 3 Series Touring have already been available on European markets since the end of September. The new Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé has also been available on the markets since September. The new BMW 7 Series will follow in mid-November. The BMW Group also presented three concept vehicles -- the BMW Concept X1, the BMW Concept 7 Series Active Hybrid and the MINI Crossover Concept -- at the Automobile Show in Paris. With the BMW X6 Active Hybrid and the BMW 7 Series Active Hybrid, two models employing the highly efficient Active Hybrid technology will be available in series cars from the beginning of the coming year.
Automobiles segment earnings adversely affected by external factors
In addition to model life-cycle factors, the third quarter sales volume performance was perceptibly affected by reduced customer spending in the wake of the financial crisis. The total number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered to customers decreased by 4.2% to 349,098 units (third quarter 2007: 364,564 units). Sales of BMW brand cars went down by 5.3% to 290,661 units (third quarter 2007: 306,964 units). MINI registered a 1.4% sales volume increase to 58,105 units (third quarter 2007: 57,315 units) despite the forthcoming model change of the Convertible. Rolls-Royce achieved a significant sales volume, with 332 units (third quarter 2007: 285 units) sold.
The number of cars sold in the first nine months of the year edged up by 1.7% to 1,113,972 units (first nine months 2007: 1,094, 849 units). Sales of BMW brand cars, at 928,230 units, were almost at the previous year's level (929,379/-0.1%). The MINI brand also made good progress, with sales up by 12.1% to 184,915 units (first nine months 2007: 164,891 units). Rolls-Royce handed over 827 units to customers (first nine months 2007: 579 units), 42.8% up on the corresponding period last year.
Third-quarter earnings of the Automobile segment were adversely affected by uncertainties on the part of consumers, the higher expense recognised for residual value risks, currency factors and high raw material prices. EBIT fell by 82.1% to euro 141 million (third quarter 2007: euro 788 million) and the profit before tax decreased by 97.4% to euro 18 million (third quarter 2007: euro 704 million). Revenues decreased by 15.2% to euro 11,113 million (third quarter 2007: euro 13,107 million).
Nine-month revenues dipped by 4,5% to euro 37,029 million (first nine months 2007: euro 38,782 million). The EBIT of the Automobiles segment decreased by 49.2% to euro 1,155 million (first nine months 2007: euro 2,273 million) and the profit before tax fell by 58.3% to euro 882 million (first nine months 2007: euro 2,114 million). The expense for risk provision during the first nine months of the year was euro 560 million.
Third-quarter sales volume increase for BMW Motorcycles
The BMW Group's Motorcycles segment sold 24,818 units in the period from July to September (third quarter 2007: 23,549 units), an increase of 5.4% over the previous year. This performance was helped by the positive resonance received from customers and media for the new F 650 GS and F 800 GS models.
Revenues of the Motorcycles segment for the three month period increased by 4.6% to euro 271 million (third quarter 2007: euro 259 million). As a result of adverse external factors, EBIT fell to a negative euro 5 million (third quarter 2007: positive EBIT of euro 7 million). The loss before tax was euro 7 million (third quarter 2007: profit before tax of euro 5 million). The number of motorcycles sold during the nine-month period fell by 2.5% to 80,750 units (first nine months 2007: 82,779 units), while segment revenues slipped by 1.4% to euro 1,008 million (first nine months 2007: euro 1,022 million). EBIT fell by 14.7% to euro 87 million (first nine months 2007: euro 102 million) and the profit before tax dropped by 15.8% to euro 80 million (first nine months 2007: euro 95 million).
Financial services business severely affected by credit crisis
The knock-on effects of the international financial crisis severely affected financial services business during the period under report. Third-quarter segment revenues rose by 14.4% to euro 4,084 million (third quarter 2007: euro 3,569 million). Third-quarter segment EBIT turned from a positive amount of euro 176 million in 2007 to a loss of euro 26 million in 2008. The pre-tax loss was euro 17 million (third quarter 2007: pre-tax profit of euro 191 million). In the third quarter 2008, the Financial Services segment recognised an additional provision expense for credit risks and residual value risks amounting to euro 232 million. The expense for the nine-month period totalled euro 477 million. Earnings were also adversely affected by higher refinancing costs caused by wider credit spreads on the capital markets.
Revenues increased by 17% during the period under report to euro 11,818 million (first nine months 2007: euro 10,101 million). EBIT fell by 83.1% to euro 92 million (first nine months 2007: euro 545 million). The segment profit before tax fell by 76.7% to euro 131 million (first nine months 2007: euro 563 million).
The business volume of the segment in balance sheet terms rose by 17.1% to reach euro 57,944 million at 30 September 2008. The number of lease and financing contracts in place with dealers and retail customers rose by 17.0% to a total of 2,971,437 contracts. The proportion of new BMW Group cars financed by the Financial Services segment during the first nine months of the year amounted to 48.0%, 3.3 percentage points higher than the proportion recorded one year earlier.
Workforce reduced
The number of employees was decreased in line with previously announced plans. The BMW Group workforce comprised 103,625 employees worldwide (September 30, 2007: 107,731 employees). This corresponds to a reduction of 3.8%, including the 1,778 employees of the Cirquent Group. With effect from 30 September, the BMW Group sold 72.9% of its shares in the IT consultancy firm to the Japanese company, NTT Data. By the end of the year, the BMW Group will have achieved its target of cutting out 8,100 positions worldwide, including 3,100 from the core workforce. These figures do not include Cirquent employees.
The BMW Group remains committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities. More than 1,100 apprentices will be taken on in the coming year, 1,080 of them in Germany.
The BMW Group - an Overview (see table in attached document)
The full Quarterly Report to 30 September 2008 is available for download at www.bmwgroup.com/ir.
Attachements: Quarterly Report to 30 September 2008. Speeches of Dr Norbert Reithofer and Dr Friedrich Eichiner.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — About 18,000 people — including members of Congress, all their aides, presidential appointees and even the president and vice president — would lose the employer-provided health insurance under the latest Republican condition for averting a government shutdown.
The government pays roughly three-fourths of federal workers' health insurance premiums. House Republicans would end that contribution by amending the Senate's temporary spending bill. For many federal employees, that would mean a pay cut of up to $11,000. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the GOP's proposal would save the government about $1 billion over a decade.
"This is a matter of funding the government and providing fairness to the American people," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. "Why wouldn't members of Congress vote for it?"
It wasn't clear Boehner's own GOP caucus was united on the amendment. "There's not complete unanimity in there," said one supporter of the plan, Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Va.
Even before the House took this new whack at the Affordable Care Act, Senate Democrats rejected it as a condition for keeping the government in operating funds past midnight Monday. Majority Leader Harry Reid said a government shutdown could be avoided only if the GOP-controlled House passed a budget "clean" of any such amendments. Later in the day, President Barack Obama issued a veto threat, calling the amendment the product of a "narrow ideological agenda (that) threatens the nation's economy."
"They're spinning their wheels," Reid told reporters as the clock ticked toward midnight. "We are not going to change Obamacare."
The amendment had supporters among Republican members of the Senate, where Sen. David Vitter, R-La., tried earlier this month to make it part of an energy bill. Rather than give him a vote on the question, Reid dropped consideration of the bill.
Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., said ending the government's contribution to government officials who hold their jobs through politics is about making Washington a less-privileged place.
"This is a very tough thing to vote against," DeSantis said. "It may mean you're facing a primary. This moves numbers. People do not like this in the country."
The current subsidy for members and their staffs is in line with payments from many private employers and is the same subsidy other federal employees receive. During the legislative fight over Obamacare, Democrats repeatedly said their goal was to offer coverage to all Americans that was comparable to the coverage and choices that members of Congress receive.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, then succeeded in adding a measure to Obama's health care bill three years ago requiring members of Congress and employees in their offices to leave the Federal Employee Health Benefits program and start buying their insurance through the state exchanges that open Tuesday under the Obamacare law.
The new exchanges offering various tiers of coverage through private insurance companies were intended for the millions of Americans who don't get medical insurance through their employers. The new health care law provides tax breaks for low- and middle-income insurance buyers, but most members of Congress and presidential appointees as well as thousands of employees in Congress have higher incomes that disqualify them for the tax subsidies.
The potential impact of the provision has been a huge source of anxiety for congressional staffers accustomed to getting their health insurance just like other government employees through the federal benefits program.
Last month, the government's Office of Personnel Management ruled that members of Congress and their aides switching to the Obamacare exchanges would still qualify for the 75 percent premium match. The GOP measure overturns that decision while also ending the employer match for Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Cabinet members and other presidential appointees.

subset: commoncrawl


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South African Journal of Education
On-line version ISSN 2076-3433
Print version ISSN 0256-0100
KIGGUNDU, Edith and NAYIMULI, Samuel. Teaching practice: a make or break phase for student teachers. S. Afr. j. educ. [online]. 2009, vol.29, n.3, pp.345-358. ISSN 2076-3433.
Teaching practice is an integral component of teacher training. It grants student teachers experience in the actual teaching and learning environment. We explore the experiences of student teachers in the Vaal University of Technology Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) during their 10 weeks' teaching practice in the Vaal area. In this article we aim to establish the ways in which these experiences influence the student teachers' perception of the teaching profession. Semi-structured interviews with all student teachers were used to collect the data while content analysis was used to identify themes and analyse the data. We established that, despite the positive experiences during teaching practice, student teachers experienced challenges which affected their perception of the teaching profession. Based on the findings of this study, measures are suggested on how to improve teaching practice in order to have a positive influence on the student teachers' perception of, and attitude towards, the teaching profession.
Keywords : experiences; mentors; student teachers; teaching practice.


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Sun, sand, sea, and… thieves?
Sometimes it's hard to keep track of all your stuff when you're at the beach, with so many distractions and all. It's easy pickings for anyone with unscrupulous intentions if you just lay your stuff by your towel or umbrella while you get a tan, read a book or heck, even go for a swim. What you need is the TanSafe. While it's not 100% fool proof, this stash box disguised as a bottle of suntan lotion might help you keep your stuff more secure.
It's pretty obscure and people won't really think twice about it because who doesn't have suntan when they're at the beach, right? It has a watertight seal so the stuff inside stays dry, and it's spacious enough to hold your cash, cards, keys, and even your phone.
It's available online for $14.
[ Product Page ] VIA [ Cheezburger ]


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Los Angeles: Eat the Huaraches and Gorditas at Antojitos Carmen
Just east of the LA River, hemmed in on all sides by a series of freeways headed every direction but here, sits Boyle Heights. There's nothing much to the name itself, but for many Angelenos, it conjures up a taste of Mexican food and an immediate pang of hunger. The beloved El Tepayec is up on Evergreen, while Guisado's sits just around the corner on Cesar Chavez Ave. Less than a mile east is Los Cinco Puntos, one of the undisputed carnitas kings of Los Angeles. And somewhere in this taco hotbed is Antojitos Carmen.
The Spanish term "antojitos"indicates a small street bite, something quick and savory that doesn't qualify as a full meal. As a result, the menu at Antojitos Carmen reads like a taster's choice, with a section dedicated to possible meats for any of the following concoctions: sopes, gorditas, huaraches, tacos, quesadillas—y mas! Indeed, the former cart turned upstanding Boyle Heights business offers everything from the workaday warm snacks its name implies to more substantial fare like burritos, tortas, and deep, welcoming stews. With so many great choices in one place, it's no big shame that the regular old tacos can't live up to the competition on their own menu.
There's nothing particularly wrong with the tacos at Antojitos Carmen. They arrive as medium-sized affairs, double-stacked with corn tortillas made just moments before. The chorizo is a worthy option, chopped loosely into large, crispy morsels of deep red pork. The carne asada is more subtle, lacking the punch of salt that often makes this cut so successful elsewhere. Otherwise, the birria is a pungent weekend-only option, but should only be reserved for those intrepid eaters accustomed to the deep funkiness that sometimes accompanies gamier cuts.
Thankfully, there's a whole menu left at Antojito's Carmen, full of heartier alternatives to the tacos. The huaraches, a longtime staple of Mexico City, are oblong disks of thicker, fried masa (the same stuff they use to make tortillas). The result is a sandal-shaped golden brown mini-platter, topped with black beans, corn, a heavy splash of thin sour cream, your meat of choice, and a dusting of Mexican cheese. Every bite has crunch and substance and warmth, without being overly filling. These are still antojitos, after all.
Forget what The Bell has taught you about gorditas; they're the real deal at Antojitos Carmen, and probably the best single menu item available. Thin round disks of masa are gently fried instead of griddled, pulling off the rare "crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside" feat that so many places miss. Draped around the same ingredients as the huarache, but in a tighter space with a higher concentration of meat, each bite of gordita is immensely satisfying. The normally reserved carne asada shines through here, once it's been given a little bit of help.
The next time you find yourself in Boyle Heights, don't overlook Antojitos Carmen as a viable alternative to the other well-trafficked Mexican spots in the area. The tacos may not stand up to much scrutiny, but the other menu options will fill you up right, antojitos or not.
Antojitos Carmen
2510 E. Cesar Chavez Ave, Boyle Heights (map)
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Gentle Readers, is there anything better than a challenge? I think not. Long-time reader Blended Familia came to dinner the other night with this list in hand:
And a request. What can I make out of this? Delightful! First thing to note, there are warring camps here, as there always are. She is eating healthy and feeding an army of meat eaters. Not that meat isn't healthy, but everyone runs differently. She needs a little, they want a lot.
BF is also looking to streamline the food budget, and meat, especially from the farmer's market, is not cheap. How to blend these requests as seamlessly as her familia? Read on.
The Practical Cook Freezer Challenge: 5 Meals
1. Paella. This will use 1/2 a sausage and one package of chicken thighs and makes a lot. The onions and garlic are part of the recipe, combined with rice and tomatoes, you can make a lot. Great to make and freeze in portions if you're cooking for something less than an army as well. Another bonus, this recipe lends itself well to the addition of hot sauce at the table. Add paprika and saffron in the process, but let people season to their level of fire.
2. Sausage and Greens. Bow to the meat eaters and make a bratwurst with whatever greens are in market at the time: kale, beet, mustard, etc. Simplify your life with a package of pierogie, stretch with applesauce, or make some mashed potatoes or hash browns. When I make this for The Practical Cook's Junior, I eat double greens and let them have the extra sausage. Everyone's happy.
3. Chorizo Burritos. The beauty of this one, you can use 1/2 package, or brown the whole thing and let everyone decide how much to add to their burrito. Stretch the meat with pinto beans, sweet potatoes, avocados, lettuce, rice, etc. I love chorizo for its intense flavor, and find a little bit goes a long way.
4. Gumbo. Another great way to use chicken thighs and sausage. Don't fear okra, I beg you.I don't want to hear about the slimy factor, not if you like Jell-O. If you are unable to face it, add spinach or something else green here, even butterbeans, but do include tomatoes, onions, and rice.
5. Pasta Toss. For what I think is Italian sausage, this is ideal. You can cook it in slices separately with peppers and onions, and let people toss with red sauced pasta to taste. That way, you can go more veg if you choose. The big box Italian restaurants are doing this, take a page from their book. We do a lot of pasta bars, letting everyone choose their own taste adventure. Serve with a salad and call it a day.
Mission accomplished. These meals are set up to cook once but customize at the table. Meat can be featured in the quantities you prefer, and ingredients are used to stretch the whole thing.
What's in your freezer? If you'd like to take the Freezer Challenge, post a comment below, send me an email, or tweet #freezerchallenge in my direction. I promise you, I can make a meal out of it.
Send your freezer-burned pictures, challenges, and bright ideas to practical cook at gmail dot com. Connect on Facebook: The Practical Cook Blog. (Thanks in advance for spreading The Practical Cook Blog word. Press "like" on Facebook today!)
On Friday, Ham and Cheese Tea Sandwiches (a recipe).


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"I hate that word."
That's The Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero's reaction when faced with the ever-growing online popularity of "Ricktatorship," a term that picked up steam after protagonist Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) proclaimed that the struggling group of zombie-apocalypse survivors were no longer living in a democracy last season. If they were going to survive, it was going to be under his authority. And thus, a Ricktatorship was born.
Exclusive Walking Dead Season 3 Promo: Have the survivors found a new home?
That Ricktatorship is only implied when the AMC zombie drama returns Sunday (9/8c). The gang has been on the road for a half a dozen months at least, running as a well-oiled, if not exhausted machine. At this point, Rick's leadership is a necessity, not a burden. "It's been blown out of proportion," Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon, says of Ricktatorship madness. "There's a difference between having everything you're fighting for crumble around you and you getting pissed than being a dictator. It's definitely not like that. There's not one guy, Rick or otherwise, sitting up on a mountaintop commanding people to do things against the world."
After two seasons of hopeless meandering — and the disastrous events that took place on the farm in Season 2 (RIP, way too many people to name here) — Rick has finally gotten to a place where he just commands the respect needed to keep everyone alive. "I think he's proved himself," Lincoln says. "You get a real sense of where Rick has gone and the extremities that he's willing to go to in order to keep the family alive." Still, inside, Rick is slowly imploding under the ticking time bomb that is Lori's (Sarah Wayne Callies) pregnancy. "Rick goes down the rabbit hole this season, and you start him off in a very dark place."
It's her growing baby bump that forces the group to seek salvation in the infamous prison spotted in the closing moments of the Season 2 finale — which will make the farm look like Club Med once they begin to clear each cell block overrun by walkers. "He sees potential at this place," Lincoln says. "And he sees that it could essentially be the safe haven that they've been waiting for."
Rick may be grasping at straws when he sees the prison as salvation. "It's not that safe," showrunner Glen Mazzara is quick to point out. "It's interesting to see that that prison is not as safe, or can't be made as safe as Rick wants. And that's something that will play out all season. That prison is always a problem for them. But they have no place else to go."
The Walking Dead Scoop: Will Rick and Lori's Marriage Survive?
After battling the outdoors and heat for the last two seasons, the cast discovered that filming the prison scenes wasn't exactly the picnic they were hoping for. "We were all worried that you go to a soundstage where it's air conditioned and it's going to be a little bit difficult to act in those situations. They made it somehow just as equally terrible inside. So, cool. Good on them," laughs Steven Yeun, who plays crafty marauder Glenn.
Furthermore, this new location does little to help the crumbling façade of Rick and Lori's marriage, which took a beating in Season 2 as Rick learned of Lori's indiscretions with his best friend Shane (Jon Bernthal), whom Rick murdered in the penultimate episode. Now, "It's a question of whose baby is it? Is it Shane's? Obviously that's still hanging out there," Mazzara says. "You see that they are both heartbroken by this situation. That if they could, if the world wasn't always crashing in, maybe they could work it out."
Little does the group know, salvation lies not too far away in Woodbury, where a man known as the Governor (David Morrissey) holds court — alongside the long-missing Merle (Michael Rooker)! Fans of the comics should forget what they know of Woodbury because the show's version, which will be introduced by the third episode, "is an alter ego of the graphic novel's," Nicotero says. Whereas the prison is bleak and grim, Woodbury is an oasis where normalcy has returned. "It's shot much brighter," executive producer Gale Anne Hurd explains. "Everything is functioning there. People are going about their daily lives. That's contrasted with the prison, [which] never feels safe, and it's always dark, and it's always dank, and it's always dirty."
The Walking Dead bosses dissect Season 2, look ahead to "action packed" Season 3
Still, there may be darkness beneath Woodbury's shiny veneer in its leader, who, as comic book fans know, is far from good company. But Morrissey insists this is a different man altogether. "In the comics, we get to meet The Governor later on in his genesis, and later on in his life. He's fully formed, really. He's arrived as this sadistic person," he says. "My Governor isn't like that. We see him much earlier on in his genesis. He's dealing with the problems of leadership, which are trying to keep people fed, and safe, and comfort them, provide things for his people. So he isn't the sadistic man that we see in the comic books."
That's not to say he won't eventually devolve into that sadist; this season will merely be the first step on that journey. "If the governor is just hacking people apart and raping them right from the jump, it might throw some people off," Mazzara says. "But if you go along on the ride that one day that makes sense to you, that's actually a real horror to have the audience buy into that."
"He can't be so dastardly that you wonder why anyone would follow him," Hurd adds. "Why wouldn't they just go, 'Okay, time for a coup?' Woodbury initially does seem like hope for humanity, hope for a community that can survive and ultimately thrive in the post-zombie world."
While Reedus insists there's no one taking on the role of dictator, that may not be true with the Governor, who will stop at nothing to take over the group's prison refuge. "He is somebody who has an iron fist and a kid glove and he rules like that," Morrissey says. "If he needs to come down hard on people he will, but he's also somebody who's not averse to putting his arm around someone to get the best out of them as well."
Woodbury is also where we'll soon find lost group member Andrea (Laurie Holden), who was separated from Rick & Co. last season after nearly falling prey to walkers while escaping the farm. It was the katana-wielding Michonne (Danai Gurira) who saved her life and with whom she has formed an unbreakable bond in the ensuing months. "They're had a tough go at it," Holden says. "They've obviously bonded and become the best of friends battling the elements and the apocalypse together."
Walking Dead Exclusive: Andrea gets awfully close to The Governor
Part of the reason why Woodbury looks so appealing to the duo — besides the obvious — is that Andrea is deathly ill when the series returns. "Andrea is close to dying," Holden teases. "Michonne's taking care of her. Andrea doesn't know that we're all infected. It's interesting to pontificate why she's so sick, what's going down, because it could be a lot of things. She and Michonne come across this wonderful place, this nirvana where she's able to hope and dream for the first time in her life since the apocalypse happened. It's intoxicating to be in a place where you don't have to struggle, where people have it figured out."
Despite their desperation to lean on a new leader in their time of need, consummate survivor Michonne won't be as quick to accept the Governor's helping hand. "She doesn't trust him," Gurira says. "When her gut tells her something, she doesn't not listen to it," Gurira says. "I think in the past she didn't and she regrets it. She can see right through him and she can't refute what she's seen."
So, can the Governor really be trusted? We'll find out when The Walking Dead returns Sunday at 9/8c on AMC.
What are you looking forward to most this season?


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Butterscotch Pistachio 'Cookies' Recipe
Baked for the 2010 Serious Eats Cookie Swap by Wayne Surber and Tracie Lee.
Adapted from The Joy of Cooking's 'Butterscotch Brownies' recipe.
"I basically used Irma, The joy of Cooking (1970s edition). I loosely used her butterscotch brownie recipe. My grandma on my dad's side, Grandma Surber, as we called her because my mom's was Grammy. My Grandma Surber raised eight children, so whipping up anything usually took her all of like five minutes. And the nice thing about Butterscotch Brownies or 'Blondies' is that she always had those ingredients in house, so no trip to the store was required. Whenever we were good, she'd pull them out of thin air. A nice glass of truck delivered milk and Grandma's Butterscotch Brownies. So, when I was thinking of cookies I thought I should do a tribute to her. Because I miss her. Especially around the holidays. I think that'll always be the case. She was my inspiration for heading into the kitchen and I'm always trying to fill her boots. I added some raw pistachios because I wanted to add another layer of caramel goodness and a bit of texture. I had them lying around, so in they went." —Wayne Surber (and Tracie Lee), FoSE
- Yield:makes 65 cookies
- 3/4 cup butter, salted
- 2 cups dark brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons "Double-Acting" baking powder
- 1 cup raw pistachios
- 1 teaspoon salt
Melt and cool butter.
Combine: eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
Mix in cooled, melted, butter.
Sift and measure flour. Measure salt, baking soda and re-sift with flour.
Incorporate flour into mixture with the wooden spoon.
Chop or mince the pistachios. I used a food processor, pulse until
small pieces, not flour like. Mix in nuts.
Line sheet pan with parchment paper, tuck into corners.
Use the spatula to 'pour' out batter onto lined pan. It is very
viscous, so I recommend putting in 3 areas of the pan and then spread
with the spatula. Spread it until it is as even as possible. It might
not reach all the corners evenly, however it will spread while baking.
10. Bake about 20 minutes. Rotate 180 degrees at the midway point.
Check at 15. It should be evenly baked.
Cool until warm. Cut while warm. I used a fluted pasta cutter
about 1 1/2" across. Enjoy with Milk ;)
That recipe makes 65 cookies that size with enough trim to make a nice
batch of vanilla ice cream and fold them in. A whole 'nother level of
cookie dough ice cream.
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Each product we create here at All Over Shirts is made-to-order, custom just for you. It begins as a white roll of premium fabric. We hand cut the fabric to your size, then use an advanced process called dye−sublimation. Through the use of science, the dye−sub process permanently infuses the design into the fabric. Afterwards, each piece of your custom order is sewn up with care just for you! Learn more about our cut and sew technique and dye−sub process here.


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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Stream Restoration Challenge says it has $6 million in grant money available for organizations seeking to improve the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland state officials say they are accepting applications from local governments, school systems and non-governmental organizations. The grants are for projects to improve water quality, promote environmental literacy and create service learning opportunities for students.
The challenge seeks to establish 1,000 acres of forested stream buffers by 2015. Proposals are chosen based on how effective, efficient and economical they will be, as well as their level of student involvement.
The application deadline is May 30. The grants are funded through the Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund. The Arbor Day Foundation is helping to provide tree seedlings for restoration projects.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


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ALSO, LRS can do ANY book:
- State or Local Editions
- Math, Science, or Foreign languages
- Old Copyrights
- Non-adopted Titles
Large Print Books are too big.
Most LRS Large Print books are about the same size as the original, see perfect fit.
Large Print is only Black & White.
Most LRS books are available in full color, if you prefer B&W we can do that, see choices.
Large Print takes too long to produce.
LRS' delivery time is typically around two weeks for new titles, often less, call 800 255 5002 or email LRS.
I've never had a Visually Impaired student in my classroom before.
LRS Large Print is ideal for mainstreamed VI kids; same book, same page number, same page layout as the rest of the class. Visit: www.LargePrintExperts.com for more help.
The book I need isn't in your online catalog.
LRS can enlarge any material, see any book
Magnifiers and CCTV are better than large print.
Other vision aids are useful, but large print is best in the classroom see why large print?
Large Print books are flimsy, either stapled, sewn or comb-bound.
LRS offers three durable bindings, hardcover, perfect bound or coil bound, see choices.
The page numbering and layout doesn't match the original.
The LRS process keeps the original page numbering and page layout, see perfect match.
Large Print books are always printed on cream-colored paper.
LRS usually prints on white paper, but we can print on cream if you prefer, see choices.


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The only acceptable methods for having your yard waste collected weekly will be in a yard waste toter, landscape waste paper bags, or bundles being bound with string or twine and sticker.
Should a resident wish to have yard waste picked up by the waste hauler, a decision must be made regarding the pickup options. This initial information is designed to stimulate our residents to evaluate current needs and select an option which is best suited to their needs.
Landscape waste is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves, tree limbs and other materials accumulated as a result of the care of lawns, shrubbery, vines, and trees.
Yard waste may be disposed by one of the following options:
From April through November the toter may be used for yard waste only. From December to March, residents may use the toter for regular garbage only.
For more information: Visit Nu-Way Disposal Website
If you live in an town home and have yard waste bags in need of
disposal, we recommend you call NuWay ahead of time, (708) 479-9555.
Please click the link below for more information on free leaf and branch service.
Spring and Fall "FREE" LEAF & BRANCH Pick-Up Information
In Frankfort:
In New Lenox:
As of March 24, 2020


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rbn said:
Hi Jason
Which distro do you use for Python? I was on Python 2.5 in the debian distro that Liam used, but it doesn't support import argparse. I added Python 3.1 but this still doesn't work. Any help on what I need to get it going appreciated.
Great tutorial enjoyed completing all the other lessons.
I also started off on Python 2.5 following Liam's first few tutorials, but now I'm using 3.22 under Windows 7, and I'm running it on a Pentium 4. It runs much faster not being inside Oracle VirtualBox, but I have no idea what the speed will be like, running it on the Raspberry. The only downside of the Windows version is that Geany doesn't seem to run the programs. You can still use it to edit them, but you have to run them from the command prompt.


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Classic red roses, winter greens and a touch of gold.
Substitution Policy
Occasionally, substitutions of flowers may happen due to weather, seasonality and market conditions which may affect availability. If this is the case with the gift you've selected, Ross Plants & Flowers will ensure that the style, theme and color scheme of your arrangement is preserved and will only substitute items of equal or higher value.
To ensure the recipient gets the flowers you prefer please note in the comments section of check out what you like most about your selection. (Example: my grandmother loves roses)


text:
Alexa Meade doesn't paint on canvas. No, as she explains in today's talk, she paints on something very different — human skin.
[ted_talkteaser id=1814]"If I want to paint your portrait, I'm painting it on you — physically on you. That also means you're probably going to end up with an ear full of paint because I need to paint your ear on your ear," says Meade in this extremely fun talk, given at TEDGlobal 2013. "The mask of paint mimics what is directly below it. In this way, I am able to take a three-dimensional scene and make it look like a two-dimensional painting."
In today's talk, Meade tells us how she went from a political science major (who hadn't picked up a paintbrush since summer camp) to a working artist with an unusual style that swirls paint and reality into a mind-bending remix. Her work, she says…
View original post 291 more words


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Lauren Steeper (Sheffield, UK) has a cross-stitch game, Lottery Words, and I want to play! It is just the sort of highly ordered and yet completely unnecessary ritual that I love. And it combines crafting and words? So awesome!
To start, she cut every word out of the dictionary and threw them in a jar. That's right. Every word.
Each week, she:
- Picks 49 words out of the jar at random
- Uses the numbers drawn by the National Lottery to select 6 of the 49 words
- Determines color and font based on the bonus ball
- Cross-stitches the words as her system dictates


text:
Illuminate the room with this sleek LED lamp created from a race-used Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport wheel nut from the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship™ season.
Driven by Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, the Mercedes F1® W05 was the championship winning car in this season, with Hamilton taking the title. The wheel nut's red colour indicates that it was used on the right-hand side of the car and it is engraved with unique F1® component identification numbers.
Packaged in a Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport gift box, this piece comes complete with a certificate of authenticity and is re-engineered in the UK under licence from Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited.
This lamp measures 42.5cmH x 21.5cmW, has five different levels of brightness and is connected to a brushed black steel stem. It is supplied with a UK plug.


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It's coming; the ability to work through the past! Get rid of the old memories and people and places and things! And move on into my life! The life and decency I was supposed to experience in the first place; what God had intended in the first place!
The problem; Im alone! I have 12 step meetings and psych stuff and online stuff! I haven't been able to function because of full dissociative disorder! However, Ive gotten better!
Now, It's a slow movement to letting go of the past, all of it and the heart break of it! And what caused the heartbreak! They are monsters! All of them! Thats the bottom line! In fact; the general feeling I get from most of the neighborhood I lived in is; they were always monsters and creating more monsters! Upper level well educated sociopaths; or something close!
Its monstrous to concede of what I went through! Not one person bothered to ask me who I was or what I was around! No one cared who the real me is! Or any other part of me! No one cared!
I was a victim! I was still under age; so, they're going to hell!
They had the audacity to ask me if I was a thief who stole from them; they had the audacity to suggest I was just living off them when I came to live with them my senior year of high school! They n ever asked me a question! They simply wanted to get rid of me! Why did they invite me in the first place! They were never fiends of mine; non of them! I did not know! I was clueless to this!
It's so bad; all of this, its enough to make a person pass out! Its incredible! And not one person stood up for me! Or cared! Nor did they ask questions! No one was concerned; they were monsters! All of them!
The point is; I have my dreams! But they require a normal decent life! And I must ask God for help to get back on my feet to continue with my life! Its horrible! I thought I would be surround by people that loved and cared about me! Instead I find no friends! They lied! And no family; all psychopaths and sociopaths; and the relatives; no different! Non of them! However, the other relative families are high brow and want nothing to do with me! Or people like me!
The relatives on the mothers side created her; they were monsters! So, on both sides, there is nothing! I was destroyed from being around them! Its that simple! And I had no place to go or run!
The point is; Im now strong enough to see the past and attempt to dissolve it and live in the present! As Ive been building a life in the present with dreams and goals and people!
I would not be surprised if Im married in the next couple of years! Ive got plans!
The goal is to keep smashing through the memories! The goal is to keep working with God to build a new future the way it was supposed to be in the first place! The goal is to become the person of value around myself and others that I know I am!
Ive been embarrassed and ashamed from my past! I was thrown away from everything and everyone and over whelmed! And I found a society that could careless! And how they treated me meant nothing! If I hung from the end up f a rope; no one would loose any sleep over it or even think about it!
So, all of this has taken some time! And its very hard work to go back into memories and rework things, to come out of these memories back into the present! And happening though!
What Im left with is myself! And nothing more!~ from anything of my past! It all must go, including anyone that harmed me in anyway!
The problem was; who to trust in the present! Ive done enough work in the present! But have no family! There is only me! There are strange 12 step groups! That is all! And some psych stuff, meetings, and therapists and stuff; and some Christian 12 step groups! But nothing personal with anyone!
I was unprepared for what happened to me! Anyone would be; its so bad, so God awful! I remember my father Playing the roll of father at 4th of July! As if everything is normal! Nothing is normal! This person is secretly planning to leave! He has no intent on caring about who is in this house hold! But he tells no one! No children had a clue! But he did! He knew from the beginning! He is simply exploiting children to play these sick games with them! Why did he do this; simple! Legal!
It was legal for these sycophants to do anything they wanted to us because legally they were taking care of us! Its that simple! The reason they played games with us, or played us; because their was no one else! It was easy targets!
I have to process this out! I have to process this atrocity somewhere?
Im in the middle off processing everything out!
Brothers; their are non! I had no relationships with these people! I did not know who or what they were! Now I know! I used to blame the psychopaths because they never developed! but now I realize; they were never going to develop regardless! They were not what I thought they were! they were monsters! at east one of them; the other is a pathological re degenerate! They are not people I would associated with! I wouldnt!
This means I spend the remainder of my life away from these creeps! all of them! its all horrible,
So, I'm migrating back to a life and a life without these people of the past! I write letters to them and say goodbye;


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Carla also made this next one which included treats for our trip. I love how she made a double pouch using dotted gift bag
Right now Dale and I are taking a little R&R in New Jersey where my sister is Pampering me while I recover. Actually they asked us to make a delivery for them so it seemed pretty timely that we could go while I'm off my feet anyway.
Just a reminder that today is the LAST DAY to take advantage of the Sale a bration FREE products
When placing your on-line order please use this HOSTESS CODE for MARCH:
Thanks for stopping by!


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The Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA encourage our Scouts to have a spiritual approach to life. We provide the leadership to support the growth and character development of our co-ed membership and the greater community. We accomplish this by providing contemporary skill-oriented activities that enrich individuals on a non-discriminatory basis. We put principles of mutual respect into practice through FUN social activities, enhancing character as instilled by parents, personal achievement, learning by doing, and related educational programs promoting good character in our members and the greater community.We enable our Scouts to understand and live their life by the six pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS!, and we expect our Scouts to be as good as their word.
Our teams may be sponsored by Episcopal churches and organizations. Our Team Sponsors are those who work for the benefit of youth. Through a yearly renewable agreement, Team Sponsors use our Scout Programs as part of their effort to benefit the youth in their congregation and other youth in the community. Team Sponsors may control program content, membership in their team, and religious responsibilities.
Together, the Scout Programs of Adventure Scouts USA along with Episcopal Churches and organizations can increase participation by Episcopalian families, and strengthen Episcopal values through character education, our policy of non-discrimination, and a sense of belonging.
We welcome Episcopalian Scouts and members and enable fulfillment of their religious responsibilities.
We assist our Episcopalian Scouts and members to integrate their faith into everyday life and help families to share their faith on their child's journey of faith.
An important concept in Episcopal ministries is servant leadership. Similarly, our Team Leaders ensure that every Scout is involved at every level and make sure each is heard.
Episcopalians are concerned with justice and fair treatment. We value each of our Scouts on an equal and individual basis. Our policy of nondiscrimination and inclusion is consistent with beliefs of the Episcopal faith.
Our Scouts seek to eliminate homelessness and eradicate hunger and poverty in their effort to be just Our Scouts also take part in service to the greater community. Our Scouts regularly adopt comprehensive projects of service which they choose, organize, and lead. Our highest award, the Challenger Award, is a comprehensive undertaking which results in a substantial change for their communities, and must be sustainable without them. See what our Scout Programs can offer!


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For many people, fuel economy is a major factor in buying a car. That little combined MPG number may very well have been the deciding factor in why many people bought Fords recently. Too bad those numbers weren't so accurate. Here's how Ford's going to apologize, with dollars.
These numbers come from an internal-use only Ford memo that was secretly acquired by an anonymous source, possibly by folding the document and shoving it down underpants. It reveals that the number used to determine if a given model will have apology money paid to it is the combined MPG number, and that the amounts will range from $200 to $1050. The amounts also vary if the car was bought or leased.
The Lincoln MKZ gets the highest $1050 payout, since it also seems to have the most overinflated (and less repetitious) numbers now. They went from 45 city/45 hwy/45 combined down to 38/37/38. That's a big drop.
Here's the full document in all of its fold glory so you can see exactly what the changes were, who's getting paid, and how much.
UPDATE: As pointed out by Nick Bunkley, these numbers were made public last week.


text: Couples Costumes : Vegaoo, sells fancy dress and costumes for adults and children. You love parties with your friends? Thanks to our large range of outfits for couple and groups you will never be short of ideas! From the elegant gangsters couple to the superhero Batman and Robin. Discover a lot of licenses as Village People, South Park or The Smurf!


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So a couple people never claimed their prizes from our giveaway event and since I have no way to get a hold of them I'm going to redraw.
The new winner of the charm necklace OR two pairs of earring from The Bird's Papaya is....
deserae who said... "I heart the BP on Etsy!"
And the new winner of the blog design by me goes to... Tutuland who said... "I would like to change my blog and add more buttons and give it a new life... I feel like my current blog is not me."
Congrats you two!


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Watching New Girl or Homeland on your computer, mobile phone or Xbox has become so second nature to viewers, it's hard to recall that new technology once brought Hollywood to a standstill.
But how writers were paid for the digital distribution of their work was at the core of a 100-day work stoppage that put primetime TV viewers on a strict diet of reality and reruns in 2007 and early 2008. Daily Variety deputy editor Cynthia Littleton, who chronicles the battle and its lasting impact in her new book TV On Strike: Why Hollywood Went to War over the Internet (Syracuse University Press), says while many writers took a financial beating from the walkout, they had little choice but to take a hard line. The emergence of Netflix, Hulu and other services since the strike has proven online viewing is a robust business. We asked her about the strike's aftermath and what's ahead.
TV Guide Magazine: Are the digital residuals the writers fought for in the strike adding up to anything?
Cynthia Litteton: If you ask the average writer on the street, they'd admit no, they haven't seen such a great windfall. There are definitely people who say, "Why did we go on strike?" The balance of people who were on the street on the picket line believe it was a stance they had to take at that time to get their foot in the door, otherwise they could have stayed in the position they were — getting nothing or a fraction of a penny per digital download or stream.
TV Guide Magazine: So was it worth it to strike?
Littleton: "Worth it" is a hard thing to answer. It did cost people a lot of money. The real question is why did it have to get there? The writers taking a very militant line — that scared studio execs into their bunkers where they held an unreasonable line. The writers had to do what they did in 2007. Could they have handled the negotiations differently to avoid the strike? Yes, probably. Same thing with the studios; their talent relations were abysmal. In hindsight, the CEOs would agree there should have been a lot more outreach and private conversations about where the happy medium was.
TV Guide Magazine: Ever since the strike, it feels like the TV industry really made a big effort to control costs.
Littleton: It was the coincidental timing of the strike and our global economic meltdown — those two things really changed the nature of television production and the size of writing staffs on network primetime shows. The studios took the opening to do what they wanted to do for a long time — which is to radically reduce the size of writing staffs.
TV Guide Magazine: How long is that going to last?
Littleton: As is always the case, the costs have a way of creeping back up. Talent coming to the table with a lot of clout has the ability to say, "I want that ninth staff writer position." It's not a change forever and all time. But it was such a radical downsizing that it has had a lasting impact. It's only now with the licensing of shows to the Internet that studios are getting back to pre-strike spending levels.
TV Guide Magazine: Do you think the strike had an impact on programming in the years that followed?
Littleton: I think in a year or two after the strike, the broadcast networks were very nervous about spending a lot of money on shows where they weren't sure about where the back end was. What they told writers during the strike is: we can't possibly give you digital residuals because we don't know where the money is coming from. That was true. It's only started to take shape in the last couple of years. That led to some mundane choices on the broadcast network side. That probably benefited edgier outlets like AMC and FX.
TV Guide Magazine: Now that digital streaming is a big part of the business, are the Writers Guild and studios headed for another showdown?
Littleton: It will be interesting to see in the next round in 2014. Not a day goes by that we don't write about a big digital rights deal. It's definitely going to be on the table.


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By Christy Lemire, Associated Press
It seems ironic that the title of the movie is "Identity Thief" when its co-stars have such a firm grasp on their well-established screen personae.
Melissa McCarthy is the brash wild card – now on DVD – with an off-kilter sense of humor and an underlying, slightly dangerous streak. Jason Bateman is the initially bemused but increasingly frustrated straight man whose deadpan quips seem to be the only things that keep him sane.
These two opposites are stuck on a cross-country road trip together but no one's really going anywhere; to borrow from that famous Dennis Green rant when he was still coaching the Arizona Cardinals, "They are who we thought they were." Optimally, with a better script, that wouldn't be such a bad thing. Instead, "Identity Thief" strands these two ordinarily enjoyable comics in the middle of nowhere with no help for miles. "Midnight Run," it is not. It's actually not even "Due Date," which felt similarly strained.
It's not just that director Seth Gordon ("Horrible Bosses") and screenwriter Craig Mazin (the reheated "Hangover Part II") confuse meanness for hilarity. There's that, including a weirdly uncomfortable streak of homophobia and/or emasculation. The fact that Bateman's character's name, Sandy, also could belong to a woman becomes a joke that's not funny even once — it's just adolescent, yet it gets hammered into the ground again and again. But eventually and abruptly the film takes a sappy, sentimental turn that's handled rather awkwardly. It comes from nowhere and hasn't been earned.
More fundamentally, though, the premise is just massively flawed. Bateman's mild-mannered accounts processor, Sandy Patterson, discovers that someone has stolen his identity and racked up thousands of dollars in charges when he tries to fill up his tank and has his card denied. They all come from the same place — Winter Park, Fla. — and they started weeks ago. But Sandy lives in Denver.
Isn't this suspicious? In theory, wouldn't Sandy's credit card company alert him, like, immediately that so much money was being spent at one time? My credit card company calls me if it looks like I've bought too many hoodies and cargo pants for my kid at Old Navy.
Nevertheless, with a promising new job and his family's security in jeopardy — Amanda Peet gets little to do as the supportive wife — Sandy schleps to Florida to track down the perpetrator and drag her back to Denver to face charges. This is just the first in a series of contrivances that keep the narrative chugging along, implausibly.
When he finds the con artist — whose real name is Diana, supposedly — she looks harmless enough and even a little pathetic in her tacky house crammed with blenders and microwaves and other ill-gotten gains. But Diana is actually quite resourceful, and a survivor. Still, their relationship, which begins with a brutal brawl, unconvincingly evolves into a supposedly genuine friendship as they drive back to Denver together with various and sundry thugs on their tail.
Bateman's character is written as a milquetoast corporate drone but as an actor he's too smart, and too much of a smart-aleck, to play someone weak. McCarthy, as always, just goes for it and is a fearless physical comedian but too often she's hampered by lame, repetitive gags; her character's habit of punching people in the throat isn't terribly amusing the first time.
She does, however, enjoy a kinky interlude with Eric Stonestreet as the wealthy good ol' boy she picks up at a bar. It's the only segment that feels unpredictable and even a bit daring — now that's the movie I'd much rather see.
"Identity Thief," a Universal Pictures release, is rated R for sexual content and language. Running time: 107 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.
The DVD version includes "The Making of 'Identity Thief," gag reel and alternate takes.


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"My Cernan is a watchful man, Vilthavia," said Elendis, "and little escapes his wandering eye in his protection of me, bless him, despite his many years. Therefore, I must assume that there is some merit in his observations of you."
Seeing the look of confusion upon the young Rhovanion's face she frowned slightly and offered further clarification.
"For example, how did you learn my name and for what reason?"
"Your name has been uttered many times by the men in this company since we left the vales, lady."
Vilthavia hesitated, realizing that his answer possessed a conspiratorial air to it. The frown deepened upon the girl's face at this so Vilthavia quickly amended his explanation and tried to sound more confident.
"That is to say, since you are the only lady among all us men the name of one so," once again he paused clumsily with a grin, "so - fair and feminine may be easily plucked from the air in the overbearing company of so many masculine brutes."
Elendis narrowed her brow for a moment at this before allowing a sudden giggle to escape her lips. She smiled as she brushed back a stray column of hair that peeped out beneath the front of her white shawl and hung loosely over her brow. Vilthavia quickly became aware of how lame his attempt at being coy and clever must have come off to her. He felt the urge to once again improve upon his failing attempt to sound intelligent in his flattery of her.
"It is not that I find the company of these men irksome, of course, yet you must admit that one such as myself might hardly be blamed by becoming somewhat - intrigued by your situation."
"Do I have a 'situation', as you say?" she asked him, her smile slowly disappearing. "If so I was not aware of it."
"A young woman alone among a company of grim and older men would be considered as such by many, I would guess. You will forgive me if I seem curious, I hope."
The horse that stood next to her was begining to get impatient with idleness by now, and began to snort loudly as it bobbed its head up and down three times. Elendis uttered a few brief calming words into the beast's ear as she patted him softly.
"I may forgive you, assuming you continue to speak fairly of me, Vilthavia," she said as she turned back to him. "At least you are more modest than the other young men who seek an audience with me."
Vilthavia began to realize that she had misinterpreted his introduction as an attempt at flirtation. He had certainly not meant to do so before he had approached her, but knew it must have seemed so to her. She went on.
"The others were more direct and even uncouth. None of them hold my interest anyway, for I am not interested in such matters. Yet even had they swayed me, this is a most unsuitable place and circumstance for courtship. I told them so straight away. I think it best if I proclaim that fact right now."
Elendis fell silent for a moment as she awaited a response from Vilthavia, who simply nodded and said nothing. Off to their right they could hear ther voice of Wildaria speaking privately to Vilthavia's uncle and Vidui, who also stood by. Vilthavia turned his head and looked in their direction but could not make out their words. He guessed that they were dicussing himself and his decision to abandon the journey and return to the Anduin vales. The chieftain, who had had little or nothing at all to say to the young Vilthavia thus far had been observing him with a curioius eye now from a distance as he held discourse with Elendis.
"What, may I ask," inquired Elendis again, "seems to be ailing you, Vilthavia? It must be serious for you to hike all the way back down the mountain side alone."
"By body is not adapted for such high elevations, alas," he replied, glancing back at her but avoiding her eyes for embarrassment. "I feel like my abdomen shall come up through my throat the higher up we go."
"I am sorry for you. Yet are there not herbal concoctions that may be consumed to remedy such illnesses? I am sure that our men travel with such things, for you are not the only one among us who suffers thus."
"I know it well. I have just finished drinking just such a medicine and am beginning to feel its effect. Yet one can only consume so much medicinal tea before exhausting one's supply. They say that the journey is long and everyone must conserve what they have in their baggage in case of emergencies. Besides, the tea that I drank was not my own."
"I could instruct Cernan to give you some of what we possess if it would sustain you long enough to cross these mountains," offered Elendis. "He looks large and threatening but it is mostly a ruse, really. He will do what I ask of him."
Vilthavia looked again into her eyes and at length ventured to offer Elendis a warming smile in return for her kindly offer. He was a little susrpised to see her crook her lip slightly in token of a brief grin. Vilthavia felt a stab of tenderness emerging through the girl's tough-seeming countenance.
"You are kind to be sure," said Vitlhavia, "but I must return home. I am afraid that I joined this expedition on a bit of an immature whim and now I ought to go back and fulfill my obligations at home while I still can. I have had my opportunity to see the wide world and now it is over. Yet, as I mentioned a few moments ago, I did want to extend my humble good wishes to you and the others for a safe and uneventful trip into Eriador."
"Very well," replied Elendis with a shrugg of her shoulders. Her brief glimpse of tenderness was again replaced by a more remote indifference; almost as if it were a well practiced technique she had mastered to shield her from emotional harm. "I thank you, Vilthavia. Yet let our errand be not too uneventful. I want to see more of what these mountains may offer in terms of excitement and wildlife. Do you know that the rare red-horned mountain stag inhabits some of the highest elevations of these high passes? Cernan says that the females are in heat at this time of year and climb up to the upper paths of the mountains where the males do battle with their horns with one another in competition. They are among the largest beasts of their kind and tis said that their meat is a delicacy among the folk on the other side of the mountains. A pity that you shall miss it."
These last words were nearly drowned out by a sudden gust of wind that swirled through the campsite and made both Elendis and Vilthavia shudder. Elendis winced at the high-pitched windy howl. One of the men in the company cursed loud enough for Vilthavia to hear him as the man's hat got away from him and bounced across the stones before plummeting over a steep drop. There would be no retrieving it now.
Vilthavia was about to make his final comments to Elendis before taking his leave from her when he suddenly heard the angry voice of his uncle nearby. Vitlhavia and Elendis turned to see the burly Urlavia striding over towards them with a dark scowl upon his face.
"What is this I hear about you, nephew?" Vilthavia knew the man was wroth with him, for he always called him by his familial title as opposed to his name when he became angry.
"What is wrong with you now?" Urlavia came up towards Vilthavia now with Vidui close behind him. "It is always something with you! What disordered malady do you suffer from today? Stubbed your toes on the rocks? Sore feet? Maybe you caught a whiff of cold and can't breathe through one of your nostrils? Blast it, boy! You must learn to endure such discomfortures in order to achieve your manhood. Now I hear that you desire that I escort you back down the mountainside so you can take your leisure along the banks of the Anduin? Is that true?"
Vilthavia was shocked at his uncle's angry tone and felt a renewed sense of embarrassment at this sudden chastisement by him in front of Elendis. Many others among the company had paused in their taveling preparations to observe the angry scene.
"Uncle," began Vilthavia nervously, "I am stricken with the altitude sickness. The leech men have already proclaimed it as such. Two others also have the same illness it seems."
"I warned you that things were different up here, did I not? Before we left the vales I told you what to expect. Yet you insisted that your consitution would endure it. Now it is time for you to live up to your word - for once in your life."
"Urlavia!" protested Vidui, who had come up beside Vilthavia in his defense. "Your tongue wags before your head has the chance to comunicate to it! I was the one who counciled Vitlhavia to reconsider the journey forward and return home. The boy wanted to remain with the company and I found it difficult to persuade him. Therefore do not slight him his bravery!"
Urlavia, who was himself somewhat of a hulking figure in stature, turned his gaze to Vidui and frowned at him.
"Silence, young Vidui! I have not addressed you. You interfere with a private matter here - as is your wont. Yet I might have expected it. If you think it better that the lad abandons the journey now than it should be you, not I, who must escort him back down the mountain. I shall not turn back at this point. I shall not suffer myself to be so punished by his errors!"
"Uncle Urlavia," intervened Vilthavia hastily, "You are my mother's brother! Did you not openly promise in my mother's presence to accompany me and look after me on so long a road? Would you break such a promise to her now?"
"Would that you had heeded her council to remain in Rhovanion! Yet I promised your mother that I would see you safely through the Misties and into Eriador. We have yet to embark upon that stage of the quest. But not unknown to you at the time of our agreement was the fact that I am obliged to come into Rhudaur at a predetermined date - no later than the first half of the ninth month of the year, as the men of Rhudaur reckon it. I would be risking much to turn around now simply to accomodate your exagerated ailments. Such a backwards path might cost me my position with the king of Rhudaur himself! Nay! I will not have it! Let Vidui escort you back down to the vales if he will, but I cannot."
All eyes then turned to Vidui, who stood uneasily alongside Vilthavia. Though no one spoke it aloud it was plain that they awaited his reply to Urlavia's last suggestion. Knowing his friend's heart-felt desire to come into Eriador, Vilthavia spoke for him.
"It is not the place of Vidui to do such a thing when a family guardian - such as yourself, uncle - is present. You dishonor my mother by abandoning me."
These words struck deep into the well of anger that seethed inside of Urlavia, and as a result the uncle sought to increase the growing abashment that the nephew was experiencing before so many of his onlooking companions.
"What is it that really ails you, Vilthavia?" asked his uncle with deliberate suspicion. "Is it your fear of high places again? Aye! that is it, is it not? Your feet will not willingly tread the high passes without shaking at the knees. I had thought that you had conquered this old fear of yours by now. Well, I fear it is a little late for such second thoughts, nephew."
"Nay, you mistake me," chimed Vilthavia quickly. His uncle ignored the protestation.
"Will you always be subject to this obstinate and irrational fear? You should have told me of it ere we left Rhovanion and saved both of us much trouble."
"I do not deny that I take no joy in high places, uncle. Yet I would not allow such a petty obstacle alone prevent me from continuing forward and inconveniencing the entire company. I had no clear idea that my body would react so violently to these altitudes."
"We here possess among us herbal remedies that forbear such ailments that you describe. You know this well enough. I, for one, will donate my current stock of them to you right now, for I need them not. Others, too, might be induced to give you theirs as well, no doubt."
A scattering of nearby voices, men who had been listening to the words between uncle and nephew, called out that they would lend Vilthavia whatever medicinal needs he might require in order to sustain himself long enough to cross the mountains. Urlavia nodded his head in affirmattion of this.
"There it is, Vilthavia," he said to his nephew with a grunt of finality. "You have the support and sympathy of many of your companions - some of whom I doubt you have even bothered to acquaint yourself with yet. Now you may go forward with one care the less to fret about. Yet as for your fear of high places..."
"Urlavia!" interceded Vidui again. "A private word with you aside, if you please."
Vidui stepped up to Urlavia and made a gesture with a crook of his head for Urlavia to speak with him behind a pair of lonely evergreens nearby. Urlavia shook his head in denial at first, saying that time did not allow it, but eventually relented at Vidui's urging. The two men then spoke together alone behind the trees, leaving Vilthavia quite alone for the moment, as Elendis, not wishing to add to Vilthavia's embarrassment, had withdrawn with her horse to rejoin Cernan. All others were now nearly ready to depart for their morning hike up into the high passes.
"Urlavia," spoke Vidui seriously, "it is not the boy's fear of heights that lends weight to his desire to return home, but rather the fulfillment of his obligations to his family at home. He and his mother, as you may know it, parted on sour terms. She did not wish for Vilthavia to depart as such. It is a hard thing for a mother of an only child to do, as you must understand."
"You dare lecture me on the merits of parenthood, Vidui; you who have born no children of your own? I have two sons of my own. By the time that they reached the same age as Vilthavia - nay, even younger - I had already sent them out into the world at large. My oldest boy is now a successful rancher with a lucrative farming family nigh the lakelands of dale in the north. Two years have come and gone since we have last seen one another, yet I do not regret it. My younger boy shall soon begin his training as a page with a Gondorian man-at-arms and will relocate to the city of Osgiliath in the far south. It may be years more ere I see him again. Yet neither he nor me would have it otherwise. It is good for youths of their age to make these long journeys; to bring out the man in them that so longs to come out from inside them. I believe the same thing here in my nephew's case. He is soft - too soft for his own good. I do not think that this so-called 'ailment' of his, which I guess to be little more than aggravated nausea, will hold for long. He is merely uneasy about all of it. This mountain hike will strengthen him, Vidui. It is for his own good, I say."
"I, too, willingly left my home in Rhovanion to travel early, Urlavia," explained Vidui, "yet not all youths come of age in such parallel courses. I know not your two boys nor how they bear themselves in such curcimstances. But Vilthavia is not ready for this quest yet; to search and roam the wilds of Eriador in search of his lost father - who may or may not even be alive by now; to say nothing of traversing the heights of the Misty Mountains. Frankly, I am shocked that you would so willingly assist him in so hopeless an endeavor."
"Is it for me to dash to pieces the boy's fondest desires? He longs for his father! Can one blame him for that? Yet you speak as if Eriador is teeming with wild enemies and villains just awaiting the opportunity to snatch up the boy forever and send him some place far away to wither away in a state of thralldom. Rhudaur is governed by a respected and well-intentioned king. Denethil still holds his kingdom in a state of peace."
"I speak not of Rhudaur in particular," argued Vidui, "but of the whole of Eriador, which, if the tidings be accurate, has begun to fall into decline as it experiences further infiltrations of foreign incendiaries harassing unsuspecting folk on the roads. I am sure you have heard of such reports yourself."
"The same may be said," replied Urlavia with a dismissive wave of his hand, "of our native Rhovanion. Yea, for several years now the unruly Easterlings nigh Rhun and south of there have been conducting their raids upon us with deadly effect. Yet where is your call of alarm in this? Indeed, I think it safe to proclaim Eriador safer than Rhovanion by far, for at least the Dunedain still thrive in the lands that once made up old Arnor and strive to keep evil at bay with mostly successful results. Therefore, your logic is flawed."
"Urlavia! The boy misses his father, no doubt, but he does not truly long for him. Nay, rather he genuinely longs for a reunification with his mother, who is, as it seems to me, Vilthavia's only true parent. It is she whom he truly loves, not his absent father."
"My sister entrusted me to look after her son on his journey to locate his father and I shall do so. She will thank me upon our return for it, you shall see. All shall be well."
"What is it that truly drives you so, Urlavia?" Vidui deliberately spiked the question with an air of suspicion. "You and I go to the same place once we arrive in Rhudaur: to Cameth Brin and the court of King Denethil. Yet vague have you been thus far with your reasoning. You already know that I have prearranged business with the prince Ermegil and will serve under his employ. I have the official papers to prove it. But what about yourself? You have stated that you seek to buy and trade in horses, and that may be so, but why such haste? You could escort Vilthavia back down into the vales and then hire more men to accompany you back up the mountain again. There are always men enough that seek to cross the mountains on various errands."
"No I may not!" exclaimed Urlavia with a scowl. "The weather shall not permit it! Winter arrives early in the high passes. Such a delay as you suggest might cost me fifty gold crowns in hiring enough men to do the return job. That is to say nothing of what it would cost me in lost revenue with this present stock of mares that we have here. Many of these beasts are already spoken for even as we speak by the king's men in Rhudaur. I cannot afford such a loss, Vidui, and I will not stand for it."
"I will personally compensate you for any loss that you might experience once we are settled in at Cameth Brin. You have my word on it, Urlavia."
Even as he spoke they heard the last call for marching orders by the chieftain and his bodyguards. Nearly all else were packed up and ready to depart on the next stage of their lofty journey. Urlavia shook his head at Vidui and scoffed at his offer.
"You shall repay me? Ha! With what? Nay, nay - stay your wagging tongue, Vidui. Do not go on. Vilthavia shall complete the journey over the mountains and be quite safe. There! I have done with it. You have delayed me long enough with this. I must speak with Wildaria regarding other matters now. Get yourself and, since his welfare concerns you so, get my nephew ready to leave at once, or you shall both be left behind. I will speak with him later."
There was nothing else to be done about it. Vilthavia would have to endure whatever illness or inner fears that plagued him now and face the crossing of the Misty mountains.


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Maryland hangs with, falls short against No. 8 W. Virginia
Maryland falls to 2-2 on season
Geno Smith threw three touchdown passes to Tavon Austin and No. 8 West Virginia outlasted Maryland 31-21 on Saturday.
Doug Rigg returned a fumble 51 yards for West Virginia (3-0) and Austin had another remarkable game against his home-state Terrapins. The Baltimore native caught 13 passes for 179 yards and set a school record for career receptions.
Despite scoring two early touchdowns, West Virginia looked flat at times on offense, after averaging 56 points and 612 yards in its first two games against non-BCS conference opponents. Smith often threw into tough coverage and had as many incompletions in the first half (nine) as he did in the first two games combined. He finished 30 of 43 for 338 yards.
The Mountaineers punted on four of their first five possessions of the second half but wouldn't let Maryland cut into a double-digit lead.
Leading rusher Shawne Alston playing sparingly with a thigh bruise and West Virginia was limited to 25 yards on the ground.
Smith spent a lot of time getting knocked on his backside. But he found a groove just before halftime, throwing for 64 yards on a drive capped by a 24-yard pass to Austin alone in the end zone for a 24-14 lead.
Maryland freshman Perry Hills threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, two to freshman Stefon Diggs.
Hills had some success moving the Maryland offense with misdirection plays and screen passes. Maryland (2-2) had more yards at halftime (212) than it did all of last week in a home loss to Connecticut.
But Hills had little luck after halftime. With Maryland facing fourth-and-21 from its 32 with four minutes left in the game, Hills was intercepted by Wes Tonkery at the West Virginia 28 and the Mountaineers ran out the clock.
The game was billed as a matchup of all-purpose talent, and Austin and Diggs didn't disappoint.
Austin now has 208 career receptions, breaking the mark of 206 set by Jock Sanders from 2007-10. In three games against Maryland, he had 31 catches for 407 yards.
Diggs had a 42-yard scoring catch in the first quarter and a 56-yarder midway through the fourth. He caught three passes for 113 yards and had 63 yards on kick returns and 25 yards on punt returns.
On Maryland's second series of the game, West Virginia linebacker Darwin Cook slipped through the middle of the line unblocked and knocked the ball from Hills. Rigg scooped up the loose ball and went for West Virginia's second defensive touchdown of the season.
It was a role reversal of the key play of January's Orange Bowl, when Rigg forced a fumble that Cook returned for a TD -- and famously knocked over the Orange Bowl mascot -- in a rout of Clemson.
Late in the first quarter, Austin caught a pass up the middle, bounced off a defender and went 44 yards up the right sideline to put the Mountaineers ahead 14-0. Austin added a 24-yard TD catch in the second quarter and capped West Virginia's scoring with a 34-yard reception midway through the fourth.


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I (Johnna) joined a Biggest Loser group in our ward. It's a girls only club. To bad for Chris. ha ha. I'm super excited to start shedding my marital bliss pounds. . . . all thirty of them. If you have any good advice please share.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Biggest Loser
Posted by Unknown at 5:39 PM
4 comments:
- tamiz said...
Let me know when you find something good and easy and painless!
- May 9, 2008 at 5:34 AM
- Brad and Marissa said...
I have to say that I love weight watchers. My mom and sister are doing it and have lost a ton of weight. I lost 20 lbs before I got pregnant again. I don't actually go to the meetings but the points system really work for me and help me see what I am eating. I will be starting it back up once this baby comes and hopefully the weight (30 pregnant pounds for me too plus 20 more until I am at goal) will come back off. Good Luck Johnna. Summer is the best time to lose weight.
- May 9, 2008 at 11:35 AM
- Derek & Kellyn said...
I thing I just left this message on an older post, so I doubt you'll see it (still trying to get used to blogging!)
Chris? Married? What the!!! Hey buddy, its your ol pal Kellyn. Im so happy to find out that you're married and to such a cutie! Congrats, even though its been a year almost. Crazy! Well, I just wanted to say Hi. Hows Eric? Take care!
(Johnna, I dont know you but Hi and have fun with the biggest loser. I hope you win!)
- May 14, 2008 at 3:13 PM
- Creative Corner said...
I need to do something, tell me if you get good tips from doing this. You know I just thought the weight would fall off but after several month of waiting I decided I need to try something else. AND CHRIS, your pictures are AWESOME! We have been so crazy with the move but when things settle down I do want to book with you, maybe when I shed those few extra pounds!
- May 15, 2008 at 12:02 PM


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Japan Post asks us to inform the designated operators of UPU member countries that it is experiencing delays in domestic transportation and delivery of mail items and parcels due to the impact of the powerful typhoon that hit the western part of Japan on 4 September 2018.
Kansai International Airport (KIX), where Osaka International Post Office (Osaka INT: JPKIX), one of the six offices of exchange in Japan, is located, has been closed.
As a result, domestic transportation for outbound and inbound international mail and parcel services has been temporarily switched from Kansai Airport to other airports until Kansai Airport becomes operational again.
Japan Post is making every effort to maintain operational performance for international postal services and apologizes in advance for any unavoidable delays. It will keep designated operators informed of the situation and thanks them for their understanding and cooperation.


text: Culture connoisseurs can get their science and history fix at the Museum of Tropical Queensland and Australian Institute of Marine Science. Take a stroll along The Strand with a gelato in hand or take a hike up to Castle Hill for a 360-degree sunset serenade. Experience the Great Barrier Reef without getting wet at the world's largest living coral reef aquarium. Dive the century-old SS Yongala shipwreck, then swap sea for sand and head to laid-back Magnetic Island or luxurious Orpheus Island.