text:
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Being Reasonable
Monday, 12 December 2011
Santa's Got Number....
Santa came to my house on the eve of every christmas to deliver my gift, wrapped properly in white cotton which was so soft that sometimes if thought the cotton itself was a more valuable gift.
My mom said that the cotton came from Santa's beard and he had left a part of him with me. Even though my mom seemed very knowledgeable about the rituals santa followed , she did not think very highly of him.
I know this because she would never let me wake late night to catch santa or atleast have a glimpse of his flying sledge. Sleeping late one night in a year to catch a glimpse of santa and flying reindeers was not a tough ask for me, but she was not going to give up. Probably she must have caught him sometime sneaking into our home, she does not appreciate anybody doing that, not even santa. I always wondered how santa came inside my home . Dad used to make sure that the main door was locked properly and all the windows were grilled. Only if i could ask him the secret passage ,I would have used it to go to the playgrounds.
That was 15 years ago. I would never had figured out who the real santa was all by myself. I overheard some kids unravelling the secrets of christmas gift reaching kids. The next few days I tried to figure out how i could prove the poor ignorant kids wrong. But with time the realisation sunk in. I felt bad that my favourite argument will not be of much use now. But it also solved a lot of myteries. I found it hard to believe that my request to santa for a bike was turned down twice , now i knew why. For all the super powers my santa at home had , he surely was not reading my thoughts. Also now i knew why my mom did not think too highly of santa.
I have not become a complete athiest now, but yes having a real santa would have been a great help in making a decision. I still watch all those movies in which they show north pole and santa claus with dwarfs working overtime to make sure the kids get their gifts. I wish it was true. I miss believing in santa, waiting for gifts, quitely watching the night sky in hope of catching a stray reindeer .
One thing I did not miss though was the feeling of being looked out. My santa at home was practically as good as the santa from north pole would have been. He did not have the white wavy beard or wear a red coat or laugh like santa but then he is available all round the year. He also eventually bought me a bike and above all paid my college fees.
But the one thing I like the best about my santa at home is the fact that he carries a cell phone. So everytime I need anything from santa I do not have to pray along with a miilion of other kids in competition to grab his attention. I just have to give him a call and he is there for me always , everytime , all the time. I have my own personal santa and I am very happy with this arrangement.
Tring tring.............."Hi Dad .........can you bring me some chocolates today "
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Afterlife and 72 Virgins
All my life, I wanted to once experience how it felt to fly high up in the sky. Well, now I am here gliding in the clouds, only ruse is that I am no longer alive. A few moments ago, my bike's front tire got stuck into a water filled pothole in one of the busy roads of Mumbai. My life on earth ended thanks to the great work by BMC (Bloody MCs).
As I was gliding , involuntarily , the wind carried me towards an office of sorts , an impressive edifice with huge doors . The walls had a heavenly white glow. On the door was written 'ENTER', not welcome or anything, just 'ENTER'. If my MBA friend was around , he would have told these folks how bad such language is for business, but then this particular business is immune to all MBA principles I guess.
I slowly entered through the gate to find a young looking guy, sitting behind the table working diligently on his laptop. Initially I thought he was one of the visitors like me, but his comfort in this place made me think he has belonged here for some time. I gingerly walked towards him and he as on cue looked up and me and smiled, a little forced smile but a smile none the less. He showed me a chair to sit on. I sat and spoke for the first time since death.
Me: Hi, I am....
before I could complete my sentence he spoke still looking into the laptop.
HIM: I know who you are. You are 198212080615.
Me: Am I?
Him : Yes, don't worry you can now forget about your earthly details ,you have a new identity here.
Me: Ohh...
I did not know if that was a good for me or bad.
Him: You know, I don't like you much.
Me: (nervously) why is so sir.
Him: You software engineers live your life working on off days and you even die such.
I had absolutely no clue what he was saying. I did work a lot on weekends but I died on a Friday.
Him: It's an off day here.
Me: You have an off day here? I can come later if you want.
Him: Yea you can, just that your body has already been taken care of by your family. So you have nowhere to go back to.
Me: Really, so soon, I have been dead for only a few minutes.
Him: One min here is a few days of earth time, so you don't see any service unavailability as far as death is concerned.
That sounded a bad dialogue from a worse gangster movie.
I did not know what to say or do next, it was my first time here. As I was going through possible topics to talk about in my mind , I looked outside a window and saw some huge buildings , magnificent and extremely regal . There were a few others still under construction. I looked back at him, still busy with his laptop.
Me: Ahem.
Now I had his attention.
Me: Are these the places where you put us.
Him: Yes.
Me: You seem to be building quite a few new one out there.
Him: Yes, the Indians seem to have a lot of spare time of late . We even sent a few of our best men to sell contraceptives to them. But they seem to love the natural way.
Me: But aren't kids God's gift.
Him: They sure are, and Indians seems to be spending all their spare time trying to get one.
Some thing came to his mind and he took his eyes off the screen and towards me.
Him: Where did you say you are from?
I was in a fix now, I had not a clue who he was but I wasn't ready to be in his bad books. And my death surely relieves me of my patriotism. But ,I wasn't ready to lie , not here at least.
Me: I am from Bombay.
He grinned, a sarcasm filled grin.
Him: What do you think my name is? Thackeray. I know Bombay is in India. And if I was Thackeray, you would have died once again for calling it Bombay and not Mumbai.
Me: I guess dying once again is not logically possible. Is it?
Him: If I was an Indian politician, what makes you think logic concerned me.
He was right, and that brought a smile on my face. I guess I was warming up to him. I had a few questions to ask. I was just waiting for the right moment.
Me: Sir, do you mind me asking you something.
Him: Go ahead.
Me: Which ones of those buildings are heavens and which ones are hell.
Him: All of them, floors 10 and above are heaven, floors below 0 are hell. Floors 0-10 are for people we don't know what to do with.
Me: Where do I go?
Him: I am still on with your life file. Let's see.
Me: Do you realise I shouldn't be dead. It wasn't my time yet. I haven't seen anything yet. I am still a virgin.
Him: Well, it's entirely your fault, not mine.
Me: What do mean? You think I should have paid for it like my friend.
Him: No you crack head. I meant that you had were Genghis Khan in your last life. You had your share of fun for 7 lives in one lifetime.
Me: What The Falooda . You mean I will die a virgin for the next 6 lives too.
Him: Actually 6.49 live.
Me: 6.49? What is this? A Bata showroom?
Him: Actually, this was kind of a premature end for you, so you will carry on in the next life.
Me: And how will you do that.
Him: My guess is, you will be born in India and would be something like a 35 year old virgin.
Me: Kill me, please, kill me.
Him: In your own words 'Not logically possible'.
I wanted to scream to 'Logic my behind'. But then he was going to put me on the floor . So I controlled my anger and started looking out of the window. After some time I got bored and wanted to talk again.
Me : So , you know who would be going in to the new buildings ?
Him: No, we decided to build them keeping in mind the toys people like to play with down there nowadays.
Me: Proactive..... Guess there is no democracy or democratic decision making here.
Him: Not yet at least. Gandhi has been busy in hell.
Me: What The Fungus.. Gandhi in hell.. What god forbidden substance do you smoke? Did you lose your brains betting on India beating Zimbabwe?
Him: Easy with your language boy.
Me: Seriously man? Gandhi in hell is like Hitler with Nobel Peace Prize.
Him: I know. Nobody put him there; he has a free pass to go where ever he wishes. He just chose to be in hell trying to improve living conditions there.
Me: ohh.... well I can imagine that. He must really be God's favourite child.
Him: Frankly, He isn't anymore. Last time he met God, he lectured him on the power of forgiveness and wanted hell shutdown. Since then God has been running away from him. And I mean that literally. That old man can surely work up some pace.
Me: I know he can.
Him: Since then, God has put a board outside his gate saying 'Gyan dena mana hai'.
We shared a good laugh after this. Then suddenly something struck me.
Me: You have been referring to God as Him.
Him: Stop there. I am not answering that question. I don't want any women's organization shouting my name outside my door.
I couldn't stop laughing at his predicament.
Me: So even you are afraid of women.
Him: Don't you guys down there have a saying 'Hell Hath No Fury like A Woman Scorned'. I can confirm that to you.
We laughed heartily while he still continued to peek into my life. After a while I thought I will get to know him.
Me: How old are you? I mean in earth years.
Him: May be a few thousands.
Me: Really? You don't look so.
Him: Well our anti ageing products out here are much better than what you have down on earth.
Me: Women on earth would be dying to get here.
Him: They do still.
He smiled at his own observation. I was still looking outside the window.
Me: Tell me something sir, what are these people, working as labourers on the new buildings. What were these people on earth?
Him: These guys were special. They spent their life building magnificent places of worship on earth and some similar God's work. So we let them do more God's work here.
Me: So if these guys are here, who is on the top floors of the buildings?
Him: Mostly Atheists and Politicians.
Me: What the Frooty ? Atheists and Politicians?
Him: Well I can't explain completely why God loves atheists so much but I know why politicians are up there.
Me: Enlighten me.
Him: The politicians are there to be punished.
Me: How?
Him: The politicians spent their lives giving false hopes to people, so we send them to the top floors with the hope of spending the afterlife in heaven. The atheists who have very little faith in God's judgement anyways throw them out of the top window, and they fall straight into hell.
Me: Very interesting.
Him: Come here now. Your calculations have been done.
Me: ohh......
I was nervous now.
Him: You go to the 5th floor, in a room without windows and doors.
Me: What? Why?
Him: All your life you have done everything for yourself, insulating yourself from things around you . If you did not put anyone in misery you also did not help anyone out of misery. So it's only fair you be put in place where you are isolated from the rest of the world.
I was sad, but it was fair, I was indeed too busy with my own self.
Him: But I have a special thing for you. I will set you up in a room where you have a blast every once in a while.
After a few minutes I was there with 71 other guys in a white washed room with no windows. And true we did have a blast once in a while. Every once in a while there would come a guy with some big weird vest with wires dangling out of it , and on seeing us ,the 72 virgins , will cry out something and boom , will explode into many pieces , which i am told would end up in the lowest floors.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Stand Up
A doctor friend of mine told me our nation is inflicted by something similar to what AIDS virus does. The very systems that were supposed to protect us have turned against us . A political system which was supposed to take us forward on modern thought and polity has turn regressive by eery passing year . We now have a party for every cast , sub-caste , religion and region . A police which was supposed to protect us and maintain law has for been found guiltyin innumerable circumstance to have been in cahoots with the guilty . Sometimes commiting crime themselves , otherwise cleaning up the evidences for a paltry sum or just being mute spectators to a burning man who they were supposed to protect . A judiciary which was supposed to be blind to class and caste has become blind to time . Delays in justice now run not in years but in decades . Nitish Katara , priyadarshini mattoo , jessica lal and plenty others have been the victms of the failure of our judiciary . Every structure of our democracy is under attack . As these systems failed our rulers watched in glee . A system run on money and power forms their strength. They are not all corrupt , but there are far too many of corrupt in the systems. As the recent spat of scams showed us ,those corrupt in the system have made themselves indespensible and those not have turned blind to corruption.
A wise man once said, Peace is not absence of war , but result of victory. We are at war with our own systems and this year the war has found a face and a symbol. A battle field has opened up and lines have been drawn. The moment has come , this is may not end the war but this could very well be the waterloo moment .On the 16th of this august a fight for our freedom from corrution and an irresponsive and irresponsible governance will be fought. And non-voilence , as it was then , will again be the weapon of choice . Non violent the method may be, but it would need no less fire in the belly to win this battle . No less courage and determination would be required . No less endurance to pain and no less resistance to mud slinging will be asked for .
An old man on his 74 year old feet ,with a Gandhi topi on his head ,has decided to stand up and fight . He has called up on this generation to join his fight . Will this generation stand up on its young strong legs . Will this generation answer his call or will watch in silence as it always does . Is this generation going back to the coffee table to talk or will it walk the talk this time. I dont know what it will do . I know what I will do . I will spread the word . I will show my support in every which way possible . When our nation celebrates its 100th year of independence I wanna look at the kids , show them the tricolour pinned on my shirt and tell them I have earned it . I will stand up .
Monday, 11 July 2011
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Economics of Law
As an engineer I was supposed to do calculus and develop algorithms in my life. These things somehow made sense to me. Even though I was never the best but I still seemed to be going somewhere with them. But the two things which refused to get into my head were the language of law and the laws of economics. They always seemed so complicated, so alien to me that all my efforts to understand ended up futile. At the end of trying to understand them i would be so tired that I would go back to doing my serverside programming. I have a few aspiring MBAs and a few MBAs as my friends, Whenever I asked them what the hell was wrong with the economics of this world , they would start teaching me futures and equities and commodities and many more such terms . It always would seem as if I was getting near them and then suddenly they would bounce over my head.
My grand old man once told me, if your solution isn't simple, its not the solution . So I decided to go and find out the simplest way of understanding economics. The basic rule that governs it all. After talking to many MBAs and commerce grads my problem was still unsolved. Then I went to friend of mine, The Gujju, who i was sure would be able to answer me. And he did, in a manner that suggested I had asked him something that was common knowledge. He asked me if I remembered what was taught in the high school economics book, the demand and supply curve .Surprisingly I remembered and remembered it well . He told me whatever jargons the CEOs , CFOs or the MBAs used ,it would always boil down to the demand and supply rule. Wherever there is money, there is demand and supply channeling it around . That was my Buddha moment. Suddenly I started understanding economics. I still did not get the terms but I understood the basic rule. He also gave me another piece of advice , to nod when an MBA talked , that's the quickest way to shut him up . Any questions and arguments will only extend your trauma.
Having satisfied one part of my ignorant self, I decided to try and satisfy the other using the same principal. I decided to keep it simple. I once read a renowned journalist, he opined, in India we have too many laws but too little justice . I wondered if I could understand India's judicial system using the same rule that I used to understand economics. The demand and the supply rule.
It is not difficult to see how judicial system in India works once you have applied the rule . In India the supply of laws is perennial, every year some new rule is added to the already overflowing reservoir of laws. This abundant supply of laws has made it cheap. Law is bought and sold at every court in this country, sometimes in the name of out of the court settlements and sometimes as bail . Although it must be noted that not all laws are in equal supply. Some are more readily available than the others. Take for instance the traffic laws. They are the cheapest, and are bought and sold at every signal. I sometimes feel they are like the FMCG, the fast moving consumer goods. There are other laws covering petty crimes which fall in this category. The laws covering serious crimes are a little more costly . Murders, rapes, kidnapping are a little costly to buy off , but nonetheless are bought and sold. These laws are not sold in the open market, their availability is restricted to some sophisticated markets . One with money can always find these places with some helpful lawyers eager to show you the way. The most costly of them are the Industrial laws . The laws need consistent investment. The big industrial houses invest generously in the political parties which return the favor once the come to power or reach a position to decide who comes to power. These investments are costly also because the product that the consumer demands has to be custom made as per the customer's demands. The choices of the customer are respected and it is believed that in absence of laws that can be tweaked to help the customer new laws are created to cater to customer's needs.
As far as justice is concerned, in India it is in scarce supply. If the conviction rate can be seen as a variable to the scale of availability of justice, it can be defined as abysmal. If we take into account the amount of time our courts take to deliver the verdict, the supply of justice looks even worse . In such a case justice in this country has become extremely costly and can be considered only as a luxury for the rich . No wonder that many a poor accused in this country spend more time in the jail than their conviction would have warranted had their case been heard. On the other hand the rich move on with their lives often after committing heinous crimes because they were able to buy the bail. Where the poor have to often rely on public prosecutor who is poorly paid, sometimes incompetent and many a times corrupt; the rich come with a battery of foxy lawyers to bid for verdict in the great auction of Indian judiciary .
In a country where food and kerosene are subsidized for the poor, i feel a day has come when the finance and the law ministries will have to subsidize justice too. And also add justice into the basket of items they use to calculate inflation.
Applying the rule of demand and supply may not have helped me understand the language of law , but it has helped me to understand the nature of indian judicial process . I remember an old movie climax where the police officer shouts at our hero, who is holding the villain at gun point "Vijay , kannon ko apne haath me mat lo " . I wondered would I be able to say that to a poor vijay holding a gun at a rich villain . I would be urged to look the other way.


text:
Design: Leonardo Dainelli.
The visible steel structure has a soft and delicate wave, the pad is inviting, the covering is refined; the long chair firmed by Leonardo Dainelli for Cattelan is not unobserved. Sylvester has a clear and genuine elegancy which gives a pleasant touch to the furnishings and as well as pleasant to the senses.
Covered finishing:
Ecological leather
Chromed details

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Merrill Lynch says Boot Camp likely to increase Mac salesAnalysts for Merrill Lynch on Wednesday said Apple\'s new Boot Camp software should be an incremental positive in the near-term that will likely increase the company\'s total addressable market (TAM).
\"The boot camp capability cannot be a negative, but the question is how much of an incremental impact it could have,\" analyst Rich Farmer wrote in a research note to clients. \"We believe the incremental cost for an average user to run Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac is between $199-299 (XP home vs. professional).\"
The analyst suspects most users wanting Windows will be price sensitive on hardware, and so far Apple has tended not to lead in low end price points. However, he notes the feature can be viewed as taking some of the risk out of a switch to Mac because the investment can be easily
repurposed to run Windows natively.
\"Apple\'s (TAM) should increase, though we are not yet convinced it will increase by an amount
sufficient to dramatically change earnings power,\" Farmer wrote. \"Our model suggests that for
every point of PC market share gained, Apple generates more than $2 billion in incremental revenue and $0.42 NOPAT/share, including attached peripherals.\"
NOPAT is lingo for Net Operating Profit After Tax, an estimate of what a company would earn if it didn\'t have any debt, equal to operating income times (1 minus the tax rate).
Farmer and Merrill Lynch maintain a \"Neutral\" rating on Apple shares.


text:
At Jim's Plumbing, we're available 24/7 for any blocked drain you might find yourself with. It doesn't matter what time of day or night, or what day of the year, we'll be there on Christmas Day. When we say we're available 24/7, we mean it! Furthermore, with a local plumbers, we guarantee a same day blocked drains service or can have a blocked drains plumber to your location within the hour* in a plumbing emergency.
No Matter the Time of Day or Night
Whether you have a blocked toilet, basin, shower, waste or drain grate, or you have a sewer or stormwater blockage, our plumbers are experienced and can quickly and efficiently clean your blocked drains 24/7.
For blocked stormwater drains or blocked sewer drains, there may be irreparable damage caused by tree roots, shifting earth or other debris. In this case, we may need to recommend you have the affected drain excavated and replaced if the damaged caused is far too great to justify a repair. All of our plumbers have access to the latest in drain diagnosing technology and drain cleaning machinery, and have been provided with extensive training in their use. In the first instance our plumber will always attempt a repair of a damaged drain if this is a viable option. If the repair is unsuccessful, or a drain has sagged, cracked or has collapsed completely, your attending blocked drain professional will be able to excavate and replace the problematic section of drain, giving you the most durable, reliable and cost effective solution.
No Obligation Quote for the Repair or Replacement of Drain Sections*
Stormwater drains commonly block up due to tree roots, dirt & silt lying in the pipes. If any damage to your stormwater pipes has occurred from the blockage, your attending Jim's Plumber will be able to supply you with a no obligation quote for the repair or replacement of drain sections.
So, when will you excavate my drain?
Excavating and replacing a drain is generally only done in extreme cases, when there's no other option. Drains that are old, brittle, incorrectly installed, have sagged, cracked or broken, or have been invaded by tree roots are repairable with techniques like drain relining, but these are only a temporary solution and will need to be done several times over the course of years, costing you your hard earned cash.
At Jim's Plumbing, your local blocked drain experts, we don't believe in short-term fixes like pipe relining, we believe in long term preventative maintenance solutions. We will always advise upon the most durable and cost effective replacement of the whole affected area. All of our blocked drain plumbers are highly trained and licensed to be able to undertake even the toughest job like excavating and replacing a drain, so there's no need worry about anything except calling us and trusting that your problematic drain will be fixed correctly the first time, every time.
Drain excavation and replacement is the best option for severely damaged and irreparable drains. Stormwater drain and sewer drain blockages can occasionally be so solid that they're impossible to move, even with the latest, most advanced technology that our Jim's Plumbing blocked drain experts have access to – for example; high powered hydro-jets. In this case, digging out and installing a new section of pipe will simply be the only option. Every one of our blocked drain plumbers will provide you with an on the spot, no obligation quote if excavation and drain replacement is required before any works are undertaken. They will be able to request excavation machinery on the same day, so we'll be able to have your drain replaced and your water flowing perfectly again in no time at all.
So, how will you excavate my drain?
At Jim's Plumbing, all of our plumbers are highly trained in every aspect of blocked drains clearing. Initially, we may use a CCTV drain camera to find out what's causing your blocked stormwater drain or blocked sewer drain, and to determine the exact location of the blockage then, having located and identified the source of the blockage, we'll decide on the best course of action to take. If clearing should be possible, your attending blocked drain expert will use the hydro jetter drain cleaning machine in an attempt to clear and clean the blockage.
Failing to clear the drain, or if the pipe is revealed by the CCTV sewer camera to be too damaged, advice and a quote (minus costs for landscaping, fencing, concreting, etc,) will be given for the excavation and replacement of the problematic blocked drain. Ever one of our Jim's Plumbing blocked drain experts will be able to access an excavator of 1.5 tonnes to 4 tonnes, depending on the size and scope of the area to be replaced, and will be able to quickly and efficiently excavate and replace only the required section of drain.
Guarantee a Same Day Plumbing Service 24/7*
If you are tired of waiting for a plumber to attend, who is unreliable, has not kept to the appointment time, or possibly can't get to your location for a few days, then why not ring the reliable team from Jim's Plumbing? We guarantee a same day plumbing service and will be on time, every time, 24 hours, 7 days a week for your blocked drain emergency.
* Pending availability. Conditions apply.


text:
Baby John: Hudsonville Newborn
Casey and her beautiful bumpkins came over this morning so we could capture some sweet moments of their brand new baby boy! And oh what a precious guy he is! Casey & I used to work together and were pregnant with our firstborns at the same time, so it was fun to have our kiddoes play together today as I snapped a few pics of Baby John! Congrats, he is so perfect!


text:
Sterling Silver Chain Mail Bracelet
It's been a while since my last post as unfortunately I recently broke my camera and had to wait a while to get a new one (then learn how to use it properly!)
This bracelet was a custom order for a client, based on a design I had made previously in gold-tone copper wire plus small glass bicone beads.
The beads for the sterling silver version were supplied by the customer and unfortunately I never asked what they were, but at a semi-educated guess I'd say they're crystal quartz (or something).
Sterling is a great metal to work with and really looks gorgeous – I've used so many different materials that are silver in tone but there really is no comparison to the look of genuine sterling silver.
The bracelet is a very simple European 4-in-1 weave with triangular points at alternating lengths, which drape over the hand quite nicely. The silver bracelet was constructed with 20 gauge rings that have a 2.75mm ID (AR 3.4), so a fairly fine weave, plus sterling silver clasp and argentium silver head pins (which I noticed has a less 'white' tone than the sterling, but ultimately doesn't have too much of a contrasting shade).


text:
19 stories, an introduction, an afterword and a glossary of Scottish words (because 2 stories are in Glaswegian). In his introduction he writes "People write for lots of different reasons. Top of my list is the need to make sense of things". The collection's a mixture of first and third person narratives, male and female - mostly internal narrators who think that words will help, albeit retrospectively. Several of these personae are trying to talk themselves into understanding something. In the course of their story, some make progress. In searching for sense, different strategies are adopted
- Some parents are investigated by their children - partly to learn strategies, partly to learn about the self. In "Coping" for example the narrator's mother says "If he'd to go in on a Sunday then I made him sandwiches. I hadn't a clue if he ate them, shared them with his fancy woman or fed them to the swans down the park. I didn't make them for him. They were for me."
- In "Islands" the narrator's not convinced that reasons explain things.
- In "Scent" the narrator says "By making sense, I mean translate well into words. What I was just talking about. Smells work but it's harder to make sense of them.". At the end of that story "It's not until someone pops the right question that the answer makes sense. We spend our entire lives looking for questions to make sense of them. Well, some of us do."
- Some personae have more immediate concerns. In "Disintegration" (which has shades of Godot) there's "Ah jist need tae get through this mornin', that's aw.
Goad? Are ye thur Goad?"
Throughout, there are quotable phrases and paragraphs, though I'm not always sure they're in character
an excuse which is a lie without balls (p.90)
I come from a broken home. When a china plate hits, say, a kitchen wall, it breaks, it shatters into fragments, but when a watch breaks it just dies; you have to look closely to tell. That's what must've happened to my parents' marriage. And just the same as a stopped watch tells the right time twice a day, every now and then things passed for fine at home (p.29)
I left home, as most people do, brimming with ideals, ambitions and with the wrong-end-of-the-stick-completely stuck up my arse. I gazed in awe at the world through eyes that'd seen so little and I described my universe by reference to the tiny island that was moi (p.29)
I don't know about you but I can't make head nor tail of the theory of relativity. What I want to know is what's anyone doing in a train travelling at the speed of light anyway? (p.79)
Though you may feel sorry for some of the characters there are few attempts to tug at your heart-strings. This is due in no small measure to the non-judgemental over-arching viewpoint. Sweet dreams are made of this.
Individual stories
- In the first piece, "√ -1 ", a character's obsessed by numbers - "Thirteen is the sixth prime number and the smallest emirp". I found this interesting because I've written a similar piece about a word-fixated person.
- "Stray" is typical of one type of story here - as much essay as narrative, with an identifiable theme and an ending that neatly meshes into the beginning.
- In "Zeitgeist" the author says that "we have a man whose world's collapsing around him"
- "Katherine and Juliet" is about identity, being classified - "It dawned on me the only thing I had in common with the guy next to me and the guy next to him was my sexuality and that was it" (p.111). It ends with "Jeremy..." "Yes, love...?" "You're drunk." "Quite possibly." - "drunk" being as limited an adjective as "gay" was earlier. But Jeremy killed himself.
- "Objects of Affections and Intention" uses Art to explore identity - people can become objects
My favourites are "Katherine and Juliet" (I like how twins, The Twilight Zone and Kafka are used) and "Objects of Affections and Intention".
The male/female split's about 50/50. The pieces are mostly first-person, though in some of these the main character isn't the narrator - in "Poise", the attention is mostly on "You" (the object of adoration); "Sub Rosa" is more a portrait of Mr Hutchinson, and "Coping" is a portrait of the character's mother.
The third-person pieces adopt different perspectives - "Monsters" has an in-your-face external narrator, the "Tomorrowscape" narrator is in the story as an anonymous observer, and in "Life" there's an external narrator too
These narrators are sometimes aware of their role -
- On p.39 the narrator says "and I think that's where the point to this story lies".
- "The plot of this story should be straightforward" (p.45)
- "I should point out I found out about all of this at a much later date. I'm not part of the story yet" (p.118)
- "Now befaw we go too fah down dis road let's you and me get a few tings straight: I'm yer narratah ... whad I say goes" (p.125)
In "Monsters" especially but also in "Scent" the reader's directly addressed.
Beginnings and endings
In several of the stories the theme hinted at in the title is picked up in the first sentence and returned to at the end, as this crude table illustrates -
|√ -1
|It was not a nervous breakdown
|It is not so until you believe it to be so
|You could never be a model
|It might've been but there's always tomorrow
|Funny Strange
|Oi, I've got a new joke fer you
|I could do wiv a good laugh
|If there's one thing that annoys me about my mother it's this: she watches life with the sound off
|My mother's happy and I should be happy for her. I should and I do try. I really do
|that can't see itself as anything more than a stray. I expect that's been me all along
|Objects of Affection and Intention
|I'd always suspected David hadn't asked me to move in with him simply due to my wry sense of humour and decadent personality
|"Only if there's raffia involved"
|The plot of this story should be straightforward - boy meets girl, they fall in love, get married and settle down to start a family - but that's never it, is it?
|"I couldn't get you out of my mind" "Really? I'd much the same problem."
|I'd always expected one day I'd feel this click inside, from OFF to ON, and I'd go, yes now's the right time to start thinking about having kids
|Maybe he quit too soon
|Ma wife sez Ah'm too serious
|Ye'er aw right
|Nowadays people make too much of a thing out of being touched
|Sometimes I wish I was a poet. I think that might be easier to live with
|My mam once said, "There's a bad bit in you"
|You should thank me. You really should
|Sub Rosa
|Mr Hutchinson was a peculiarly private person, not that I'm suggesting for one minute there's anything wrong with valuing one's privacy, but it does set tongues wagging
|The rest is private
|All men're the same - a few bubbles short of a bath, so some women say - but it's not true
|Jenny? If you can hear me: night, night, pet. I love you
|He'll be here by half seven
|Goad? Are ye thur Goad?
|The future, if you think about it as simply another place to go you've never gone before, is bound to have its ups and downs
|Maybe it was funny once but not anymore - not in the slightest
|Katherine and Juliet
|I first met Katie when I was sixteen
|"You're drunk" "Quite possibly"
|First Time
|They say you never forget your first
|Now, let me tell you about my second time
|One would've thought that a prerequisite for being a schoolteacher, even before one starts to consider academic qualifications and relevant experience, might be a fondness for, or at least not a total loathing of, children
|I'll take her a wee sherry in a bit, when the time's right
|Now befaw we go too fah down dis road let's you and me get a few tings straight: I'm yer narratah
|It's all yer gettin' outta me in any case so ya can shovawf now. Gowan. Beat it
See Also
The book's on sale online. In an article, Homogenised tongues, the author discussed the purpose and difficulties of writing in dialect.


text: DigitalTom Cruise Agrees: 2005 Was the Year Everything Changed for Entertainment PRThe moment Tom Cruise stood on Oprah's couch became the moment everything changed for him and his career. All because of the Internet.By Tonya Garcia|May 21, 2014 ShareBy Tonya Garcia|May 21, 2014 ShareDo you remember the moment that everything changed in the world of entertainment PR? This LA Weekly story proposes it was the moment we started saying that Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah's couch. The article makes the case that he didn't do that, but the Internet made it so.At that time, Tom Cruise had made some of the movies he's most known for — The Color of Money, Rain Man, Top Gun, Born on the Fourth of July — and had been crowned the third Greatest Movie Star of All Time by Premiere magazine. That was also the point where Perez Hilton and other entertainment blogs were starting to make their mark. And the same month of Cruise's appearance on Oprah, YouTube had been unleashed upon the world.Up to this point, Cruise had been pretty conservative about speaking publicly outside of his film appearances. He also had a powerhouse publicist by his side, Pat Kingsley. Because she worked with a number of A-list stars and entertainment journalism was confined to the print pages of magazines like People, she was able to manage media coverage of her clients with a firm grip. If she wanted to shut something down, she could make a call and do it.But the article points out the free-for-all that blogs and viral video made of celebrity media. Particularly because stars — not used to the round-the-clock brutal coverage — said and did things out in the open that they didn't think would get out (or be of interest if it did)."With gossip sites mushrooming like a nuclear cloud, Kingsley's fear tactics no longer worked — in fact, she wasn't even around to wield them," the story says.Interestingly, while the article makes the point that the level of control entertainment PRs wielded diminished, it maintains that having a savvy publicist is still critical if you're going to navigate the minefield.By the time Cruise made his notorious sofa-hopping appearance, he had hired his sister Lee Anne De Vette as his publicist, had started talking more openly about his ties to Scientology, and was madly in love with Katie Holmes. De Vette didn't have the pull that Kingsley did. Everything was moving at a speed never before seen. And with the advent of viral video, what was a just a few-second, seemingly-inconsequential thing done in front of an audience that loved every single thing Tom Cruise did would become a clip that has lived on in infamy. Despite his continued success at the box office, Tom Cruise has been declared, time and again, a flop.The article is an interesting read whether you're in entertainment or PR or not. It also makes you feel really bad for Tom Cruise. Here's a guy who worked hard at keeping a close watch on his career, who wanted very much to do movies that were also "films." And all of it was possibly derailed because the media changed overnight. It was a perfect storm with unfortunate consequences for a guy who, when he began, didn't want to be in the spotlight for being part of the Brat Pack. Sharehttp://adweek.it/2kJGiKY copy Adweek Adweek


text:
Most Popular Products
Why Us?
Some factors that make us dignified in the market are:
- Superior quality
- Cost-effective rates
- Timely delivery
- Transparent and ethical business policy
- Easy modes of payments
- Experienced workforce
- Wide distribution channel
Quality Assurance
Observance to quality principles is the fundamental yardstick of our organization. We do not negotiate on the quality level at any given condition. The amalgamation of state of the art manufacturing facilities and our professional skilled employee base helps us in over achieving the satisfaction of our customers. We are able to provide quality products to our clients, well within the scheduled timelines and at a market leading prices. Our quality processing starts from procurement of raw materials and ends with finishing and delivering of products. We test our products on the basis of various factors such as appearance, colors, skin friendly and other factors.
Product Range
We offer our clients with following products:
- Sports Fabrics
- Masonic Fabric
- Nirmal Knit Fabric
- Plain Micro Fabric
- Waffle Fabric
R. D. SPORTS All Rights Reserved.(Terms of Use)
Developed and Managed by Infocom Network Ltd.


text:
All is set for a very merry Christmas at White Hart Lane, after Andre Villas-Boas promised his players they would enjoy 'two or three' parties over the festive period.
The news marks a reverse of the ban Harry Redknapp had enforced on Christmas bashes three years ago.
Spurs lost a Christmas fixture to Wolves, just four days after Robbie Keane had organised a secret trip to Dublin where players let their hair down.
But AVB is keen to re-introduce the celebrations to boost team-bonding.
He told The Sun, "It's normal, part of our group spirit. I am not sure if it's those kind of situations that will affect performances.
"We will try to gather the group, to have dinner and go on from there. We will try to get two or three (parties). I am not worried about what might happen."
However there will be very little festive cheer at QPR
Harry Redknapp, who arrived as manager two weeks ago tasked with keeping the struggling side in the Premier League, has scrapped plans of a Christmas Party.
The Hoops have failed to win a single match this season, sitting bottom of the table on six points, and former Spurs boss Redknapp could not think of a worse way to ease their relegation concerns than to over-indulge during what will be a critical period of QPR's season.
Rangers travel to 16th-placed Wigan on Saturday, hoping for that much-needed early Christmas present of a first victory in 2012/13.


text:
Sunday 2 September – 10am, Leytonstone @ McDonald's
The E11 / North Star Vélo Ride to Lesnes Abbey
Meet outside McDonald's in Leytonstone High Street E11 for 10am departure. If you have questions, call Dwight on 07973 131429.
Sunday 2 September – 11am, The Mill, Coppermill Lane, E17
The Sunday Cycle
Meet outside The Mill in Coppermill Lane at 11am. Return c. 3pm. If you have questions, email "Art Catcher" Katja.
Sunday 9 September – 1pm, Ancient House E17
Walthamstow Family Bike Club's Open Spaces Ride
A relaxed and enjoyable afternoon travelling by bicycle and exploring the nooks and crannies in and around our borough. Frisbees sometimes materialise when we hit a suitable open space.
We aim to stop off at a café at about half time, but we recommend you bring a snack and some water.
Meet at 1pm at the Orford Road/Church Lane junction, E17 9RW, next to the old postbox opposite the Ancient House … see the map.
Sunday 16 September – 10:30am, Walthamstow Town Square
Take the Peaceful Route with Nic
Meet from about 10:30 for an 11 o'clock start outside Walthamstow Library / Farmers' Market.
Join Nic for the peaceful ride over mixed surfaces (be ready for a bit of mud!). The destination and direction of the ride will be discussed at the start and will account for wind speed and direction and may be train-assisted – so take your Oyster or contactless debit card with you.
Sunday 16 September – 2pm, Walthamstow Village Square
Walthamstow Family Bike Club's Newcomers Ride
This ride around the quiet streets in Walthamstow Village is intended for those new to cycling, including families with young children, and will especially appeal to those who don't have the stamina or confidence for our longer 'Open Spaces' excursions on the 2nd Sunday each month.
Basic skills are necessary: please make sure you are able to pedal and balance, turn corners, and brake to a halt .. all without falling off! If you are not confident about your basic skills, then we can recommend the council's free cycle training.
We'll keep together as a group and 'top and tail' the ride with marshalls, with an experienced ride leader at the front, and an expert marshall at the back to keep cars out of our convoy. We also have at least one other marshall who cycles on the right hand side of the group to help out with junctions etc.
We meet at 2pm in Walthamstow Village Square at the junction of Eden Road and Orford Road (for a map click here). We finish at the Square around 3:30pm.
Wednesday 19 September – 6:30pm, Walthamstow Town Square
Bridget's Evening Ride – last one in 2018!
Join Bridget for an hour's relaxing riding around the borough, with an optional pub or café settle-down at the end.
Bring your lights as you will need them before the end of the ride!
Sunday 23 September – 10am, Walthamstow Town Square
WFCycling London Open House Ride
Bring food and drink, though we will stop for a snack along the way. Please bring your Oyster card or contactless debit card in case we take public transport.
Meet at 10:15 outside Walthamstow Library, for a departure by 10:30. We are usually back by 3-4pm.
Friday 28 September – 6pm, Walthamstow Town Square
Critical Mass
Come to Belvedere Road in the Southbank by 7:30pm to join this energising bike party if you're already in Central London, or else meet Nic outside Walthamstow Library by 6pm to ride there together.
Every Saturday – 8:30am, Leytonstone @ McDonald's
North Star Velo Road Rides: easy & medium paced
Whether you want to try road cycling and don't know how fit you are, or you're ready for a medium-paced effort, join the club.
Easy rides maximum 30 miles
Medium-paced rides c. 50 miles.
Meet outside McDonald's in High Road Leytonstone.
Back in time for lunch, or a pint at the North Star!
North Star Velo also run frequent midweek short road rides, evening and sometimes morning so do check their website!
If you would like your ride listed here just get in touch.
Want to try family bikes and trikes? Rent one for the ride directly from Waltham Forest Council.


text:
Ever since I started working out at CrossFit M2, my strength and conditioning has greatly improved. I started CrossFit in November of 2011 because, I wanted to get stronger for the upcoming golf season. I have noticed a huge increase of distance on each shot, at least 20-30 yards on each club. I love CrossFit M2 because, it combines strength and endurance to make for a fun, yet challenging workout. I look forward to coming to CrossFit M2, because the staff makes exercise fun. Before and after workouts, we are joking around and having fun, I really enjoy the community aspect of CrossFit. During the workout, the Coaches are not like drill sergeants and just constantly yelling, they do yell from time to time but, it is to help you keep going and make you better. They truly want you to do your best. I really like Michael as a trainer, and all CrossFit M2 has to offer.
-Earl Strecker
FHS Golf Team


text:
|Sky Ridge
|Wind Type
|Mega Man 2
|MM2 Air Man (Sega Genesis)
|Air Man
|Fan Fiend
|Wind x 1.5 Time x 0.8 Earth x 0.6
Sprite Editing by Adrian Marceau / Ageman20XX | Original Artwork by Capcom
The Sky Ridge was the first elevated landmass(albeit, metallic), created due to growing sizes of the Earth's population. Air Man took it over, until Mega Man fought him and took it back, but the platform was too damaged to continue functioning, so it was taken back down. The atmosphere powers up Wind attacks, but being so far from the ground weakens Time and Earth attacks. The Fan Fiends reside here, pushing off trespassers off the Ridge, making them very dangerous opponents. Air Man hires Dust Man to clean up the Ridge, but Dust Man always wants to be paid a higher fee, due to believing he's not very safe up so far in the air.
(!) Please note that the names, stats, types, and descriptions of any playable characters, robots, or abilities that appear in this database are not finalized and are subject to change without notice as development progresses on the game itself. That being said, the data on this page is pulled directly from the prototype's internal variables and will therefore always be in sync with the prototype itself. Database pages that do not have sprites represent incomplete but planned, future content and do not currently appear in-game.


text:
Scotland's internationally acclaimed orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra today reveals the dynamic young conductor Maxim Emelyanychev as its next Principal Conductor.
Maxim Emelyanychev will take up the post in September 2019. During his first season – which will be announced in March 2019 – he is expected to conduct 5 weeks with the Orchestra.
In March this year, Scottish Chamber Orchestra audiences had a chance to see Maxim Emelyanychev in action after he stepped in at short notice to conduct the orchestra playing Schubert's 'Great' C Major Symphony and Dvořák's Violin Concerto. The response from players, audiences and critics was unanimous in its praise.
Following Maxim Emelyanychev's appearance in March there was an immediate and extremely enthusiastic response from the Orchestra.
SCO Principal Cello Philip Higham explains: "Maxim Emelyanychev is truly exceptional with a brilliant mind, and has an incredibly mature understanding of not just music, but crucially, how to get a chamber orchestra of this level to use all of its very best attributes. He is a profound thinker, seemingly wired to the music and nourished by it. When he conducted Schubert's C Major Symphony with us in March, his immediate, sensitive, focussed way of working – including very particular attention to phrasing, dynamics and style – quickly led to the orchestra listening and rehearsing like the finest chamber group (that is a special feeling in an orchestra!). His vision of that monumental piece, gradually shared with us, was guided by form, texture, narrative, uncovering a vast emotional range yet utterly devoid of tricks, showmanship or any sense of trying to make a "big impression". There was a feeling in our concerts with him of the perfect "trialogue" between composer, conductor and orchestra, and each one was different too. The prospect of Maxim as Principal Conductor is hugely exciting for the SCO and I look forward to all the music-making ahead with him."
After the performances together in March, Principal Horn Alec Frank-Gemmill was elated. "This week has been absolutely amazing. Even though Maxim is young he really understands period style, his ears are incredible and he also has fabulous energy".
Chief Executive of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Gavin Reid said, "Maxim is a remarkable musician and I am thrilled to be welcoming him to the SCO. For a conductor to create such an extraordinary connection with a new orchestra so quickly, was quite astonishing. It was clear during his very first rehearsal with the SCO, that something special was happening and following three outstanding concerts, there was an overwhelming desire to seek to develop this relationship. Both Maxim and the SCO are internationally recognised for historically- informed Baroque and Classical repertoire. It is also hugely exciting to know that Maxim has an equally curious mind across a very broad range of repertoire - he and the SCO will be an inspirational partnership. I look forward enormously to working closely with Maxim as we plan our programmes for the coming seasons."
SCO Leader Benjamin Marquise Gilmore commented, "Maxim is a true original with a unique musical voice. His tireless pursuit of perfection is equalled by his energy, and there is clear potential for a great partnership with the orchestra. I can't wait to work with him again!"
Maxim Emelyanychev, Principal Conductor Designate of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra said, "It is very exceptional to feel such a free collaboration with an orchestra at such high level of attention from the beginning of the first rehearsal! It is inspiring and I feel honoured to create music with these extraordinary musicians! I look forward with much happiness to the years to come to make music with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, exchanging artistic ideas, improvising and creating art together. I am sure that, with such a fantastic orchestra, we will have a very interesting time growing together through multifaceted programmes, historically informed performance practice and modern performances."
Maxim is currently performing In War & Peace across Europe with Il Pomo d'Oro and mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonato who said, "I wish Maxim every success in his new appointment with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. I am certain that he will bring a heartfelt, adventurous, monumental presence and vision."
Giulio d'Alessio, Artistic Director of Il Pomo d'Oro added, "Artists like Maxim fulfil the prophecy of the Renaissance: he is the New Man, who pertains to a world of music without borders. The experience of making music with Maxim has no limits and I am sure that he will bring to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra a breath of new creativity."


text:
Table of Contents
Butterfly Analysis: Adapting Dataflow Analysis to Dynamic Parallel Monitoring
Tuesday Feb. 23, 2010
Hamerschlag Hall D-210
4:00 pm
Michelle Goodstein
Online Program monitoring is an effective technique for detecting bugs and security attacks in running applications. Extending these tools to monitor parallel programs is challenging because the tools must account for inter-thread dependences and relaxed memory consistency models. Existing tools assume sequential consistency and often slow down the monitored program by orders of magnitude. In this talk, we present a novel approach that avoids these pitfalls by not relying on strong consistency models or detailed inter-thread dependence tracking. Instead, we only assume that events in the distant past on all threads have become visible; we make no assumptions of the relative ordering of more recent events on other threads. To overcome the potential state explosion of considering all the possible orderings among recent events, we adapt two techniques from static dataflow analysis, reaching definitions and reaching expressions, to the domain of dynamic parallel monitoring and show how our adapted analysis can be used in two popular memory and security tools. Significant modifications to these techniques are proposed to ensure the correctness and efficiency of our approach.
Our simulation study on a collection of Splash-2 and Parsec 2.0 benchmarks demonstrates the benefits in trading off a low false positive rate for (i) reduced overhead and (ii) the ability to run on relaxed consistency models.
Michelle Goodstein is a Ph.D. student in Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon Uni-versity, advised by Todd Mowry. She is interested in dynamic parallel program analysis, and works in the Log-Based Architecture Group. She received dual B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Washington. Michelle is a former recipient of the Clare Booth Luce Fellowship.


text:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force *
Disclaimer: Recommendations made by the USPSTF are independent of the U.S. government. They should not be construed as an official position of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Financial Support: While the USPSTF is an independent, voluntary body, the Task Force receives financial support for its operations from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Requests for Single Reprints: Reprints are available from the USPSTF Web site (www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov).
Update of the 1996 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force statement about screening for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in the general population.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force examined the evidence on the natural history of CAS; systematic reviews of the accuracy of screening tests; observational studies of the harms of screening and treatment of asymptomatic CAS; and randomized, controlled trials of the benefits of treatment for CAS with carotid endarterectomy.
Do not screen for asymptomatic CAS in the general adult population. (Grade D recommendation)
Screening for carotid artery stenosis: clinical summary of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation.
For a summary of the evidence systematically reviewed in making these recommendations, the full recommendation statement, and supporting documents, please go to www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov. USPSTF = U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. *This recommendation applies to adults without neurologic symptoms and without a history of transient ischemic attacks or stroke. If otherwise eligible, an individual who has a carotid-area transient ischemic attack should be evaluated promptly for consideration of carotid endarterectomy.
Table 1. What the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Grades Mean and Suggestions for Practice*
Table 2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Levels of Certainty about Net Benefit
Terms of Use
The In the Clinic® slide sets are owned and copyrighted by the American College of Physicians (ACP). All text, graphics, trademarks, and other intellectual property incorporated into the slide sets remain the sole and exclusive property of the ACP. The slide sets may be used only by the person who downloads or purchases them and only for the purpose of presenting them during not-for-profit educational activities. Users may incorporate the entire slide set or selected individual slides into their own teaching presentations but may not alter the content of the slides in any way or remove the ACP copyright notice. Users may make print copies for use as hand-outs for the audience the user is personally addressing but may not otherwise reproduce or distribute the slides by any means or media, including but not limited to sending them as e-mail attachments, posting them on Internet or Intranet sites, publishing them in meeting proceedings, or making them available for sale or distribution in any unauthorized form, without the express written permission of the ACP. Unauthorized use of the In the Clinic slide sets will constitute copyright infringement.
Moutasim Al-Shaer
Cy-Fair Cardiovascular Associates
January 14, 2008
Carotid Stenosis: A risk Marker or Just an Indication for Intervention
Dear Editor,
I read with great interest the US Preventive Services Task Force screening for carotid stenosis recommendation statement (1) and the article by Wolff and colleagues (2) advising against the routine screening asymptomatic individuals in the general population. I would concur with the authors if the sole purpose of carotid screening was to define which patients need an intervention. However, in clinical practice this non-invasive testing modality provides much more than that. Carotid ultrasound serves as a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis providing valuable information and modifying the patients overall cardiac risk. Patients found to have carotid stenosis exceeding 50 percent are considered to have a ten year cardiovascular risk exceeding 20 percent (high risk), alerting the clinician to intensify risk factor management and alter the treatment targets (3). The intima media thickness component of this study that is routinely reported by many labs serves not only as a marker of atherosclerosis but also as an indicator of the efficacy of the medical treatment regimen employed (4). Finally, the epidemic of atherosclerosis in the pediatric population (for which no large population studies exist to guide the management) calls for utilization of non- invasive methods such as intima media thickness to monitor response to treatment.
Carotid ultrasound is viewed as having moderate sensitivity and specificity with many false-positive results. This problem should be addressed by standardization of laboratories and mandating accreditation to insure quality. The authors' conclusions did not take into consideration the differences between carotid ultrasound assessment and other imaging modalities. Carotid ultrasound testing offers physiologic information beyond the anatomic data derived from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Since the time of the (ACAS) and (ACST), a plethora of developments in our understanding and management of atherosclerosis occurred making it very likely that the implications of these trials might be outdated. Thus, building guidelines based on these trials might not be applicable in this day and age.
We strongly feel that these guidelines should be reevaluated prior as carotid ultrasound assessment even as screening tool offers clinical insights beyond categorizing patients into intervention and non- intervention groups.
1. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for carotid stenosis: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med 2007; 147: 854-859.
2. Wolff T, Guirguis-Blake J, Miller T, et al. Screening for carotid stenosis: An update of the evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2007; 147: 860-870.
3. Grundy SM, Cleeman JI, Bairey Merz CN, et al. Implications of Recent Clinical Trials for the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines. Circulation. 2004; 110:227-239.
4. Taylor AJ, Sullenberger LE, Lee HJ, Lee JK, Grace KA. Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol (ARBITER) 2: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of extended-release niacin on atherosclerosis progression in secondary prevention patients treated with statins. Circulation. 2004 Dec 7; 110(23):3512-3517.
None declared
Michael Boehm
Clinic for Internal Medicine III, University of the Saarland, Germany
January 15, 2008
Carotid ultrasound for detection of high risk patients
The authors of the recent comments of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force provided thoughtful and detailed comments on the use of different screening methods including non-invasive ultrasound techniques in the detection of carotid artery stenosis (1,2). The Task Force members rigorously evaluated the evidence for diagnostic tools in the detection of carotid artery stenosis. They concluded that screening methods in asymptomatic patients to detect stenosis of higher and in particular lower grades might cause harm by overuse of therapeutic interventions.
The distribution of this straightforward and logical analysis could potentially lead to an underuse of non-invasive ultrasound techniques in cardiovascular high risk populations. Plaque formations in the carotid artery or even an increase of intima-media-thickness have been associated to cardiovascular risk in general and in particular with the risk of stroke. The detection of carotid artery changes might influence the intensity of risk factor management as well as the application of anti-platelet agents by physicians. The latter treatments are often initiated depending on the detection of peripheral vascular disease or disease of cerebral arteries (3). Therefore, risk assessment does not only involve the evidence for clinically established cardiovascular disease, but also of subclinical stages of vascular disease (4) and plaque detection in carotid artery might at least in part be representative for other vascular regions and are more easily accessible by non-invasive techniques than the coronary arteries. Therefore, the authors might wish to comment on the potential danger of underuse of non-invasive techniques to detect carotid artery disease, which might worsen the preventive care of patients at high risk in the absence of stroke or heart attack.
Michael Böhm, MD, PhD Britta Link, MD Ulrich Laufs, MD, PhD
Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Kirrberger Str., 66424 Homburg/Saar, Germany Tel.: +49 6841 16-23372 Fax: +49 6841 16-23369 Email: email@example.com
1. U.S. Preventive Task Force. Screening for carotid artery stenosis: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med 2007;147:854-9.
2. Wolff T, Guirguis-Blake J, Miller T, Gillespie M, Harris R. Screening for carotid artery stenosis: an update of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med 2007;147:860-70.
3. The Task Force on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Guidelines on diabetes, pre-diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases: full text. Eur Heart J 2007;9 (Suppl. C):C3-74.
4. Fourth Joint Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and Other Societies on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice (Constituted by representatives of nine societies and by invited experts). European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice: executive summary. Eur Heart J 2007; doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehm316.
5. Smith SC Jr, Blair SN, Bonow RO, Brass LM, Cerqueira MD, Dracup K, Fuster V, Gotto A, Grundy SM, Miller NH, Jacobs A, Jones D, Krauss RM, Mosca L, Ockene I, Pasternak RC, Pearson T, Pfeffer MA, Starke RD, Taubert KA. AHA/ACC Scientific Statement: AHA/ACC guidelines for preventing heart attack and death in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: 2001 update: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. Circulation 2001;104:1577-9.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Carotid Artery Stenosis: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147:854–859. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-147-12-200712180-00005
Download citation file:
© 2019
Published: Ann Intern Med. 2007;147(12):854-859.
Guidelines, Neurology, Prevention/Screening, Stroke.
Results provided by:
Copyright © 2019 American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.
Print ISSN: 0003-4819 | Online ISSN: 1539-3704
Privacy Policy
Conditions of Use


text:
Key points that distinguish us:
- Favourable terms
- Car hire with fully comprehensive insurance
- free cancellation
- reliable reservation
- second driver often included in the price
- fast online booking
- VAT included price
- nothing but clear rental conditions
- pay upon collection of the car
- nearly new cars
- unlimited mileage
- No transmission of credit card information required!
c4h.com - With us you book not only your car but also our service!
Carefree service for your dream trip
Whether you are looking for a rental car for your holiday or business trip, with Cars4Holidays the internet car rental broker you can trust, you will find what you are looking for.
Whether booking a small car, full size car, van or luxury category, we are at your disposal with advice and assistance and easy online car hire booking via our website C4H.com, quick confirmation of your car hire reservation online and via your e-mail.
Big pluses are: clear concise terms of hire, cheap internet prices, payment on collection and if necessary, of course, free cancellation. A growing and satisfied customer base are confirmation of our service and rental concept. If you have questions call our Hotline and you can speak with us in English.
Competency and security when making your reservation, successful business deals or relaxing holidays start with an increasingly competitive car from Cars4Holidays.


text:
Hi. apa kabar?
Its been ages - literally ages- since the last time I am here. I was that guy, that funny guy, in 11th grade of high school. When I look back on my older posts, I feel I have changed much in the past years. I was young, happy, outgoing, tried hard to be more than socially-acceptable person and always want to please everyone.
When I look at what I am now, I feel I am more introvert, still really care to what other people said about me, but it does not held me back to be my true-self. I am still doing stupid and ridiculous stuff, but not as much as 6 years ago, because doing that now is not as fun as those times. I am lost contact with most of my high school mates, only one girl from the same highschool as me who I still contacted with, and she's living near me.
Oh. About myself; I should have tell this more earlier. So yeah, I am not live in Jakarta anymore. I live in Brisbane now, been more than three years now, time flies. I came here for doing university. pursuing my dreams of living aboard and go to uni that has prestige that I can be proud of. I was doing uni back in Jakarta from 2010 to 2012; at Universitas Indonesia. That is one thing that I can be proud of too, as it is the best university in Indonesia, but I am, well.. not too proud with that as that was not in my plan at all. I wanted to go to ITB at that time, but I did not get in after a series of university exams in 2010. But the beauty is, god always have better plan than our plan. do not be so devastated when something appear to be not in the way you wanted, it is a sign of a better future is coming to you if you keep yourself up. So here I am, get into UI and now finishing my study at UQ; at the time I came here this uni was ranked 12th for their chemical engineering. Oh. I am studying chemical engineering by the way, it wasn't major that I really want to study, but I think this is the best major for me. I wanted to do petroleum engineering or architecture in the beginning, but now, I am in my 5th year doing chemical engineering, I think being petroleum engineer isn't that good, as they need to be located offshore or on the site where its far from everywhere. I want to have a family and life, not just making a hella fortune. On the other hand, being an architect is fun, challenging, an engineering yet artsy major, but they does not make a good money. So.. as chemical engineer is fun and they make a good money, then I choose to do this major.
I am finishing in less than a month. After that? Life is waiting for me. Real life.. when parents does not give me any material support anymore. Where I should survive in my on, in a country that I am not grew up in. Australia has been really nice to me, but I have never really working here yet. Now, I should look for a job that I want as a process or chemical or simply an engineer that can help to build a better future. I am looking to be an environmental engineer, but I do not know yet am I qualified to be one of them. but I want to!!
Probably I will move to Melbourne next year after I graduated. Just making some planning here. Melbourne is one of the best city in the world in my opinion. Since the first time I came there in 2012 during my west coast road trip. Melbourne has a special place in my heart. it touched that special void that makes me loves the city so much.
It is 1.26 AM in the morning. I should be sleeping by now as I have meeting and do my final work for design project. Wish me luck guys- whoever read my blog after 6 years hiatus, I think. Good to be back in this blog.. Actually I just had a not-so-good moment in my life. I was "forced" to be separated to a special person in my life. but that's life. when I got the chemistry with that person, but timing is bi*ch. Maybe now is not a great time for us to be together. But hopefully, another time we can build something meaningful for our life. mot temporarily, but permanently. Infinite.
I will tell more about that when I want to :P hopefully in the next post. Ciao for now!


text:
1. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (2013 revision) published by Jehovah's Witnesses. This version contains:
• An introduction that answers 20 Bible questions.
• An outline of contents at the beginning of each Bible book.
• Footnotes and cross references.
• An index of Bible words and a glossary of terms.
• An appendix that includes maps, charts, and timelines, which help you gain the most from your Bible reading.
2. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References (1984 revision)
3. The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures. This Bible contains the Greek text edited by B. F. Westcott and F. J. A. Hort. Between the lines you will find a word-for-word English translation.
4. The Bible in Living English (Steven T. Byington)
5. The American Standard Version
6. The King James Version
Choose a Bible translation, then select a specific Bible book and chapter. While viewing a chapter, you can:
• Tap a verse number: Compare all available Bible versions.
• Tap a footnote marker or reference letter: View the associated material side by side with the Bible text.
• Swipe left: Move to the next chapter.
• Swipe right: Move to the previous chapter.
Find words and expressions that appear in the Bible text, and navigate to them directly. Sort the search results by the order in which they appear in the Bible or by how frequently they are used in publications produced by Jehovah's Witnesses.
• Additional publications: Read and study books, magazines, and brochures published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
© Copyright 2013 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania


text:
My baby is back!!!
Monday, 23 February 2015
Brother sewing UK, you ROCK!!!
I did a massive happy dance around my house today, and am still smiling broadly, all due to Richard Connolly in the Brother UK sewing machine department in Manchester. He was on the phone for 40 minutes with me, talking me through a solution for my jammed Innovis 4000. He was kind, and patient, and had my machine up and running again by the end of that phone call. I had been quoted Labour £395, Parts £190+ vat @20% to fix this problem by Peter at Hampshire Sewing Machines. Brother UK, through Richard, has really provided customer satisfaction and WONDERFUL customer service! I knew I loved the Brother machines, but now I am rather enamoured with the team behind the machines too! Thank-you so much Richard Connolly, you made my week! Yet another reason for me to recommend Brother machines in my sewing classes!!!!
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Ferrari V8 powered quad bike hits french streetsJanuary 6, 2013 | Killer-M
What do you get when you take a Ferrari 3.0L V8 engine, mate it to a BMW M3 sequential gearbox and slap four of the fattest michelin pilot sport tirest to it – one of the angriest machines we have seen to date! Read More
XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Weapon System replaces the M24January 6, 2013 | Killer-M 1
The (ESR), formerly known as the M24 Reconfigured Sniper Weapon System, is a sniper rifle developed by PEO Soldier for the United States Army. It is derived from the M24 Sniper Weapon System and is intended to replace existing M24s. Read More
Modular Sniper System for the Remington 700 R5January 6, 2013 | Killer-M 11
The U.S. Army is starting to replace the the aging Remington M24 with the XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle. At the recent NDIA (National Defense Industry Association) get-together, the storied gunmaker has unleashed its vision for the next generation of precision sniper rifles: the "Modular Sniper Rifle ("MSR"). Read More
King of 0-60 mph, Porsche 997 Turbo S Motor Trends fastest car for 2012December 29, 2012 | Killer-M 1
These guys test a lot of vehicles and were one of the first to put the Porsche 997 Turbo S through it's paces. Their test vehicle blew through the 3 second mark and was quickly compared to the Bugatti Veyron when it came to launching from a dig!
Tactical Tomahawk LFT01December 27, 2012 | Killer-M
Either as a survival tool or if you're looking at a cool battle-prop for an "Assassins creed" outfit for next Halloween, this battle ready Tomahawk will certainly do the trick. It's made from D2 Tool steel, has a robust black Teflon coating, which means it will pretty much withstand all the abuse you can throw at it. Read More
Eberlestock Model 11 Stealth Rifle Chassis Sniper SystemDecember 24, 2012 | Killer-M 9
You may be an enthusiast or an industry professional, in either case there's very little that can compare with the Remington 700 R5 spec barrel for reliable, incredibly accurate system, that's under $1500! There's a small company out of the states that now offers the perfect chassis system that has us all excited. Recently they have been very well received for their back packs, however their roots are clearly in their "stock"{ system and holding true to their roots they have released their latest offering , the Eberlestock Model 11 Stealth Rifle Chassis system! Folded it's the shortest sniper system in the world! Read More
RE Factor Tactical Operator BandDecember 23, 2012 | Killer-M 1
The RE Factor Tactical Operator Band is the first band designed to fit the mission needs of Special Operations Personnel. The band was designed to allow the operator to have survival essential items at all times. Read More


text:
BURBANK, Calif. — Brazzers has announced the release of "Fucking the Invisible Man," the first-ever porn parody to display a floating phallus during sexual intercourse that is not animated.
"Fucking the Invisible Man" is part of Brazzers' Tech-Porn venture announced this past February. The title explores what happens when an affair between a scientist's wife (Michelle Thorne) and her lover (Danny D) is foiled — forcing the lover to take drastic action with substances beyond his understanding. Complete with comedic elements and British wit, the Brazzers parody seeks to flip the infamously dark vibe of "Hollow Man" on its head.
Mario Nardstein, product director for Brazzers, described the scene. "A true step up in pushing the technological boundaries of porn," he said. "Our production and post teams worked meticulously to create the actual invisibility of the protagonist while maintaining a defined human body shape and thus the audience's relation to him as a character — and his genitals. You can't forget that audiences watch porn for the vicarious experience of the sympathetic human element."
While previous adult films like "The Erotic Misadventures of the Invisible Man" (2003) have attempted to create invisible sex prior to this Brazzers scene, they stop short at hips gyrating in the air.


text:
Lego Maker
..or what to do with Lego on a rainy weekend to amuse the kids.
Lego 4954 Model Town House - from TubaFrog
Here's a neat animation I found on YouTube courtesy of TubaFrog of the Lego 4954 Town House being assembled. It's quite a large kit, containing 1174 pieces.
Email This
Share to Twitter
Share to Facebook
Share to Pinterest
No comments:
Post a Comment
Newer Post
Older Post
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Yes, we got new impressive models from Samsung. And the YP-P2 —the flash-based multimedia player these sexy cyborg ninja killers are carrying— is not bad either: glossy thin design, beautiful interface running on a big touch-screen, iPhone-style home button, music. video, radio, pictures and even Bluetooth, as you will see in the video demostration after the jump.
Looking at the video, the size seems to be similar to the iPhone itself. In fact, it bet people would mistake the YP-P2 with the future iPod 6G. [DAPreview and Akihabara News]


text:
I am tired....
Friday, August 20, 2010I am tired of being the fattest person in the class
I am tired of not feeling good enough when I am putting my all in at the gym
I am tired of struggling to keep up in workout classes
I am tired of hiding in the back of the room
I am tired of hating how I look in the mirror
I am tired of being unhappy
I am tired of being concerned with what other people see when they look at me
I am tired of not being my own friend
I am tired of thinking I will never be as hot as I want too
I am tired of worrying that everything I eat is going to make me gain more weight
...I am going to do my best to stop focusing on all of the negative in my life and use this to push forward. Yes I am the fat girl in the back of the room struggling to keep up in kickboxing and cardio classes but at least I am in the classes!
...I need to tell myself that its only my second week back at the gym, that stamina & weight loss takes time. I didn't gain all this weight in 2 weeks and I won't loose it 2 weeks.
... I need to remind myself I am beautiful and worth it, that I will not give up on myself no matter how frustrating this journey may be.
...I will to tell myself that I have wonderful people in my life both on and off the internet that are going to support me in the good times and bad.
And most importantly I need to remind myself that::
...I am not tired anymore.


text:
Developer Les Otten recently testified in support of Northern Pass at the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee public information session in Coös County. In his remarks, he spoke not only about his proposed redevelopment of The Balsams Resort in Dixville and the opportunities this will bring to the North Country economy, but also about the economic and clean energy benefits that Northern Pass offers to New Hampshire. Otten is a strong supporter of renewable energy, having a wood pellet business among his portfolio of ventures. He believes the Northern Pass is a critical source of affordable, low-carbon energy that will help move our region toward our clean energy goals, while also bringing jobs and economic activity to communities along the route.
We at Northern Pass also want to see an economic revival in the North Country and believe it's critical that The Balsams redevelopment stay on schedule. That's why we're pleased to advance $2 million from the Forward New Hampshire Fund to ensure that the project breaks ground this summer. The plans for The Balsams are precisely what we envisioned when we set the goals for the Forward New Hampshire Fund.
The Forward New Hampshire Fund is a cornerstone of the Forward New Hampshire Plan, announced by Northern Pass last August. The $200 million we have committed to this Fund is aimed at supporting economic development, community betterment, tourism, and clean energy initiatives in the cities and towns along the route, especially those in the North Country. There is perhaps no single effort at this time that supports these goals more than the current plans to redevelop The Balsams and return it to a world class destination resort. Like Northern Pass, The Balsams redevelopment has the opportunity to be transformative for the North Country, bringing jobs, economic development and injecting a much needed boost into the area's tourism industry.
The Northern Pass has already supported several key initiatives aimed at supporting New Hampshire communities and the environment, including the Coos County Job Creation Association, the Morse Mountain cell tower, and the Partners for New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife. Northern Pass and The Balsams both present significant opportunities for Coös County, the state, and beyond. We're pleased to support the redevelopment of this North Country showpiece.


text:
The Brain and Phineas Gage University of Phoenix Cognitive processing is the act of acquiring new information, storing the information in our memory, and using the knowledge that is attained. This mental process is associated with our vision, attention, memory, and the unconscious processes that lead to conscious perception. The brain plays a vital role in cognitive functioning. To gain full comprehension of cognitive mental processing, it is crucial to explain the role of the brain in cognitive functioning. It is also of interest to describe Phineas Gage's accident, which made history in the both the psychological and medical field, and explain how what the accident revealed about how brain areas support cognitive functions.
The brain and its functions play the largest role in the way that people think, perceive, remember, and learn. In order for psychologists to come to a full understanding of cognitive functioning, it is important to first to explore the brain and how the mind work in relation to cognitive functioning.
As psychologists focus their studies on human cognition and the processes that are involved, their findings lead them to the three pound gem, the brain. "This organ has enabled the human race to become the most dominant species on earth with all its many artistic, scientific, medical, and technological achievements" (Wickens, 2005 para. 1 ). The brain is one of the most complex organs in the human body. The brain is estimated to contain around a billion neurons. These neurons enable the brain to make connections to other terminals of neurons eventually leading to information processing. The study of the brain is one of the most expanding areas in modern science today, and part of this development is a quest to understand how its physical and chemical structures give rise to human behavior (Wickens,


text:
Our Services
Our Clients
Our Team
News & Views
The technical.
Simply delivered.
Fresh from our blog
Great idea. Can you keep it up?
This is the real test of great content marketing. Providing free insightful information to...
Read more
Dr Sarah Harding joins Linear B
We are delighted to welcome Dr Sarah Harding to the Linear B team. Sarah is a leading life...
Read more
Analysing the 'Defensive Economy'
I recently attended an excellent lecture by Dr Florian Artinger, a behavioural scientist from...
Read more
Our Services
Our Clients
Our Team
News & Views


text:
Sue Waggoner
Professor Keene
English 1302
27 October 2003
Quitting - A Good Thing?
While some who smoke may live to die of natural causes, generally that is not the case. Smoking has a profoundly negative effect on a person's social, health, mental, and economic life. "Cigarette smoking remains the primary cause of preventable death and morbidity in the United States" (Williams). While smoking may have a few benefits, the overall negative effect on one's health and others around them greatly outweighs those small benefits and not worth the risks involved.
Smoking can be a good way to strike up a conversation, and smokers often use cigarettes as a social tool to make friends. However, it also tends to give a person bad breath and lingering bad smell, that can be extremely noticeable to people who don't smoke. Additionally, the people they hang around with, those who they take their breaks with, and the restaurants they choose affect smokers in their social lives.
Smokers often miss out on conversation when they go to a nonsmoking section, having to step away for a cigarette. Many nonsmokers hate hugging, kissing, or getting close to smokers because of the way they smell. A nonsmoker or ex-smoker does not have to deal with the generally negative social attitude towards smoking (Dardis).
Smokers have a propensity to be skinnier before quitting due to the smoking lifestyle and habits caused by it, which include smoking in place of eating or drinking. Smoking is also used as a version of stress relief, which can avert harmful behavior. However, that does not help build positive personality traits, nor does it induce development of other methods to deal with stress. Smokers often become grouchy when they do not have a cigarette. "Quitting smoking regularly causes short-term after-effects,


text:
Aussie director Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of The Great Gatsby is scheduled for release on Christmas Day 2012 and we've been seeing the Gatsby influence on wedding fashion for a few months now.
Check out this Gatsby-esque photo shoot, courtesy of Style Me Pretty. I do love the bride's dress.
The film boasts a terrific cast: Leonardo diCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey McGuire amongst others. Interested? Here's a link to the official trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OULhlaX6JY4


text:
Campus Corner
KU, MU athletic departments lost millions last year
One year ago today, the sights and sounds inside Sprint Center provided the backdrop for a year of change in major college sports around Kansas City.
The final moments of Missouri's Big 12 Tournament championship victory over Baylor counted down, and Tigers fans used the occasion to chant "S-E-C S-E-C," with the school's official departure to the Southeastern Conference three months away.
Through NCAA financial disclosures and tax returns for the 2011-12 financial year, which ended June 30 but recently became available through open records requests, we have a better understanding of the cost of embarking on new paths.
Missouri received $13.1 million less than Oklahoma in Big 12 revenue distribution. According to conference tax returns, the Sooners received the greatest chunk at $14.5 million, the Tigers earned $1.4 million. The withholding served as the Tigers' penalty for departing the Big 12.
Kansas and Kansas State remained in a newly structured and financially healthy and stable Big 12 but still felt changes in their pocketbooks.
Kansas reported an $8.7 million loss for the school year, mostly because of severance payments to fired football coach Turner Gill and the assistant coaches.
Kansas State, meanwhile, reported about $6.7 million less in operating revenue than the previous year. But the Wildcats took in $12.3 million more than they spent, making K-State the only one of the three major Division I athletic departments in the area that reported a 2011-12 bottom line — revenue minus expenses — in the black.
The Wildcats' financial performance has helped keep $93 million worth of improvement projects such as the recently completed basketball practice facility and the current luxury boxes and press box on the west side of Bill Snyder Family Stadium chugging along.
"It's so important to have the revenue streams, the ticket sales, the conference distribution, the gifts, increasing," K-State athletic director John Currie said.
Although Missouri and Kansas took major financial hits last year, both are banking on change bringing a brighter future.
Missouri's total bottom-line hit for 2011-12 was $16.2 million in the red, and the Tigers weren't blind-sided.
"It was what we projected," said Tim Hickman, Missouri's senior associate director for operations.
Besides losing on the Big 12 income, Missouri ran at a small operating loss, as it did in 2011 and 2010. Also, the school took some revenue from previous years to improve the gymnastics facility.
Missouri also believed it would share in some additional Big 12 income, a piece of the $45 million signing bonus the league received from Fox. But the timing worked against the Tigers.
"We left before it kicked in and didn't get a part of that," Hickman said.
The university will help the athletic department cover its debt, and athletic director Mike Alden said his department will begin paying back Missouri starting in 2016.
By then, the Tigers, who entered the Southeastern Conference as an equal share partner, will have collected four years worth of distribution from the conference. Last year, SEC schools received about $20 million from the conference office. But industry analysts have reported the SEC will be in a position to distribute as much as $35 million per school in two years when new television deals are struck.
"By fiscal year 2015, we expect conference revenue to kick up enough to start generating a higher positive cash flow," Hickman said.
Also, Missouri has received three major donations totally $45 million, including $30 million from a group of anonymous donors called the Kansas City Sports Trust, but Hickman said the money from those donations won't be reflected on the school's fiscal reports until 2014.
At Kansas, basketball ticket revenue for 2011-12 of about $12 million nearly doubled football ticket sales of $6.5 million. That was the 2011 football season, Gill's second and final year. By firing Gill after the 2011 season, Kansas was on the hook for the remainder of Gill's deal, $2 million annually for three years, plus the contracts of the assistant coaches.
Add in the severance for former coach Mark Mangino, who resigned under pressure following the 2009 season, KU has paid $9 million in contracts to football coaches after they were no longer coaching the Jayhawks.
The buyout money was mostly raised through donors. For the past six years, the school has paid its head football coach between $2.2 million and $2.5 million annually.
Current coach Charlie Weis is in the second of a five-year deal that pays him $2.5 million per year.
"Football has always been critical, and conference realignment had just reinforced how much football is the lifeblood of college athletics," Zenger said.
But Kansas also pays for success. The salary and benefits of basketball coach Bill Self climbed to $4,757,526 for 2011-12, the season that ended with the Jayhawks playing for the national championship.
Kansas State reported a record amount of revenue from conference and NCAA sources — $22 million.
Currie said the Wildcats included income from additional sources on that ledger, such as bowl expense reimbursement from the conference and student-athlete opportunity income from the NCAA.
The Big 12 portion of that income was announced at last year's annual spring meeting as a record $19 million payout. The money distributed by the Big 12, in almost equal shares, comes from television contracts, bowl games and the NCAA Tournament, most prominently men's basketball.
But the Big 12's 2011-12 tax return shows no more than $14.5 million was paid to any school, and Kansas State's take was a shade less than $14 million.
So, what's the difference?
It's the bonus money, the income that Missouri didn't receive.
Steve Pace, the Big 12's chief financial officer, said the $45 million up-front money is considered deferred revenue. The Big 12 agreed to a 13-year deal with Fox in 2011, and last year reached agreements with Fox and ESPN to run concurrently through 2025 with a combined value of about $2.5 billion.
But $45 million of that was paid up front. The eight schools that remained in the Big 12 received the money in 2011-12, which pushed their league-distributed income to about $19 million each.
Deferred revenue is counted differently, Pace said. It's money that would have to be returned if terms of the contract aren't fulfilled.
Kansas only reported $14 million in conference revenue in 2011-12 but actually received $19.6 million in cash distributions from the Big 12. KU will recognize the $5.3 million in deferred revenue over the life of the 13-year TV contract instead of in one lump sum.
In Manhattan, the effect of the revenue is clearly visible upon entering Bramlage Coliseum from the east. As you walk past the basketball practice facility you see the cranes rising high above the football stadium's press box.
"You have to keep improving," Currie said.
And that takes money.