text:
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Tote Bag
lipstickby Cecilia Sánchez
Our quality crafted Tote Bags are hand sewn in America using durable, yet lightweight, poly poplin fabric. All seams and stress points are double stitched for durability. Available in 13" x 13", 16" x 16" and 18" x 18" variations, the tote bags are washable, feature original artwork on both sides and a sturdy 1" wide cotton webbing strap for comfortably carrying over your shoulder.
wow cecilia !totaly lovely&delicious!!love it!
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lovely work Cecilia!
very beautiful, love your colour choice!
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Many thanks girls! :))
Thanks Vale! :)
Me gusta!!
María :))
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Thanks Joanna!
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Many thanks to all! :)
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Cool. Nice style & tones 👌
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very cool!!
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text:
Latest | Highest rated
Sorry, the SA commenting software seems to misinterpret the equal sign as I entered it above. The sum is $12.772b.
Apr 11, 2009. 11:00 AM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
No, I did not include Wachovia in the analysis. Since you plan to run an analysis on that bank combined with the eight included in my article you should know I'm using S&P Compustat data standardized for direct comparability among companies.
Also, I cross-checked the S&P numbers with EdgarOnline I*Metrix data -- As Reported. In the case of banks both services define Total Revenue as Net Interest Income + Total Interest Expense + Total Non-interest Income. For example, WFC's reported Total Revenue on 9/30/08 was $6.381+$2.393+$3.998=$... Note that Yahoo Finance reports revenue net of interest expense for some banks. In effect, Yahoo removes what amounts to a bank's "cost of goods sold" from reported revenue. I'll be interested to see what you come up with. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me by email any time. Thanks for your interest.Apr 11, 2009. 10:50 AM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
The data in this analysis cover the 36 quarters ending 12/31/08. The Wells Fargo-Wachovia deal closed on Jan 1, 2009, so the impact won't show up in their financials till 3/31/09.
Apr 5, 2009. 10:49 AM | 1 Like |Link to Comment
General Motors' Natural Share Level: Can GM Be Like IBM? [View article]
On Dec 15 02:36 AM Roger Knights wrote:
> Someone should do that sort of analysis on Apple. (I wonder if this
> sort of thinking is behind their cautiousness about increasing their
> market share.)Dec 15, 2008. 12:44 PM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Express Luggage Services: Charting A Demand Curve With No Data [View article]
Several other services are available on a relatively small scale. The purpose of this post was to explore the demand curve that might result if a small company like LuggageForward.com were to partner with UPS in providing such service to a large carrier like Continental Airlines.
For a detailed discussion of what that service might look like this see my post on seekingalpha.com/artic....
The decision by AA to charge $15 per checked bag sure raises the level of interest in exploring this option. Even so if you read the comments on my posts in this series most think the idea is pretty speculative at this point.
Thanks for your comment.
May 27, 2008. 09:54 AM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
U.S. Airline Stocks: Bargain-Hunters' Dream or Falling Knife? [View article]
To place this metric in perspective you might what to see my paper "The Value/Revenue Ratio." In it I track that ratio over 56 years for all public companies. The long run expectation is about 1.0, but the semi-long run swings are even more interesting. See papers.ssrn.com/sol3/p...
VicMay 26, 2008. 05:29 PM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
"… only about 60% of all air passengers check their bags." This is very useful statistic. Please give me reference.
"… who is going to have to take responsibility for securing their luggage when it arrives?" You may be out of step with the times on this one. Here's the latest information I could find on baggage security at airports:
"Do you remember some airports before 9/11 had those "security" people who checked your luggage claim checks against the bags you were taking with you? Where are they now? Who is watching out for your luggage until you claim it at the carousel? The answer is NOONE is watching out for your luggage"
" … what makes you think that passenger airlines can easily fill their luggage compartments with profitable cargo?" A comment by a senior operations manager at a legacy carrier that I quoted in an earlier post in this series.
"Just because Heathrow had day one problems, it doesn't mean that managing airport luggage sorting is beyond the reach of modern technology." The Heathrow reference was just a lead in to my post on the problems with checked baggage, not a condemnation of modern technology.
"The biggest obstacle to efficiency is the spot checking and scanning that Homeland Security now requires, not the coding and routing itself." Exactly! That's another reason to remove luggage from the passenger transport system.
"Face it -- people want their luggage to travel with them." I believe that you want your luggage to travel with you, but I'm not sure that you represent the traveling population.
Thanks for your comments.
May 14, 2008. 09:34 AM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Express Luggage Services: Charting A Demand Curve With No Data [View article]
Looks like The Luggage Club has pretty thin margins – unless they get that 37% first tier big shipper discount. Their price for next morning delivery of a 25 lb suitcase from New Orleans to Dallas is $146.31. That's just a bit more then the $142.40 rack rate I got from UPS for my 30 lb package. But they don't give you the option to pick either a delivery window (except morning) or a specific time.
Thanks for the link.
May 13, 2008. 06:06 PM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Cookie Monster,
"People want to be pampered."
Yes, that's my point. Let the box specialists move the boxes and the passenger specialists pamper the passengers!
"While there are many air freight companies, there are really two powerhouses: FedEx and UPS."
Actually there are three: you forgot the biggest one of all DHL.
"… anytime there seems to be a real chance of consolidating the airline industry down to 3 or four powerhouse carriers who might have a chance to become stable and profitable, there is a hue and cry from Washington about loss of service to remote areas and rising costs."
The package carriers did not consolidate down to 3 or four. They created the business to diminish the government monopoly and expanded up from 1 to 3 or 4 companies.
"Passengers can't expect to pay air freight rates for their own transportation and then demand hot towels, lay-flat seats and hot fudge sundaes. Do you any idea of what air freight rates might be if the package carriers managed all the "free" checked baggage?"
Well, that's really good question! I try to shed a little light on the it in my latest post: Charting a Demand Curve Without Any Data." If you have some additional data to add that would be great!
Thanks for your comments.
May 12, 2008. 06:32 PM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Airline Pilot,
Excellent points! Especially the requirement that passengers must plan ahead for what they'd be carrying with them and what would be shipped. I travel a lot too and you're right, many travelers are unprepared.
Planning ahead is a lot to ask of the ones who are unprepared. But there's an upside that even the most careless traveler will notice: they don't have to carry their bags to the airport, lug them into the check in line, then wait for them by the carrousel at their destination, lug them out to a vehicle, into their hotel and go through the whole thing on the return trip. Maybe the relief from these chores and knowing their bags would be picked up and returned to their home would be enough to it motivate careless travelers to plan ahead.
Here's another possibility. What about providing passengers with standardized, re-usable "air valise" containers in small, medium and large sizes to pack their belongings? This would remind travelers that they had to plan ahead. It would also make it a lot easier for package shippers to handle the cargo.
Thanks for your comments.
~VMay 12, 2008. 06:21 PM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Frequent Traveler,
I wasn't aware the Southwest Airlines used FEDEX to deliver late/delayed bags. You also make a good case for some of the advantages of express delivery of passenger luggage. Thanks for your comments.
~VMay 12, 2008. 06:19 PM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Actually you're way off on the UPS average person shipping cost.
I just priced a 30 lb. package on UPS. If I shipped it by regular Next Day Air from New Orleans to Dallas in a Large UPS box with a declared value of $300 it would cost me $142.50. Shipped by Next Day Super Saver with no declared value it would be $134.16.
Can the difference between the single shipper UPS retail fares and the Amazon Prime cost of $3.99 be driven by volume discounts? Maybe. See my latest post.
May 12, 2008. 05:42 PM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Luggage Forward Flying: How To Restore Passenger Confidence And Carrier Profitability [View article]
Thanks for your tip on Baggage Quest (BQ). Since I was not aware of this option I checked out their website. I noticed that both services are private companies looking for investors.
The front page of BQ looks just like Luggage Forward's (LF). But, as you say, there are some important differences. For this reply to your comment I priced a one-way trip from ZIP 10023 to 33464 on April 30, 2008.
Like you, I found the LF pricing screen confusing. I think the main reason for the confusion is that it gives me more options. BQ has no detailed pricing screen. They specify a Platinum Service next-day delivery date -- without a pick-up time -- for $280. On the other hand the Express Service in LF's pricing screen lets you select between a standard two hour pick-up time (i.e. 1:00-3:00) for $259. In addition you can specify an exact time (i.e. 1:00) on pick-up date for an additional $45 – or a total of $296 .
Currently both services are pretty pricey – several hundred bucks for same-day pick-up and next-day delivery. I'm sure these prices are a result of their relatively small scale of operations. See my latest SA post for a take on what next day service might cost in a large scale operation based on partnering with one or more major carriers.
Apr 28, 2008. 11:23 AM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Thanks for the reminder about the cost of Amazon Prime. I use the service so often it seems virtually free.
Rolling the dice is in the nature of membership clubs. My son's monther in law belongs to Costco. When we go shopping she rolls out two baskets full of so much stuff it probably pays for her membership in a single trip.Apr 28, 2008. 10:27 AM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
Luggage Forward Flying: How To Restore Passenger Confidence And Carrier Profitability [View article]
Somehow you missed the underlying meaning of the LESS is more concept. And in doing so gave me an opportunity to clarify the issues. I'll try to explain by beginning with the statement in JC's book that jump-started this entire line of thinking about creating 'power offers' in air travel:
"For [passengers], less should mean that they get exactly what they need and nothing more, with no superfluous elements that create complexity and could destroy value (p.27)."
Checking baggage is one of the "superfluous" elements in air travel that "creates complexity" through check-in and pick-up and "destroys value" through mishandling and loss. The passenger benefits of not checking baggage are outlined on the Luggage Forward website in the section titled …why forward luggage?
… avoid carrying your luggage or sports equipment to and from the airport
… bypass long check-in lines
… don't pay excess baggage fees
… eliminate the possibility of the airline losing your luggage
… skip the wait at baggage claim
… have your luggage waiting for you at your destination
In a trip between Houston and Dallas these activities easily consume more time that the flight itself. Not to mention the hassles involved. By the way, if a Luggage Forward passenger's baggage shipped "within the United States is delayed, Luggage Forward will provide reimbursement of expenses of up to $200.00 per day per Item until the day the delayed Item arrives." With this kind of luggage performance standard you can bet that very few LES travelers would be left "waiting for it" at their destination.
Your comments skip right over these passenger benefits. It appears you want to make the reader believe the idea that "parallel" flights by an express shipper are both ridiculous and unnecessary. It's not. In fact it's one of the subtle virtues of the LES option: the specialization of labor kicks in.
The shipment of packages compared with people make dramatically different demands on the carriers. FedEx, UPS and DHL specialize in packages. It's obvious that package shipping is both easier to manage and more profitable than the shipping of people. A telling statistic is that in 2007 these top three express shippers generated $122.7 million in revenues per aircraft per year compared with nine air carriers' $35.5 million. That's 3.5 times more revenue for express shippers per plane per year. And packages are never "unhappy" about how tightly they are packed into the aircraft!
On the other hand, airlines are in the business of moving people, not bags. According to the DOT scheduled U.S. airlines flew 18.7 million hours in 2007 with no passenger fatalities, but they mishandled more than 5.1 million bags.
Finally, suppose your assertion that express shippers "currently rely on the airlines to support their overnight service …so, the luggage would wind up right back on the airline's planes" is correct. Here again, your comment overlooks a fundamental benefit of the LES is more option. That baggage winds up on the airlines' planes as cargo, generating revenue at market rates based on weight and distance traveled.
Even if your assertion is correct, passengers are free from the curse of checked baggage and the carrier earns money on the shipment! Actually, I suspect the top three express shippers use passenger carriers to supplement their own fleets only when capacity is pushed to the limit, as may be true during holidays. If you have data to the contrary, please post it your reply.
Thanks for your comments.
Apr 22, 2008. 10:54 AM | 0 Likes |Link to Comment
109 Comments

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Download: Olloclip and Spike Keyboard
News 12's Andrew Ehinger shows off an iPhone camera lens and keyboard in this week's The Download.
Newsday.com now uses Facebook for our comment boards. Please read our guidelines and connect your Facebook account to comment.
Man fatally shot in New Cassel That is one giant pumpkin... 1,048 pounds North Amityville gas station attendant robbed, say cops One dead after bar dispute 'Blessing of the Animals' in Brentwood Making apple cider in Northport Van drives into Wantagh pool Clarke senior running back Dawson also drums in marching band Tom Cutinella anniversary vigil on football field Apprehensive South Shore prepares for Hurricane Joaquin Coast Guard rescues sailor 12 miles south of Shinnecock Inlet Motorcyclist hits tree in Babylon, seriously hurt


text:
Elizabeth Showers
Emerald Quartz & Malachite Chandelier Earrings
- Color:
- malachite
Qty: 1
- 1
Please select an available size.
Please select a size.
Description: 18K yellow gold drop earrings with green amethyst covered green agate details and malachite accents
- Fishhook closure
Measurements: 2¼" long, 0.9" at widest point
Material: 18K yellow gold, amethyst covered agate, and malachite
Brand: Elizabeth Showers
Origin: Imported


text:
Super 8 St Louis Airport
No prices found through our partners. Please contact the business directly or check some of our recommended alternatives.
How has this hotel rated in the past?
- Continental Breakfast
- Free High-Speed Internet
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Kitchenette
- Free parking
Travelers also recommend:
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TripAdvisor Reviews Super 8 St Louis Airport Berkeley
Travel Blogs from Berkeley
Quick stop to St. Louis
... looking at my phone when it happened! When we got almost to St. Louis, we got off the highway to go to a place called Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park. I read this was the best spot to get a picture of the Arch and the St. Louis skyline. When we got there we had the place to ourselves so we got some great photos! We then got back on the road since we still had about 2 1/2 hrs ahead of us before our campsite for the night in the Mark Twain state park near Hannibal, ...
5th day 5th night
and soooooooooooo... on the 5th day I awoke up tired as anticipated... I had played Jack in the box all night..
I gave serious thought to just stringing up the hammock in the shade beneath the trees on a nearby beach head, but instead decided to push on a whopping hour and a half I stopped just below a steel tressel bridge, I think it was near Chester.... I cant help but think about the character Chester the Molester that graced the pages of Hustler ...
Day 2
... site bragged about having the BEST photo opp HOWEVER, in order to get to it you literally had to drive through what I will refer to as "Holy mother of gawd I'm driving through this sketchy place and my children are in the car!!" or what others may refer to simply as "Hobo Village": an assortment of old discarded chairs, sofas, tables, ...
Day Two
... about how the should eat us. They fought and fought because they couldn't agree. If they did agree there would be one who says something that makes them fight more. Then the sun started to rise and the trolls were all frozen, because the sun turns trolls into stone. We later realized that Gandalf was the one who was making them fight because he would change his voice to make it sound like them. We then started to look for the trolls cave. Once we found it we went ...
Moving Right Along
... a neat little city on the merging of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers. There was a tall concrete levee that was hand painted on the city side with scenes from history in the area. They dated back to the Civil War, plantations, their downtown market, etc. There were several barges on the river transporting gas, rock and sand.Since our personal rule for the map is that we have to do or experience something of the state, this short trip ...


text:
BYU turns out highest nursing licensing exam rates in Utah
Matt Gade, Deseret News
PROVO — Matt Anderson has known he wanted to be a nurse since he was a child.
He was born with a congenital heart defect and always appreciated a good nurse on any of his trips to the hospital or annual cardiology visits.
He wanted to learn "to do the kind of things that people did for me when I was a kid," Anderson said.
"Nursing is an art. It's a science, but it is also an art," he said. "It's learning to care for an individual and to care for them objectively, not judging them for their life choices."
Now in his fourth year of nursing school at BYU, Anderson, 25, says the experience has been invaluable to him.
And while he already works with patients, Anderson has yet to take the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. He can't sit for the exam until after graduation in December, and he can't get a license to practice until he successfully passes the exam.
Luckily, however, being at BYU gives him some sort of advantage, as the school has the highest passing rate in the state and one of the best in the nation.
The nearly 96 percent passing rate has remained consistent at BYU, even though the board updates the test every three years, making content harder to predict and the up-to-six-hours-long test even more difficult to pass.
"No matter how much they've studied, no matter how much they know, it can find a question they don't know," said Renea Beckstrand, who teaches the NCLEX prep course at BYU.
Beckstrand said the computer testing method used for the examination has the ability to "learn" what each test-taker knows. It is ultimately looking for a 95 percent confidence level that each applicant will be a safe practitioner.
According to a summary of first-time candidates, BYU nursing grads pass at a rate of 16 percent above their peers within the state and 13 percent higher than the national average.
Nationally, more than 45,000 people sit for the exam each quarter, with an average rate of about 89 percent passing.
Beckstrand said BYU professors, and likely those at other schools, make it a point to be "tied in" and aware of the national standards, which increase in intensity each year.
"We tell students, 'You can't mess around with this,'" she said. "And most students will rise to the challenge. They have a healthy respect for it and are not too fearful."
The test offers a possibility of up to 265 of 3,500 available questions, but it can also figure a pass or failure after just 75 questions. No one gets the same test or length of test, and it turns off after it reaches that prediction of safety.
Applicants pay $200 to take the exam. It can be taken multiple times, but with a 45-day interval between each attempt. Some employers hire nurses on condition that they pass the test in a certain time frame, and others won't hire a nurse until they are fully licensed.
Jasmine Burson, 23, of Murray, recently graduated from the nursing program and passed the NCLEX in June. She now works as a nurse in the intensive care unit at Intermountain Medical Center, but she remembers feeling relieved when the test was over.
"I plan on keeping my license up to date so I never have to go through that experience again," Burson said. "The test covers everything you learn in four years of nursing school so you have to think back to all that."
If asked to take the test again today, Burson said she likely wouldn't be ready.
But, as Beckstrand said, students are sometimes too hard on themselves.
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- Scholars disagree whether compromise... 41
- Gov. Herbert says latest Medicaid... 29
- Proposal calls for 900 South to be... 20
- Judge dismisses negligence lawsuit... 15
- Lawmakers hear support for Medicaid... 15


text:
Puducherry: Rebel Rangasamy grinds Cong to dust
Puducherry: Making a spectacular electoral
debut, the All India NR Congress in alliance with AIADMK on day
secured a two-third majority in the 30-member Puducherry
Assembly, ending the DMK-supported Congress rule.
Former Chief Minister N Rangasamy led the AINRC he formed
on the eve of the polls to power with the party winning 15
seats and its ally AIADMK five.
Congress ended with a tally of seven and DMK two. DMK rebel
V M C Shivakumar won the Neravi T R Pattinam segment.
It was a sweet revenge for Rangasamy who floated his own
outfit after resigning from the Congress about two years after
he was removed as chief minister in the face of revolt against
his leadership.
Rangasamy, named the chief ministerial candidate of the
AINRC-AIADMK front, emerged victorious from both Kadirgamam
and Indira Nagar constituencies that he contested from.
Chief Minister V Vaithilingam, who succeeded Rangasamy, won
but Welfare Minister M Kandasamy and PWD Minister M O H F
Shajahan lost as also Assembly Speaker R Radhakrishnan.
A jubilant Rangasamy said the outcome was a verdict by
people and he would soon decide when to meet the Lt Governor
and stake claim for forming the government.
CPI, CPI (M) and DMDK, which were part of the AINRC led
alliance, however drew a blank contesting one seat each.
In the Congress front, PMK lost both the seats it contested
and VCK tasted defeat in the lone seat it was allocated.
More from India
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- Delhi government to add environment tax in electricity bill
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- DNA: Indian Army's 'Phantom Guns' to defend border with Pakistan
- India vs South Africa 2015: 3rd T20I - Preview
- Modi govt turns down IAF's request for more foreign fighter planes, pushes for Made-in-India Tejas
- Indrani Mukerjea back in jail; claims did not take pills, was upset because of mother's death
- Unbelievable! Crops destroyed for Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's rally in Karnataka
- Navjot Singh Sidhu diagnosed with DVT: Know about this life threatening disease!


text:
Sun 7 pm | 6c
Booze Traveler
Tues 9pm | 8c
Expedition Unknown
Wed 9pm | 8c
50/50: Abu Dhabi Adventure 21:02
Expedition Unknown: Quest for King Arthur 42:01
Steve discovers the horrible past of the previous tenants in his client's home.
A History of Death 02:53
Experiment With the Dead 02:06
All the Phones Were Ringing 02:01
Evil in Erieville Post Mortem 02:35
Steve's New York City Eats 04:02
Master of the Damned Recap 04:49
Erieville Walkthrough 02:20
Who is George Denny? 02:25


text:
Sovereign Class and Photon Torpedoes
View Single Post
February 23 2009, 07:01 PM
Chief of Staff, Starfleet Command
Re: Sovereign Class and Photon Torpedoes
DRACO wrote:
regardless if we are oing to argue
about weather the Sovy has type XII phasers... there are amny sources that state that, in fact they neerly all do, I can't think of one that
says something different
You named one source, not "amny":
Star Trek: The Magazine,
and it's not in a section authored by anyone who had anything to do with the design of the ship as far as I can tell. It's probably text by Penny Juday or someone. It's not from a movie script, it's not documented from any backstage source; it's not from anywhere.
When a magazine article is directly authored by someone like Rick Sternbach, we should at least take it into consideration, but unattributed text in a tie-in magazine is not a "source" worth taking seriously.
There are no canonical sources that claim this type of phaser even exists, let alone that they are mounted to
John Eaves made the comparison I described before in the
, obviously not intending to convey new or superior phasers by giving them an identical look--unlike the case with
on DS9, in which the script specified that the phasers should appear different somehow from what we've seen before. The phasers don't appear to me to be physically larger than those on
or to be functioning in a different manner, and while direct comparisons are lacking, I see no evidence of exceptional effectiveness demonstrated by the movies either.
You're claiming a type of phasers larger than the largest ones mounted to starbases not only exists but is mounted on a ship type probably designed relatively few years after the
and your source for this is what I believe to be an unattributed line in a now-defunct tie-in magazine--a magazine which also had a tendency to thoughtlessly reproduce errors from other sources, such as thinking the
-class starship is 372 meters long or that
was over a million tons.
There are no other sources. This is listed under "False Canon" at EAS for a reason, you know.
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text: rosebaldauf NSFW Safe Is this playlist safe for work? ships are fallible, I say, and the nautical, like all things, fade. November 15, 2010 | 1hr 12min 21 tracks | 124 15 | Stats Broken BellsLoch LomondThe Go‐Betweens the seanauticalquiet Liked Collect Share Edit Liked! Share this mix with friends:


text:
- 495Promote
Tote Bag
The Mountains are Callingby Zeke Tucker
Our quality crafted Tote Bags are hand sewn in America using durable, yet lightweight, poly poplin fabric. All seams and stress points are double stitched for durability. Available in 13" x 13", 16" x 16" and 18" x 18" variations, the tote bags are washable, feature original artwork on both sides and a sturdy 1" wide cotton webbing strap for comfortably carrying over your shoulder.
The, Mountains, are, calling...
Thank you!
I hear this!!
This series is so perfect, wonderful job!
wonderful work!
Thank you Rick, Soaring Anchor & Andrea! I'm glad you all like it.
Tina-- that means a lot coming from you! Thank you!
Tina-- that means a lot coming from you! Thank you!
I completely understand this sentiment...in fact it is how I feel right now!
I'm glad you agree, Strongsoutherly!
Beautiful words & image
Thank you so much!
Perfect as well as the other one!
Thank you!
This is great. Bold type, beautiful photography.
Thank you so much!
great design!
Great design! I like the idea of it! Have a look of mine and see if you like it! http://society6.com/product/break-is-...
great piece
love this.
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text:
Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview
|*Ted Lilly
|Ben Sheets
|*Kosuke Fukudome
|Mike Cameron
|Ronny Cedeno
|Bill Hall
|*Micah Hoffpauir
|Ryan Braun
|*Daryle Ward
|*Prince Fielder
|Reed Johnson
|J.J. Hardy
|*Mike Fontenot
|Corey Hart
|Casey McGehee
|Rickie Weeks
|Henry Blanco
|Jason Kendall
|*Ted Lilly
|Ben Sheets
A Brewers win and a Mets loss (Mets currently up 1-0 in the 3rd) and the Brewers would clinch and the Cubs would know their opponent for the NLDS. To honor the occasion, Lou has trotted out the "B" squad. The game should be on Fox for most of the country I believe.
Probably Dodgers in first round
And hopefully this guy will not pitch a shout out against us-
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
mlb has Ward in left and Johnson in center.
I like the idea of resting some of our players, particularly the one who have nagging injuries, but players becoming rusty can be a factor no?
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
I sure am glad the Yanks didn't make the playoffs. For whatever reason, the "smart" people at ESPN-Asia think that the Yankees are the only team people have ever heard of over here. Wake up ESPN and smell the Internet-Satellite-Jet Travel-generation.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
it's no different stateside...ESPN is pretty much the NYY/BOS channel 2/3rd of the time.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Wow Cedeno is pathetic. Chad is just insane for wanting him over Theriot.
Though that was the second play where an outfielder should have gotten to the play.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
What did Cedeno do?
And yes, Cedeno is still a better defensive player than Theriot.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Cedeno made one error and dropped a fairly basic pop fly, not a good day to be defending Cedeno's defensive skills.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Well... one game doesn't make a player. I don't base an analysis of a player's ability based on one game.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
I don't either, but he's still not a good defensive player. I'm not saying Theriot is, but Cedeno is simply not the player to trying to put over Theriot, especially when Theriot is hitting much better.
We need someone better then the Riot at SS, Cedeno is not that person.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Yep. Slightly below average fielder on the season, average for his career. Has a, what, .380-ish OBP and .300 average. Oh, and he's currently earning very near the league minimum.
Plus, with him the Cubs have ONLY 97 wins so far with 160 games played. I mean, the Angels have more wins for chirssakes!
I agree. We "need" a different shortstop. It's not like this is just a matter of wanting a silver slugger and gold glove contender at every position.
Look, the guy is overrated by many and underrated by many, but while he is not the teams biggest asset, he's definitely not among the biggest problems. I for one hope Hendry thinks about CF, the bullpen, backup catcher, a pinch hitter, and the futures of both Marshall and Hill (provided he's in the picture at all next year) before he goes out trying to buy/trade for the next big thing at shortstop. Something falls into his lap, great, but when does that happen?
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
BIG said: "Well... one game doesn't make a player. I don't base an analysis of a player's ability based on one game."
Last Tuesday, I pointed out that Cedeno didn't get a glove on a playable grounder by Delgado, where the Mets' analyst said that the Cubs had the shift on, but "Cedeno couldn't close on the ball."
BIG said: "Well... Cedeno is the best defensive middle infielder on the team, by far. But you are right, that one play from yesterday means that he sucks defensively."
So that's three plays in one week, and two games that Cedeno jeopardized with his glove in the late innings. Then there was the botched double play in the ninth inning of that Sunday come-from-ahead loss at Cincinnati earlier this month (9/7), which Paul Sullivan compared to Don Young's drop in 1969.
Four plays, three games.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Four plays, three games.
Nice selective sampling.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
(starts the season with a HR vs Brewers...baseball symmetry, catch it!)
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Man, finally. If he got on a hot streak that would solve a whole of problems.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Nice to see them knock Torres around.
Give them a bit more insecurity about their closer.
Exactly what I was looking for in case we see them again.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
And who would've thought that Wuertz would bail us out?
Who's your relief picks now?
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
I definitely pick Wuertz over Howry, but I know there are a lot of people out there who really don't think much of him.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Really its a no win situation, Wuertz has looked good this week but sucked in his early time with the club, Howry has one good month (may) and sucked the rest of the year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Wuertz take Gaudin's spot on the roster though.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
I donno either. I'm glad I dont have Lou's job.
I guess I'd pitch them each one inning tommorow and take whomever looks best.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
I think Lou has already made his decision that Howry is in. Gaudin on the other hand is probably in major jeapordy.
Ronny Cedeno's Ride
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Good to get the win, but nobody can say that our bullpen is going to be solid for the playoffs, if that happens its going to be a huge surprise.
Now you have to wonder if Wuertz works his way on there somewhere? I know Lou has had major hate for Mikey in the past but he's the hot hand.
I just want the Brewers to lose tomorrow to either have 1) Monday baseball or 2) Mets in the first round.
Oh yeah not to pile on, but the people who think Ronny Cedeno is a better defensive shortstop than Theriot are crazy. Theriot hasn't looked nearly as bad as Ronnie this year.
Get it done.
DeRosa's Boot, redux...
from the sun-times:
Mark DeRosa, who hasn't played since developing a strained calf Wednesday night in New York, said he felt better Friday, and Piniella said he hoped to get his most versatile player into Sunday's game to avoid a lengthy layoff before the playoffs.
Carlos Zambrano is expected to start Sunday's season finale for the Chicago Cubs on three days' rest, but he won't pitch more than an inning or two against the Milwaukee Brewers.
(although this article says DeRosa needs a few more days to heal)
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
...and Paul Sullivan/Trib one ups the Sun-Times (granted it was an AP feed), posting this at 7pm
After naming Carlos Zambrano as his starter Sunday and saying he would pitch an inning or two, manager Lou Piniella switched course after Saturday's game and replaced Zambrano with Angel Guzman.
Marquis out of the pen
The Fox camera catching the look on Lou's face after Marquis hit Braun was one of the best shots of the season. I couldn't read his lips, but his face said "can you believe this shit?"
Re: Marquis out of the pen
Saw that too.
I was thinking he was saying to Rothschild-
"so much for the reliever experiment."
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
cedenos miss on pop fly sucked ?
so is hoffp[auer in and pie out?
i liked getting marquis in the game
to bad he choked, i would put him
back in there tommorow.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
Derek Lowe will start Game 1 for the Dodgers:
He will then be followed up by Billingsley and Kuroda. If we play the Dodgers, I wonder what the O/U would be on groundouts in Game 1, I would set the line at 37 myself.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
per GW/Sun-Times:
11 man playoff pitching staff...Shark has been told by Piniella he's in. (meaning Gaudin out, at least for this round)
Dempster, Z, Harden, Lilly, Marquis, Howry, Samardzija, Cotts, Marshall, Marmol, Wood
also expects Hoffpauir over Pie for last spot.
One for the TLFC
Todays Bright One written by Telander-
"• • SPEAKING OF THE CUBS, Ted Lilly pitched another very good game against the Brewers on Saturday, earning his career-high 17th win.
I was just in New York for the Cubs-Mets series, and I came out of Tuesday's game with Sun-Times colleague Gordon Wittenmeyer and walked over to the subway station (actually elevated there in Queens) to catch a ride back to my hotel in Manhattan.
Who was standing on the platform but Ted Lilly, with his dad who was visiting from Los Angeles, waiting for the next train like the remaining stragglers.
''I like taking the train,'' Lilly said. He learned the ropes when he played for the Yankees in 2001-02.
He and his Pop sat across from Gordon and me, chatting about baseball all the way.
It's nice to know the common man's touch hasn't spoiled this guy who likely will be a huge factor in the Cubs' playoff dreams."
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
My take on Lou's look after Marquis hit Braun is that Lou looked at Braun flinging the bat down as a sign that Braun thought somehow that Marquis was throwing at him and Lou was thinking Braun was an idiot.
Re: Game 160 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (2 of 3)
I was in Milwaukee Friday and Saturday. Gotta give Brewers fans credit, they actually "defended" their own park really well. They outnumbered Cubs fans and were exponentially louder. I go twice a year every year since 2002, and this was definitely the first time that ever happened.
Recent comments
Yes. Unfortunately, as many of us, I have seen this movie before. Do not care for Hammel, and unlike other managers Joe will pull the plug quickly at least. I hope before things were to get out of hand.
Many of us are like "abused spouses" or whatever - with this Cubs stuff. You get hurt so many times, the trust rapidly erodes.
If the Cubs can get to Lackey early, its gonna be a big key to a W or L.
No idea what will happen. The Cards are the Cards and they have come back from 2-1 holes twice in the last 4 years, so I don't see them in panic mode at all. If anything, I expect the Cubs to be pressing more than the Cards today.
I want the Cubs to win because it would be great for the city, and great for the fans. But more than anything, I want the Cubs to win so I can see this team play for at least one more week this year. Never enjoyed watching a team more than this year.
Just to remember how far we have come: last year's opening day lineup was Bonifacio, Lake, Castro, Rizzo, Olt, Castillo, Schierholz, Barney, and Samardzija. It's been a fun ride this year!
BRADSBEARD: I haven't noticed any new rule or a change in the interpretation of an existing rule happening in Advanced Instructs, I don't know what rules will be tested in the AFL, although almost all recent rule changes and new interpretations of existing rules (the home plate collision rule, replay, time clock between innings, et al) do get their start in the AFL.
AZ Phil: I've heard that the AFL will be testing out a new force out rule that would affect break-up plays (like the Utley play). Have you heard anything about this new rule and any details about it? Are they testing it out at the advanced instructs as well?
Pretty sure I already know the answer to this, but since I will be in NYC next week I want to confirm... If the Cubs were to advance to the NLCS, the winner of LAD/NYM would have home field based on being a division winner (as opposed to Cubs by virtue of better record), correct?
CUBSTER: This "hammy" is on the other leg I heard last night. See you at the ballyard today young man!
Oh what do you know, Cubster? Go back to your day job.
--- Ducks, puts on Cardinals cap, runs.
Russell had a severe hamstring last year while with the A's system, forcing him to miss the first half of 2014. I've even wondered if his injury last year was a component of Billy Beane putting him on the trade market. He was quoted saying that last year's injury was a 10 out of 10 when it happened. Last night he said his hamstring soreness was a 1/1.5 out of 10. Hamstring injuries are tricky though, so I'd expect the medical team to be overly cautious here.
...I want to reinforce the observation that there was no sea of red in the crowd. The usual Cardinal fans roaming the stadium were few and far between.
Also, almost every 2 strike pitch brought the fans to their feet. Good for those in knee rehab.
"1st team hit hit 6HR in a game in the postseason." rises above obvious...i checked it with the official fact-finding commission of Douche, Douche, and Douchestein. they agreed with you, but they're a bunch of f'n douches so who cares?
btw, the cubs are 2-1 in the post-season series.
I should be able to watch the game on the NFL replay app, whatever that thing is called. I've got it on my iPad. This is the first year I haven't forced myself to somehow watch every game - no I take that back, last year was - in quite some time. Last year was so unbearable, no pun intended.
You make some good points about Cutler, and I was a holdout defender of Cutler for a long time. I gave up on him a bit after one too many dumb interceptions, but last year doesn't count. Trestman was the worst coach in Bears history.
Nice little reportage there!. I think you're older than me. Considerably older. Maybe several generations. Working out is so essential, especially as age kicks in, isn't it? I still lift weights, and so I'm confident that when I get to be at the hip breaking age, mine won't be a statistic. But I have a ways to go for that to be a concern.
What was impressive to me is that the Cubs won despite poor base running, several defensive miscues, Russell leaving due to injury, Arrieta having an off game and getting knocked out early, and Rondon giving up 2 runs in the 9th. If they can win a game like that...


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When they're feeling charitable, friends and family consider me a Pollyanna who's forever trying to make lemonade out of lemons ("I realize I've led us off the trail and we've gotten caught in a cloudburst, but think how great it will feel when we make it back to civilization and put on some dry clothes!")
More often they are wary of my tendency toward not just getting lost, but wandering into brambles or slogging through swamps, all the while insisting, "It can't be much farther …"
So when I bounded into the office a few weeks ago with a bag full of hickory nuts that I had gathered from the ground, and chattered excitedly how great they would taste once you took the time to crack them open and pry out the meat, only a handful of naïve colleagues took the bait (with some prompting).
Loyal readers will recall how I issued a challenge to three food experts: Rich Swanson, an award-winning chef who frequently whips out gourmet dishes and offers free samples; Jenna Cho, who writes the "Salt to Taste" column; and Spilling the Beans columnist Jill Blanchette.
"Take these and see what you can come up with," I instructed.
I then promised readers I would report the results. Here goes:
First of all, Rich decided he would initially roast the nuts so they would pop up open more readily.
He looked forlorn the next day.
"They did pop open fairly easily, but about half of them had these ugly, white worms," he lamented.
"What about the other half?" I asked.
"I became so sick to my stomach that I threw out the whole batch."
Horrified when she heard that story Jenna raced home and moved the nuts from her kitchen to the porch. The next morning they were gone. At least that's Jenna's story, and she's sticking to it.
"I think a squirrel must have run off with them," she said. It sounded a little like a dog-ate-my-homework excuse, but I didn't press the point.
Jill, who grew up on a rural area and spent much of her childhood plucking beetles from plants in a large family garden, wasn't about to be deterred by a few grubs that had found their way into hickory nuts. I had also provided her with a brick to help crack open the nuts, suggesting she use a hammer.
Jill went online and found a website featuring a guy who easily cracked the nuts between two rocks and deftly pulled whole meats from the shell, and so she tried that technique.
I also attempted that system and have concluded the guy on the website employed some sleight of hand. After some practice I was able to crack the tough shells by placing them on a flat boulder and tapping them with a 5-pound sledge hammer but never in dozens of strikes could I remove the nuts whole.
Jill also had difficulty extricating the nut meats and wound up using a lobster pick. She managed to accumulate a few cups and the other day brought in a batch of oatmeal cookies fortified with hickory nuts.
They were unbelievably tasty, in an earthy, Euell Gibbons kind of way. For the recipe and a more detailed report of Jill's hickory nut travails, check out an upcoming Spilling the Beans column.
As for me, I, too, struggled a couple hours to pry the nut meats free and finally came up with a cup or so.
I could have tried putting them into something healthy and horrible tasting, like a rutabaga and hickory nut casserole, but opted for a less nutritious but delectable concoction: a chocolate-coated candy crunch infused with hickory nuts. Here's the recipe:
2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
3 tsp water
Pinch of salt
8 ounces of sweetened chocolate chips
Melt the butter in a saucepan and pour in the sugar, salt and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When the mixture turns golden brown, add the nuts and pour onto a buttered cookie sheet. Let it cool until hard. Microwave the chocolate chips and apply like icing with a spatula. After a while, break into pieces.
The beauty of this recipe is not just its simplicity, but that you could substitute sawdust or wood chips for the hickory nuts and it would taste just as good.
I think in the future I'll probably leave the hickory nuts for the squirrels.
In the mean time, bon appetit!
After tramping more than a month some 700 miles along the fabled Continental Divide Trail, Mystic native Hilary Sueoka and her boyfriend, Dan Stedman, who started hiking April 22 at the U.S.-Mexican border, finally rambled from the...
By the time Phil Warner and I hit the water in his lightning-fast tandem kayak last Sunday for our team's leg in the Josh Billings Runaground Triathlon in Lenox, Mass., we had already spent a good part of the morning lugging gear...
En route to a hiking expedition in Nepal's Himalayas a number of years ago, my wife and I took a detour to India and spent a day bouncing along on a bus from New Delhi to Agra to tour the Taj Mahal.
Whoosh! ... Whoosh! … Whoosh! …
Three cheers for the Obama Administration's decision this week to officially restore the name of North America's tallest mountain to Denali, which is what early inhabitants called the 20,310-foot peak in the Alaska Range.
Remember when you were a kid how your mom wouldn't let you have ice cream every day even though nothing in the world tasted better on a hot day than a double scoop of butter crunch?
Paddling like the dickens last Sunday on Maine's Rangeley Lake, we competitors had two choices: steer clockwise or counter-clockwise around Maneskootuk Island.
More than 40 years ago, Dave Wordell of Salem took his then-10-year-old son, Dave Junior, on a boat ride up Selden Creek, a narrow, secluded tributary of the Connecticut River in Lyme.
I can never remember – do you apply facial cleanser before or after the exfoliating scrub, and then finish up with healing balm and moisturizer, or should you start with the scrub, work your way through the cleanser and then top...
The international outrage sparked by an American trophy hunter's killing of Cecil, Zimbabwe's beloved lion, justifiably vilifies the despicable practice of slaughtering wildlife for sport – but it also exposes the human...
"Head for that tree stump," I instructed authoritatively one afternoon earlier this week, as if I knew for sure where we should be heading. I have learned to exude confidence when giving directions on any expedition, even...
When internationally celebrated speedster Scott Jurek scrambled last Sunday to the 5,269-foot summit of Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, he broke the record for the fastest assisted hike of the 2,189-mile...
Stonington police identify person killed in wood chipper accident
Longtime EB spokesman's submarine portrait to be given to Michelle Obama
Highly detailed maps of Long Island Sound seafloor being created by NOAA
State Police to show support for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
First lady to be in Groton on Saturday for submarine christening
Police: Woman charged with prostitution after sting at Salem spa


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How to Be Outgoing
Five Methods:Help with Being OutgoingThinking Positively, Effectively, and ConfidentlyCommunicating With Your BodyMastering the Art of ConversationGetting Out There
Some of us are naturally outgoing. It's part of our personality, and it's how we work best. For others, becoming outgoing is behavior that can be learned through practice. Being "outgoing" involves learning how to present yourself to others, how to strike up conversations, and how to be confident in yourself.
Help with Being Outgoing
Method 1 of 4: Thinking Positively, Effectively, and Confidently
1Challenge your inner critic. Changing your behaviors is hard, especially when what you're trying to do doesn't come naturally. You may hear that little voice that tells you things like "She doesn't want to be your friend. You have nothing to add to the conversation. Anything you say will be stupid." These thoughts are based on fear, not fact. Challenge them by reminding yourself that you have thoughts and ideas that others want to hear.[1]
- See if you can find evidence for these "scripts" when they run through your mind. For example, if your coworker walks by your desk and doesn't say hello, your automatic response might be to think, "Wow, she's really angry with me. I wonder what I did. I knew she didn't want to be friends with me."
- Challenge that thought by looking for evidence to support it; chances are, you won't find much. Ask yourself: Has that person told you when they were angry before? If so, they'd probably have told you this time too. Have you actually done something to that person that might upset them? Is it possible they're just having a bad day?
- Many of us, especially those of us who are naturally more shy, overestimate how badly our gaffes and mistakes appear to others. As long as you are open, honest, and friendly, most people won't reject you for an occasional stumble. Beating yourself up over your mistakes can mean your anxiety keeps you from learning and growing.[2]
2Be outgoing on your own terms. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert and being shy. Decide what you want to change about yourself, but do it for you, not because someone else told you to.
- Think about why being shy bothers you. Maybe it's just something that coming to terms with could solve. Being you and being shy is much better than not being you and feigning extroversion.
- Consider: When you find yourself in situations that rev up your shyness, what is it about that situation that does it? How does your body respond? What are your inclinations? Figuring out how you operate is the first step to taking charge of your reactions.
3Fake it till you make it. If you wait until you feel like doing something to do it, the chances are slim that you'll actually make the changes you want to see. Research has shown that you can increase your self-efficacy by acting the way you want to act -- regardless of whether you believe it at first.[3] Thanks to the "placebo effect," we know that our expectations of a result are often enough to make that result happen. Faking it till you make it really does work.[4]
4Set realistic goals. Jimi Hendrix was not a guitar god overnight. Rome wasn't built in a day. You won't become a social sleuth in no time flat. Set realistic goals for yourself, and don't beat yourself up if you stumble occasionally. We all do.[5]
- Only you know what's a challenge for you and what's not. If you had to put "outgoing" on a scale of 1-10, where would you fall? Now, what behavior can get you just one point higher? Concentrate on that before you expect 9s and 10s.
5Know it's a skill. Sometimes it seems like those social chameleons we all know were born with it. And, true, some people are naturally predisposed to being more inquisitive and gregarious -- but by and large, it's a learned thing.[6] A world of research supports the idea that you can learn to change how you react to situations by practicing new thought and behavior habits.
- If you know some outgoing people (and you do), ask them about their extroversion. Were they always that way? Do they ever feel like they have to try to be outgoing? Do they have their own versions (albeit small) of social phobia? The answers will probably be no, yes, and yes. It's just something they've decided to take control of.
6Think of past successes. When you're at a party, that familiar anxiety might overtake you as you think about interacting with the other people there. You might have some negative thoughts about your ability to successfully interact with other people at the party. In this situation, think about situations where you successfully interact with people and feel comfortable. You're probably outgoing around family and friends, at least sometimes. Carry that success over to this situation.
- Thinking of all the times we did what we're currently afraid to do shows us that we are capable and makes us more confident.
Method 2 of 4: Communicating With Your Body
1Examine your body language. Your nonverbal communication, such as body language and eye contact, can say as much about you as your actual words. According to body language researcher Amy Cuddy, how you hold your body sends messages about you to others.[7] People judge others as attractive, likeable, competent, trustworthy, or aggressive in a fraction of a second -- some research suggests that you may have only 1/10 of a second to make a first impression.[8]
- For example, making yourself "smaller" physically, by crossing your legs, hunching, holding your arms, etc., communicates that you are not comfortable in a situation. It can send a message that you don't want to interact with others.
- On the other hand, you can express confidence and power by opening yourself up. You don't have to take more room than you need or intrude on others' space, but establish space for yourself. Plant your feet firmly when you stand or sit. Stand with your chest out and shoulders back. Avoid fidgeting, pointing, or shifting your weight.[9]
- Your body language also affects how you feel about yourself. People who use "low power" body language, such as making yourself smaller or closing yourself off by crossing your legs or arms, actually experience increased cortisol, a stress hormone related to feelings of insecurity.[10]
2Make eye contact. Eyes are the "windows to the soul," and you can be more outgoing just by making eye contact with others. For example, if you look directly at a person, this is commonly interpreted as an invitation. The other person returning your gaze acts as an acceptance of that invitation.[11]
- People who make eye contact while speaking are often considered more friendly, open, and believable. Extroverts and socially confident people look more often, and for longer, at people they are speaking or interacting with.
- Humans are hardwired to find eye contact attractive. Eye contact produces a feeling of connection between people, even when the eyes are in photographs or even sketched.[12]
- Aim to maintain eye contact with the other person for about 50% of the time while you're speaking, and for about 70% of the time while you're listening. Hold your gaze for between 4-5 seconds before you break it again.[13]
3Express interest through body language cues. In addition to how you stand and sit when you're on your own, you can communicate by using body language when interacting with others. "Open" body language communicates that you're available and interested in the other person.[14]
- Open body language includes uncrossed arms and legs, smiling, and looking up and around the room.[15]
- Once you've established contact with someone, communicate your interest in them. For example, leaning in and tilting your head when they talk are ways to show that you're engaged in the conversation and interested in the other person's ideas.
- Many of these body language cues work to communicate romantic attraction, but they communicate non-romantic interest too.[16]
4Be an active listener. When you're listening to someone, show them that you're engaged in the conversation. Focus on what they're saying. Look at them while they speak. Nodding, using brief expressions such as "uh huh" or "mm hmm," and smiling are all ways to show that you're following the conversation.[17]
- Avoid looking over the person's head or at another area of the room for more than a few seconds. This indicates that you're bored or not paying attention.
- Repeat central ideas, or use them as part of your response. For example, if you're talking with someone new at a bar who's been telling you about her fly-fishing hobby, mention that when you respond: "Wow, I've never been fly-fishing. The way you describe it makes it sound like it would be fun, though." This lets the other person know you really were listening, rather than mentally checking your shopping list or something else.
- Allow the other person to finish speaking before you respond.
- As you listen, don't be planning your response to give as soon as they're finished. Focus on the other person's communication.
5Practice your smile. If you've ever heard the expression "Smile with your eyes," there's science to back it up. People can distinguish a "real" smile, which involves more of your facial muscles than a fake smile.[18] A real smile even has a name: the Duchenne smile. This smile activates the muscles around your mouth and around your eyes. [19]
- Duchenne smiles have been shown to lower stress and produce feelings of happiness in the people who are smiling.[20] When you're less anxious, you will be more open and outgoing with others.
- Studies suggest that it's actually possible to "practice" a Duchenne smile. One way to do this is to imagine a situation in which you want to convey a positive emotion, such as joy or love. Practice smiling to communicate that in front of a mirror. Check to see whether your eyes are crinkling at the corners -- a hallmark of the "real" smile.[21]
6Push yourself past your "comfort zone." According to psychologists, there's a zone of "optimal anxiety," or "productive discomfort," that's just outside your normal comfort zone. When you're in this zone, you're more productive because you're willing to take risks, but you're not so far outside your "safe space" that anxiety shuts you down. [22]
- For example, when you start a new job, go on a first date, or start at a new school, you probably try harder at first because the situation is new to you. This increased attention and effort improves your performance.[23]
- Take this process slowly. Pushing yourself too far or too fast can actually damage your ability to perform because your anxiety will move past the "optimal" level to "freak-out mode." Try small steps outside your comfort zone at first. As you become more comfortable with risks, you can take bigger ones.[24]
7Recast "failures" as learning experiences. With risk comes the possibility that the risk won't work out for you as you'd hoped. It can be tempting to view these situations as "failures." The problem with this way of thinking is that it's totalizing. Even in what looks like the worst possible outcome, there's something you can learn from to use the next time around. Hindsight, after all, is 20/20.[25][26]
- Consider how you approached the situation. What did you plan for? Is there anything you didn't plan for? With the benefit of experience now, what do you think you could do differently next time?
- What did you do to support your chances of success? For example, if your goal was to "socialize more," consider what actions you took. Did you go to a place where you knew a few people? Did you bring a buddy? Did you look for a place to hang out where you might find others who share interests with you? Did you expect to be a social butterfly immediately, or did you set your initial goals small and achievable? Scaffold for your success next time with the knowledge you have now.
- Focus on what you can control. Experiencing failure may make us feel powerless, as though we'll never succeed no matter what. While some things are certainly beyond your control, some aren't. Think about what you do have the power to change, and consider how you can work those things to your advantage next time.
- Research suggests that many people tie their self-worth directly to their ability to perform. Learn to focus on your effort rather than its outcomes (which you may not be able to control all the time). Practice self-compassion when you stumble. These techniques can be used as a way to do better next time.[27]
Method 3 of 4: Mastering the Art of Conversation
1Say thank you in public. All too often, we go through the parts of our daily routines that involve other people without even acknowledging them. The next time you order a coffee or check out at the grocery store, smile at the person helping you. Make eye contact and say "thank you." This small gesture will help you become more comfortable interacting with others, and it will probably make the other person's day a little brighter.[28]
- A little compliment can also go a long way, especially in service situations. Remember that your grocery clerk or barista serves hundreds of people a day, many of whom probably either ignore them or are rude. Don't be "that guy." Don't be creepy, and avoid making remarks on personal appearance. However, saying something like, "Wow, thanks for getting that to me so quickly" shows your appreciation for their work.
2Make eye contact. If you're in a social situation, such as at a party, try to make eye contact with the other people. Once you've established eye contact, give the other person a friendly, smiling look. If the other person holds your gaze, go over to them. (Double points if they smile back!)
- If they don't respond, let them go their way. There's a difference between being "outgoing" and "pushy." You don't want to force interaction on someone who isn't interested.
- This approach doesn't work well in situations where others do not commonly expect to be approached, such as while riding public transit. Part of being outgoing is knowing when and where to approach others and when to keep to yourself.
3Introduce yourself. You don't have to be a suave charmer to be friendly and outgoing. Maybe try introducing yourself by saying you're new to the area, or offering a compliment to the other person.
- Look for other "wallflowers." You may not be comfortable jumping straight from "shy" to "social butterfly." If you're at a social function, try looking for other people who appear to be shy or holding back. Chances are, they feel as uncomfortable as you do. They'll probably be happy that you made the first move to say "hello."
- Be friendly, but not pushy. Once you've introduced yourself and asked a question or two, move on if the other person seems disinterested.
4Ask open-ended questions. One way to be more outgoing in your conversations with others is to ask them open-ended questions. These questions invite others to respond with more than a "yes" or "no." It's easier to start up a chat with someone new if you invite them to share about themselves.[29] If you've already exchanged eye contact and smiles with someone, and you're close by, start off with a question. Here are some ideas:
- How do you like that book/magazine?
- What is your favorite thing to do around here?
- Where did you find that awesome t-shirt?
5Give compliments. If you're interested in people, you're bound to notice little things that you like or appreciate. Make sure they're genuine though! A forced compliment can be spotted through rush hour smog. Think of something like:
- I've read that book. Great choice!
- I love those shoes. They go great with that skirt.
- Is that a hazelnut latte? Nice -- that's my go-to every Monday morning.
6Search for a commonality. First conversations between people are all about what the two parties mesh on. In order to find out what you can talk about, you have to probe for things you have in common. If you work together or have mutual friends or have anything that links you together, problem solved. Talking about the boss or your friend Sujata or that cooking class will open up further topics of discussion.
- If this person is a stranger, you could start with the scenario. For example, if you're in a book store, you could ask the other person for a favorite reading recommendation. If you're both stuck in a long line, you could make a joke about it.
- Offer a compliment, but be careful to avoid things that sound judgmental. For example, you could say you love the person's haircut and then ask where s/he got it done. Or you could say that you've been looking for a pair of sneakers like the ones the other person's wearing forever, and ask where s/he got them. Avoid things that are likely to seem offensive, such as comments on the person's size, skin color, or physical attractiveness.
7See what excites them. If person A is dead set on talking about thermodynamics and person B is dead set on talking about Italian coffee (who knows why?), the conversation isn't going to go anywhere. One of these people has to latch on to the other person's interests. Let that person be you.
- When you're making that awkward small talk, probing for commonalities, try to notice when the other person perks up. You'll be able to hear it and see it. Their face will be more expressive (and so will their voice) and you'll probably see movement in their body. Humans all show excitement in similar fashions -- how you would see yourself talking about one of your passions is probably taking to how they talk about what excites them.
8Chat up your coworkers. If you have a job, chances are you have an environment with built-in social contact, if you'll make a little effort. Find a place where people tend to congregate, such as the break room or that one coworker's cubicle.
- The water cooler isn't the place for heated topics, like religion or politics. Instead, try engaging people by remarking on popular culture or sports. While people often have strong opinions about these subjects too, they're a safer bet to keep a conversation friendly.
- Being outgoing at work can be important. While it's a myth that quiet people are less friendly than outgoing people, others perceive outgoing people as more friendly and positive.[30] Networking and chatting at work can help you get the recognition at work you deserve.
9End on a high note. Leave the other person wanting more. A good way to accomplish this is by leaving the door open for future interaction. Be gracious in exiting the conversation, so that the other person doesn't feel as though you've ditched them.[31]
- For example, if you've been talking about your dogs together, ask about a good local dog park. If the other person responds positively, you could invite them to bring their dog to the park too: "You recommend the dog park off Baxter Road? I've never been. What would you think of going together next Saturday?" Making a specific invitation is more effective than "let's get together sometime" because it shows that you're not just being polite.
- Once you've finished the conversation, wrap up by restating a main point you discussed. This will help the other person feel like you were listening to them. For example: "Good luck with that marathon on Sunday! I'd love to hear all about it next week."
- End by affirming that you enjoyed the conversation. "It was really nice talking with you" or "It was so nice to meet you" help the other person feel valued.
10Talk to anyone and everyone. Now that you've been debriefed on the art of conversation, you need to use it with people from all walks of life. At first you might feel uncomfortable talking with people whom you might deem "different" than you. However, the more diversity you embrace in your daily life, the more you'll realize that you have something in common with everyone -- we're all human.Ad
Method 4 of 4: Getting Out There
1Set specific, reasonable goals. Being outgoing is a tough goal to reach because it's so based in the abstract. You'll have an easier time if you break larger goals down into small ones. Instead of telling yourself to be outgoing, set goals to have at least one conversation, talk to a stranger, or to smile at five people every day.[32]
- Start out small. Go for making small talk (or if that's too much, just smiling) with one stranger/acquaintance a day. Say "hi" to someone on the street. That barista that you've seen every day for the past three months? Ask her her name. These little victories will keep you going and make you feel ready for loftier challenges.
2Join a club. If you aren't sure how to approach others in social settings, try joining a club for a particular interest. This gives you the opportunity to interact, usually in small-scale settings, with others who share an interest of yours.[33]
- Look for a club that encourages socializing, such as a book club or cooking class. You can ask questions and get into discussions, but the focus won't be entirely on you. These situations can be great for shy people.
- Shared experiences can be a powerful bonding technique. Joining a club where you'll share experiences with others gives you a head start -- you'll already have common ground established.[34]
3Invite people over. You don't even have to leave your house to be outgoing. Invite people to come over for a movie night or dinner party. If you're welcoming and inviting, others will be more likely to feel as though you value them (and they're more likely to have fun).
- Try creating events that will foster conversation. You could host a BYOB wine tasting, where everyone has to sip and compare notes. Or, you could hold a potluck dinner, where everyone has to bring their favorite dish of their grandmother's (and a copy of the recipe). Having a reason to talk with each other helps a party stay lively and enjoyable (and, let's be honest, food and wine never hurt).
4Master a hobby. Everybody needs something they're good at. Humans have an innate need to feel "in control" of something. A hobby can be a low-stakes way to achieve that feeling.[35] When we're really, really good at something, we feel pride and confidence globally.[36] After all, if we can do this one thing, who's to say we can't do something else?
- Hobbies also give you something to chat about with new acquaintances. They often give you a way to meet new people. And they have health benefits, such as a lower risk of depression.
5Dress for success. It sounds like a cliché, but research has shown that your clothes really can affect how you feel about yourself. Dressing in a way that expresses your personality and values can help you feel confident, and that will help you be more outgoing.
- One study showed that simply wearing a lab coat increased people's attentiveness and carefulness when doing basic scientific tasks. You are what you wear. If you're a little nervous about socializing, wear something that makes you feel powerful and attractive. You'll carry that confidence into your interactions.[37]
- Clothes can also be great conversation-starters. Wearing a fun tie or a statement bracelet can be a way for others to break the ice with you. You can also compliment something someone else is wearing as a way to get acquainted.
- Be careful not to let judgments slip into these compliments, such as "That dress makes you look so thin!" That type of comment focuses on social standards of beauty rather than the person you're talking with. Instead, try something positive but nonjudgmental like "I love the design of that tie, it's so intricate" or "I've been looking for a pair of shoes like that, where did you get them?"
6Work on your existing friendships. Make sure to improve friendships with existing friends and the people you meet. Not only will you be more connected, but you'll be growing and gaining new experiences to share with both these groups of people.
- Old friends are good practice. They can introduce you to new people or accompany you to places you would never go alone. Don't ignore them! They're probably going through similar things, too.
7Introduce people to each other. Part of being outgoing is helping others feel comfortable. As you become more comfortable introducing yourself, spread the love by introducing other people to each other.[38]
- Introducing people to each other helps ease social awkwardness. Think about what you know about each person -- what do they have in common? When you're talking to Janice from the yarn shop, take a moment to call out, "Hey, Steve! This is Janice. We were just talking about that new band at the Factory last night. What'd you think?" -- knowing full well they both love music. Success!
Give us 3 minutes of knowledge!
- Be aware of your surroundings and live in the moment. If you're not enjoying yourself, nobody else will!
- Smile as often as you can. When you're by yourself or with other people. It will put you in a better mood and therefore make you more outgoing.
- Once you feel comfortable reaching out to people, take the next step. Learn how to have a good conversation and how to be charming.
- Don't feel pressure to act like someone you're not. Being yourself is the best way to be confident.
- Remember that it isn't going to be just a quick transformation from shy to quiet. It may take days, months or even years to be at your best confidence level. Take your time. Practice being outgoing by chatting with people. It could be in the classroom or the boardroom. It doesn't make a difference.
- Go up to people. If you see someone you don't know, but seems pretty cool, just say "Hi, what's your name?" and then after they respond say "Well, I'm (insert name) and you're gonna be my new friend." They will probably respond to this as if you're weird, but that's normal. It will make them see that you are friendly and you don't mind talking to people.
- When people are asking you questions about your life, make sure you ask them back about their lives. It's easy to forget about, but it makes conversations go much farther.
Sources and Citations
- ↑ http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/abcs_of_changing_your_thoughts_and_feelings_in_order_to_change_your_behavio
- ↑ http://www.improveyoursocialskills.com/be-more-outgoing-david-morin
- ↑ http://www.psychcongress.com/blogs/leslie-durr-phd-rn-pmhcns-bc/august-13-2013-915am/self-efficacy-albert-bandura-practice-changing-behavior
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-empathic-misanthrope/201109/fake-it-til-you-make-it
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/notes-self/201308/how-set-goals
- ↑ http://www.livescience.com/16216-outgoing-shy-personality-nature-nurture.html
- ↑ https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are/transcript?language=en
- ↑ http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/observer/2006/july-06/how-many-seconds-to-a-first-impression.html
- ↑ http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/assertive_body.htm
- ↑ https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are#t-554799
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sideways-view/201412/the-secrets-eye-contact-revealed
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2014/08/21/facinating-facts-about-eye-contact/
- ↑ http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/eye_contact_dont_make_these_mistakes
- ↑ http://www.scienceofpeople.com/2013/07/body-language-of-attraction/
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-van-edwards/the-body-language-of-attraction_b_3673055.html
- ↑ http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/uploads/Gender%20CoP%20Istanbul%20January2005/Process%20Management%20kit.pdf
- ↑ http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/10/psychology-empathy-distinguish-fake-genuine-smiles
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thriving101/201001/what-science-has-say-about-genuine-vs-fake-smiles
- ↑ http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/smiling-facilitates-stress-recovery.html
- ↑ http://nuweb9.neu.edu/socialinteractionlab/wp-content/uploads/gunnery.etal_.20121.pdf
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201207/can-anxiety-be-good-us
- ↑ http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303836404577474451463041994
- ↑ http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Yerkes/Law/
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2011/04/strategies-for-learning-from-failure
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/guy-winch-phd/learning-from-failure_b_4037147.html
- ↑ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_help_kids_overcome_fear_of_failure
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/amyanderson/2014/01/27/make-eye-contact-smile-and-say-hello/
- ↑ http://changingminds.org/techniques/questioning/open_closed_questions.htm
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201110/why-extraversion-may-not-matter?collection=101164
- ↑ http://conversation-skills-core.com/how-to-end-conversation-positively
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/lewishowes/2012/07/06/why-thinking-small-is-the-secret-to-big-success/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/changepower/201103/introverts-extroverts-and-habit-change?collection=101164
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/how-to-be-more-outgoing_n_3845174.html
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/kidding-ourselves/201404/how-far-well-go-feel-in-control
- ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/career-coach-the-value-of-hobbies/2013/05/03/ffa53f2c-b294-11e2-bbf2-a6f9e9d79e19_story.html
- ↑ http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103112000200
- ↑ http://www.personalitytutor.com/how-to-introduce-people.html
Article Info
Categories: Assertiveness & Self Esteem
In other languages:
Italiano: Essere Estroverso, Español: ser extrovertido, Deutsch: Aus sich heraus gehen, Português: Ser Extrovertido, Français: être extraverti, 中文: 变得外向, Русский: быть общительным, Čeština: Jak být společenský, 日本語: 社交的になる, Bahasa Indonesia: Menjadi Ramah, Nederlands: Spontaan overkomen, العربية: أن تكون شخصًا اجتماعيًا
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With so many matches from Week 17, we've split 90 Plus into two, with Part One played to The Treatment's "The Doctor" from the album "This Might Hurt" available on July 17th. Spinefarm Records USA Subscribe to our channel for more soccer content: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=MLS - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MLS - Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MLS - Add us to your circle on Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111490959184064683855/posts About MLS: Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. Major League Soccer's 17th season features 19 clubs each playing 34 regular-season matches. Those clubs are the Chicago Fire; Chivas USA; Colorado Rapids; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; 2011 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; Philadelphia Union; Portland Timbers; Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Sporting Kansas City; Toronto FC; Vancouver Whitecaps FC; and, in their inaugural season, Montreal Impact. For more information about MLS, log on to the league's official website at http://www.MLSsoccer.com TAGS: torsten frings, toronto fc, germany, chris pontius, d.c. united, brad davis, houston dynamo, 90 plus, Goal, Goals, gaol, gaols, Highlights, highlight, pro soccer, sports, MLS, Major League Soccer, Football, Futbol, Soccer


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Day 3 - Effingham to Nashville
Had simple breakfast.....yogurt and toast with coffee. Walmart was .6 of a mile from the campground....so we went there. Needed a thing that we could use to jump start the colorado...as it was dead.....also a battery charger. Also bought watere, olives, sympathy cards, etc.......267.03 BOW debit ...
Rainy dreary day. KFC for lunch. All PM exploring beautiful LincolnMuseum. Traced his life childhood thru to assasination with statues movies/holograms/ghosts like/scenarios in log cabin & white house! Was amazing & wonderful. Went to Lincoln Tomb - moving in rain storm. Like Patton gravesite in ...
Day One
... 4 weeks and will stop at many of the National Parks in Colorado, Utah and California. We have a pretty ambitious itinerary, and may not get to all of it, but I am sure that we will see a lot and do a lot.
We started our adventure yesterday with a fish fry for the family at our house so that we could see everyone before we left. My sister, Christine, cooked Lake Erie Perch for all of us. The weather was beautiful, so it was a great day. Plus ...
Central Illinois - Lincoln Country
... make out the curvature
of the earth you have to go to the eastern half of Illinois. The western side of
the state between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers is a bit woodsier and
hillier, but eastern Illinois is pure monotonous corn monoculture that now supplies
America's boondoggle ethanol additive industry.
The country east of Springfield is where Abraham Lincoln
spent most of his youth and young adulthood, still ...
On the road to ruin...or repair
... to find out their execution was to be postponed until tomorrow morning. Mark may have been kidding us about having to watching them being despatched.
We take a scenic ride back to the farm, via a hardware shop that has been in the same family for 103 years, now fronted up by a very likeable and helpful young woman- granddaughter of the founder of the business.
The day had been hot- 93F at the ...


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Century 21
After spending all day busting ass in an attempt to lock down that American dream of homeownership, the irony of attempting to get away from it all by spending the evening watching a band called Real Estate didn't exactly evade The Spin. But even that Morissette-ian feat of coincidence couldn't keep us from watching the New Jersey-native indie darlings tear it up ever so gently for a sold-out crowd at Exit/In on Saturday.
As we approached the Rock Block, we couldn't quite tell if there was a band onstage or if Exit/In's house music got a hell of a lot more wind chime-y since the last time we stopped in. It was the former. Pure X, the Texan chill bros who probably didn't intend to kinda name themselves after laundry detergent, were locked in some kind of folksy space groove onstage, repping Austin psychedelia's softer side with a sound that melded together into a slurry of ethereal fuzz pop. Which was charming, to be sure, but didn't seem to leave much of an impression on the crowd, which kept its conversation at a dull roar for the duration of their set.
We can't really blame the few hundred folks giving Pure X the old Nashville Welcome, though. Pure X's style of psych folk seemed tailor-made for background music. We will say they had a lot of stuff going on: a talkbox hooked up to a bass guitar, a mounted bongo drum replacing a rack tom, a full complement of tiny condenser mics, the aforementioned wind chimes. So. They had that going for them.
Not long after Pure X wrapped and we waited out the mass of 30-somethings who apparently make up Real Estate's core demographic to get a beer, the men of the night appeared onstage, complimented how attractive we looked (thanks?) and went straight into "The Bend," a cut off their latest record, Atlas.
Let's face facts here: Real Estate isn't the most exciting band on the planet. They're charmers in boat shoes, an adult contemporary band for audiences that aren't willing to get down to Gin Blossoms singles quite yet. And you know what? That's totally fine. For what Real Estate may lack in thrills, they more than make up for in being one of the best-sounding bands (and thanks to the magically colored light show, best-looking) we've heard at Exit/In in a long while. Props to the band — and their sound guy, a dude named Rick — who coaxed from those amplifiers some of the creamiest tones we've ever heard on the Rock Block.
Mainly hitting the highlights of Atlas, along with choice cuts from older records (including our personal fave, "Get Real" from 2011's Days), the band's tone was as on point as we could possibly imagine. Compared to the last time we caught them in town — on the second floor of Hard Rock Cafe during a Scene-sponsored concert series — it was revelatory. But there were also fewer jalapeño poppers at Exit/In, so we guess it's a trade-off.
The crowd never really made it past "medium energy," aside from one guy in khaki shorts who was arm-dancing up a storm by the bar, but they managed to make more of an effort as recognizable singles, like the recent "Talking Backwards," drew their attention. Real Estate isn't the sort of band that will instigate a dance party, but hey, we had a good time. And we'll be jazzed to see them again in just a couple months when they bring their tightly orchestrated charm offensive to the stages of Bonnaroo in June — even if they don't bring Rick and the Technicolor light show along with them.
Boob Tube
The Spin spent a chunk of Monday revisiting pioneering art punks Television's unfortunately scant catalog — not just their landmark 1977 debut Marquee Moon, but also 1978's Adventure and 1992's self-titled reunion record — in preparation for their show that night at Exit/In. Of course, it's the eight smart, knotty, melodically complex songs on Marquee that have knocked us out since we first heard them back when we were burgeoning little record snobs, and it's those eight songs that still truly hold up. Like, for real.
We were more than just a little disheartened to find that Television's show (originally slated to go down at the much roomier Marathon Music Works) would be moving to Exit/In due to underwhelming ticket sales. Of course, we never mind seeing a show at Exit — it's one of our favorite rock clubs in town, with sound that we can all agree is significantly better than that of Marathon. But having just attended Real Estate's sold-out show in the very same room two days prior, the image of an at-full-capacity Exit/In was still fresh in our mind — and an at-full-capacity Exit/In was not what we were seeing when Tristen commenced her set at 9:03 p.m.
Thankfully, though, a steady stream of showgoers trickled in throughout the local songstress's solo set. It's been a couple of years since we've seen Tristen without her backing band, and on Monday she retooled a handful of familiar songs (like "Catalyst" from last year's acclaimed C A V E S) and tossed them in with a few new ones, including "Into the Sun" and "New Old Days." The former was a slow-burning ballad, while the latter was an up-tempo rocker that dropped to half-time about midway through, and we hope to hear recorded renditions of them before long.
By 10 o'clock, the place was humming with young punks, old punks, familiar faces and kindly strangers, and if it wasn't a sellout, it was sure as hell close. Television entered to a backing track of church bells, proceeding to tune and stretch and noodle around casually. Frontman Tom Verlaine called for some stage-lighting adjustments — citing the unflattering shadows that harsh lighting can cast on gentlemen of a certain age — eventually bringing it down to a dimness level about equivalent to your living room at dusk. Finally, mercifully, Verlaine and his pack of legendary proto-punks dove into "1880 or So" from the self-titled record before moving on to Marquee Moon's much more familiar "Prove It."
What ensued was a breezy, phenomenal set featuring all the hallmarks that made Television one of a kind when they exploded onto the New York scene 40 years ago. Like, literally 40 years ago — on March 31, 1974, Television played their first CBGB's show. Far out. Of course, Richard Hell (who left the band before Moon was even recorded) wasn't there, nor was lead guitarist Richard Lloyd. (Does that mean we can technically call this version of Television the Dick-free lineup?) But Lloyd stand-in Jimmy Rip did indeed rip, entangling and entwining his parts around Verlaine's as drummer Billy Ficca played all of his weird, flashy fills and triplets on the hi-hat and ride cymbal. Fred Smith, truly underrated MVP that he is, laid the foundation and provided the only non-disorienting element.
Now, the Marquee Moon songs — "Elevation," "Venus" and a chaotic but still transcendent "See No Evil" — served as mile markers throughout the set, stuck in between Adventure numbers and pleasant surprises like the 1975 single "Little Johnny Jewel." Somewhere past 11 o'clock, Television stretched out on a long, spacy Middle Eastern groove that we couldn't quite place, until an associate informed us that it's an unrecorded live staple by the name of "Persia" that's long been in the band's repertoire. But if we had to offer one criticism of an otherwise gobsmacking show — and we're admittedly nitpicking a bit here — it would be that the excessive downtime between songs slowed the pace of the set and lost the band a little bit of steam. Each time Verlaine would call for another lighting adjustment or request some water (not "cold or sparkling," but some just-plain water), we'd shuffle our feet anxiously, awaiting the next brainy rock 'n' roll number.
But who can really complain after hearing a spot-on set-ending, jammed-out rendition of "Marquee Moon"? No one, that's who. After a 90-minute set, we were fairly convinced that Television wouldn't be back out for an encore. But hey, we've been wrong before, and we'll likely be wrong again. Verlaine led his crew back onstage to play "Guiding Light" as well as a cover of The Count Five's classic garage-rock stomper "Psychotic Reaction" that, truth be told, fell the hell apart toward the end, cuing the band's rather unceremonious exit. But it's just as well. The Spin got to see a band that by and large shaped our tastes as youngsters, and we got to see them play a great set to a full house. We heard Marquee Moon live, for God's sake, and that's certainly not something we thought would ever happen back in our burgeoning-little-record-snob days.
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The Silverstone EB01–E DAC is the companion product in both form and function to the SilverStone EB-03 headphone amplifier. Together, these two components make up the current SilverStone Ensemble Series audiophile grade audio components.
Tag Archive: SST-EB01S-E
SilverStone Ensemble EB01-E USB DAC Review
14 April 2014
by Aidan Moore
Tags: 844761010614, Aidan Moore, EB01-E, Ensemble, Review, SilverStone, SST-EB01S-E, USB DAC
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