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6 Mind-Blowing Discoveries Made Using Google Earth
#3. A New Human Ancestor
We're not experts in archeology, but when it comes to digging up bones, apparently caves are where it's at. Over the Christmas holiday of 2007, Professor Lee Berger was at his computer, looking around for caves with, you guessed it, Google Earth. Having noticed a pattern of cave and fossil sites in the region around the Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg, he went on to identify 500 new possible places old bones could be buried.
Fast forward to August of 2008, where he was subsequently exploring one of his Google Earth finds in person with his 9-year-old son, the family dog and a post-doctoral student (take a guess on who was most likely wearing a red shirt on this away mission), when the dog ripped off into the high grass.
Chasing after his dog, the boy tripped over a log and fell smack dab into what some call "the Rosetta stone of human evolution." (Okay, it's totally Dr. Berger who says that.) What his son literally stumbled over would turn out to be an estimated 2-million-year-old fossil, part of a fossil pair belonging to a boy and an adult female, the likes of which had never been seen before.
Above: A small child, seen here outdoing Indiana Jones.
With a small, advanced brain, long arms, long legs and an advanced pelvis, Australopithecus sediba is described as probably a transitional species between Australopithecus Africanus and Homo habilis.
Geico is currently in talks with the remains.
The newly discovered species could even be a direct ancestor of Homo erectus, making it a possible "missing link" of sorts, located right at the transition point between an ape running around on two legs when not swinging in trees and humans as we are today.
Wits University
That is, sitting in chairs.
#2. Remains of Ancient Civilizations
While online looking at his town of Sorbolo in Italy via Google Earth, totally not looking for pictures of that girl who supposedly sunbathes naked in her back yard, Italian computer programmer Luca Mori happened to notice a prominent dark oval on the satellite maps over 500 yards long, with unusual shadowy rectangles nearby.
"This is obviously a burial ground for old Google doodles."
At first he thought they might be some kind of stain, like maybe a fly landed on the lens of the satellite. But it turned out the oval marked the former course of a long-gone river, and when he zoomed in, he found the rectangles were buried structures.
Cultural Ministry, Emilia Romagna
Real archaeology involves rather more buried rectangles than Arks of the Covenant.
It appeared to be the remains of a settlement of some kind, more specifically the remains of a villa or village. He contacted local archaeologists, who looked over the site and found ceramic pieces indicating it was a 2,000-year-old Roman villa.
"Mori's research is interesting in its approach," said an archaeologist at the National Archaeological Museum of Parma. Presumably this was quickly followed by a wanking motion and a questioning of all the time actual archaeologists have ever spent doing actual legwork.
Anne Burgess
"I wish my trowel had a 27" monitor."
#1. The World's Best-Preserved Crater
An Italian researcher was surveying Google Earth images when he came upon something extraordinary in a remote area of one of the most difficult-to-explore deserts on the planet: the Sahara.
Norbert Brügge, Germany
Is it a sandworm? It's a sandworm isn't it?!"
What appeared on his screen was something typically seen only on our own moon and other planets -- a meteorite impact crater 148 feet across. Since the Sahara is about as life-sustaining as the moon and other planets, the forensic evidence left by the crater was pristine. The telltale splatter pattern of ejecta rays -- bedrock scattered around the impact zone -- suggested an 8,000 mph collision with a 4.3-foot iron space pebble. The Kamil Crater, as it is called, may actually be the world's best-preserved crater, and it's estimated to be a mere few thousand years old. That's a baby in geological terms.
Crater? We hardly know her!
The space-pounded depression has left such an impression with scientists that the study leader remarked, "This crater is really a kind of beauty because it's so well-preserved that it will tell us a lot about small-scale meteorite impacts on the Earth's crust. It's so nice. It's so neat. There is something extraordinary about it."
"Thanks for noticing my new piercing. Only took you a few thousand years."
If you want more from Scott Santens, you can read his tweets, Yelps and occasional blog.
For things Google Earth will never find, check out 7 Lost Bodies of Work (That Would Have Changed Everything) and 7 Books We Lost to History That Would Have Changed the World.
And stop by LinkSTORM to see what Google Earth found in Soren Bowie's bathroom.
And don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get sexy, sexy jokes sent straight to your news feed.
Do you have an idea in mind that would make a great article? Then sign up for our writers workshop! Do you possess expert skills in image creation and manipulation? Mediocre? Even rudimentary? Are you frightened by MS Paint and simply have a funny idea? You can create an infograpic and you could be on the front page of Cracked.com tomorrow!


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I have a little trouble in understanding a wrapper class. It would be great if some one could help providing apt examples.
- What is a C++ Wrapper Class and what are the circumstances of writing it ?
- What is it's use any way ?
We started with Q&A. Technical documentation is next, and we need your help.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, you can contribute.
A "wrapper class" is a de facto term meaning a class that "wraps around" a resource; i.e, that manages the resource. When people write a wrapper, then, they are doing something like this:
This class manages ("wraps") a pointer to an
This pattern is called Scoped-bound Resource Management (SBRM), though a far more common (but most esoteric) name is Resource-Acquisition is Initialization (RAII). The idea is to bind a resource's clean-up to a destructor, for the reasons given above: the scope handles the rest.
Note that I said it was missing a copy-constructor and copy-assignment operator. This is due to the Rule of Three. (See linked question for detailed explanation.) The simplest way to correctly implement this rule is with the copy-and-swap idiom, explained here.
Sometimes, it's not pragmatic to write wrapper class for resource clean-up, usually when the resource is unique or used once. (Or with transactional programming.) The solution to this is called scope guard, a way of writing clean-up code inside the function that needs it.
You may find more information by searching for it in your favorite search provider (that is, Google), or going to the "primary" document here. Note that Boost provides a utility for this, as it usually does for good idioms.
A wrapper is just some smallish class whose purpose is to provide a different interface than the thing it wraps. For example, it is common to take a C API and write one or more classes that "wrap" it to provide an object-oriented interface rather than a procedural one.
You asked for circumstances of writing wrapper classes.For example, if you are in a company that makes use of different types of cameras, let us say USB, firewire etc. Each of the manufacturers will provide a different set of functions through an API to start the camera, set the parameters and read the image stream from it.
Now the programmer who builds the applications in your company need to be insulated from all the specific details in the various APIs. Now, what you can do is write a wrapper class around the APIs for each of the cameras or smarter, just one class with simple functions, wrapping around the existing code provided by the API.
For instance, we can design classes MyUSBCameraWrapperClass, MyFirewireCameraWrapperClass with some member functions like setFrameRate(int fps), getImgFrame(*framebuffer), etc.
The programmers in your company can then use MyUSBCameraWrapperClass usbcam; usbcam.setFrameRate(30), etc. You get the point??
A wrapper class is a class that wraps a functionality with another interface.
Suppose you have the function
A simple wrapper class might be
You might write a wrapper when your existing codebase expects a particular interface. This is the essence of the adapter design pattern. Or you might wrap a function in a class if you wish to maintain state for that function. Or you might wrap a function in a class' constructor or destructor if you want it to conveniently and automatically be called for you in a correct and deterministic manner. And the list goes on.
I use two kinds:
The resource wrapper makes certain, that compiler generated code worries about the destruction of the resource created by the constructor via what is today called RAII. It is easy to combine such classes via base/member class relationships into complex classes. In case of the creation function fails, a system error exception is thrown, providing rich error information about the error.
The functional wrapper is used instead of the plain OS function. Also in case of failure a system exception is being thrown.
This way somebody using my code doesn't need a debugger and debug code to find out what is failing in a complex environment with many libraries and processes and remote machines.
Also these wrappers provide some OS abstraction -- the code using them does not have to worry about OS differences.

subset: commoncrawl


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Larceny and Old Lace (Mass Market Paperbound)
For Whom The Bell Pulls Tolls
As owner of the Den of Antiquity, recently divorced(but never bitter!) Abigail Timberlake is accustomed to delving into the past, searching for losttreasures, and navigating the cutthroat world of rival dealers at flea marketsand auctions. Still, she never thought she'd be putting her expertise in mayhemand detection to other use -- until crotchety "junque" dealer, Abby's aunt Eulonia Wiggins, was found murdered!
Although Abigail is puzzled by the instrument of death -- an exquisite antiquebell pull that Aunt Eulonia never would have had the taste to aquire -- she's willing to let the authorities find the culprit. But now, Auntie's priceless lace is missing,and somebody's threatened Abby's most priceless possession: her son, Charlie.It's up to Abby to put the murderer "on the block."
About the Author
Tamar Myers is the author of the Belgian Congo series and the Den of Antiquity series as well as the Pennsylvania-Dutch mysteries. Born and raised in the Congo, she lives in North Carolina.


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Does anyone have a good way to dry a tent?
i went camping this weekend, and it was very wet. it rained every night and my tent is soaked. is there a way to dry my tent so it doesn't smell like mildew?
18 Answers answer
We always just set up our tents at home to dry out...if the weather's bad at home also, we just set it up in the garage (it dries much quicker outside than the garage though).
I always set it up in my driveway at home with everything open for a day to air it out. It always works for me, although I would suggest a sunny day for it. (Certainly not a rainy one!)
Edit: @coffeegirrrl: You win this round!
I would have said to just pitch it.
@coffeegirrrl: it is in the garage now, and not drying quite as quickly as i would like and the ground outside is still kinda wet...great suggestions though, thank you
@armagedon: your suggestions were ok too ;)
@niloc225: that was my first inclination too since it was so wet, but the lady would like to try to salvage it first....as a last resort though it is kinda fun to pick out a new mobile residence
@niloc225: Isn't that the exact same thing that @coffeegirrl and @armagedon suggested?
@msklzannie: thats great! i cant believe i missed that...
@niloc225: kudos! i am usually so much better with puns...
Maybe I should have put a smiley face afterward - XD
@jarmbrecht: Fans help when it's in the garage - just don't let the fan or it's cord get wet.
Do not put it in a clothes dryer with heat. You will melt the floor.
Do not put it in a clothes dryer with the poles or stakes it will rip.
Some times a dryer with no heat and tennis balls will work if it is small.
I have set it up upside down on the unfinished basement ceiling.
I have set it up in the yard under a tarp to dry,
hang it in the garage and point an electric fan at it. Or beter yet, point the fan so it blows INTO the door of the tent
if it's small, but it in the clothes dryer with NO HEAT, and throw in 2-3 bath towels with it, then every 10 minutes or so, take out the damp towels and replace with 3 more dry ones.
I went camping quite often with the Boy Scouts, and it seemed to rain every weekend we went... At my house, we set up the tent outside WITHOUT the rainfly attached, if it is super wet. Lay the rainfly out separately so the tent part can dry faster. After it's a little more dry, we take it inside and hang it up from the basement ceiling (rafters with nails and bungee cords) so that it hangs upside down. Again, keeping the tent and rainfly separate. A couple hours later and it is perfectly dry with no mildew.
Good luck!
Pitch the tent on a hot sunny day with any doors or windows unzipped. Leave it out for a few hours. If you can, before you take it down, flip it over so the bottom of the tent can dry out too. (A lot of moisture gets trapped under the tent)
great suggestions! i will have to remember the upside-down hanging idea...kinda like a topsy-turvy strawberry planter.
I'd set it out in the sun for a while. =)
Put it in a bag of rice.
@neolithicx: better yet, fill it with 700lbs of rice!
please refer to coffeegirrrl


text: Hey everyone, it's me Dawn your friendly fellow artist and I'm back today with my final chibi Pokémon figure. Today is the day that you will learn "how to draw chibi Mew", step by step. I couldn't leave the chibi kick I was going through without doing a lesson on a chibi Mew since there is a Mew two. Anyways this is going to be a super easy, super fun, and super adorable tutorial to tackle and complete. I know that Mew is considered to be one Pokémon that is adored by so many people, fans, and even kids. I really did enjoy myself when I drew this version of Mew because he really did come out looking great. Out of all the chibi Pokémon figures I have made, so far Mew is the best. I know you too will fall in love with him/her because this is truly a character you cannot deny. Well, I guess that's all for this lesson. I will be back later with more drawing fun so stay tuned in. Adios people!


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Should I have a provision in my weddings contracts that covers actions which are outside of my control? For instance, how to deal with wedding guests who 'play photographer' and may interfere with a critical shot?
Your question is about two separate clauses, and I believe they both should be in a well formed wedding photography contract.
Exclusivity clauses will point out that the hired professional is the exclusive photographer for the event. Clients take responsibility for notifying guests that they must not interfere with the paid photographers duties. This does not prevent them from photographing at all, but they must make every effort possible not to interfere. An exclusivity clause may also give a certain pose or session to the photographer on their own. Many times you will see the formal wedding portrait time given exclusively to the paid photographer so guests are not distracting eyes and preventing the professional from completing the shots required.
An example:
The first item you bring up is very vague. Items outside your control could mean any number of different things. Should your contract give clauses to prevent liability in case of fire, acts of god, or other incidences? I believe that it should. These are not considered part of what you can control. One such example would be a clause that prevents you from returning the deposit if the weather cancels the event. The weather is not under your control, but you may want to keep the deposit.
I do have various clauses, 'act of god,' 'exclusivity of photographer,' etc. as others have outlined in their answers, and (assuming you're based in the US, YMMV if you're elsewhere) you should have these sorts of clauses too, if nothing else for the following reasons...
Unlike many of the photographers I personally know in the city I live and work, I walk through each and every clause in my contract with the bride and groom, in person, before anyone signs anything. Each bride and groom get's 'the talk' which gives me the opportunity to bring the contract out of the realm of 'legal mumbo-jumbo' for the client, and into the 'how does this apply to me?' realm. Often this gives them the opportunity to handle any problems or prepare a 'Plan B' without me having to do anything else.
For example, I sat down for a contract signing with a couple earlier today and when we talked through what I affectionately call my 'what happens if it is raining at your outdoor wedding' clause. Turns out that they had no Plan B in place, and now they're planning for the 'just in case' scenario. That's a clause of my contract that I will never have to act upon because of a little up-front talk...
I have only had to invoke my 'Uncle Bob the annoying amateur photographer' clause twice in my career, but both times the conversation was me discreetly pulling aside the groom at a lull in the photography explain the situation, and remind him of the clause in the contract. On both occasions the groom then pulled aside a trusted person and that person discreetly took care of the problem. Again, it wasn't a big deal... because we'd already discussed the points of the contract in detail months before, and they were able to see that having 'Uncle Bob' out of the way was benefiting them.
I think that the photographer who just hands a couple a contract, expects them to read it, and completely understand all the implications of what they're signing with no additional detail is just asking for problems when and if a problem arises. Too many photographers I know are simply afraid to talk about the contract and the things that are in it for fear that doing-so may 'taint the deal.' On the contrary, in more than 15 years of professional wedding photography I've never lost a client to going over the contract, never been sued, never had to sue, etc. and I think one of the major reasons for that is simply understanding that even totally reasonable things sound underhanded when put in legalese! By explaining things to clients in plain English I bring everything back into the realm of 'what is reasonable and beneficial for both me and the client,' and reasonable clients don't have problems with my provisions as a result.
There's some great advice in the other answers. One clause you might want to add is one that specifies that you aren't liable for any restrictions imposed by the venue. If the bride hired you based on some neat lighting effect you are known for, but you show up and the church officiant decides he won't allow any flash photography, you don't want to be on the hook for the situation.
The clause I use reads as such:
Yes, absolutely.
My contract specifies:


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'X-Men: Days of Future Past': Who's In? Who's Out?
By Chris Eggertsen Monday, Jan 28, 2013 11:26 PM
31 comments
Related Searches:
X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: First Class sequel, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Wolverine, Mystique, X-Men, Magneto, Ian McKellen, James McAvoy, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, January Jones, Ellen Page
X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: First Class sequel, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lawrence, Wolverine, Mystique, X-Men, Magneto, Ian McKellen, James McAvoy, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, January Jones, Ellen Page
Next gallery »Selection of Academy's new golden age poster collection
« Previous galleryBest and Worst of the 19th Annual SAG Awards
Jennifer Lawrence, Mystique
Appeared in: "X-Men: First Class"
Best Known for: "The Hunger Games," "Silver Linings Playbook"
Character's Powers: Shapeshifting
When we last saw her: Leaving the scene of a climactic battle with Magneto.
In or Out: Confirmed to be taking part
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox
Larissa (guest)You forgot James MarsdenJanuary 29, 2013 at 2:49AM ESTReply to Comment
Dr. Glung (guest)What are you paying an editor for? Re:Storm, When we last saw him???? Want credibility? Try editing.February 6, 2013 at 4:17PM ESTReply to Comment
Rogue (guest)What about Pyro (Aaron Stanford)? Word on the street is that he "doesn't want to play Pyro again..."
I'd love to see him in it, though.February 7, 2013 at 10:51PM ESTReply to Comment
(guest)Wtf is tdb? To dam bad?February 8, 2013 at 4:29AM ESTReply to Comment
Somebody ElseTBD- to be determinedFebruary 8, 2013 at 11:33AM EST
Loser manThat there is funny!February 13, 2013 at 6:48PM EST
EricReally? To be determined, you shud not be posting in places that make you look like an idiot.February 21, 2013 at 10:08AM EST
mondoEric youre fucking stupid! Youre ignorant, like my bootyholeFebruary 25, 2013 at 2:49PM EST
philly (guest)If days of future past is going to be like the comic or 90's cartoon BISHOP better be inFebruary 13, 2013 at 7:26AM ESTReply to Comment
KingPeni think bishop and cable...and like 500 other characters should be in it...the x-men saga can go as long as any movie sagas..and be one of the best sagasFebruary 13, 2013 at 10:21PM EST
keniHope they bring back nightcrawler and have him and azazel go at it in battle.February 23, 2013 at 3:23PM EST
jdr23 (guest)What about gambit? That's my dude right there.February 15, 2013 at 9:30AM ESTReply to Comment
(guest)I wanna see gambitFebruary 18, 2013 at 4:46PM ESTReply to Comment
Shantel (guest)I want Jean back SOOOOOOO BAD!February 20, 2013 at 9:20PM ESTReply to Comment
Marathonman16 (guest)Where is GAMBIT!!!!????February 22, 2013 at 9:03PM ESTReply to CommentLike (1)Latest Likes:1 Anonymous
(guest)Are just the characters in this or are the actors that play the characters in it? Maybe that's why some people don't know about it?February 26, 2013 at 7:27AM ESTReply to Comment
porthos (guest)psylocke would be great too.March 6, 2013 at 4:33PM ESTReply to Comment
Kevinjr (guest)What about Gambit?.... My favorite X-MenMarch 9, 2013 at 12:16AM ESTReply to Comment
don kiebals (guest)I would like to see Apocalypse. That would just kick ass.March 21, 2013 at 10:52PM ESTReply to Comment
Herald of Apocalypse (guest)The rise of apocalypseMarch 23, 2013 at 11:23AM ESTReply to Comment
Tony (guest)HiMarch 30, 2013 at 1:56PM ESTReply to Comment
Robert murry (guest)Keep him in the action.February 1, 2014 at 5:28PM ESTReply to Comment
Joshua (guest)Iceman dies by getting crushed in ice form by a sentinel but when the past is made so there never invented he comes to life again like he never died as if the sentinels weren't invented he never would have been killed
June 4, 2014 at 12:05PM ESTReply to CommentLike (1)Latest Likes:1 Anonymous


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STEUBENVILLE - Jay Morris was spot on when he said Big Red imposed its will on his debuting Buckeye Local basketball squad inside the Crimson Center Thursday.
Forcing 20 first-half Panther turnovers (14 came via steals) with their trapping defensive pressure, the hosts cruised to a 62-43 victory.
"We always say whichever team imposes its will on the other usually wins," Morris noted. "Tonight, Big Red imposed its will on us.
Article Photos
GOOD NIGHT — Steubenville Big Red's Periogn West knocks down two of his 12 points during Thursday's 62-43 victory over Buckeye Local at the Crimson Center.
-- Mike Mathison
"We talked about the fact that when these kids were sophomores (Buckeye Local starts four seniors and has eight on the roster) and we went 1-20, we didn't have that many turnovers in a half. We didn't expect that from our seniors."
Things actually looked pretty good for Buckeye Local early. Hoops by Caleb Agnew and Brennan Czuchran gave the Panthers a quick 4-0 lead. The walls, unfortunately, came tumbling down from there.
John Linn swished a triple then added a deuce to ignite an 11-0 Big Red run. Brandon Herring-Hill, Chris Smith and Tajuan Lawson accounted for the other six points. Mike Haney's crew, thanks to a Mylik Young bucket, was up 16-7 after the opening eight minutes.
The Panthers were guilty of nine ball-handling miscues during the opening stanza.
To its credit, Buckeye Local opened the second frame strong, scoring six straight. Big Red's defense went back to work, however, forcing 11 more turnovers. The result: Haney's cagers built a 31-15 halftime lead. Young had a huge quarter, scoring eight of his team-high 13 points.
"Defensively, it was a great first half," Haney said. "Offensively, it wasn't strong. We forced 20 turnovers but only scored 31 points. We were going down there, shooting some wild layups and throwing the ball away.
"On defense, we were playing fast and the intensity was there. We have to get smarter play offensively."
Big Red held a 43-26 advantage after three then outscored the Panthers 19-17 during the final stanza. The visitors ended with 30 turnovers while Big Red was credited with 20 steals, Linn getting six.
"We definitely want to trap when we can," Haney said of his defensive philosophy. "That means the other guys have to do a good job of rotating. We don't want to reach and foul. We want to trap the ball and let the other guys fly around."
In addition to his 13 points, Young, a 6-3 jumping jack senior, also led his team in rebounding with nine.
"He certainly gets up there quick," Haney said of Young. "He was able to get us some offensive rebounds tonight and a few put backs. He gets our fast break going with his rebounding work on the defensive end."
Periogn West added 12, eight coming in the fourth quarter. Lawson, who dished out five assists, had nine for Big Red, which hit 25 of 59 field goal attempts.
The winners, however, were just eight of 17 from the charity stripe.
"We practice it," Haney noted. "We obviously have to concentrate when we practice it. We have to get better. In a close game, that can come back to bite you."
Czuchran led the Panthers in scoring with 15. Kyle Michalo added 10. As a team, Buckeye Local was 16 for 52 from the floor.
"The only good thing is we get to play tonight," Morris said. "So we don't have to think about it too long."
The Panthers visit Union Local today for their Buckeye 8 opener.
Big Red, 1-1, will return to the Crimson Center Tuesday when John Marshall visits.
Big Red 62, Buckeye Local 43
Buckeye Local 7 8 11 17 - 43
Big Red 16 15 12 19 - 62
BUCKEYE (0-1): Marshall 0 0-0 0; Czuchran 5 3-5 15; Agnew 3 0-0 8; Williams 1 0-0 2; Duncan 0 0-0 0; Carducci 0 0-0 0; Rozenek 2 0-0 4; Michalo 4 1-2 10; Pyciak 0 0-0 0; Hamilton 1 2-2 4; Beall 0 0-0-0. TOTALS: 14 7-10 43. 3-pointers: Czuchran (2); Agnew (2); Michalo; Rebounds: 36 (Hamilton 8, Czuchran 8, Michalo 7); Turnovers: 30.
BIG RED (1-1): West 4 4-4 12; Linn 3 0-0 7; Herring-Hill 3 0-0 7; Bailey 0 0-0 0; Lawson 4 0-0 9; Herrington 0 0-0 0; Young 5 3-8 13; Sterling 2 1-3 6; Redman 0 0-2 0; Smith 3 0-0 6; Perdue 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 25 8-17 62. 3-pointers: Linn, Herring-Hill, Sterling; Rebounds: 27 (Young 9); Steals: 20 (Linn 6); Turnovers: 14.


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Tommy McKeown
Birth date- 7/11/01
Birth place- Ventura, California
Currently calling home- Oxnard, California
Best/Proudest Result: 1st Place Open Boys NSSA Regional Champs
Magic Carpet: Roberts 4'9"
Best trip- Fiji
Team Rider Since: Back in the day
Favorite wave: Cloudbreak
How may pairs of Crocs have you owned in your lifetime? None?
5 travel necessities for a surf trip: Cell phone, surfboard, fins, leash, earphones
I dance whenever I hear: Blink 182
Before a heat I like to: Study the waves.
Hit shuffle on your ipod and name the first 3 songs that come up. No cheating, God is watching:
Miley Cyrus, Blink 182, Justin Bieber
Favorite surf/non surf movie: Dear Suburbia
Biggest Inspiration: Curt Harper
In my Ipod- Jet, Foster People, Marley
Favorite Pro-Lite product: Matt McCabe pad + Board Bags


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If you've never heard of I'll Have Another, then you probably live under a rock.
On May 5, the world watched in disbelief as the Thoroughbred surged past Bodemeister to win the most prestigious crown in horse racing. Then the world watched again as jockey Mario Gutierrez, once an unknown name in the racing industry, clipped Bodemeister in the Preakness Stakes.
With the Belmont Stakes just two days away and considered the most difficult race of the Triple Crown of racing, the world is now anxiously waiting to see if the 3-year-old can repeat his performance and join the company of Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed.
Who doesn't love a fairy tale ending? Time will tell if horse racing's new little darling has what it takes to upstage the top contenders in the Belmont Stakes. We all hope for it on June 9, and we just may witness a Triple Crown winner and something that hasn't happened in 34 years.
To pick up the excitement when the wagering is over on the Belmont Stakes is The Voice-Tribune's Best Dressed. Now that all the nominations are in, it's time for us to begin the revealing process to see which women, men and couples will be asked to take part in this year's event on August 25 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown.
Over the next 9 weeks, we will reveal the names of the nominees that "you," the public, have called on to participate in Louisville's premier event. It's important to pay close attention each week throughout the summer when all the nominees are named. You will be summoned back to vote beginning on August 9 at www.voice-tribune.com. You may vote once a day every day in each of the categories. The public's involvement is a key instrument to the overall success, and, for that reason, we ask you to get involved.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for August 25 for another unparalleled event. Tickets are available on our website and sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. I encourage you not to wait until the last minute when purchasing tickets, because BD2012 will sell-out!


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Hi Guys,
I just completed the 70.3 Amica half Ironman in Providence RI. At the begining of the run both of my quads locked up on me. From that point on I could only jog 100ft at a time before they would lock up again. I thought I had hydrated enough throughout the race:
Was this cramping from lack of electrolyte/sodium? Should I have consumed more? Or could it be a lack of training (doubt it but you never know). Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Larry,sorry to here of your misfortune,it doesn't sound like low electrolytes but total quad failure.I'm assuming during your training you did a lot of bike/run bricks.Did you incorporate leg training?Was the course hillier than you had planned?Tough lesson for sure,I'm a big fan of squats and calf raises and my "wheels" have not fallen off yet,28 triathlons,6marathons 13 halfs and I'm 49,best of luck,Mike
Cape Coral Yacht club sprint 1:03
FGCU sprint 1:03
Columbus Marathon 3:50-2010
Gator Half Ironman 5:43-2009
Venice sprint 1:09/25th overall
Captiva sprint 1:04
Typically you see quad and medial glute spasm occur just as much on the bike as on the run, and in that case, it is usually due to either tight or adhesed external rotators from upper hip immobility. Usually, that type of immobility is traced to a stuck sacroiliac joint, or a gluteus medius section that needs soft tissue work or trigger therapy.
I suppose it's possible that your run spasm could have been due to training leading up to the race on the bike, or your bike utilization at the race, in which case you could have your SI joint adjusted and do a ton of foam roller work on the external rotators.
However, if this were more of a nutrition issue, I would certainly be looking into: A) potassium (bear in mind that adrenal exhaustion, overtraining or inadequate recovery will cause increased sodium excretion and potassium retention, which can lead to elecrolyte imbalances and cramping); B) magnesium (over 75% of endurance athletes are deficient, and this could be addressed via use of a topical magnesium rubbed into arms and legs pre training/racing, along with 250-500mg magnesium citrate like Natural Calm before bed each night); C) glycogen depletion (unlikely if you were fueled up, but certainly possible).
Hope that helps!
Ben Greenfield
My blog is at http://www.BenGreenfieldFitness.com
Also, I'm giving away a free 7-part series on "How To Become Superhuman" at http://www.SuperhumanCoach.com
Did you actually drink 300 oz. of fluid during the ride or is that a typo? If you did, my best guess is that you depleted your electrolyte levels by drinking too much water.
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


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Hi folks,
I'm new to this forum and new to pano photography. My goal is to produce 360 VR work. Currently, I have a Canon 5DII, Canon 15mm full frame fish-eye lens, a Manfroto tripod and the Manfroto leveling base.
I'm in the market for a pano head and I'm not sure if I need the NN3 or the NN5. I'm guessing that the "L" stands for leveling which I already have. I'm not using any type of special grip, just the stock 5DII. I might, at some point down the road, want to use this setup with a lens other than the 15mm FF fish-eye.
I'd be interested to hear whether your experiences have shown that the advanced rotator is worth the extra $$$. Also, I'm still a little unclear as to what is the difference in RD8 vs. RD16.
Thanks for your help.


text:
Top 10 Books by Eric Carle
5 of 11
The Very Quiet Cricket
A newborn cricket quickly discovers he can't talk. He meets many different insects, but can't say hello to any of them. Finally, as night approaches he meets another quiet cricket very much like him, and this time he can chirp.
Activity: Am I an Insect? This drawing activity focuses on the essential characteristics of insects.
Next: The Mixed-Up Chameleon


text:
I'm switching from an old phone and need to know if I can install Thunderbird on a Samsung S3 or any other similar phone? I have several business emails and like the way Thunderbird works.
Being new to this, if I can't put TBird on the Samsung or similar product, then what type of e-mail platform will I be using?


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I am a computer engineering student who has access to piano's at my school almost 24/7. So why dont learn to play? I am willing to work hard and planning to get a good base starting this summer, that means, spending up to 8 hours of playing everyday this summer. I am used to breaking things into parts and learn them methodically. How should I start with piano? I have played a bit here and there, meaning trying a bit of Hanon, chords and so on. I am not asking for shortcuts, just trying to avoid stupid tracks. All suggestions are heartwarming, books, exercises, and so on ...
I advice you to also take lessons for the basics. A lot of piano autodidact piano players had very bad usage of finger/body placement which could eventually result in hand/neck/back problems!
For the rest.. just look for the right music to learn. It does not really matter what songs but when you want to learn to play the piano you will likely end with classical music.
Also, when doing some kind of online lessons.. practise something until perfected 100% and then proceed to the next step. Usually you want to progress too fast resulting in bad skills and timing. Try not to go too fast and pauze often. You are planning to go play 8 hours a day! This cannot be very good for a beginner. Better to do 2 or 3 sessions and target a specific thing during a session.
I second Ramon's suggestion to get at least a few lessons to make sure you've got your posture correct.
After that, focus on pieces not exercises. Get a few volumes of Easy Classics to Moderns and World's Favorite Piano anthologies. Start with Mozart. The melodies will train your ears (and keep you interested), while the technique should develop naturally (if you follow the fingering, indicated by numbers next to the note-heads).
At first it might take you the whole day to learn a piece, note by note, right hand, left hand, both hands. Resist the temptation to start over from the beginning every time you make a mistake (how ever will you get to the end if you indulge this habit?). After a whole summer, you could have a dozen little Mozart pieces under your belt; maybe even Fur Elise, too.
Bon Chance!
If you are into jazz or any genres that uses traits from jazz you might want to get "The Jazz Piano Book" by Mark Levine. You will have to decide if it is over your head or not, but it will keep you busy for a life time.


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We received insightful responses to the polls from our "Mobile and Big Data go Instant and Interactive" webinars about the challenges users of all types face with business analytics. The complexity of data integration, lack of skills and resources, and the need to analyze unstructured data are the most significant big data challenges identified for over 80% of attendees. 50% of our attendees either have a current mobile BI solution in place or plan to in the future.
What does this mean for the future of analytics? Whether mobilizing your sales force or empowering data analysts to discover meaning from data in Hadoop, a complete business analytics solution must address the business pressures of a continual inundation of data and the need to access and interact with that data instantly in simple, familiar ways.
Not surprising that the response to Pentaho's Business Analytics 4.8 has been overwhelmingly positive — the best of analytics offered up in a mobile optimized experience for business users and Instaview broadening big data access to data analysts for data discovery.
If you missed out on our webinar, access the on demand recording at:
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Data Integration and business analytics in a single, unified, modern platform — Pentaho is the future of analytics
Let me know what you think about Pentaho 4.8.
Donna Prlich
Director, Product Marketing


text:
I am trying to plot some parametric curves, however I always get an an error saying "Dimension is too large". Is there any way to fix this?
\draw[very thin,color=gray,step=.5cm,dashed] (-8,-8) grid (4,4);
\draw[<->, blue] (-8,0) -- (4,0) node[below right] {$x$};
\draw[<->, blue] (0,-8) -- (0,4) node[left] {$y$};
\draw [red, thick, domain=-10:1.1, samples=40]
plot ({\x^3-3*\x}, {3*\x^2-9} );


text:
New TC Professional
The New TC Professional membership costs $160 per year and is aimed at recent graduates new to the technical communication profession. It's a step between Student Membership and Classic Membership to help recent graduates continue their STC membership at an important time in their careers.
The New TC Professional membership includes membership in one professional chapter and one Special Interest Group, pills plus everything all members receive: online access to Intercom and Technical Communication, free archived education seminars, access to the MySTC Network, education discounts, and so much more.
To qualify for the New TC Professional membership rate, individuals must have graduated from a college or university within the past three years. If you have any questions, please email the STC membership department.
Professional development. Connections. Education. Be where it all comes together with STC's New TC Professional membership! Click here to join or renew today.


text:
Translation of "snail" - English-Spanish dictionary
(Translation of "snail" from the Cambridge English-Spanish Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
(Translation of "snail" from the PASSWORD English-Spanish Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)
Get a quick, free translation!
Create and share your own word lists and quizzes for free!
Word of the Day
to make clothes and other things using wool and a special needle with a hook (= curve) at one end


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How can I take horizontal photos where the object is lying flat on the floor? Do you know any stands/tripods which allow to point the camera straight downwards?
The Manfrotto 55XPROB has a center column that swings over the legs and allows to shoot straight down. Thats the most common one that I'm aware of. Its a pretty solid tripod to boot.
EDIT: I just checked another tripod I have (a Dolica Proline 62"), which I think is the best-bang-for-your-buck at $40, its pretty stable, independent legs, and a ball head included. It ALSO can remove the center post, flip it, and position the camera between the legs instead of above them.
The Slik Sprint Pro does it too. You get to reverse the center column so that the camera gets attached between the legs and it becomes easy to shoot downwards.
It paid $120 USD for it and sold it last week for $60.
Just about any tripod allows you to shoot straight down AFAIK. Certainly my dirt-cheap HAMA PoS does. Just turn the head so it's equidistant between two legs and tilt it.
As many have stated already, there are tripods that allow you to swing the center column. With an inclinable center column you are able to adjust the camera to point directly towards the floor. Keep in mind that statics is pushed to the max, when you tilt the center column to 90 degree and extend it completely. Therefore I would not try to save too much on the tripod, so you probably may want to shop for a tripod that supports heavier gear that you actually want to put on.
To align your camera absolutely horizontal to the ground you might want to use the spirit level on your tripod or head. If your tripod nor your head has a spirit level you can buy spirit levels that fit into the flash shoe of your camera.
I recently bought a new tripod that I really like and is capable to do what you are looking for. It is the Vanguard Alta Pro 284 CT (B&H Shop, review) with a Manfrotto 054 Magnesium Ball Head Q5. The cool thing about this tripods' center column is that you can set it up from zero to 180-degree angle. However, it has a couple of other features that make a good price/performance ratio in my opinion. With this combination of tripod and head nearly any angle and position is feasible.
I use a simple inexpensive device called the ALZO HORIZONTAL CAMERA MOUNT. I found it here http://www.alzodigital.com/online_store/Horiz_camera_mount.htm
I was able to find a Manfrotto 3021BPro tripod used for around $80. Problem that you will need a head too (I ended up buying the Manfrotto 322CR2 head for $120). Like its successor, the 55XProB, its center column can be reversed, or fixed horizontally.
Regarding the suggestion by @ElendilTheTall, the proposed method is perfectly valid, and was used a lot before I got me my current tripod. You can tilt the setup as much as you need, counterbalancing the camera's weight with hanging something heavy on the opposite leg. For getting the legs out of sight, play with longer focal lengths.


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Home > Bentley > Bentley Mulsanne Executive Interior 2013
Below you will find the high resolution car wallpapers for Bentley Mulsanne Executive Interior 2013. You may use the car wallpapers for any of the following standard screen resolutions:
1600x1200 | 1400x1050 | 1280x1024 | 1280x960 | 1152x864 | 1024x768 (iPad) | 800x600 Full Car Details
Bentley Mulsanne Executive Interior 2013
Bentley designs Mulsanne to cater to its traditional customers. The Mulsanne incorporates all that Bentley has to offer in terms of luxury and performance, and the interior of the 2013 Mulsanne takes it to an all-new height. Now, all of us know that people who normally ride in Bentley cars are mostly people who occupy powerful positions in various fields. They form the bulk of the Bentley customers and Bentley is always trying to evolve itself to suit their needs in a better and efficient manner.


text:
MADRID (AP) -- Finance ministers from the 17 countries that use the euro say they are ready to give Spain up to $125 billion in a bailout to help save its ailing banking sector.
The eurogroup says the money would come from Europe's bailout funds and that the final amount would be determined by an audit that Spain is currently undertaking. The group says the loan should include current needs and also a "safety margin."
The money will go directly to a fund set up by Spain to recapitalize ailing banks, but the government will ultimately be responsible for the loan.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says Spain's request for a bank rescue and Europe's willingness to prop up the country with financial aid are welcome actions toward stemming the region's debt crisis.
In a statement, Geithner says Spain's bailout plan and the commitment by its European partners to provide support are "concrete steps on the path to financial union, which is vital to the resilience of the euro area."
There are fears that Europe's economic crisis could reach across the Atlantic and drag down the fragile U.S. economy.
BEIRUT (AP) -- Violence continues in Syria, as government troops and rebel forces battled in the streets of Damascus for nearly 12 hours.
The rebel fighters took the battle right to the stronghold of President Bashar Assad in the Syrian capital.
It was the heaviest fighting in Damascus since the 15-month uprising against Assad began.
UN observers indicated the rebels fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a local power plan, damaging it and destroying six buses.
The government troops fired three tank shells into a residential neighborhood, according to an activist.
More than 50 civilians were killed around the country outside of Damascus according to a British-based activist group. Among them were 20 including nine women and children in the southern city of Daraa.
HUALLA-HUALLA, Peru (AP) -- Peruvian police say there are no survivors from the 14 people on board a helicopter that crashed in the southeastern Andes.
According to police, eight South Koreans and three Europeans were among the victims.
A police commander who went to the crash site says the aircraft exploded after it crashed into the Mama Rosa mountain. He says everyone perished on impact.
The police say operations at the crash site have been suspended until Sunday because of bad weather and darkness.
Authorities say the crashed Sikorsky S-58ET was found at an attitude of roughly 16,000 feet.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- A powerful earthquake has struck off northeastern Taiwan, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau says the quake registered at magnitude 6.5. It says the tremor was felt throughout the island.
The earthquake struck Sunday morning at sea, about 42 miles (70 kilometers) east of the Taiwanese county of Ilan. Ilan is about 90 miles (150 kilometers) southeast of the capital, Taipei.
Earthquakes frequently rattle Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage.
However, a magnitude-7.6 earthquake in central Taiwan in 1999 killed more than 2,300 people.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has undergone tests following his cancer treatment and everything came out well.
Chavez tells reporters, in his words, that "everything came out absolutely fine."
He says he feels well, and he vows to win re-election in October. He says the exams included imaging tests.
The Venezuelan leader has recently scaled back his public appearances after undergoing cancer treatment in Cuba. But on Monday he plans to formally sign up to run for re-election.
Chavez spoke to reporters at the presidential palace on Saturday following a meeting with Russian delegation.
Olympic torch ferried across Scotland's Loch Ness
The Olympic torch is crossing Loch Ness, home of the fable monster, as part of its cross-country trek that ends at London's Olympic Park next month.
The torch is being taken across the roughly 20-mile long lake by boat from Fort Augustus in the southwest to the village of Drumnadrochit near the middle before resting for the night at the nearby Scottish city of Inverness.
The torch began the 22nd day of the relay journey Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Hundreds of people waving Scottish and British flags lined the route to see the torch and cheer.
More than 8,000 torchbearers are carrying the flame across the United Kingdom and neighboring islands before the July 27 - Aug. 12 games.


text:
By Bus, Boat, or Train
Kids are intrigued with all methods of transportation, from wheels on the bus to hot air balloons. Experiencing a mode of transportation that isn't part of a child's daily life is quite an experience. Select a method of transportation that you and your child don't use often. If you drive everywhere in the car, then you might choose the local bus, train, ferry, subway, or cable car. Do a little research online, or find a book in the library that has detailed picture and description of how the chosen mode of transportation works. Ask your child questions; how do you think the wheel was discovered? How does the train keep moving forward? Encourage imagination and creative explanations rather than the right answer. Buy a round-trip ticket and go for a ride.
From 365 Days of Creative Play by Sheila Ellison & Judith Gray. Copyright © 2005 by Sheila Ellison & Judith Gray. All rights reserved. Used by arrangement with Sourcebooks, Inc.
Buy the book at www.amazon.com.


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What is the best practice when going through "Configure your SP farm" Services portion? Where all the services are checked and either will use existing managed account or ask you to create new managed account?
How do I find out what are these in production so this dev can be similar to production?


text:
I deleted my Facebook account and it is past the 14 days period. I want to know if my data is completely erased from Facebook's servers or if it will be kept for time immemorial in their servers.
Check out this article for full details: http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20005556-245.html. Long story short they delete all of the data that can identify you when you delete your account. They do keep other data so they can track bugs but they are rather unclear about what that means.
Here is the important excerpt:
I asked a Facebook spokesman why copies would need to be kept at all and for how long, exactly when all traces of the data are gone entirely, and whether any data remain on any servers of partners, and if so for how long? Here is his reply:
protected by Community♦ Sep 18 '12 at 15:02
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?


text:
Eco-Wooden Robot
by Soopsori
Movable wooden robot made with natural wood.
Indulge your child with a robot pal while maintaining your green sensibility.
Dimensions: 3.5 ⅹ 7 inch.
This friendly robot is crafted with different types of solid high-quality wood and finished with linseed oil, which is non-toxic and harmless. It gets their distinctive colors only from the natural color and grain patterns of the wood itself. All the joint parts are connected with elastic bands and movable in every direction. The robot can be positioned and played in various ways.
Well made and well designed, it will withstand generations of play. Comes in a eco- friendly box that makes it a perfect gift!
Dimensions: 3.5 ⅹ 7 inch.
Age: 3 years +
Made in China
Safety: This product meets or exceeds safety specifications set forth by ASTM International (American standard) and the BSI (European standard).
© 2016 My Sweet Muffin illustrations by Mariah DeMarco site by Aeolidia


text:
11-10131 1 Ashbury Court Partners LLC (Doc. # 187)
- Details
- Category: Judge Nugent
- Published: 20 October 2011
- Written by Judge Nugent
- Hits: 4246
1 Ashbury Court Partners LLC, 11-10131 (Bankr. D. Kan. Oct 6, 2011) Doc. # 187
Click here for the pdf document.
SIGNED this 05 day of October, 2011.
1 ASHBURY COURT PARTNERS, L.L.C., ) Case No. 11-10131
) Chapter 11
Debtor. )
The debtor, 1 Ashbury Court Partners, L.L.C., (Debtor) operates a 116-unit apartment
complex at 1940 S. Woodlawn in Wichita, Kansas, that is now known as Siena Court Apartments
(formerly Ashbury Court Apartments). The present ownership purchased the apartments in
November of 2008 and borrowed the $2.4 million purchase money from Wells Fargo Bank (WFB).
WFB acted as an originator and servicer for the Federal National Mortgage Association, commonly
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 1 of 16
known as Fannie Mae. When Debtor defaulted on its loan obligations in the summer of 2010,
Fannie Mae foreclosed, triggering this bankruptcy filing on January 24, 2011. The Debtor filed a
series of chapter 11 plans. The third amended plan is before the Court and provides for a cure of its
default and the reinstatement of Fannie Mae's loan.1 A trial on Fannie Mae's objection to the
confirmation of this plan was held on August 25, 2011. The Debtor failed to bear its burden of proof
on confirmation and, accordingly, confirmation must be DENIED.
In the go-go financing days of 2007-2008, Ross Meyeraan and his West Coast partners were
looking for apartment opportunities in the Midwest. After scouring the Wichita, Kansas City, and
Tulsa markets, they settled on acquiring what is currently the Siena Court apartments from MAACO
Properties, a company controlled by Lew McGinnis. Assured by the information they received from
McGinnis that this property could be profitably run and concluding that rent conditions were
improving in Wichita, Meyeraan and his group, RTD Investments I, L.L.C. (RTD), secured
financing from Fannie Mae through Wells Fargo. They were short about $725,000 to close the loan
and needed additional capital. The group successfully raised another $400,000, but still needed
$325,000 which Mr. McGinnis was willing to lend so long as he retained the right to manage the
property. Armed with the necessary closing funds, Debtor and RTD closed the $2.4 million loan and
purchase in late 2008.2
Meyeraan returned to San Francisco, leaving McGinnis in charge. McGinnis ran the
1 Dkt. 129, Modified Second Amended Plan of Reorganization dated July 11, 2011.
2 RTD became the majority interest holder and managing member of Debtor, the
borrower under the loan documents. Meyeraan is the managing member of RTD.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 2 of 16
property into the ground. He provided no reporting to the owners and the condition of the property
deteriorated. After a series of mishaps, including an arson incident in the fall of 2009 that damaged
20 units of the complex, Meyeraan and his partners raised an additional $400,000 to take McGinnis
out in early 2010. When RTD replaced McGinnis's management with PIMCO (Property Investors
Management Company) in January 2010, RTD found that appliances were missing, tenants were not
paying rents, and it appeared that McGinnis had commingled rents from a number of his properties,
paying mortgage payments for one property with rents from another. PIMCO discovered that it was
only 52 per cent occupied, not 82 per cent as McGinnis had represented. Deferred maintenance
mounted as cash flow dried up and, by June of 2010, Debtor could not maintain its debt service to
Fannie Mae.
Through its property manager, Debtor requested forbearance and, in a June 29, 2010 letter
from WFB – now Fannie Mae's servicer – that can only be described as cryptic, was granted the
right to defer the June payment while making all subsequent payments on time and making the June
payment up by not later than September 1, 2010.3 Debtor made partial loan payments in July and
August and, on August 13, 2010, Wells Fargo gave a notice of default and acceleration.4 It
accelerated the loan on August 23. Fannie Mae filed a foreclosure petition in Sedgwick County
District Court on November 1, 2010.
On January 24, 2011, the Debtor filed this case and obtained this Court's order permitting
it to employ PIMCO as property manager.5 By June, PIMCO had been fired and replaced by
3 Ex. 4.
4 Ex. 5.
5 Dkt. 67.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 3 of 16
Premier Real Estate Management Inc. (Premier) who found the property in terrible disarray.6
According to Rosetta Parker, the head of Premier, conditions at the property were "bedlam." Drug
dealers inhabited some of the apartments, and others had been stripped of furniture and appliances.
Many tenants were not paying, as demonstrated by the property's $40,000 unpaid rent roll, and
evictions ensued. The Debtor also believed that it incurred a $50,000 to $75,000 loss through the
previous on-site individual property manager's embezzlement of cash rents.7 By August of 2011,
Premier had re-established some semblance of stability, but the property's occupancy was only 62
per cent. A highly credible witness, Ms. Parker thought that the property and occupancy could be
stabilized in fifteen to twenty months (December 2012), but noted that net revenues would run at
a deficit that, by November of 2011, would be nearly $<150,000>.8
Against this dreary background, the Debtor seeks to cure its defaults and reinstate Fannie
Mae's loan which will mature in 2015 and require a substantial balloon payment or refinance at
payoff. This implicates several issues, beginning with quantifying the default, but ultimately turning
on whether the Debtor can marshal the operating capital to effect the cure, cover the $150,000
operating shortfall, and have the ability to repay the nearly $2.2 million at maturity on December
1, 2015. The parties addressed other issues at trial, but these issues matter the most.
The Loan and the Default
Under the terms of the Note dated November 14, 2008, the Debtor borrowed $2.4 million,
6 Dkt. 115.
7 This loss was discovered in May of 2011 and led to Premier's employment as property
8 Ross Meyeraan stated that a "stabilized" property is one with 90% occupancy for a
period of 90 days.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 4 of 16
to be repaid on a thirty-year amortization and to bear interest at 6.11 percent.9 The loan was to
mature on December 1, 2015. In the event of default, the Note would bear default interest of an
additional four percentage points or 10.11 percent. The Note was secured by a first Mortgage on
the property and an assignment of rents. Default interest kicked in any time a payment remained
past due for thirty days or for any period of time that the matured Note remained unpaid.10 If the
lender incurred any expenses as a result of any default, the Debtor was to repay those upon demand.
These expenses included attorneys fees, expert fees, and any "costs of investigation." If the Note
was accelerated, the Mortgage provided for the collection "of all costs and expenses incurred" in
collection efforts. The Debtor was to deposit certain replacement reserves with the lender to cover
costs of repairs or improvements to the property or to assure reduction of the principal balance if
occupancy or rental income was insufficient.11 Finally, Debtor was obligated to make deposits for
property taxes, and insurance.12
Fannie Mae calculates the extent of the default through August 31, 2011 (exclusive of
9 See Ex. 1, Multifamily Note and Multifamily Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and
Security Agreement attached to Fannie Mae's proof of claim no. 8. The Note called for monthly
principal and interest payments of $14,559.38. The total monthly payment for principal and
interest, taxes, insurance, and replacement reserve was approximately $21,000 according to
Wells Fargo witness Twilla Revelle.
10 See Note ¶ 8 at Ex. 1, p. 7.
11 See Mortgage ¶ 1(b) at Ex. 1, p. 31, where the replacement reserves are described in
the defined term, "collateral agreement." No separate collateral agreement was introduced into
evidence at trial of this matter, but based upon Wells Fargo's Annual Statement for 2010, Debtor
was paying $2,426.33 monthly to the replacement reserve until June of 2010. See Ex. DD.
12 See Mortgage ¶ 7(a) at Ex. 1, p. 40, where such taxes and insurance obligations and
deposits are termed as "impositions" and "imposition deposits."
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 5 of 16
acceleration) as follows:13
Pre-petition default
Less: Partial payments $36,728.0515
Net Pre-petition default amount $201,715.77
Post-petition default
Less: Adequate Protection $69,977.3917
Net Post-petition default amount $136,726.70
Fees and Expenses (as of 7/13/2011)18 $81,360.14
Total Amount of Default to Cure $419,802.61
The Debtor denies that it is required to pay the default interest as a matter of law and objects to
paying Fannie Mae's attorneys fees and costs. Debtor calculates the amount of the default to be
cured as follows:19
13 Ex. 2.
14 This figure is the default amount calculated from the alleged date of default, June 1,
2010, through January of 2011 and includes default interest of $62,438.25; taxes and insurance
advanced by Fannie Mae in the amounts of $20,035.77 and $17,172.24, respectively;
replacement reserves in the amount of $19,410.64; and late charges of approximately $2,900.
See Ex. 2.
15 These three (3) partial principal and interest payments are for the period July-
September, 2010 in the amounts of $10,728.06, $16,000, and $10,000, respectively. See Ex. 2.
16 This figure also includes default interest in the amount of $57,453.69, calculated
through August 31, 2011, taxes and insurance advanced, and replacement reserves. See Ex. 2.
17 Debtor's adequate protection payments through June of 2011 were credited against the
indebtedness. See Ex. 2.
18 Fannie Mae's expenses include charges totaling $11,500 for an environmental site
assessment, a physical needs assessment, an appraisal, and a broker's opinion of value. The
balance of this line item is attributed to attorney fees, or $69,860.14. See Ex. 2.
19 Ex. DD.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 6 of 16
Pre-petition obligations
Less: Amounts actually paid $49,122.6621
Net Pre-petition Default amount $123,971.13
Post-petition obligations $149,250.4022
Less: Amounts actually paid $79,556.88
Net Post-petition Default amount $69,693.52
Total Amount of Default to Cure $193,664.65
In addition, Debtor complains of the sweep and transfer of the replacement reserve account balance
of some $41,323 on August 3, 2010 to Fannie Mae, but it appears that sum was later credited to
Debtor's accelerated loan balance, rather than the cure amount.23 Wells Fargo's representative
Twilla Revelle testified that if Debtor effects a cure of the default, these funds would be returned
to Wells Fargo for ongoing servicing of the loan.24 The difference in the cure amounts as calculated
by Fannie Mae and Debtor is $226,137.96 and is largely comprised of the disputed default interest
and fees and costs.25 The parties essentially agree on the principal and interest payments or adequate
20 This figure is for the 8 month period June 2010 through January 2011 and includes
regular principal and interest payments of $116,475.04, 2010 taxes in the amount of $20,035.77,
2010 insurance in the amount of $17,172.34, and replacement reserves of $19,410.64. See Ex.
21 This figure is comprised of $1,859.92 for tax escrow and $10,534.68 for insurance
escrow. The balance consists of three partial principal and interest payments in the amounts of
$10,728.06, $16,000, and $10,000 respectively. See Ex. DD.
22 Like the pre-petition obligations, the post-petition obligations include principal and
interest payments for the 7 month period February - August, 2011, insurance, taxes and
replacement reserves.
23 See Ex. 1, p. 4, Calculation of Payoff as of the date of bankruptcy filing, January 24,
24 See Ex. 1, p. 7, Note ¶ 4 and p. 40-41, Mortgage ¶s 7, 8 and 9.
25 Default interest totals $119,891.94 ($57,453.69 post-petition + $62,438.25 pre-
petition) and attorney's fees and costs are $81,360.14. These two components account for
$201,252.08 of the difference.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 7 of 16
protection payments made by Debtor during the period, except that Fannie Mae's cure calculation
omits a $10,693 payment made by Debtor in July of 2011.26
What the Debtor Can Raise to Effect the Cure
Anthony Chara testified that he has been soliciting investors and funds on behalf of Debtor.27
He believes that he can aggregate investments of $375,000 to $460,000 within the thirty days
following trial to effect a cure. He testified about a list of 31 potential investors, only two of whom
had committed to fund a total of $30,000 to date.28 Ross Meyeraan says he is unable to personally
contribute any more funds to the project. None of this money would be addressed to treating the
looming $150,000 shortfall in operating revenue in November that Rosetta Parker testified to. This
need will arise just three months after the trial. Chara testified that he was soliciting loans from
individuals to cover the operating shortfall, but had received no commitments by the time of trial.
Even so, the contemplated terms upon which the additional $150,000 loan is being solicited are that
it will be due, with interest at a premium rate, in one year – November 2012.
The Debtor's projections attached to the disclosure statement do not provide for the
repayment of the November 2012 loan, nor does it appear there will be sufficient revenue from
operations to accomplish that. Indeed, Ms. Parker's budget projections do not even extend to
November 2012. The Debtor's financial position is challenging at best.
26 Cf. Ex. 2 and Ex. DD. Fannie Mae's cure calculation is dated July 14, 2011 so it may
be that the $10,693 July payment had not yet been received by Fannie Mae at the time it
calculated the amount necessary to cure the default. In the grand scheme of things, that payment
does not make or break Debtor's ability to effect a cure of the default or substantially impact the
amount of the cure.
27 Chara's company, Apartment Mentors, LLC, holds a 10% interest in the Debtor that it
received in exchange for raising capital to buy out Lew McGinnis's interest in early 2010.
28 See Ex. T. Of the $30,000 committed for the cure, $10,000 was from Chara.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 8 of 16
Value of the Property
The Debtor offered no evidence concerning the value of the apartments because it deemed
current value to be irrelevant given that it has proposed to pay Fannie Mae in full. Fannie Mae
contends that value is highly important because when the loan matures in December of 2015, Debtor
will have to make a hefty balloon payment or refinance the balloon obligation. Fannie Mae
presented the credible appraisal testimony of Michael DeHaas who described the property as a Class
C, 116 unit apartment complex that is presently worth $1.565 million.29 While current value may
not affect the Debtor's intention to repay Fannie in full and on schedule, some understanding of
current value, current loan-to-value ratios, and recent trends in value is very important for assessing
the likelihood that the Debtor can refinance the payoff of nearly $2.2 million in 2015. DeHaas
testified that if 80 percent occupancy could be maintained,30 the value of the property might increase
by a maximum of 3 percent a year to about $1.753 million by 2015, still well short of the anticipated
balloon balance of $2.176 million. DeHaas further testified that loan-to-value ratios for properties
of this type were currently in the range of 50 -75 percent, meaning that a take-out lender might only
lend about $1.05 million against the apartments in 2015.31
The Debtor bore the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that its plan met
all of the requirements of § 1129(a) and, if any class of debt rejected the plan, § 1129(b) as well.
29 Ex. 19. DeHass indicated that Class C property is typically characterized by lower
occupancy, deferred maintenance, and fewer amenities. Such property cannot command as high
rental rates compared to a higher class of property.
30 DeHass stated that for Class C property, stabilized occupancy is 80% rather than 90%.
31 See Ex. 20. According to DeHaas, the lower end of the loan-to-value ratio (here 60%)
would be used because of the property's above average deferred maintenance.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 9 of 16
Fannie Mae was alone in Class 2 and it rejected the plan. The Class 3 unsecured creditors accepted
the plan with one accepting ballot and no rejections.32 Thus the requirement of § 1129(a)(1) that
there be one impaired accepting class is met. The parties stipulated in the pretrial order to the
Debtor having met all of the other elements of § 1129(a) except § 1129(a)(1)(compliance with title
11 and chapter 11), (a)(8)(all classes have accepted the plan), and (a)(11)(the plan will not be
followed by further reorganization or liquidation--feasibility).
The Debtor argues that with the cure of its default, Fannie Mae's claim is not impaired and,
therefore, it should be deemed to have accepted the plan. Were this so, all classes would have
accepted the plan and the requirements of (a)(8) would be met. If not, the Debtor would be entitled
to seek cram-down under § 1129(b) by demonstrating that the plan is fair and equitable as to all
classes as provided in § 1129(b)(2). Only if the cure proposed by the Debtor is adequate and only
if the Debtor can actually accomplish it is this argument effective. Ultimately, the Debtor failed to
prove its ability to pay either cure amount, meaning that it cannot meet the requirement of §
1129(a)(8) or (a)(11).
Sufficiency of the Cure
Section 1124(2) provides that a class of claims is impaired unless the plan provides for a cure
of the defaults to the holder of each claim in the class. How the default is to be cured is to be
determined in accordance with the parties' agreement and applicable non-bankruptcy law.33 Kansas
32 Grounds Well, a lawn contractor, voted to accept the plan, but Fannie Mae objected to
its claim, thereby temporarily invalidating the ballot, see § 1126(a). The objection is pending.
Rock, Inc. accepted the plan. Its claim had been scheduled as contingent and unliquidated,
invalidating its ballot. However, on August 16, 2011, the Debtor amended the schedules and
removed those designations rendering Rock's an allowed claim.
33 § 1123(d).
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 10 of 16
law and the terms of the Note and Mortgage clearly authorize the collection of default interest here.
Debtor argues, however, that § 1124(2)(A)'s reference to a default "other than a default of a kind
specified in § 356(b)(2) . . . or of a kind that § 365(b)(2) does not require to be cured" expressly
writes default interest out of the cure amount here. Debtor bases this position on the language of
§ 365(b)(2)(D) that states that the cure of an executory contract or unexpired lease default does not
apply to a default "that is a breach of a provision relating to . . . the satisfaction of any penalty rate
or penalty provision relating to a default arising from any failure by the debtor to perform
nonmonetary obligations under the executory contract or unexpired lease. . . ." Debtor argues with
the support of a scant few cases that the phrase "the satisfaction of any penalty rate or penalty
provision relating to a default" in effect creates two kinds of defaults, one relating to default or
penalty interest and the other relating to penalties for nonmonetary defaults. Most courts and writers
do not read this phrase in that way: rather, the majority view considers that both the "penalty rate"
and the "penalty provision" language refer to and modify the words beginning with "relating to,"
meaning that only penalty rates that punish non-monetary default need not be cured. To hold that
this provision ruled out default interest where it is otherwise legally enforceable would be to write
§ 1123(d) out of the Code. That section was enacted in 1994 for the specific purpose of clarifying
(unfortunately in a not very clear way) that cure and reinstatement required more than simply rolling
back the clock as some courts had held.34
Accordingly, Fannie Mae is entitled to default interest from the date of default. What that
date is, however, is difficult to determine without a close reading of the Note, Forbearance
34 See In re Moody Nat. SHS Houston H, L.L.C., 426 B.R. 667 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. 2010);
In re General Growth Properties, Inc., 451 B.R. 323 (Bankr. S.D. N.Y. 2011).
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 11 of 16
Agreement and the Debtor's manager's letter requesting the forbearance.35 Paragraph 3(a) of the
Note states that monthly installments are due and payable on the "First Payment Date" and on the
first day of every succeeding month thereafter.36 The First Payment Date is defined as January 1,
2009. Paragraph 7 of the Note states that if the monthly installments are not paid by the tenth day
of the month, a penalty is imposed. Paragraph 8 relates to default interest and provides that if a
monthly installment is past due for thirty or more days, default interest accrues from "the earlier of
the due date of the first unpaid monthly installment or other payment due, as applicable, at the
Default Rate." Paragraph 12 of the Note specifies that any forbearance by the lender "shall not . .
. preclude the exercise of . . . any other right or remedy." This means that even if Fannie Mae agreed
to accept a late installment payment, it is not precluded from exercising any other contractual
remedy it had, including the imposition of default interest.
On June 9, one day before the grace period for the June payment expired, the Debtor's
property manager sent a letter to Wells Fargo requesting "to forgo the June payment," stating that
the payment would be made up by "paying extra in the future months."37 Wells Fargo's response,
the forbearance agreement, provided that the Debtor would be excused from timely paying the June
2010 payment, but also that the Debtor would be required to make "Loan Payments" at no more than
30-day intervals, and that the Debtor would "return the loan to current status" by September 1.38
35 Exhibits 1, 3, and 4.
36 Ex. 1, p. 6.
37 Ex. 3.
38 Ex. 4. The forbearance agreement contemplates that Debtor was to timely make the
regular monthly payments, plus such additional amounts to "make up" the missed June 2010
payment by September 1, 2010.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 12 of 16
Nowhere in the forbearance letter did Wells Fargo or Fannie Mae agree to waive the default interest
arising from the defaulted June payment. Instead, the letter made clear that the debtor was to make
the installment payments every thirty days and that the June payment was to be made up by
September 1, 2010.39 The Debtor did neither. It made partial payments on July 7 ($10,728.05),
August 12 ($16,000), and September 24 ($10,000). By Meyeraan's own admission, Debtor never
made the full payment for July, August, or September. Nor did it catch up the June payment by
September 1.
Fannie Mae deemed the debtor in default before September 1 and made demand on August
13.40 An "Event of Default" is defined as Debtor's failure "to pay or deposit when due any amount
required by the Note, this Instrument [Multifamily Mortgage, Assignment of Rents, and Security
Agreement], or any other Loan Document."41 Fannie Mae's demand letter asserts as a basis for
acceleration the Debtor's failure to pay "certain installments due and payable under the Forbearance
Agreement." The partial payment of the July principal and interest amount constitutes a further
Event of Default in addition to the default that occurred when the June payment was not made.
Even though the September 1 deadline for curing the June payment had not yet passed, the July
39 The Loan Documents were defined to include the Note, the Mortgage and Collateral
Agreement. See Ex. 1, p. 33 ¶ 1.(q). Payments under the Loan Documents included payments of
principal and interest in the monthly amount of $14,559.38 [Note, Ex. 1, p. 6, ¶ 3(c)],
"imposition deposits" for taxes and insurance (payable with the monthly principal and interest
payment) [Mortgage, Ex. 1, p. 40, ¶ 7], and replacement reserves under a Collateral Agreement
[Mortgage, Ex. 1, p. 31, ¶ 1.(b) and p. 41, ¶ 8].
40 Ex. 5.
41 Ex. 1, p. 55, ¶ 22.(a).
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 13 of 16
default supported the demand and acceleration evidenced in the August 13, 2010 letter.42 A fair
reading of the Note, the Debtor's forbearance request, and the Forbearance Agreement shows that
Fannie Mae became entitled to default rate of interest when the June payment remained past due for
30 or more days and that the default rate began to accrue "from the earlier of the due date of the
unpaid monthly installment or other payment due," June 1, 2010.43
The language of the loan documents allows Fannie Mae to demand reimbursement for its
fees and expenses caused by the default and its efforts to collect the Note. It is neither unusual nor
unexpected for a lender to seek an appraisal and an environmental report as part of resolving a
default either by workout or collection. These are routine costs that should come as no surprise to
a borrower sophisticated enough to apply for and receive a $2.4 million commercial real estate loan.
Likewise that a borrower should be called upon to pay attorneys fees is hardly shocking. For the
purpose of this Order only, those fees are allowed at $69,860.14.44 In sum, the amount necessary
to cure Debtor's default is $419,802.61, as modified to re-calculate default interest through August
42 See Ex. 1, p. 7, Note ¶ 6 which provides that upon an Event of Default, the Lender
may accelerate the indebtedness without prior notice to Borrower and "regardless of any prior
43 See Ex. 1, p. 7, Note ¶ 8.
44 As noted in footnote 18, the total attorney fees and expenses through July 13, 2011as
shown on Fannie Mae's cure calculation (Ex. 2) is $81,360 with the $69,860 figure attributable
solely to attorney fees. In Fannie Mae's submission of August 15, 2011 filed shortly before trial,
it claims attorney fees and expenses of $87,525.44 through August 10, 2011. See Dkt. 150. It
then filed an updated statement of fees and expenses for an additional amount of $34,749.20 for
the period August 11-23, 2011 in preparation for the confirmation hearing. See Dkt. 169. This
brings the total attorney fees and expenses through August 23, 2011 to $122,274.64. The Court
makes no determination of the reasonableness of the fees and expenses herein. For purposes of
determining the amount of the cure, the $81,360 figure of attorney fees and expenses is
considered. Given the Debtor's inability to come close to effecting a cure of the $420,000
amount (inclusive of the $81,360 for attorney fees and expenses), it is unnecessary to consider
the revised and updated figures for attorney fees and expenses.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 14 of 16
31, 2011.
Nothing presented by the Debtor suggested that it has or will shortly have the capacity to pay
the cure amount calculated above. Indeed, it does not appear that the Debtor can pay even the cure
amount it advocates. The debtor had less than $1,000 cash on hand according to its most recent
monthly report. And the cure is not Debtor's only problem: there is the looming $150,000 operating
shortfall projected by Rosetta Parker. The Debtor intends to borrow $150,000 to cover that shortfall,
but the loans contemplated will be payable in November of 2012 and there is no reason to believe
that the Debtor will have the means to pay them (if it gets the loans at all).
To fund the cure and shortfall, the Debtor proposes to raise money from new investors or
borrow or both. Raising money from new investors is problematic for two reasons. First, the Debtor
did not show that more than two investors were committed to funding the cure and those two
investors, one of whom was Chara's company, have only committed to the meager sum of $30,000.
The Debtor has prepared an offering circular, but even that document remains in draft form and both
Chara and Meyeraan said that the solicitation process remained in flux. Second, the contemplated
sale of additional interests in Ashbury might result in a change of control of the company or a
change of control in its principal owner, RTD. Done without Fannie Mae's permission, such a
dilution is a further event of default under the loan documents. Indeed, it appears that there have
been transfers among the Key Principals already that changed the holdings in RTD in a way that
may violate the loan documents. Thus, raising the money to cure the monetary default may result
in a critical nonmonetary default.
Worse yet, the Debtor failed to show that it would be able to refinance the 2015 balloon
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 15 of 16
payment that will exceed $2.176 million. The property, which is highly distressed, is currently
worth $1.565 million. Current LTV ratios for properties like this one are 60 percent. In order to get
a 60 percent LTV loan for $2.176 million, Siena Court would have to appraise at $3.627 million,
more than double its current value. The Debtor offered no evidence that would support even a hope
of that occurring in four years, particularly in the current economic environment. Hope is not a plan;
even if it were, there is little hope to be found in this case.
The cure proposed by the Debtor is insufficient as a matter of law. But whether the Debtor
or Fannie Mae is right about the amount of the cure, the Debtor lacks the current resources to pay
the cure in any amount. And, even if it could cure the default, its prospects for covering the
November shortfall and refinancing the balloon are bleak at best. The Debtor failed to show that
it could cure the default on Fannie Mae's debt or that its efforts will not be followed shortly by
additional reorganization or liquidation. Because the Debtor fails to cure under the provisions of
§ 1123(d), Fannie Mae remains impaired. The plan is unfeasible and fails to meet the requirements
of 1129(a)(11). Confirmation is therefore DENIED.
The Debtor shall have 21 days to amend its chapter 11 plan or move to convert this case to
chapter 7. If it does neither, the case will be dismissed on the 22nd day after the entry of this
# # #
45 Dismissal would moot Fannie Mae's stay relief motion, dkt.70. If the plan is amended
or the case is converted, the Clerk will set the motion for a prompt evidentiary hearing.
Case 11-10131 Doc# 187 Filed 10/05/11 Page 16 of 16


text:
I saw the question on the site about preparing a wok, but I'm curious what kind I should get. I have heard of stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, etc. Also, there's a non-stick variety. I'm new to stir fry and will be cooking on an electric ceramic stovetop.
You should get a carbon steel wok with two short handles (not one long handle).
You want the steel to build up a patina of oxidized oils, which rules out stainless steel and aluminum and non-stick. You could conceivably get a cast-iron wok, but those are really heavy.
You want the two small handles so you can pick up the wok, but you don't want long handles that will dump hot oil or food everywhere if you bump them. Unlike a saute pan, you don't toss the pan, you toss the food. (Tossing the pan pulls it away from the flame, which is bad when stir-frying!)
Your best bet is to go to an Asian grocery. You'll be assured of getting a product at a good price. Shouldn't cost more than $25, I don't think.
Oh, one other question is what sort of stove you have. If you have an electric stove, (a) I'm sorry, and (b) you have to get a flat-bottomed wok. If you have a gas stove, you can either get a flat-bottomed wok or a round-bottomed wok, but the latter only if you get a wok ring that holds the pan just above the flame. You want as much heat going into that pan as you possibly can manage!
The Cook's Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen testers argue forcefully that a wok on an electric stovetop is suboptimal -- they're designed to sit on top of a fire or gas burner with flames licking around the base, and a wok's small area of contact with the heat source when used on a conventional hob results in something more like stir-steaming than stir-frying. They recommend a 12" frying pan/skillet instead. Other people's experiences may vary, but I haven't bothered with a wok since university and I would definitely question the need for one to make great stir-fry.
Supposing that you have a gas stove, a simple and cheap thin steel wok will stand you in great stead. They are tough, light and easy to shake about, and will take a wonderful seasoning with use.
(Seasoning refers to the layer of cooked in oil which gives the wok its "non-stickness". it is very important to avoid washing up liquid, just cleaning it with hot water and a brush or similar).
I personally like a long handle; but a wok ring is essential as Harlan says.
The best and cheapest solution I've ever see is the one I have. It requires a deck, patio, or something though.
I went to Chinatown in Toronto and at a restaurant supply store bought a carbon steel wok. It was about $25. You can get them anywhere. The secret to wok cooking is temperature. In the US, burners are generally limited to 15k btu. You need much more for the authentic taste.
What you need is a wok burner. I bought one for one $100 at the same store. It's basically a 7 inch wide triple fire ring burner made of cast iron. It's enclosed in a 15x15 inch frame which the wok will properly rest on. It's very strong and pretty large so I also use my 20 quart pressure canner on it.
This burner hooks up to propane, but you can get ones that use natural gas. It's 66k btu. Absolutely the best and cheapest purchase I've made in years. It uses much less gas than grilling, is much faster, and I use it for a larger variety of food.
Note: these types of burners are not rated for indoor use. They are incredible though.
I've experimented with a few. As mentioned here non-stick woks get quickly ruined with the high heat you need and given that you pay extra it probably isn't worth it.
Probably my main advice would be to get a wok of the right size, for cooking at home I suggest tending towards smaller rather larger. Obviously a smaller wok is easier to heat up.
Personally, I would go for a cheap and cheerful steel wok which requires a bit of seasoning. Don't use heavy astringent chemicals or abrasives when cleaning it.
Read this. Great advice.
Woks CAN work great on an electric range. But you have to buy carbon steel, not non-stick.
Don't listen to the nay sayers. It works great. Try it!!
For an electric stove, I wouldn't even bother. Buy a good quality dutch oven and use that instead.
For a gas stove, carbon steel or just plain-old-steel is vastly preferable to aluminum, stainless, and especially to nonstick. According to Mrs. Chiang's cookbook, aluminum and stainless won't hold the heat right. According to me non-stick is a bad idea; the high heat will destroy the coating, and you will end up with non-stick stuff in your food.
Go to your local chinese grocery, and get it there. Prices will be cheaper and quality higher.
Since you are new to stir fry I would suggest you to buy the non stick one. So you don't have to worry about seasoning the wok and all that. Then if you find yourself in the future in the need of a different wok you can buy it then. For now I'll go with the easiest one


text:
Congratulations to John Orozco for making the 2012 US Olympic Team! John's the star of Gym Class Heroes' latest music video for 'The Fighter.' Click HERE to read more about Orozco in this USA Today article.
|July 02, 2012
|July 02, 2012
Orlando! Nick and Justin from A Rocket To The Moon will be playing an acoustic set for XL 106.7's Red Hot & Boom 2012 on July 3rd at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. Check them out with Cobra Starship, Karmin, JoJo, Outasight, Neon Hitch and more click HERE for more info!
|June 30, 2012
Here's a look at the making of Gym Class Heroes' latest music video for 'The Fighter' with Ryan Tedder. Don't forget to pick up a copy of The Papercut Chronicles II which also includes their previous singles 'Stereo Hearts' and 'Ass Back Home.'
|June 29, 2012
|June 29, 2012
twenty | one | pilots will be releasing their new EP three songs on Fueled By Ramen, July 17th. Click HERE to see the tracklist and album cover exclusively on AltPress.com. Plus you can see an exclusive live video of the band performing their song 'Holding Onto You.'
|June 29, 2012
Click HERE to pick up the Panic! At The Disco 'Black Plague' t-shirt in The Fueled By Ramen Webstore for $5 Today Only!
|June 28, 2012
Gonna get heated this weekend at the iHeartRadio Pool Party at Fontainebleau in Miami Beach! Watch our performance live on Saturday at 9pm EST.
|June 28, 2012
Click HERE to watch a video of Fun. interviewed by MTV News Canada. The band talks about Music, Fame, Groupies & Old Ladies.
"We were in Europe for the last three weeks doing interviews and a lot of the questions were like 'How do you spend your money?' and stuff like that, and what's so strange is that nothing has really changed for us.. Our interview schedule is heavier, but there is a huge myth that now all of a sudden we're taking private jets."
|June 27, 2012
Here's a video of Chris and Steve from Punchline talking about their 2004 album on Fueled By Ramen called Action. They recorded it with Sean O'Keefe who they met when Fall Out Boy was recording Take This To Your Grave with him. Enjoy!
|June 27, 2012
The Fueled By Ramen Street Team put together a list of the radio stations playing Fun.'s new single 'Some Nights.' Check out the list below to find the station nearest you. If you'd like to get more involved with the street team, click HERE to become a member!
Birmingham: 103.7 THE Q - Online Request
Mobile: 92ZEW - Online Request
Phoenix: MIX 96.9 - Online Request
Tucson: 92.1 KFMA - Online Request
Fresno: NEW ROCK 104.1 - Online Request
Los Angeles: KCSN 88.5 - Online Request
Los Angeles: X1039 - Online Request
Los Angeles: Live 105.5 - Online Request
Los Angeles: KROQ - Online Request
Los Angeles: STAR 98.7 - Online Request or Text 'SOME NIGHTS' to 22987
Sacramento: HOT 103.5 - Online Request
Sacramento: Radio 94.7 - Online Request or Text


text:
If for a function $f(x)$ only its absolute value $|f(x)|$ and the absolute value $|\tilde f(k)|$ of its Fourier transform $\tilde f(k)=N\int f(x)e^{-ikx} dx$ is known, can $f(x) = |f(x)|e^{i\phi(x)}$ and thus the phase function $\phi(x)$ be extracted? (with e.g. $N=1/(2\pi)$)
As Marek already stated, this is even not uniquely possible for $f(x)=c\in\mathbb C$, since the global phase cannot be re-determined. So please let me extend the question to
Under what circumstances is the phase-retrieval (up to a global phase) uniquely possible, and what ambiguities could arise otherwise?


text:
26 Nov 2012 6:47 AM #1
ComboBox select event not fired when leaving field using mouse click
Ext version tested:
- Ext 4.1.2
- Firefox (latest w/ Firebug)
- Chrome (latest)
- <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
- If you have a ComboBox with a 'select' event attached, the event will be triggered if you type in a value and tab off the field. If you type in a value and use the mouse to select another field (or just click off the field), the select event will not be fired.
- Open the example provided
- Type in "Alaska" into the combo box field and tab off the field
- Notice the message box showing the event has fired
- Now type "Alabama" into the dropdown and instead of tabbing off the field, click somewhere else on the screen with the mouse
- Notice the event is not fired. So it is possible to enter a valid value from the dropdown but have no way to trap that event if the user uses the mouse to move off the combo box
- The 'select' event should be fired
- No 'select' event is fired
Debugging already done:
- I have stepped through code (including beforeBlur), but the events for firing 'select' seem to be tied only to clicking on a combo box item and a keyboard event for tabbing off the field.
- not provided
- Windows 7 Enterprise
26 Nov 2012 8:55 AM #2
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Location
- Gainesville, FL
- Posts
- 39,174
- Vote Rating
- 1258
I cannot reproduce this issue with 4.1.3Mitchell Simoens @LikelyMitch
Sencha Inc, Senior Software Engineer
Check out my GitHub, lots of nice things for Ext JS 4 and Sencha Touch 2
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When posting code, please use BBCode's CODE tags.
26 Nov 2012 2:30 PM #3
Thanks for looking into it. We are two weeks from a release and 4.1.3 broke many things in our build when we tried to upgrade, so we can't do that yet. I'll try to do some source code compares to see what has changed and put in some overrides to fix the issue until we can move to 4.1.3.
27 Nov 2012 4:58 AM #4
I found the changes I needed to add overrides but actually discovered that the issue was only halfway fixed in 4.1.3. While the event does fire now, the combo box value is not being set for this scenario.
Change the selectEvent() function in the example to the following:
var selectEvent = function(field) { alert(field.getValue()); }
29 Nov 2012 5:11 AM #5
What are the steps to get this issue looked at again with the new information I provided?
20 Feb 2013 8:33 AM #6
Because no one followed up on this report, I had to submit this issue through our support subscription. Once support looked at it, they classified it as a bug and filed Jira EXTJSIV-8006 to get it fixed.
7 Aug 2015 12:56 AM #7


text:
Posted 28 January 2005 - 12:42 AM
Saw Royal Ballet - Le Spectre, Kirov - Les Noces, La Valse and Firebird last night (also a local dancer in a modern version of L'Apres Midi).
First time seeing Fokine version of Firebird and really loved it.
I'm wondering if the scenery and costumes for the Kirov are true to the original or re-done based on the original designs. I loved them but they look reimagined to me. No matter, it was a perfect fairy tale.
Posted 28 January 2005 - 02:27 AM
Personally I prefer the Goncharova designs used by the Royal Ballet, but both are beautiful.
Posted 28 January 2005 - 05:11 AM
Posted 28 January 2005 - 05:40 AM
this is true for both the staging as it was performed in the original golovine settings and in the later ones by goncharova.
Posted 28 January 2005 - 10:13 AM
the Firebird character does not re-appear for the final tableau of Fokine's staging: both this character and that of Kastchei 'have vanished' in cyril beaumont's words about the final tableau of fokine's staging in his 'complete book of ballets.'
This (and the fact that Pacific Northwest Ballet is doing Kent Stowell's version of the ballet next week) reminded me of something I'd love to see people discuss.
I've always felt that Firebird, in whatever manifestation, had a fundamental problem at the end of the ballet, finishing as it does with a fairly sedate processional and often a lenthy pose (like a photo opportunity). I love that part of the score, and I suppose I could just listen with my eyes shut (or think of it as a costume parade), but it's so non-kinetic, after such varied activity, that it just seems to wither away. I know that on one level it's the score that dictates this ending, but it just doesn't seem successful. Am I hallucinating, or does anyone else have the same feeling?
Posted 28 January 2005 - 10:21 AM
And glebb, congrats to the Joffrey!
Posted 28 January 2005 - 10:50 AM
When you talk about "non-kinetic", sandik, you really ought to see the new version of the Dutch National Ballet. I'm sure glebb will also share us his impressions about that one. Don't miss it glebb!
Posted 28 January 2005 - 04:47 PM
I don't know much about the Dutch NB production -- someone please do describe, or point us in the direction of some information!
Posted 29 January 2005 - 12:34 AM
I don't know much about the Dutch NB production -- someone please do describe, or point us in the direction of some information!
I reviewed it some weeks ago for Danceview Times, Sandik:
A tribute to Diaghilev...
Posted 29 January 2005 - 03:56 AM
And there's a reason why the introduction theme is quoted in the finale; the Firebird was supposed to reappear, bless the marriage, and then fly off to the sound of the "bell-ringing" effect in the brasses. Karsavina did this, but Flying by Foy hadn't been invented yet, and she hung up about some twenty feet up, twisting slowly, slowly in the wind, trying to make the best of a Bad Situation.
Both of these specialties didn't make it to the second performance of the ballet.
Posted 29 January 2005 - 06:20 AM
Posted 29 January 2005 - 02:38 PM
I don't know much about the Dutch NB production -- someone please do describe, or point us in the direction of some information!
I reviewed it some weeks ago for Danceview Times, Sandik:
A tribute to Diaghilev...
I missed this one (scampers off to read)
Posted 30 January 2005 - 02:16 PM
Some time ago btw I opened a topic for the Diaghilev Festival here:
Posted 31 January 2005 - 12:48 AM
I saw that Firebird, too, Glebb. It was better than the awful Les Noces on the same program, but it was definitely below par IMO. I also doubt it was 100% original Fokine.
Some time ago btw I opened a topic for the Diaghilev Festival here:
I agree with you Herman Stevens. Les Noces was sadly under rehearsed.
There were many things in La Valse and Firebird that I would have worked on as well, but having never seen the Fokine version (and I agree that it must not have been 100 per cent Fokine - I doubt Tata wore silver nail polish too), it was still so good for me to see.
PS I'm sorry I missed meeting you!
Posted 17 January 2012 - 10:13 AM
I remember being 'wowed' by these decors when I witnessed the May 1994 premiere of the revival in St-P. Since then, I have grown to know and love the ca-1920 Nathalie Goncharova-designed version...especially the majesty of the final tableau. Maybe viewing this week's performances at the Kennedy Center will sway me 'Back to Bakst'?
Of course, the greatest fun will come in comparing both Fokine bersions (Bakst & Goncharova designs) to the yet-to-be-premiered Ratmansky edition, later this spring.
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