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User talk:Knitwitted
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Archives: 1
edit Welcome back!
Nice that you returned! Some tips for you:
- At User:Knitwitted/Forgot the fart, you are spending way too much time manually numbering your footnotes. You have already seen that, after a little editing, they are already out of order, which will baffle the reader. Rather than superscripting, do it the right way.[1]
- Please do not blank your talk page. In case of controversy, we depend on an accurate record of who said what. If it gets too long (Yes, it has) you can create an archive to past discussions. (See TALK.)
- You are welcome to use your user page to announce your offsite projects — not to advertise them in every signature you make. (See UN:SIG.)
Cheers! Spıke 20:44 10-Aug-15
- ↑ Like this, reference after the period or comma.
- Thank you for your warmest welcome back, Spıke ! Muchly appreciated!! re My Sig... A fan created such for me (which included my off-site blog and which I updated just yesterday to reflect my now-current off-site blog). As much as I adore following the rules, I really would hate to offend my said 'fan' by tampering w/ any part of his artwork. Hope you understand and will kindly as well as cheerfully indulge this one breakage of the rules. Bestest! I have a lot of friends here! Where we chill 14:29, August 11, 2015 (UTC)
Happily, I have no such fear of offending your fan, nor think it justifies breaking our rules in order to advertise your offsite blog throughout this website. Spıke 14:36 11-Aug-15
- LOL. I wuz gonna fix myself but ya beat me to it! Thank you as always for your helpfulness!! I have a lot of friends here! Where we chill 14:39, August 11, 2015 (UTC)
Thank you for archiving this page; it had gotten big. Two quibbles: Your main page needs to show people where the archives are (I took the liberty (again) of doing so, above), and the name of the talk page seems to suggest there will not be a second archive page someday. Spıke 14:40 12-Aug-15
- Thank you for taking liberties on my page!! Muchly appreciate again your help! Am trying my best to beef up another archive someday... Bestest, knit I have a lot of friends here! Where we chill 14:05, August 18, 2015 (UTC)
edit Thanks to Spike
Thank you, Spıke , for re-adjusting Mr. Anon's attitude (i.e. typical Oxfroidian behavior) re his blankage of my Tom Reedipedia page as posted in my User Space! Muchly appreciated! Bestest, knit I have a lot of friends here! Where we chill 02:34, September 2, 2015 (UTC)


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Democrats Lose Grip on Reality
Government is the only thing we all belong to — but, don't worry, you won't have to pay for any of it. That about sums up the Democratic National Convention's case to America, a place where whatever isn't handed to you is actually just being taken away.
Democrats like to claim that Ronald Reagan and William Buckley would be simply horrified if they saw the modern-day GOP; but please take a moment to ponder the spectacular display of bonkers in Charlotte, N.C., this week.
Here you're free to imply or even say that a Republican is unpatriotic (I'm old enough to remember when that sort of thing was frowned upon) for conducting business outside the country. Here politicians celebrate the president's courageous ability to use taxpayer funds to bail out a company that can only avoid another bankruptcy (barely) on the strength of foreign sales. This is called "economic patriotism" or, more familiarly, protectionism or, maybe, Hooverism — the kind of ism Democrats once rejected. Forward!
At the DNC, the head of NARAL argues that being allowed to have free abortions on demand is the high point of the American dream. And a woman whose only claim to fame is demanding free condoms is celebrated as a hero. Julian Castro, who I am assured is the charismatic mayor of San Antonio and a serious person, mocks the "magical" free markets that gave Bill Clinton the soaring economy he bragged about Wednesday night and America 25 years of unmatched prosperity.
Fortunately, Barack Obama evolved on gay marriage a couple of weeks back, or a slew of enlightened speakers would have seemed less so.
But we know that Democrats have a monopoly on caring and a solid grip on a larger moral truth. It frees them up to offer some, um, poetic truths. You know, like, Mitt Romney opposes poor people's owning homes or Paul Ryan wants seniors to be denied medical care and he's all for allowing pregnant women to die in the emergency room. In your hearts, you know it's true.
Outright lies? There were many. For example, the claim that the auto bailout was paid back. Or the claim that Romney-Ryan's Medicare plan would cost seniors $6,400 per year and force them into voucher programs. There is no study — not even one authored by an Obama aide — that backs such an assertion. Ryan's plan allows seniors to stay on the traditional Medicare program if they choose — but we all know that choice only works in tandem with government guidance.
And when Castro, Michelle Obama, Deval Patrick and Rahm Emanuel assert that the president created 4.5 million new jobs … also not true. If a person were to be extremely generous and pretend that government created productive jobs, he'd still be hard-pressed to avoid the very real fact that though 4.5 million new jobs have been created during the Obama administration, 5.1 million jobs have been lost. As Clinton told us Wednesday night, sometimes we have to use arithmetic.
You know the other accusations: Republicans want to privatize, deregulate, voucherize, embrace unfettered free markets and cut government down to the bone. And boy, do I wish any of that were actually true.
Democrats say that things are a lot better than they used to be. And if you believe all the things we're hearing, you might wonder: How did we survive in this Godforsaken place before 2008? Were children really left to die on the slab? Were college kids forced to pay for their own journalism degrees? Were people expected to head over to the CVS and buy their own condoms? Did we really suffer through year after year of 5 percent unemployment?
Were we really so immoral before He showed up? Apparently.
David Harsanyi is a columnist and senior reporter at Human Events. Follow him on Twitter @davidharsanyi.
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Nb: infants must be under the age of 2 and
children must be under the age of 12 at the time of
The Chalet has been built to our own specifications and the interior has been completed to a very high standard. Chalet Campanules is situated near the altiport, very close to our Chalet Namika, and gives easy access down to the Marmottes telecabine. You can ski back virtually to the door. Large French windows open out onto the balcony and terrace which surround three sides of the chalet. Here you can enjoy the breathtaking views up to Pic Blance and across the valley. On the ground floor you can relax and soothe those aching muscles in the Sauna and Jacuzzi.
Bedrooms are attractively furnished and have en-suite bath or shower and WC, with the exception of Room 5 and 8 which offer a shower only and use of the WC on the ground floor.
Sleeps 18:Ground floor:Room 1 - twin bath/WCRoom 2 - triple bath/WC/French doorsRoom 3 - *triple bath/WCJacuzzi, Sauna & ShowerSki/boot room with boot warmer
First floor:Large lounge/dining area with wood burning stoveFrench doors leading to large terrace1 x WCRoom 4 - twin shower/WC
Second floor:Room 5 - Twin with shower only and use of WC on ground floor. Room 6 - triple bath/WC/balconyRoom 7 - triple bath/WC/balconyRoom 8 - twin shower only with use of WC on the ground floor.Chalet staff live in.
Catered chalet board includes a daily continental buffet breakfast consisting of local pastries, cold meats and cheeses, cereals, yoghurts, fresh bread and jams plus a hot option. Afternoon tea and cakes every day 3 course evening meal with wine for 6 nights (chalet staff have one evening off each week).


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SPRING LAKE – The 3rd Annual Spring Lake Fashion Week-END Extravaganza fashion show brought the latest summer fashion trends to a runway in the Spring Lake Bath & Tennis Club on Friday night.
The fashion show is the official kick-off event for the borough's Fashion Week-END Extravaganza, which was started three years ago to promote the businesses in the downtown.
"It certainly sparks our April, which is not usually an extremely busy time for our businesses, and it brings an early start to our summer season," Dawn McDonough, administrative director of the Spring Lake Business Improvement District, told NJ.com last week.
Most of the two dozen models, who showcased summer-themed outfits from the 14 participating area clothing stores, were local residents and Susan Swimmer, fashion features editor for More magazine, was again the event's emcee.
During the event, Swimmer informed the more than 200 people in attendance details on the local businesses and latest trends featured, such as what colors and patterns that are popular right now, but she also provided plenty of humor.
Her most important piece of advice was that, contrary to popular believe, people can – and do – "judge a book by its cover."
"You're the book, your clothes are the cover. People are looking at you, and they are judging you," she said. "So if you are wearing sweat clothes out in public… stop it!"
Proceeds from the sold-out event will help fund beautification initiatives in downtown Spring Lake.
The extravaganza is scheduled to continue all day Saturday when the borough's independent retailers, hair and beauty salons, and restaurants host designer trunk shows, make-up demonstrations, salon specials, wine tastings, prix-fixe dinners.
"It is an absolutely festive atmosphere and there's such a neighborhood feel, because the retailers and shop owners are so welcoming," McDonough told NJ.com. "It just feels like home."
For more information on the two-day event visit www.VisitSpringLake.com or call 732-449-003.


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Luke 24:44-53
A worship professor voices frustration at students who conclude a Gospel reading with "Here ends the Gospel." "The gospel doesn't end," my colleague insists. "The gospel is the good news—then and now!" Reading the endings of the canonical Gospels, one imagines that the four evangelists would agree with him. Each of them has difficulties wrapping things up.
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Marion Setsuko Hosoda, 81
Marion Setsuko Hosoda, 81, of Kahului, Maui, passed away on May 31, 2013, at Maui Memorial Medical Center. She was born on March 3, 1932, in Kahuku, Oahu.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Ballard Family Mortuary; service will begin at 4:00 p.m. Burial will be held at a later date, to be determined, at Hawaiian Memorial Park on Oahu.
Marion was a retired Trust Officer from the Bank of California. She is survived by her sister, Elaine K. (Richard) Yamasaki.
Condolences may be sent to: www.ballardfamilymortuaries.com


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In this episode of The Baseball Show, presented by Pepsi MAX, Brian Erni of MetsBlog.com is joined by 14-year MLB veteran Frank Catalanotto to take on bunting. Frank demonstrates the proper bunting techniques, and the guys discuss the best bunters in the game.
The Baseball Show will post each week here on MetsBlog and will feature a rotating group of experts breaking down the game with in studio demos and statistical analysis.


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It was just a bit over a week ago that Camille Grammer was on Anderson Cooper Live talking about the hold up on the financial settlement portion of her divorce. Camille told Anderson that all the community assets had been frozen for over a year. This of course put Camille in the situation where she only had access to her personal income. She also said that Kelsey had not paid any child support since they separated. Camille's temporary lack of liquid assets was likely a factor in her changing her mind and agreeing at the last minute to do another season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She implied to Anderson that Christmas would be a challenge with all of the bank accounts frozen. But things are finally shaking out for Camille… Continue reading
Category Archives: Kelsey Grammer
Camille Grammer Receives Financial Settlement While Kelsey Grammer Tries to Rent His New Home
Camille Grammer Talks Divorce on Anderson Cooper Live
Every time a housewife is on Watch What Happens Life, they seem to show up the next day on Anderson Live. So today, Camille is on Anderson talking about her divorce. Camille usually doesn't have much interesting to say but I was shocked when Anderson asked her if the divorce was final. For some reason I thought Kelsey married his flight attendant when she got pregnant. Camille and Kelsey have been having a real estate fire sale for months trying to liquidate assets for division. I assumed they were divorced. Continue reading
What's Wrong With This Picture? Baby Edition
Kelsey, Kayte and baby Faith have landed in London today. We know they never leave the baby for anything. Can you find the baby in this picture?
Filed under Kelsey Grammer, News, What's Wrong With This Picture?
Why Would Anyone Marry Kelsey Grammer?
I've been more in the mood to read blogs rather than write them lately. There has been the usual ridiculousness with Kelsey Grammar making the rounds. The main story is that he and his newest blond wife went to a Halloween party at the Playboy mansion. The newsworthy part of the story was supposed to be that the idiots brought and three and a half month old baby to the party and just set him/her in a baby carrier in the VIP room while they partied into the wee hours.
But today, there is a picture of their costumes. Please tell me what they are. Especially the blond. Because there is controversy about the picture. What is she supposed to be?
Filed under Kelsey Grammer
Hollywood Divorce Three Ways
There is a little bit of fresh tea about three couples related to either a previous divorce (Tameka and Usher and Camille and Kelsey) or an ongoing on-going one (Adrienne and Paul). I figure I might as well just give it to you all at once before I head out into this gloriously perfect Saturday. So here is the quick and dirty.
Let's start with Camille and Kelsey because it is basically a non-story I wanted to address one more time. I don't know why stuff keeps coming out about this divorce. It was a fairly simple one. Despite a lot of animosity, the legalities were simple and undisputed for the most part. It's a fifty-fifty split with Camille getting the old kids and Kelsey just making some new ones. Before we start, I am not interested in what some of you think you know about the "net worth" of celebrities based on some site that claims to know the financial bottom line on everyone in Hollywood. They don't. Nor do I. I do know that website, in general, is pitifully inaccurate.
Filed under Camille Grammer, Kelsey Grammer, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, RHOBH
Camille Grammer Owns a Lot of Properties; Most Are For Sale
Real housewife of Beverly Hills, Camille Grammer, has made TMZ this evening because a Malibu property she owned with Kelsey is back on the market. I'm not sure why TMZ is making this seem like breaking news as the property has been on and off the market for several years. The couple purchased the home for $4.5 million in 1998 and its current market price is $17.5 million. The 6,645 sq foot house has four bedrooms and six baths plus a whole host of luxurious features including a kitchen designed by Wolfgang Puck, a tennis court, a pool, a nine stall barn with access to riding trails, a large guesthouse with a rooftop deck and fantastic heavily wooded grounds.
This is just one of over $100 million dollars worth of properties the couple is trying to liquidate for the purposes of their divorce degree. Under California divorce law, the profits from the sales will be spilt 50-50. Which once everything is sold will bring in quite a chunk of change. unfortunately, the market for all the properties they currently have on the market, including the Beaver Creek Ski Chalet that was featured on season two of RHOBH for $7.3 and the 10,567 sq ft home in Beverly Hills which was reduced to $17.999 million (down from a previous attempt to sell at $19.9 million) when it was relisted in May. Camille and he ex also have property in numerous other states including multiple NYC apartments and 2 estates in Hawaii. Nearly all of these properties have been on and off the market numerous times both prior to and following the divorce. Not exactly news, but I thought I'd give you guys a little more of the story.
Since the divorce Kelsey has remarried and has purchased a $6.5 million dollar estate in Beverly Hills where he lives with his new wife and their daughter.
Filed under Camille Grammer, Kelsey Grammer, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, RHOBH


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Middleboro Residents Say Smell From Recycling Center Is Making Them SickPeople in Middleboro say a nearby recycling center smells so bad they're getting sick in their own yards.
Police Arrest Bridgewater Man They Say Exposed Himself To ChildrenPolice say the man exposed himself to Middleboro students riding public school buses on two dates in March.
Middleboro Bridge Rededicated For Late WWII Veteran After VandalismResidents in Middleboro rededicated a bridge named for a local soldier killed fighting in World War II after it was vandalized earlier this year.
Man Who Struck Tow Truck Driver On 495 Was Speeding, Police SayA Dorchester man hit the tow truck driver as he assisted a disabled motorist Sunday morning.
Fundraiser Created For Wareham Tow Truck Driver Hit On I-495A fundraising page has been created for a Wareham tow truck driver who was hit and seriously injured Sunday morning in Middleboro.
Tow Truck Driver Struck, Critically Injured On I-495A tow truck driver was hit by another car while doing his job.
Unresponsive Boy Pulled From Campground Pond In Critical ConditionA 6-year-old boy is in critical condition after being pulled from a campground pond in Wareham over the weekend.
Middleboro Girl, 4, Calls 911 When Mother Suffers SeizureAva earned a "proclamation for heroic actions" for her quick thinking.
Bridge Dedicated To Middleboro Soldier Vandalized Before Memorial DayVeterans placing new flags on bridges around town found the sign defaced with graffiti.
Melting Snow Uncovers Middleboro Tree Cutter's Missing Wedding RingTree trimmer Tim Abdow lost his ring during a February storm and was just recently reunited with it.
Crash Kills Middleborough High School SeniorA Middleborough High School senior was killed early Sunday morning in a single-car crash that injured two others, police said.
Mass. Police Departments Receive 'Wings On Pigs' Social Media ThreatsPolice in Yarmouth and Middleboro are investigating Facebook comments similar to the one made by a man who killed to New York City police officers on Saturday.


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Tacoma Vet Center mobile unit coming to Port Orchard
The Department of Veterans Affairs'(VA) Tacoma Vet Center will deploy a mobile vet center to Port Orchard on Thursday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to provide counseling services to local combat veterans and their families and referrals for VA Benefits and community resources.
The mobile unit will be located at the Water Street Boat Ramp, across from Port Orchard City Hall, and veterans can make an appointment by calling (253) 565-7038. Veterans are also welcome for walk-in services.
VA uses Mobile Vet Centers as a way to increase access to counseling services for Veterans and their families in rural and underserved communities across the country. These customized vehicles--which are equipped with confidential counseling space and a state of the art communication package—travel to communities to extend VA's reach to veterans,
Service members and their families. The mobile units also provide for VA health care VA has 300 Vet Centers serving communities across the country, offering individual and group counseling for Veterans and their families, family counseling for military related issues, bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death, military sexual trauma counseling and referral, outreach and education, substance abuse assessment and referral, employment assessment and referral, VA benefits explanation and referral, and screening and referral for medical issues including traumatic brain injury and depression.
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information on services provided visit www.vetcenter.va.gov.
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Chatting with Marty
For the last several years, I've had the pleasure of visiting with Marty Brennaman in the Reds radio booth for part of the second inning to talk about news of the day and to engage in verbal pugilism so to speak.
On Tuesday, I had the rare chance to turn the tables on Marty and with him about the club in a different broadcast booth for MLB.com. He was, as I expected, a fantastic guest.
Click here to watch some of our conversation.
2 Comments
It's hard to believe that the Reds SP can actually get better next season, without a trade!
And, the BP should be 100% healthy. Lastly, our lineup should be completely solidified. Our major signings with be to sign Latos and Bailey to long term


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The following post comes to us from Neil Whoriskey, partner focusing on mergers and acquisitions at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. This post is based on a Cleary Gottlieb memorandum by Mr. Whoriskey, titled "Golden Leashes, Honest Brokers, Risk Tolerances and Market Imperfections: Incentive Schemes for Nominees of Activist Investors."
Golden leashes – compensation arrangements between activists and their nominees to target boards – have emerged as the latest advance (or atrocity, depending on your point of view) in the long running battle between activists and defenders of the long-term investor faith. Just exactly what are we worried about?
With average holding periods for U.S. equity investors having shriveled from five years in the 1980s to nine months or less today, the defenders of "long-termism" would seem to have lost the war, though perhaps not the argument. After all, if the average shareholder is only sticking around for nine months, and if directors owe their duties to their shareholders (average or otherwise), then at best a director on average will have nine months to maximize the value of those shares. Starting now. Or maybe starting nine months ago.
But this assumes that the directors of any particular company have a real idea of just how long their particular set of "average" shareholders will stick around, and it also assumes that the directors owe duties primarily to their average shareholders, and not to their Warren Buffett investors (on one hand) or their high speed traders (on the other). So, in the absence of any real information about how long any then-current set of shareholders will invest for on average, and in the absence of any rational analytical framework to decide which subset(s) of shareholders they should be acting for, what is a director to do?
Here is what I think directors do, in one form or fashion or another:
They say to themselves, "I have a good sense of what the company's opportunities are, in terms of long-term growth, and in terms of shorter-term options, like a share buyback, a spin-off, or a sale. Since I don't know how long any of my shareholders will be sticking around for, what seems fair, is to probability weight the various outcomes of share price increases from a long-term growth strategy versus the various shorter-term strategic alternatives, and decide based on the net present value of those probability-weighted outcomes, what yields the highest current net present value." While no directors probably think exactly this way (unless they are confronted with a clear choice between, e.g., doing a stock buyback versus embarking on an expensive capex program), I do think this reflects (albeit in a cartoonishly precise way) what directors are doing when they choose a strategic direction.
Assuming perfect knowledge and universal agreement on the correct probability weighting, risk tolerance and present value methodology, this approach should yield the highest share price at all times – regardless of any investor's timeframe – thus resolving once and forever the false debate between short-termism and long-termism.
Sort of. In fact, the problem still exists in the real world, due to the unfortunate lack of perfect knowledge, [1] and equally unfortunate disagreements regarding probability weighting, risk tolerances and, to a lesser degree, present value discount rates and methodologies. The short-termers (henceforth, in order to continue the theme of cartoonish oversimplification, "activist hedge funds") and the long-termers (in a similar vein, henceforth known as "management"), in particular seem to clash over probability weighting and, less openly though perhaps as fundamentally, risk tolerances. [2]
According to this narrative, activist hedge funds are constantly pushing for short-term actions – share buybacks, spin-offs, sales – either because they more heavily discount the probability of success of long-term actions (or simply think the broader market will too heavily discount the probability of success of a long-term strategy), or because they have a lower risk tolerance than management. Management, per this same narrative, is always too certain of the success of its long-term plans, or alternatively – in the most vitriolic forms of this narrative – they are entrenched self-dealing types who just don't care about their shareholders.
It may be worth pausing for just a moment on the two aspects of this analysis – probability weighting and risk tolerances – that are the implicit subject of many a long-term v. short-term battle.
In one sense, probability weighting of the success of various alternative strategies – though it is at the heart of the director's job – presents the simpler issue for our immediate purpose of determining which forms of incentives offered by activists to their board nominees may be improper. Either the Board is correct in probability weighting the success of various strategies, or it is wrong to one degree or another. Individual shareholder preferences do not come into play – regardless of who the shareholders are; there is a right answer and a wrong answer. As in any "right or wrong" issue, the shareholders who are right in doing the probability weighting will be able to make money from investors who are wrong, and those who are wrong will lose money. And of course, if the Board is wrong, then shareholders in the aggregate will lose money, regardless of their individual long- or short-term orientation. Accordingly, it is hard to imagine that an activist investor would wish to incentivize one of its board nominees to make the wrong analysis of the probability-weighted success of various alternative strategies open to the corporation – nobody makes money from directors shutting their eyes.
Risk tolerances are a bit different, as they reflect individual investor preferences, and they may be affected by the investor's time horizon. An example might be helpful.
Consider a case where directors are faced with a choice between Strategy A – implementing a leveraged stock buyback plan, which has a 100 percent chance of adding $1 to the share price in the short term – and Strategy B – a long-term capex plan, that has a 60 percent chance of adding $2 per share (on a net present value basis) to the market price two years from adoption. The immediate risk-adjusted value of the long-term capex alternative would be $1.20, but whether this is actually more attractive to the Board than the $1 per share "sure thing" will depend on its collective risk tolerance. Interestingly, the Board might have a lower risk tolerance than its shareholders for a simple reason: the Board (and the company) has only one shot at achieving the desired result, with a 40 percent chance of not succeeding. If the Board had two shots at getting it right, they would have only a 16 percent of getting nothing, a 48 percent chance of getting (on average) $1, and a 36 percent chance of getting (on average) $2. The more times the Board has to roll the dice, the more likely they are to realize (on average) the risk adjusted value of $1.20. In other words, the more times the Board can roll the dice, the more they reduce the 40 percent chance that they end up with zero.
What is interesting about this is that shareholders with a diversified portfolio may have more than one company in their portfolio facing similar odds – in effect, the shareholders get to roll the dice multiple times. Accordingly, one would think that shareholders, rather than pressing for the short-term payoff, would more typically be pressing for the riskier long-term payoff, which is clearly at odds with the cartoon scenario depicted above. [3] Again, there are two traditional explanations that can be employed to solve this conundrum.
Fans of activist shareholders will argue that management's risk tolerance is inappropriately high – that they are incentivized to seek to increase the option value of their control by extending the length of their control – effectively increasing their risk tolerance for long-term strategies (and possibly impairing their judgment of the probability-weighted success of long-term plans). In other words, management is improperly incentivized to think long-term "especially if because of poor performance and strategy [the option value of its control] is then out of the money." [4]
On the other side of the equation, there may be another dynamic at work that lowers the risk tolerances of short-term investors. If shareholders are going to trade out, on average, within nine months – in fact in 4.5 months on average after any given announcement – they have to judge not only whether management has made the correct probability weighting, but also whether the market will give management full credit for its choice before they trade out. Even the most dedicated efficient market theorists will concede that it takes some time for all information about a particular strategic course to be filtered into and absorbed by the market. It seems reasonable to assume that the longer-term and riskier the strategy, the more time the market may need to absorb and judge. [5] If a board chooses Strategy B above (the option giving a 60 percent chance of a $2 return and 40 percent chance of zero return), and the market only gives $0.90 of credit for the choice in those first few months after the announcement, then the short-term shareholders will prefer the less risky Strategy A, yielding a 100 percent chance of a $1 return. So the risk tolerance of shareholders – particularly short-term shareholders – may be reduced by the inefficiencies of the market.
One could question why institutional holders would not simply hold their shares until the full $1.20 price increase was realized – everyone loves an undervalued stock, right? But regardless of whether you believe that investors have predetermined investment timeframes, there is another layer to the analysis that might cause diversified institutional shareholders, constantly on the lookout for the best value proposition, to prefer the less risky strategy.
To continue with the example above, assume on the day the Board makes its decision, the stock was at $5 per share. On the day after the Board selects Strategy B, the price per share increases not to $6.20 but only to $5.90. In simplest terms, the shareholder is now holding a stock with a 60 percent upside opportunity of $1.10 (risk adjusted upside of $0.66) and a 40 percent downside risk of $0.90 (risk adjusted downside of $0.36). (This compares with our theoretical pre-decision profile of a risk adjusted upside opportunity of $1 or $1.20 (depending on the strategy chosen) and zero downside risk.) In other words, the risk profile changes significantly, and, when compared to other opportunities in the market, may well push the institutional holder toward an immediate sale. Knowing this, and knowing that the market may take some time to give full value to the longer-term strategy, can only make diversified institutional shareholders – regardless of any fixed time horizon [6] – strong advocates for the lower risk alternative, which will allow them to capture the $1 gain immediately and then move on to greener pastures.
(And note that market inefficiencies may build on themselves. A sale by investors at $5.90 may look like the market is reacting negatively to the board's choice of the long-term strategy – the market likely taking it as a vote of non-confidence in the strategic choice, rather than a rebalancing of a portfolio after a partial realization of a potential gain – which will put downward pressure on the company's shares, making it even less likely that the company will get full credit in the short term for its choice of a long-term strategy.)
So, to sum up, no one will want to incentivize a director to make a poor analysis of probability-weighted outcomes, but there are differences in risk tolerances among investors – which may be driven in part by market inefficiencies (or simply by fears of market inefficiencies). An investor may wish to incentivize a director to adopt that investor's risk tolerance, which may or may not be similar to the market in general or to the "average" shareholder or to any theoretical "optimal" risk tolerance.
The question of whether there is an "optimal" risk tolerance in any situation – high or low – is left to greater minds. But it may be worth noting that risk tolerances may be the least easily quantifiable of all the factors discussed above and the most prone to situational influences. Accordingly, even those most partial to hard and fast rules may view prescribing a particular optimal risk tolerance for all situations as impossible and admit to the necessity of deferring to the business judgment of the board – the honest broker between management and activist.
Which brings us, finally, to golden leashes.
Lately, in the context of a difficult proxy battle, Agrium Inc. complained mightily about the "golden leashes" placed by JANA Partners on JANA's nominees for five (out of 12) Agrium board seats. These leashes consisted of payments to the JANA-nominated directors of a percentage of JANA's profits from its investment in Agrium. JANA questioned how incentivizing board members to maximize share price could create a conflict of interest for directors. [7]
So what was Agrium worried about?
First, they may have been worried that otherwise nominally independent directors cannot possibly be truly independent if they are getting paid by one particular shareholder with a particular point of view – regardless of the form of payment. That seems to be a fairly fundamental objection, and shareholders prior to voting will presumably need to satisfy themselves that the proposed directors are in fact qualified, independent businessmen of sound judgment, and not lackeys of the insurgent. This question will get asked regardless of whether the insurgent provides any separate compensation to its nominees. JANA in response would argue that in order to get high quality, independent nominees to step into a contentious situation, something more than the usual director's fee is appropriate and, in fact necessary. Again, absent misaligned risk tolerances, all investors should have the same interest in hiring directors best able to evaluate and correctly probability weight the various alternatives open to the company. So, if you assume all investors have the exact same risk tolerance (and further assume the intellectual honesty of the nominees), paying certain directors more to do this job should not be an issue.
Sadly for those who love simplicity, assuming that all shareholders have the same risk tolerance is certain to be contra-factual. This may explain why Agrium seemed to be more agitated by the form of the payment than the mere fact of the payment. Here, the argument gets more interesting. It is one thing if the nominees simply get a flat fee for services rendered, regardless of how they are rendered; it is quite another if the nominees get a share of JANA's profits. Sharing JANA's profits raises the question rather directly as to whether the amount of the payment to be received by the nominees depends on the timeframe in which the shares will be sold by JANA, and, if the timeframe will determine the ultimate price realized, whether it is appropriate for an honest broker to have a cash incentive to adhere to a particular timeframe, which is outside of the nominees' control. [8] In other words, does the lack of control of the time of disposition mean that the nominees will be incentivized to adopt the risk tolerance of the insurgent?
To be fair, it did not appear that JANA had announced any specific timeframe for its exit, so at the time of nomination there would not seem to have been any attempt to influence the nominees on that basis. [9] On the other hand, JANA certainly had not handed over the disposition decision to its independent nominees – nor is it likely JANA could do so, having fiduciary duties to its own investors. Accordingly, there remained the specter of JANA tugging on that golden leash by announcing, for instance, that it would sell all its holdings within x months, or, more likely, that it thought strategy x would certainly lose money for the company, leaving the nominees to divine what sort of action would follow if strategy x were pursued. In short, the arrangement did seem to vest JANA with a means, however attenuated, of influencing the pocketbook of the nominees, and not just influencing their informed opinion. [10]
Courts will always scrutinize these arrangements to see if they will tend to make honest brokers any less honest. Any arrangement that potentially unhitches a director's financial incentives from the exercise of his or her best judgment is bound to be viewed skeptically. And even if rational economic theory would tell us that all shareholders with the same risk tolerance should have the same interest at heart, courts will always scrutinize closely the independence of nominees with any sort of economic incentive to act on behalf of their proponents – even if there is no standard available for judging whether one sort of risk tolerance is better than another. [11]
[1] See Sanford J. Grossman and Joseph E. Stiglitz, On the Impossibility of Informationally Efficient Markets, 70 AM. ECON. REV. 393 (1980).
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[2] Getting enough information into the market about a particular long-term strategy seems to be less of an issue between the two camps – perhaps because it is fairly clearly management's responsibility – but, as discussed below, curing market inefficiencies by getting information to the market may be one of the most important ways to bridge the long-term/short-term gap. There may be cases where confidentiality concerns prevent the proper explanation of a longer-term strategy, but in that case no one should be surprised if the market undervalues that long-term strategy.
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[3] Note however that, anecdotally at least, activist hedge funds are often thought to have significantly less diversified portfolios than other institutional investors, given their focus on effecting change at select targets, as opposed to locking in relative returns across a broad portfolio. Accordingly, based on this metric alone – which is of course but one of many – the risk tolerance of activist hedge funds might rationally be closer to that of the target board than that of its fellow institutional investors.
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[4] Ronald J. Gilson and Jeffrey N. Gordon, The Agency Costs of Agency Capitalism: Activist Investors and the Revaluation of Governance Rights, 113 COLUM. L. REV. (forthcoming May 2013).
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[5] A board's announcement that it is waiting for the business cycle to turn is certainly less likely to move the market than a merger proposal. However, as was evidenced in the great Airgas/Air Products battle, a board's decision to wait for the business cycle to turn may well be a better strategic choice than selling into a premium offer. In that situation, the board (including independent directors nominated by the bidder Airgas) rejected Airgas's premium offer of $70 per share, in the face of very strong shareholder sentiment in favor of a deal. Ten months after the bid was abandoned, the stock was trading at $75 per share. See Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. v. Airgas, Inc., 16 A.3d 48 (2011).
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[6] It seems more likely that diversified institutional holders focus less on holding shares for any particular length of time and more on optimizing their potential returns at all times.
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[7] JANA went on to lose the proxy fight, and the story lost any further instructive value at that point. Other recent examples include Elliott Management placing "golden leashes" on its short slate of nominees to the board of Hess Corporation, consisting of a payment for each percentage point by which Hess outperformed its peers at the end of a three-year period. Elliott's nominees waived their rights to these payments, saying they had become a distraction. In Carl Icahn's proxy battle with Forest Laboratories, Inc., he offered his nominee one percent of his profits over a certain share price (which was about 30 percent over the market price at the time of the proxy fight).
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[8] One could also consider whether getting a share of JANA's profits would incentivize the nominees to adopt JANA's view of the correct probability-weighted value of the different alternatives. Again, there would not seem to be much reason for the nominees (or JANA) to shut their eyes to a better value proposition, so long as they judged that value proposition with the same risk tolerance (informed by the same perception of market inefficiencies).
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[9] The nominees would be entitled to a deemed profit on any shares still held by JANA after a three-year period, so effectively the scheme provided a strong incentive to maximize the share price on that date, to the extent JANA had not previously sold its shares. It should be noted that there are those who do not think three years is a "long-term" commitment to a corporation. For others, it seems almost impossible that it would take three years for the markets to efficiently value the prospects of a publicly traded company.
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[10] The Deal Professor in his April 2, 2013 DealBook posting raised a great point about both the JANA and Elliott versions of golden leashes – both are upside-only payments. This creates an incentive that, taken to its extreme, might encourage a director to prefer a strategy with a 20 percent chance of making $10 and an 80 percent chance of losing $100 to a strategy with a 100 percent chance of making $2. Of course, as he also points out, this is also true to some extent of out-of-the-money options regularly awarded to management. Query whether upside-only incentives properly align the nominees' interests with activist funds that presumably have millions invested in the target stock and millions of potential downside. See Steven M. Davidoff, Upping the Ante in a Play for a Stronger Board, N.Y. TIMES (Apr. 2, 2013), http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/upping-the-ante-in-a-play-for-a-stronger-board/.
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[11] Some might argue, reasonably, that a risk tolerance skewed in favor of short-term actions is preferable, as it reflects the reality that most shareholders are in fact short-term shareholders. Whether that is good policy is another question entirely. As is the question as to whether one could adopt measures to eliminate or reduce market imperfections that lead to delays in the market reflecting a proper risk-weighted valuation for target's shares (and that, as a result, skew risk tolerances).
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Physical Description
The common musk turtle is a relatively small turtle with an average length of 8 to 14 cm(about 3 to 5 inches). The carapace is brown or black, and has a smooth, oval shape with a high dome. When these turtles are hatchlings, the carapace is usually black and rough. The skin is a dark-olive to black color, and there are two prominent yellow lines that run from the snout to the neck, one on either side of the eye. For both the male and female, there are barbels located on the chin and the underside of their rather long neck. These barbels on the throat are not found in other musk turtles. The male differs from the female in that he has a larger head, a long and stout tail with a spine, and areas of tilted scales on the insides of the rear legs. Males also have broad areas of skin showing between plastral scutes, whereas females have very small areas of skin in these spaces. (Grzimek 1975, Garrett and Barker 1987, Conant and Collins 1998, Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).
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Styrofoam recycling location set up for holidays
Packing peanuts not accepted
Do you get tired of having to throw away that bulky foam packaging that piles up around your house during the holidays?
People who live in Baltimore will now be able to recycle all of that for free.
Polystyrene foam No. 6 containers (commonly known as Styrofoam) and packaging are not allowed to be recycled through the single-stream process, but city residents can drop them off at the Sisson Street Convenience Center for free over the holidays.
The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Styrofoam is used in a wide range of products, including cups, plates, egg cartons and food service containers, as well as large molded blocks used to package electronics and other items.
Packing peanuts will not be accepted.
Copyright 2012 by WBALTV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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GARDENDALE, Alabama - The Gardendale City Council appointed election officers for the Nov. 12 vote on a municipal property tax during its meeting Monday night.
Gardendale residents will vote Nov. 12 on whether or not to increase the city's property tax by 5 mills, bringing the total property tax for the city to 10 mills. In September, the council enacted a 5-mill property tax, which did not require a referendum, to help fund a city school system. City leaders have said they need the full 10 mills to pull out of the county school system and form its own city system.
The council hired Sharon Wade as the chief inspector for the election and more than a dozen other election workers. Keith Mosely, director of the Civic Center and former city clerk, said he's been involved in several elections with Wade in charge and she always did "an outstanding job."
City leaders have made efforts to answers questions from voters prior to the election. The council held a public meeting earlier this month for concerned citizens, and a second public forum is scheduled for Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gardendale Civic Center. A list of frequently asked questions on the school system and property tax is posted on the city of Gardendale website.
For more stories on Gardendale, visit www.al.com/local/gardendale.


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Peter Cooke Uganda Collection
Ku nsiko yange
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Ndere (Kiganda flute) song
Is part of (Collection)
Peter Cooke Uganda Recordings
Recording locations
Music department hall, National Teachers' College, Kyambogo, Uganda
Busuulwa, Bulasio (ndere)
Cooke, Peter
Kizza, Christopher (male)
Item note: Ndere (Kiganda flute) song. Compiled as a teaching aid. Performance note: Introduced by Christopher Kizza in Runyankore who uses the term 'Omubanda' (Runyankore name for a flute). Simple teaching version to begin with but gets more complicated later. Kizza utters 'Webale' = 'thankyou' at the end. Recordist's note: In Peter Cooke's notes, this is PCUG64-8.49.A2.
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Ku nsiko yange
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WEST WARWICK, R.I. — Grace Sauersby was born premature and her parents weren't sure if she would live.
She did live, and now attends a Christian college, but says she is a victim of "name baggage."
"I almost died and my parents named me Grace," she says. "How original."
Girls named Grace say they face a unique hardship by being saddled with the central Christian concept.
"When people meet me for the first time they say, 'Aww,'" says Grace Benson of Seattle. "Then they look at me like I should embody Christ's work on the cross."
Grace Riley of Wisconsin was born after her parents nearly divorced. Now 17, she feels she can't ever be rebellious because her name "evokes God's redemptive work in my parents' marriage."
"I'm the miracle unity child," she says dryly.
Grace Siskin did rebel as a young adult, and when she returned to her family and to church at age 24, she was annoyed at how people waxed eloquent about her name, and how God had extended grace to her.
"My whole life became a metaphor," she says with a sigh.
Siskin recently discovered there were girls named Faith, Hope and Joy in her same college. They dread being found together lest the jokes start rolling.
"At least they understand my name predicament," says Grace. "We always threaten to change our last names to Less and see what kind of meaning people pull out of that." •


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Ultraviolet (UV) rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation. UV rays can penetrate and change the structure of skin cells. Protection from excessive sun exposure is important all year round, not just during the summer or at the beach; UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or temperature. Choose products that are non-chemical, protect against UVA/UVB damage and have an SPF no lower than 15.
While it is important to get some sun exposure during off-peak hours for health reasons, there is no such thing as a 'safe' tan. To provide color to pale skin, try tinted moisturizers or self tanners. Skip going out unprotected during the peak hours of 10AM to 3PM, because in addition to the risk of skin cancer, UV radiation (whether from the sun or from a tanning bed) can also cause the following:
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Thinner, more translucent-looking skin
- Wrinkles
- Dry, rough, leathery skin
- Broken capillaries on the face
- Freckles
- Liver spots on the face, back of hands, arms, chest and upper back
- Spots or blemishes on the lower legs and arms
So be sure to protect yourself when heading outside. While you may miss having a deep summer tan now, you'll appreciate having a lack of sun spots, wrinkles, and freckles for years to come.


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This deal has ended.
Through 11/9, take 20% off any Single Qualifying Item at Ulta with coupon code 108699 at checkout. This offer is not valid on premium brands, fragrance or clearance items and additional exclusions may apply. In example, this 5Pc Professional Brush Set, regularly $15, drops to $12 in your cart at checkout with the code. Shipping adds $5.95. We couldn't find this set anywhere else for less. It includes a blush brush, eye shadow brush, concealer brush, flat top eyeliner and a crease brush in a slim line case. Sales tax is charged in most states.No longer available


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FM Preview: Hull City v Burnley 08 Mar 2011
By Footymad Previewer
Updated Monday, 7th March 2011
Views: 280
This week FootyMad's match preview focuses on the game between Hull City and Burnley at 19:45 on 8th March 2011 in the Championship.
History of the Hull City v Burnley fixture
Hull City prepare to entertain Burnley at The KC Stadium on Tuesday evening, and hold the advantage on previous meetings between the two. Of the 27 games played, The Tigers have recorded 12 wins, and Burnley have come away with 9 victories.
The most recent encounter between these two sides at The KC Stadium was less than a year ago, in April 2010, as the visitors ran out cosy 1-4 winners in a Premier League match.
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|04 Mar 2011
|FM Preview: Nottingham Forest v Hull City 05 Mar 2011
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|FM Preview: Hull City v Leeds United 01 Feb 2011


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MOBILE, Alabama – The status quo will remain on an issuance fee businesses pay in order to get a business license in Mobile.
The City Council, with a 5-2 vote this morning, decided to stick with its $10 issuance fee and denied a recommendation from the city's staff to raise it $2 to the state maximum of $12.
"It wasn't huge, but you like to say you're business friendly and you like to have business done here," Councilwoman Bess Rich said after the vote. "But any increase changes that."
Voting in favor of keeping the status quo were Rich and Council members Gina Gregory, Reggie Copeland, John Williams and Fred Richardson. Voting against were Councilmen William Carroll and C.J. Small.
Richardson, who vocalized his support for the increase, said he opted to vote for the $10 charge because the council was going to ultimately kill the $12 proposal. The increase required five votes for passage.
"It was damned if you do, damned if you don't," he said. "It would have gone down either way."
Carroll, who supported the increase, said any bit of revenue helps offset losses the city incurred after a state law limited the number of business licenses a big box retailer – operations such as a Wal-Mart Supercenter that sells groceries, pharmacy, general retail, etc. – is supposed to get.
Prior to the 2009 state mandate, stores with multiple businesses operating inside it had to purchase separate licenses for each. The change cost Mobile an estimated $1 million in business license revenue.
The $2 increase in the issuance fee would have generated about $36,000 more in revenue for the city's general fund.
"I'm sorry to say, I'm almost at a point where I'd like to see that $36,000 into our coffers," Carroll said.
Carroll also said the entire business license fee structure – a complicated formula based on gross receipts – should be re-examined, as it has in the past. Copeland said the city's finance committee can review that issue in the future.
The issuance fee is a completely separate charge from the regular business license fee a commercial or industrial operation pays each year. The city estimates about 18,000 businesses pay a license to operate in Mobile annually.
City officials, in defending the issuance fee increase, said the extra revenue would have helped cover increases in printing costs, stamps and other expenses associated with issuing business licenses.
Additionally, state law allowed the increase. Every five years, the state increases the maximum amount the fee can be assessed based on the U.S. Department of Labor's Producer Price Index, an inflation indicator.
Not every city has endorsed the maximum amount. Some cities, such as Tuscaloosa, haven't touched the fee in years. Tuscaloosa's issuance fee on business licenses is $5.
Mobile's issuance fee went from $5 to $10 in 2008, and it
likely won't be touched again until 2018, when the state is next required to
make a change. The council could, in theory, reconsider the increase and raise
it to $12 at any time.
John Sharp, Press Register


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Comanche County Medical Center needs your help! To ensure our hospital is providing the best care possible, we ask you to take a few minutes of your valuable time to participate in a brief Quality of Life and Community Perception Survey. Your contribution to this survey will benefit not only you but your family, friends, neighbors, and community.
Community Survey
Comanche County Medical Center is proud to be an affiliate of St. David's
Emergency Room
Visit our emergency room for all of your emergent needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
From hernia repairs to total joint replacements, many surgical procedures are offered on-site.
Visit our new retail pharmacy for all of your prescription needs.
Hours: Monday -Friday, 9:00-12:30, 1:00-5:00
Cardiac Rehab
Our goal is to provide patients with the necessary tools for them to return to the best possible lifestyle while reducing the risk of future health problems.
Doctors Medical Clinic


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After months of hard-hitting local budget cuts, law enforcement agencies in cash-strapped Passaic County have received a boost from the feds: a $267,900 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The funds are earmarked for the Passaic County Prosecutor's emergency communications network. The prosecutor's office is building a high-tech, fiber-optic cable network that will improve radio communication between first responders, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) said today at a press conference in Totowa.
Currently fire, police and EMS agencies talk on various radio frequencies, with plenty of gaps and dead zones within the county.
The first part of the three-phase project is nearly complete, said Capt. James Hearney, of the Passaic County Sheriff's Department Special Operations Division.
But the project requires an infusion of cash. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-8th Dist.), who appeared at the briefing with Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano, said the state faces intense competition for federal Homeland Security grants.
Read the full story in Friday's Star-Ledger.


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KALAMAZOO, MI -- A grassroots campaign has started to help the Douglass Community Association raise $100,000 in 30 days as the organization faces a funding deadline, Kalamazoo City Commissioner Stephanie Moore said.
Moore said a grassroots campaign has started with an effort to raise $100,000 to help the organization "bridge a funding gap." Douglass officials are asking 2,000 people to donate $50, and are asking children to donate $5, Moore said.
The Douglass, an organization in Kalamazoo's predominantly black Northside neighborhood, will have to close if it does not receive funding commitments to replace $264,780 from the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. United Way announced July 24 it would discontinue funding the Douglass due to financial challenges.
James Liggins, chairman of the Douglass Community Association board, told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette the organization had cash-flow issues, was not bringing in new money and was overstaffed. Liggins also said the board did not have "a clear picture about how bad the state of the finances were."
The Douglass is home to several social service organizations and is home to a branch of the Boys & Girls Club, Kalamazoo Public Library's Alma Powell Branch and the NAACP.
"Athough they have struggled, things are getting better," Moore said Monday. "Someone asked me, are they going to make it? I think things had to get worse so they could get better. Now it's looking like things are going to get better."
Douglass officials will host a community forum at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19 at the center, 1000 W. Paterson St., to answer questions from the public and to hear what services the public needs, Moore said. On Saturday, Aug. 24, Moore said, the organization will host an "extreme makeover" all-day event that will include work on the building. That event will culminate in a fundraising gospel concert at 4 p.m. at Galilee Baptist Church, 1216 N. Westnedge Ave. Proceeds will benefit the Douglass.
Emily Monacelli is a local government reporter for MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. Contact her at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow her on Twitter.


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Hi! I'm a Cosplay Photographer from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. I'm keen on cosplay. And I do my best to make the most spectacular and in-character pictures. ________________________ FACEBOOK: fb.com/tm.pics VKONTAKTE: vk.com/tm.pics
Hi I'm Yuri Nanami! I'm a fudanshi, cosplayer and lolita from the PH~! 🐯 Thank you for visiting my profile. I hope you would like my cosplay. For more cosplay photos please visit my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/YuriNanamiOfficial/
Cosplayer and сrafter from Russia. My contacts: https://vk.com/siam_fox http://ask.fm/andrwizard https://www.twitch.tv/diko_channel
哈囉我是來自台灣的Coser!希望大家喜歡我的作品! Hello,I'm a Coser from Taiwan! Hope you guys like my cos!
Hello , My name is Benjamin , i have 19 years old i'm French i love food and Music "With great power, comes great irresponsibility. " everyone can speak with me ^^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XFpgYYhEuc http://delta-king.deviantart.com/ http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=12899802
Hi Guys!! ,,ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ,, I'm an Italian Cosplayer since 2005! 🍒 🍓 🍉 [ Registered recently. (I'm updating my profile) Thanks for being here!!! ] 🐾 Follow me on web 🐾 🌼 Facebook 🌼 https://www.facebook.com/martina.corona.meh 🌼 Instagram 🌼 https://www.instagram.com/dollmarty/
I am a girl who does Crossplayer ( man-made ) , but sometimes if cosplays woman , usually I like to do , especially with friends. I hope to see you soon! https://m.facebook.com/Kimsonham-cosplay-609968679148541/ -3-
I like cosplay, I'm from Mexico City I love shojo and sagas like HP and GOT For me cosplay its only a funny hobbie :) -Twitter: https://twitter.com/AniluZarate -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aniluzarate
My name is Virginie, i'm 28 years old, i am belgian traditional artist from Brussels. My links : WEBSITE -> http://kasu02.wix.com/virginiecoppens TWITTER -> http://twitter.com/kasu_02 INSTAGRAM -> http://instagram.com/kasumi_02 DEVIANT ART -> http://kasumi02.deviantart.com
I'm Walker from Cebu City, Philippines. I've been cosplaying for quite awhile already ^_^ I do this hobby for the sake of fun and also learning. I enjoyed learning new ways to improve different parts of crafting in cosplaying. From clothes, painting, armor-crafting and photographry ^_^ Feel free to chat up with me, I enjoy a good conversation ^_^
hello my name is Lydia, are a cosplayer from a few years .... what I love most is to create original costumes inspired to Demons, Fallen Angels etc ... I hope you like!^_^ this is my facebook page follow me here... https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lydia-creations-Cosplay/608812012552635
Hi! I'm from Spain and I love cosplay. Gamer girl. Psychologist. Peaky Blinder. Assassin. Road Warrior. BSAA. Silent Hill. The Evil Within. SurvivalHorror. Guns & Roses. HardRock. Arkham Asylum. Beer&Party. Kill zombies. Rammstein Army. My Deviantart account is: http://twisted-psychosis.deviantart.com/


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AUSTIN (AP) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Morales is vowing not to launch negative attacks against rival Tony Sanchez, though Morales has said Sanchez's only qualification for governor is a "big fat wallet."
Morales and his campaign aides have been discussing whether he should get negative against Sanchez, whose television ads are blanketing Texas cities, the Austin American-Statesman reported Monday.
Attack ad scripts are ready, and an aggressive statement questioning Sanchez's business background can be printed and used instantly, said campaign spokesman Jim Moore.
But Morales said he won't give the go-ahead.
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text:
A recent online video shows applicants interviewing for the world's toughest job.
Oil rig worker? Nope.
Deep sea fisherman? The world's toughest job can put you in even deeper, more stormy waters.
Ice road trucker? You're getting warmer. Maybe.
Job requirements for the world's toughest job include being on your feet for long periods of time. You'll need enough stamina to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Have you ever hallucinated purple bunnies or forgotten to shower for days? That's the kind of sleep deprivation we're talking about with this job.
Breaks are limited. Lunch breaks aren't guaranteed. Applicants should have a background in medicine, finance and psychology. Strong interpersonal skills are a must.
Oh yes, and the job is completely pro bono. The salary is zero.
Can you guess the job title? Or are you busy running away?
According to this video, the world's toughest job is — drum roll please! — being a mom.
"Aw, come on," you're saying. "I'm a parent. I sleep and take showers. I get a break when I need it. I'm even eating a bonbon right now."
maybe the interviewer exaggerated a bit. (This "interview" and video is an advertisement for Mother's Day cards.)
And maybe "Mom" isn't a job title as much as it's a relationship that demands a lot of time and effort.
All my kids are well past the infant and toddler stages. But when I look back on those years before Kindergarten, it's a hazy blur. After hundreds of hours with colicky, screaming babies, I developed a kind of post-traumatic amnesia.
I watch the faces of my friends who currently have young children. I notice the barely perceptible tics. I see the eyes darting, searching anxiously for their three-year-old kid who leaps down flights of stairs and licks electrical outlets. One co-worker looked so beat up by his newborn and preschooler, I had a small panic attack, wondering whether my tubal knots could untie themselves.
Are there easy days? Right now, I'm on the sofa, wearing comfy yoga pants and working from home while my kids play in the backyard.
How tough are the tough days?
"My eight-year-old daughter was getting a blood draw in the emergency room," my friend Nancy remembers.
"I had to hold her down. She was screaming and crying with no tears and looking at me like 'Mommy! Why?' I was crying while holding her down."
My friend Jenna's son was diagnosed at birth with a potentially life-threatening condition. One important diagnostic test would determine whether her son would have severe lifelong disabilities. The test took six hours to perform.
"The longest six hours of my life, "Jenna says.
Jacqui says the sleepless nights with infants were the easier part of parenting.
"I'm dealing with teenage anxiety and depression. I'd take several toddlers over the worry and helplessness that comes with that. Add in self-doubt and the feeling that you were either at fault or didn't do more earlier and yeah, my preschooler is much easier."
My friend Peggy is raising her eight-year-old son on her own. Peggy suffers with chronic illness. Right now, she shakes allover, all the time, and doctors can't figure out why.
"I handle it because I must. I'm raising my son alone, because it is the hand I was dealt. But I cannot tell a lie. I cry myself to sleep a lot."
Panicked trips to emergency rooms. Bullies and bad strangers. The heartbreak of divorce. The devastation of abuse. Teenagers seemingly set on self-destruction.
My friend Kim tells me about her toddler son choking on a marble.
"His lips were purple, his face was blue. I felt the absolute urgency of the situation. I knew he was dying in my arms. I searched my brain trying to recall on my lifeguard training."
Kim remembered. Her son recovered. But, Mom, that's one tough day.
Carol, a teacher in a rough middle school, says being a parent can be infinitely rougher. Carol has challenging days at work, but says she can get through it. Challenging times as a mom stick with her.
"As parents we own so much of our kids' angst. If they hurt, we hurt."
My friend Karen agrees.
"It was never easy firing someone or giving a professional warning," she says. "But my heart was never invested the way it is dealing with my kids."
Is being a mom the toughest job? Listen, kiddo, it's tough enough.
Your mother loves you, darling child. With all her heart. Send her a card once in a while. Make it part of your job description.


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Countys moving day delayed again
Kitsap County officials got an up-close look at the new Administration Building this week, as project manager Karen Ross took several elected officials, department heads and staff members on a tour of the facility.
Meanwhile, the county has again postponed the move-in date for the new structure, now scheduling the action for the week between Christmas and New Years Day.
The move-in date was postponed from its original Columbus Day target due to construction delays.
Since a three-day weekend is needed for the move, the last target was Veterans Day, but further delays made that unlikely.
The next window of opportunity, Thanksgiving, was made prohibitive by high labor costs, according to Ross.
Moving during the winter holiday will save overtime labor costs, she said.
The delay will give the county more time to get the building ready for occupancy after its completion.
The new date will help us address a whole bunch of things that could become uncomfortable, Ross said. Installing video-conferencing adds a new layer of difficulty. And I want the new commissioners chambers to to be 100 percent working before you hold a meeting there.
For this reason, the county does not have a solid date for the first commissioners meeting to be held in the new building.
The probable date for 2006s first meeting is Jan. 6.
The new commissioners chambers provide a significant improvement over the relatively tiny, 47-seat room constructed in 1948.
Designed to hold up to 150 people with a link to the outside hallway, the new room features cherrywood acoustic paneling and will accommodate larger bodies, like the planning commission.
The chamber connects to a conference room, to be used for executive and work-study sessions. During this weeks tour, the commissioners pointed out the need for a restroom within that area, plans for which Ross immediately implemented.
The new building will house the commissioners as well as several county departments: Administrator, Auditor, Assessor, Community Development, and Treasurer.
The Clerk, Sheriff and courts will continue to occupy the current building, as will the technical services department. The building will receive an extensive remodeling in 2006.
Other new features include an interactive kiosk at the front door where visitors can enter questions about the building. The county will solicit input from staff and receptionists to determine the kiosks content.
The repaving of Division Street is about two weeks behind schedule, delayed by the connection of wires between the new and old buildings.
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6859 Fannen Ave. Sebastopol CA
Charming bungalow in pristine condition. Fabulous location: country setting only blocks from the downtown hub. There is off- street parking and in the backyard, a small, free-standing studio building.
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Elegant top unit full-floor flat near the crest of Telegraph Hill: lovely views plus lots of natural light.
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This is a small cottage with a big appeal.
We maintained the vintage charm of the property while modernizing it for comfort.
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Elegant property includes a formal living room and dining room, eat-in kitchen, two bedrooms and one bathroom on the main level and one large bedroom and bathroom on the lower level looking into the backyard/garden. The garage has room for one long or two small cars.
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Immaculate one bedroom flat in a stately four unit Edwardian building on a tree lined street one block from Dolores Park.
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"Same situation with Christian, we have to gather information and those are very difficult situations for everybody and I have to gather all the information before I can move forward," said Gundy.
"At that time, then it falls on my plate. I have to make a decision based on the information that I have in what direction we go. I wait until everything come together, which usually takes two or three weeks. This was the first I had heard of any of it. I just move forward after I get the information," said Gundy.


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Results tagged ' Manny Sanguillen '
Day 8: Daily Squeeze
Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com
I wasn't going to miss pop-up drills to the catchers today. No way. Even after being warned by one of the catchers (who will remain unnamed) not to report my observations here on the blog. That comment, of course, is all about context. For those who were here last year on the first day of pop-up drills, you probably remember the disaster.
To be fair, 25-30 mph winds were partially to blame last year. But so many balls were dropped that Manny Sanguillen was left shaking his head and fans behind the fence were left applauding when a ball was actually caught.
Well, I'm pleased to report that today's exhibition on how to catch pop-ups was extremely impressive all around. There was wind factoring in today, too, so that made the drill's success even more notable. The catchers (seven in all) hardly dropped a ball, including when Minor League manager Tom Prince shot up two or three in succession.
As for the rest of your daily squeeze…
- Pedro Alvarez was out of workouts today with a muscle spasm in his neck. He woke up feeling sore and had treatment while the team was on the field. The Pirates list Alvarez's status as day to day.
- With Alvarez inside, Garrett Atkins stepped in at third base during defensive work with the rest of the starting infielders. That gives you some idea of the initial depth chart.
- Lefty Scott Olsen (mild left hamstring strain) was out throwing long toss for a while on Monday. When asked how Olsen was progressing, GM Neal Huntington said only that the team would update his status later in the week. The club has been quiet on how Olsen's setback will affect his ability to get ready for the season.
- Olsen's status obviously affects that of Charlie Morton, who is also competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. Manager Clint Hurdle spoke briefly about Morton today: "I don't think there is any doubt he has learned some things. He's another guy who has taken ownership of poor performance. He knows what he's capable of. What I'm encouraged by in what I've seen from Charlie is he's honestly self-evaluating. He has visited the places where he could maybe have done better in some situations. From here on in, it's taking the actions."
- One of the first defensive drills of the day was working on cutoffs and relay throws. Time was also spent having pitchers field grounders and cover first on groundballs gloved by the first baseman or second baseman. Communication was key in these drills.
- Pitchers also spent time fielding comebackers and practicing their bunting. Hitters took batting practice, though it was thrown by coaches today.
- Effort continues to be an emphasis in each and every drill. Said Hurdle: "That's one of the elements we're really trying to challenge the players with this spring — if you want to play in the game, you've got to work at practice. Sometimes, it's done the other way. I've been guilty of it. What we've tried to do is make practice more challenging."
- Live batting practice will resume on Tuesday and Wednesday. Pitchers will throw two innings (one inning is 18 pitches) and will throw half of those pitches out of the wind-up and half out of the stretch. There will also be an emphasis on slide step moves.
- Owner Bob Nutting addressed players in a morning meeting and spoke to reporters afterward. For a full transcript on what Nutting had to say, go here.
- The National College Baseball Hall of Fame announced its 2011 class, of which former Pirates shortstop Dick Groat is a member. Groat played two seasons at Duke University, where he was also a standout on the basketball team. The induction ceremony will be July 3 in Lubbock, Texas.
- There are always plenty of meetings and procedures early in camp, and today was no different. Players and staff attended the MLB Umpires Meeting after workouts. In the morning, everyone went in for blood work.
- Hurdle has still not announced his pitching assignments for Friday's exhibition game against those fightin' Manatees or for the start of Grapefruit League play. Once he does, I'll be sure to post it here.
Follow me on Twitter: @LangoschMLB
Day 2: Daily Squeeze
Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com
Let me start off today's post-workout recap with a question for you: What's the biggest challenge facing Clint Hurdle as he begins the task as this team's next manager?
That was the question posed to me recently and the subject of a story I wrote for the main site today. You can find my answer to that inquiry here. And, of course, I would love to hear your thoughts as well, if you so desire to share.
Plenty else to run through at the end of another workout day, so let's get rolling:
- First baseman Lyle Overbay arrived in Bradenton last night and made his first appearance at Pirate City on Tuesday. Overbay helped out during the pitchers' fielding practice, and he took some cuts during batting practice. With Overbay in uniform, the Pirates are now just missing seven of their 62 players.
- Right-hander Kevin Hart was out on the field before workouts going through his long toss program. Hart had been shut down for 10 days and given a cortisone shot to help reduce inflammation in his surgically-repaired shoulder. All went well on Tuesday as he got to throwing again. The Pirates aren't going to rush Hart's progression, though, so it will be a while before he takes the mound again.
- Congratulations are in order for Manny Sanguillen, who was recently inducted into the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame. He was part of the second class of inductees and was joined by Edgar Martinez, Luis Tiant, Andres Galarraga, Rico Carty, Dennis Martinez and Fernando Valenzuela. The ceremony was held this past Saturday in the Dominican Republic.
- I had the opportunity to meet pitching prospect Luis Heredia today, as he spent the morning watching the Major League Spring Training workouts. He asked to leave the Pirate City dorms and watch. Heredia also threw a long toss session in the afternoon. He is scheduled to throw off the mound on Thursday. My first impression: very cordial kid, and very tall! And to think that he is already 6-foot-6 and only 16, with time to continue growing.
- The following 16 players threw their scheduled bullpen sessions on Tuesday: Charlie Morton, Brian Burres, Fernando Nieve, Chris Resop, Sean Gallagher, Tony Watson, Cesar Valdez, Tyler Yates, Jeff Karstens, Justin Thomas, Brad Lincoln, Chris Leroux, Daniel McCutchen, Ramon Aguero, Daniel Moskos and Bryan Morris.
- The final number of side session was then pushed to 17 when Donnie Veal took the mound for a short side after the rest of the group had finished. Veal is on a different track than the rest of the pitchers, since he is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
- Pitching coach Ray Searage (unsolicited) specifically praised three pitchers for looking particularly sharp in their first official bullpen session — Yates, Evan Meek, and Michael Crotta. Speaking of Meek, Searage said: "That was the best 'pen I've ever seen out of Meek. Good gosh, it was solid."
- You can find more about this in the lengthy Pirates Beat that will be posted on the main site later this afternoon, but lefty Scott Olsen is being particularly cautious in his Spring Training progression this year. The goal is to ensure that the left shoulder, which has caused him injury issues over the past two years, does not flare up. A slower progression won't affect his ability to compete for a rotation spot.
- You won't be seeing any strings during the side sessions any more. The strings that former pitching coach Joe Kerrigan used to put across home plate as a marker for pitch location are gone. The dummies are still around, but they will not be used all that much anymore, either.
- Right-hander Brad Lincoln has reported to camp a few pounds lighter after some tough offseason conditioning work. His breaking ball isn't all that sharp yet, though that's obviously common at this point in the spring. As for his mechanics — which were badly tinkered with last season — Searage said they are back to where they need to be. Searage also promised that he would not be forcing any new mechancial changes on Lincoln moving forward.
- Don't expect the Pirates to name an Opening Day starter until at least midway through the Grapefruit League schedule. Hurdle said he already has some candidates, but he wants to see these starters pitch in games before a final schedule is mapped out.
- Congratulations are also in order for James McDonald, who got engaged down here on Monday night.
- The Pirates remain mum on their closer decision. It should be made this week, though.
- Outfielder Matt Diaz is looking for 120 volunteers to help him build a playground for the Winter Haven Boys and Girls club on March 15. If you want more information, go here.
Follow me on Twitter: @LangoschMLB
Video: Pirates alumni invade Bradenton
Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com
This next video I created will complement a story that I'm writing today for pirates.com about the Pirates alumni who are here as special instructors at Spring Training. The group includes Kent Tekulve, Manny Sanguillen, Bill Virdon and Bill Mazeroski. The written story will delve into their reasons for coming and the impact they have with players, but I thought it would be interesting to also ask each about their favorite Spring Training memories as a player. It's those answers that you'll find in this video.
Hope you enjoy, and again, you can find a full story about these ol' timers later in the day.
Follow me on Twitter: @LangoschMLB
Day 8: Daily Squeeze
Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com
The 25-30 mph winds in Bradenton today played havoc with the catcher's pop-up drills (and not to mention on my hair), but it made for quite the entertainment. There were by far more balls dropped than caught during the session, which explained why a handful of onlookers would clap when one was actually caught. The balls were launched 200+ feet high in the air.
Former Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen watched the entire session, often mumbling under his breath. "That's the worst execution I've seen!" he said at one point. "Get your glove up! Get it up!" Sanguillen said at another. Sanguillen certainly made some valid points, but to the catcher's defense, that wind was playing games with them.
Anyways, here's everything else you could want to know about this blustery day:
- A second group of pitchers — Zach Duke, Charlie Morton, Vinnie Chulk (who looks eerily similar to Adam LaRoche), Evan Meek, Ramon Aguero, Ronald Uviedo, Daniel McCutchen, Brian Burres, Jeremy Powell, Javier Lopez, Wil Ledezma, Brian Bass, Jeff Sues and Jean Machi — threw live batting practice.
- Pitchers will all get a day off from throwing on Friday before each group throws one day this weekend. That means that Friday's workouts will be short and sweet. Many of the players are also participating in a charity golf tournament during the afternoon, so there is incentive for a quick day.
- No word yet on Joel Hanrahan and Jose Ascanio's visit to see Dr. Andrews. As soon as we get any information, I'll pass that along.
- Right-hander Octavio Dotel (left side soreness) is progressing, though the Pirates have not yet determined the exact day he'll return to the field. Manager John Russell: "He's feeling better. We're just kind of still day-to-day. We'll see how he does the next couple of days and hopefully get him out there pretty soon."
- For anyone who might be in Bradenton, there is a Pirates/Marauders pep rally from 6-10 pm on Thursday on Old Main Street. There are supposed to be 15 current players in attendance, as well as Frank Coonelly and Steve Blass. The jerseys for the Bradenton Marauders (high-A) are expected to be revealed at 7 pm.
- The MLB Network has plans to televise four of the Pirates' Spring Training games: March 3 at 1 pm (Pirates @ Yankees), March 10 at 7 pm (Orioles @ Pirates), March 13 at 7 pm (Pirates @ Red Sox), March 14 at 9 pm (Yankees @ Pirates).
Follow me on Twitter: @LangoschMLB
Day 4: Daily Squeeze
Jenifer Langosch/MLB.com
One thing I learned in journalism school was that you know you've done your job as a reporter when you have so many notes for one story that you are forced to throw three-fourths of them out because you don't have enough space. That was close to the case this afternoon as I was working on a feature about Tony Sanchez, the Pirates' first-round Draft pick last year.
First off, Sanchez is a delight to talk with. Very engaging. Very cordial. Seems genuinely appreciative for the chance to be at Major League camp. But the praise he has already been receving from others was what really struck me. You'll find much of that in the story on the main pirates.com site shortly.
But because I wasn't able to use half of the information I collected, I wanted to share one thing from Sanchez that didn't make it into my main story. We got to talking about his opportunity to join the high-A Lynchburg team at the very end of its season (Sanchez had been playing for low-A West Virginia) just in time to help the team in the playoffs.
Yes, he talked about how neat it was to win the Carolina League Championship. But Sanchez spent most of the time lamenting the fact that because he got called up for the playoffs, the catchers who had helped Lynchburg get there were forced to sit on the bench:
"It wasn't the position I wanted to be in, though I know it's a business now. Those catchers have caught those guys for 142 games. They were putting in the work to get to the playoffs. Then I showed up and ended up catching the playoffs. It was kind of bittersweet. I loved to move up and I loved to help that team win a championship, but I know that those catchers had worked so hard for their team to get to the playoffs. I kind of felt bad. But I did whatever I could to help them win."
This seems to speak to Sanchez character very much. With him, you're not going to find a guy who feels entitled to anything even though he was a top Draft pick. He wants to earn everything. And he wants to do things right.
Anyways, here's the rest of your daily squeeze:
- Gorgeous day here at Pirate City. First real good weather day yet.
- The 16-pitcher group that threw side sessions on Friday were back throwing off the mounds on Sunday. As you can read here, they have pink strings and strips of rubber to help them out.
- Position players had the option of taking the day off (remember, there is no official full squad workout until Tuesday) and many of them did. However, the following 10 players still showed up to take part in fielding practice and BP: Jose Tabata, Garrett Jones, Steve Pearce, Doug Bernier, Brian Myrow, Jeff Clement, Brian Friday, Brandon Jones, Aki Iwamura and John Raynor. Of that group, only Iwamura and Jones have already been guaranteed Opening Day starting spots.
- Bullpen catcher Heberto Andrande has still not been able to arrive to help out with camp. He is stuck in Venezuela with visa issues.
- I asked Manny Sanguillen, who works with the catchers, how the group looked this year. He answered by singling out Ryan Doumit: "Ryan has really come a long way. I'm happy with his attitude, and he looks good."
- When asked if he had given any thought to who might be the team's Opening Day starting pitcher, manager John Russell succinctly answered: "No." My guess? Paul Maholm, followed by Ross Ohlendorf, Zach Duke and Charlie Morton. Pure speculation on my part.
- Did I mention the weather was beautiful today?
- For those of you who have been asking when another video will be posted, be patient. I'm working on one right now that is going to include a handful of interviews. Hopefully I'll have it up by the end of the week.
Follow me on Twitter: @LangoschMLB
Day 6 Daily Squeeze
(Neil Walker working with Gregg Ritchie, the Pirates' roving hitting instructor)
And now your sights and sounds from a blustery Pirate City:
- Third baseman Andy LaRoche did not participate in workouts today (fielding or hitting) after having some slight back spasms on Wednesday. LaRoche said the lower back pain wasn't anything to be worried about, and the Pirates simply decided to sit him for precautionary reasons. He is expected to be back participating in full tomorrow.
- Pedro Lopez arrived in Bradenton late on Wednesday and worked out with the team on Thursday. With Lopez in camp, the Pirates have 57 players now at Spring Training.
- Utilityman Luis Cruz told me today that he has declined an invitation to play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic in March. Cruz didn't seem too disappointed and said that he would have his best chance to make the club out of Spring Training if he stayed with the team all through camp.
- Speaking of the World Baseball Classic, both Ian Snell and Ramon Vazquez have committed to playing for Team Puerto Rico. Vazquez will be the team's starting third baseman, and as a result, he has been taking extra infield practice at third this week. Snell started his throwing program earlier than usual this spring and will have one start with the Pirates before joining the Puerto Rican team. Manager John Russell said that should ensure that Snell is ready to go for WBC games.
- Had another interesting conversation with Manny Sanguillen today, who pulled me aside to share some insight. He watched Pedro Alvarez take batting practice earlier in the week and had to do a double-take: "I saw that swing, and I thought it was Willie," Sanguillen said, referring, of course, to Willie Stargell. "It's the same power, the same [bat] path. I've never seen that since Willie." And the Sanguillen offered his prediction on Alvarez: "That kid — he's going to be really special."
- Sanguillen also wanted to let me know that his 50-foot putt for eagle at Wednesday's Charity Golf Tournament was the highlight of the day (in his opinion, of course).
- Sanguillen wasn't the only one wanting to catch a sneak peak at Alvarez. During morning fielding drills, the largest crowd, by far, packed around the field where Alvarez was. Considering all the team's starting infielders were on a different field, fans had to be there to watch Alvarez.
- The infielders had the added bonus of trying to catch pop-ups with a gusting wind outside this morning, which made the drill a bit entertaining at times for onlookers. But props to Freddy Sanchez, who made the acrobatic catch of the day by sprinting into right field, doing a 360, falling and making the catch.
- In the meantime, pitchers worked on rundowns on other fields and catchers focused on throwing out baserunners.
- Nine pitchers threw bullpen sessions today, and most had the dummies set up next to the plate to emulate a real pitcher-hitter situation. Tomorrow, pitchers will throw live BP for the first time. Eighteen pitchers are expected to do so on Friday.
- I saw fan favorite Chuck Tanner from a distance today; it was the first time I had spotted him here since I arrived. He's one of a handful of Pirates alumni who work with the team during the spring. Also here are Bill Virdon, Bill Mazeroski, Kent Tekulve and Sanguillen.
- Friday's workout will last longer than usual, with it concluding at about 2 p.m.
- And if you didn't already see it below, earlier I posted an entry relaying President Frank Coonelly's message to the team earlier today. Coonelly addressed the team in a meeting before workouts. Scroll down a bit to see what was said.
Quote of the Day: "Watch. These guys are looking much better. They are going to surprise some people this year." — Sanguillen, on team as a whole.
Until tomorrow…
Day 1 Short Hops
The first official pitchers and catchers workout has come and gone. One day down… and I'm too afraid to count the number of days to go, so I'll refrain in order to keep my sanity. The plan, though, throughout those remaining days of Spring Training is to use this blog to supplement the regular stories on the site. So be sure to check back here for all the miscellaneous details and anecdotes each day.
Your short hops (as I'm going to call them until someone suggests a better subtitle) for today:
- 18 of the 34 pitchers in camp threw bullpen sessions (35 pitches) on Saturday. That would include: Ross Ohlendorf, Ian Snell, Jimmy Barthmaier, Brian Slocum, Matt Capps, Sean Burnett, Tyler Yates, Virgil Vasquez, Donnie Veal, Jesse Chavez, Chris Bootcheck, Craig Hansen, Juan Mateo, Evan Meek, Jeff Sues, Ronald Uviedo, Daniel Haigwood and Romulo Sanchez. Those that didn't throw on Saturday are scheduled to do so on Sunday (the only exception, of course, being Phil Dumatrait, who remains about three weeks behind schedule).
- All players reported (i.e. no visa problems) and all underwent physicals and EKGs before the team meeting began at 11:30.
- After taking the field at 12:20 to do long toss, the pitchers split up onto four fields and took part in a variety of drills — fielding bunts, covering first base, etc.
- At the same time the pitchers were doing fielding drills, the catchers worked on fielding bunts and position players Brandon Moss, Nyjer Morgan and Garrett Jones took part in BP.
- Pitching coach Joe Kerrigan relayed his plans for dealing with the shortened workout schedule this spring due to the World Baseball Classic. Kerrigan said he plans to use nine relievers for one inning apiece in the Pirates' first Grapefruit League game on Feb. 25. Starters will then begin pitching on Feb. 26.
- Kerrigan has also begun introducing pitchers to two "dummies" that he will be using in an exercise to get pitchers more comfortable pitching inside. Right now, the dummies are being set up while pitchers play catch from 55 feet so that they can get used to them being there. As Kerrigan put it: "It's just so that they get used to training their eyes so that they can get the hitter out of the picture when they pitch inside." Later this spring, those dummies will be placed next to the plate every time a pitcher throws a sides session.
I also had the pleasure of spending some time talking with former Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen on Saturday after he took a seat next to me to watch the bullpen sessions. The always loquacious Sanguillen had plenty to say, so I figured I would pass along the highlights:
- Sanguillen will be working with the catchers until heading back to Panama on March 6. I asked him if he would be donning catching gear at some point like he did last year and he said: "Of course."
- He lauded improvements Ryan Doumit has made defensively in the past year, noting that he's doing a better job of staying down to block pitches in the dirt.
- Sanguillen also singled out Burnett and Capps for their side sessions. He was especially complimentatry of the movement of Burnett's pitches and an improved arm angle by the lefty.
- I also asked Manny if he'd be helping out at all with Team Panama in the World Baseball Classic. He said he was invited to help, but declined the invitation. He hopes to be involved during the next WBC.
Quote of the Day: "It's time for us as an organization to realize that losing is not acceptable.It's not an acceptable way of life for a Pirate." — Manager John Russell, repeating his message from the team meeting.
Sunday's workout begins with a 9:30 am team meeting and then on-field work from 10 am – 1 pm