text:
I'm parting ways with my HiFiMAN HM-801 which is in excellent condition (like new), plastic still on the LCD. I'm not getting use out of the portable nature of the solution and would like a desktop headphone amp.
I've had the HM-801 for about 8 months with about 350 hours (best guess), purchased through Audio Advisor. I believe it has the latest firmware, 0.19.
I've been using it as a DAC/AMP in combination with the Musical Fidelity V-Link out of my MacBook Pro.
In addition to the 8GB onboard storage I am also including four 16GB SD Cards (4x16) for a grand total of 72 GB of storage.
The HM-801 has the original box and accessories, including both the high gain and low gain amplification cards.
I'm also including a Pelican hard-case which can be used for transport.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks in advance.
Edited by rabidsquid - 11/9/11 at 6:25am


text:
December 26, 2008
Shopping for music recordings... why are all the shoppers male?
I followed my 2 sons into B-Side Records, which was full of shoppers. I counted 15, all men. When did music shopping become such a heavily male activity?
78 comments:
- Eli Blake said...
My older daughter used to download it all off the internet (that was back in the days of Napster.)
My two younger ones will probably be doing that pretty soon too, but I will make sure it's a legal service. - 12/26/08, 4:32 PM
- garage mahal said...
If it wasn't B Side I would venture a guess at what cd our scarfed shopper is about to pick.
This is EXACTLY how my wife would like me to look and dress if she had her way. Instead she gets Jack Black. Haha. - 12/26/08, 4:45 PM
- rhhardin said...
Music is heavily mathematical.
- Trooper York said...
Cause it's really gay?
Not that there's anything wrong with that. - 12/26/08, 4:51 PM
- Richard Fagin said...
B-side Records? Did they acutally have any records, the ones made from vinyl? I pretty well stopped music shopping when stores stopped selling records.
- Pogo said...
Back when I gave a damn, I haunted lots of record (yes, record) stores, especially used ones. I spent hours at a time rifling through endless bins of LPs. The only women in those dumps were usually the punk grrrl slacker clerks. Never a buyer.
Girls tended more toward pop music, which you could buy at any mainstream store at the mall.
Later, when I had a bit more cash, I bought CDs (remember them?) at the independent store, because it had all the crazy crap I listened to that everyone else hated (for good reason, usually).
No girls there either.
It's like jazz or baseball or used books. Only a guy could know or care about the infinite but transient details of all the tiny little bands that come and go like crocuses.
I dunno.
But whatever the reason, it is far superior that women do this less than men do.
- RR Ryan said...
Back when I was in the business, that was always the case. I suspect if you asked Danny at Wax'nFax in Atlanta you would get corroboration on this.
- rcocean said...
Is that Titus? The scarf looks Tres Gay.
- Trooper York said...
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
- Mark O said...
What are the odds? Probably about 50-50. Flip it again tomorrow.
Maybe they were there looking for chicks. Naw.
Before the Time When No Differences Were Permitted, there seemed to be reasons for stuff like this, but I would never hazard an impression lest I be struck down.
But, what are the odds? - 12/26/08, 5:38 PM
- Mitch said...
"There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening. The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus, milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence."
- Mitch said...
"It had been a wonderful evening and what I needed now, to give it the perfect ending, was a little of the Ludwig Van."
- Lem said...
When did music shopping become such a heavily male activity?
Could it be that listening to music is a display the way making music is thought of as a tool to attract sex partners?
The Economist notes 3 theories for the evolution of music in human culture: 1. sex, 2. social glue, 3. accident and invention...
the sex theory -- that people make music to attract sex partners.
I remember making countless tape compilations for girls I wanted to shall we say.. impress.
The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might seem. You gotta kick off with a killer, to grab attention. Then you got to take it up a notch, but you don't wanna blow your wad, so then you got to cool it off a notch. There are a lot of rules. Anyway... I've started to make a tape... in my head... for Laura. Full of stuff she likes. Full of stuff that make her happy. For the first time I can sort of see how that is done.
High Fidelity (2000) - 12/26/08, 5:51 PM
- dbp said...
The chances of 15 people there being all men is about one in 32,000--if it was just random chance.
Of course, it was actually 15 men and one woman: Althouse didn't count herself. - 12/26/08, 5:57 PM
- PC said...
It's pretty simple; girls tend to have shitty tastes in music and can be satiated by the best sellers rack at Best Buy.
- Original George said...
Because this is the mating season, and the lads are looking for tunes with which to lure young lovelies.
- Jeff with one 'f' said...
Record collecting is a very male activity, as is making music itself. As for record shops, the onion puts it best: SRecord Shop Clerk Massacre
- blake said...
Isn't this was Summers was saying?
Men are more likely to be outliers. - 12/26/08, 6:48 PM
- EDH said...
I can't believe you didn't know? Nobody told you?
Maybe I'm not supposed to reveal this secret...[looks both ways]
The record companies are putting four tablets of Viagra in every CD! - 12/26/08, 7:04 PM
- TosaGuy said...
White people like scaves.
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/04/30/97-scarves/ - 12/26/08, 7:29 PM
- PJ said...
IB-side looks like it always would have leaned toward the obsessive indy music geek category which is heavily male -- especially during the holiday break.
Think Jack Black in High Fidelity telling the middle aged guy to go to the mall - only with CDs now. - 12/26/08, 7:39 PM
- Mariam said...
Maybe it is a matter of what would be shopped for or returned on the day after a big gifting day.
I feel like the mix/tape (per Lem's comment) is a gift that one would give to someone more inclined to value the context of a home-made gift, i.e., a lady might not have anything to return; while I might just grab a full CD of an artist I know someone _might_ like for a person less likely to care--and getting it wrong, they have some recourse. - 12/26/08, 7:41 PM
- PJ said...
Yeah, you have to take into account the fact that the wife/girlfriend might be just down the road sale shopping while SO whiles away the time in the music store.
- m00se said...
Judging from the way the "man" in your photo was wearing his scarf, I'd say he was a bit fey.
Which would put the statement of "male" a bit in doubt... - 12/26/08, 9:20 PM
- reader_iam said...
Wow. I'm going to have to think about this one, on account of having first one reaction, then another, then recoiling back from both and looking larger and broader (and smaller and more narrowly), over decades.
Weirdly, perhaps or perhaps not, I've been put in mind to think about my experience[/s] in college/alternative radio, all those years and years ago. There was more to confound than one might think. Which statement only goes so far. - 12/26/08, 9:21 PM
- TitusRoad said...
You all must think I am a big fag. I would never wear a scarf like that-not that there is anything wrong with it just wouldn't do it.
Actually, my style is very understated. You really have to look closely to locate the fine quality, exquisite (sp) taste and large price tag.
Actually, you wouldn't be able to tell I am gay most of the time. Especially in Wisconsin when it is minus 6 outside.
By the way, who still shops at music stores for music? - 12/26/08, 9:44 PM
- TitusRoad said...
Also, I almost always have a baseball cap on my head, except when I go out to find a boyfriend for a 10 minute relationship.
And if I am in Wisconsin and it is minus 6 I have a hat on that covers my head and ears entirely.
It is going to be 60 here in New York on Sunday. - 12/26/08, 9:47 PM
- TitusRoad said...
There was a hottie at the airport when i was leaving Madison. We were on the same flight out. His body was fierce. I was interested to see his final destination.
I was lucky enough that in Detroit our next flights gates were next to each other. He was going to Boston and I ackowledged his fabulousness (by going to Boston) while I strolled by to the Laguardia gate. If he would of been flying to Charlotte or Hotlanta that would of proved to be very disappointing.
Can I tell you that you can tell quite a bit about a city by looking at the passengers at the gate waiting for their flight? It really is an excellent indicator of the fabulous factor of the city. - 12/26/08, 9:54 PM
- reader_iam said...
Titus, one of the things which finally won me over about you was your talent for metaphor.
Especially with regard to gates and, secondarily, flights. - 12/26/08, 9:56 PM
- TitusRoad said...
When flying home to Madison I was next to an infantry officer who was originally from Eau Claire, went to school in Madison and was now in the military stationed in San Diego. He was going to be getting married to a woman who was in medical school in Madison.
He asked if I was married or ever been married. I said no. I didn't tell him I was gay. Should I of told him I was gay? - 12/26/08, 9:59 PM
- dbp said...
I like the scarf and don't think it makes the guy look gay. He may be or not, I can't tell. When I can tell--or more accurately, when I form an opinion--it is from how he moves, not from what he wears.
I would bet that there are statistically meaningful differences between the fashion choices of the hetero v. homosexual male, but to me the differences in walking, talking and gestures have a larger difference. At this hour it makes my head spin to consider how one would quantify differences in mannerisms. - 12/26/08, 10:03 PM
- reader_iam said...
Should I of told him I was gay?
Well, no, you shouldn't of told him [you were] gay.
As to should you have told him ...? I'm totally unqualified to say. I am qualified to say that I suspect you can handle that all by yourself, Titus. As well you know.
; )
Happy New Year! - 12/26/08, 10:07 PM
- TitusRoad said...
True story-when flying home to Madison I went through Minneapolis and by accident pinched a loaf in the Larry Craig bathroom. I didn't know it was the Larry Craig bathroom until I entered the stall and there was writing all over the place saying that it was the Larry Craig bathroom.
When I left the bathroom there were a couple of queens taking pictures of the entrance as I left. I hope they didn't think I was in there for anything other then pinching a loaf.
Also, the thought of having sex in an airport bathroom has no interest to me. I do have standards you know. Also, I want to be able to see the guys pecs and arms and an airport bathroom doesn't allow for that much exposure. And also, I don't want to hear or smell other people taking dumps as I am doing it.
After I left the bathroom I thought it would be nice to have some sort of monument outside of the bathroom to ackowledge it's fame. - 12/26/08, 10:07 PM
- TitusRoad said...
I would never tell a stranger that I just met that I am gay, even if they asked. It is none of their fucking business.
- dbp said...
"He asked if I was married or ever been married. I said no. I didn't tell him I was gay. Should I of told him I was gay?"
Great question!
Regardless of whether the soldier thought you might be gay or not, he might have felt compelled by the trajectory of the conversation that it would be polite to ask about your marriage/family situation since he was telling you about his.
If the infantryman had any anti-gay feelings, you might have decreased them by telling him you are gay; since you had already gained his confidence. If he had no anti-gay feelings, then there would have been no consequences. - 12/26/08, 10:18 PM
- sg said...
Men operate under the illusion that women are impressed by guys who: a) have "eclectic" tastes in music; b) have "the perfect CD" for every mood or occasion; and c) are well-off enough to spend thousands of dollars on CDs they'll only listen to a few dozen times each.
Women already know that men don't worry at all about what CDs women have or like. - 12/26/08, 10:18 PM
- Lem said...
I gave a compilation tape to an "exotic dancer" once.
I know.. Pathetic.. lol - 12/26/08, 10:42 PM
- XWL said...
When did music shopping become such a heavily male activity?
My personal music shopping days stretch back into the early 80s, and if my recollection is correct, I'd have to say that even then it was a mostly male activity to actually peruse the racks and look for music. It's not that females didn't buy music (see, Jovi, Bon and his career for proof) back then, it's just that women don't seem to have to 'browse the racks' chromosone.
But maybe part of it is also about the particular retail experience. The film version of High Fidelity captured some of the snotty stand-offishness and know-it-allness consumers encounter when venturing into record shops.
I think men can overlook that sort of thing, or they might even appreciate it, women seem to respond to a more solicitous retail experience.
If they had sold records the way they sell high heels or bath products, I'd bet the gender balance would have been more equal.
Now that vinyl is exclusively for fetishists and even CDs are largely an anachronism, it's only going to be a particular set of peculiar folks who habituate brick and mortar music shops. By going to a store, you aren't just buying music, you are making a cultural statement about the kind of person you are. - 12/26/08, 10:52 PM
- Beth said...
This is a single, andecdotal experience. I could cite counter experiences and they'd be just as meaningful, or rather, unmeaningful. Or, I'll have a little fun and propose that in keeping with all those studies Althouse loves, women shop for music better. They do it online.
- Jim Howard said...
I was wondering how an academic study of this phenomena would be writen so as to follow Althouse's Law ('any study of gender differences must conclude that female behavior is superior').
Thanks to sg for providing the ansswer: 'Men operate under the illusion that women are impressed by guys who:..." - 12/26/08, 11:34 PM
- LoafingOaf said...
Sigh...I always had crushes on the females who worked at the independent record shops.
I didn't pay much attention to how many of the customers were male or female. When I think of it, it was mostly male customers. Especially the lingering browsers. Females would pop in and know what they wanted and then be gone. The males liked to browse and browse and hang out. One record shop here let me hang out and smoke cigs and play records, not caring much if I'd buy 'em.
Most of these shops have gone out of business in my city. I think Amazon and downloading has destroyed these indie record stores in much of the country.
But a lot of them had females working in them, and I had crushes these rcord store girls. And the females customers who hung out a lot were generaly in bands. I remember small groups of female punks swooping in and out of the stores now and then, but not being huge browsers like the guys. - 12/26/08, 11:48 PM
- Lem said...
('any study of gender differences must conclude that female behavior is superior')
The act of self-love for example, female are said to have gone digital while men still doing things manually ;) - 12/27/08, 12:04 AM
- Palladian said...
I do believe the be-scarfed metrosexual lad in the photograph is Althouse's non-gay son John. You can tell he's not gay because a gay man would never be in a store like that wearing a scarf like that looking at Jazz.
- rhhardin said...
John of KFI's John and Ken said that when he was a kid, he noticed that about half the songs on the radio were sheer crap. ``Who's buying this junk?'' he'd ask himself.
It turns out there are chick songs and guy songs. Whole radio stations were devoted to the difference, depending on what audience they wanted to sell to advertisers.
I believe the segment is in this (real audio) show post Princess Di.
Yes! At 16:40. - 12/27/08, 2:28 AM
- Ann Althouse said...
Palladian is right, and since my other son specifically rejected that scarf and doesn't want any scarf, the verdict chez Althouse is that the scarf is quite clearly not gay.
- TitusRoad said...
When in an airport I feel a little bad about people waiting to board a plane for a not fabulous city.
While working the runway and glancing over my shoulder to check out each gate I notice the names Tulsa, Jackson, Colombia, Knoxville, Dallas, Houston, maybe even Jefferson City or Kalamazoo. I peruse the passengers, look at the name of the city at the gate and give them a dirty look. It is my small way of telling them to get out, move. I notice the hair, shoes, body fat content and really want to do my part by letting them know they need to find a new city. - 12/27/08, 8:21 AM
- TitusRoad said...
I like the term "glancing over my shoulder"-it's very gay.
- TitusRoad said...
Now that I think about it this blog is pretty gay-in a good way.
Lots of gays and gay stuff. - 12/27/08, 8:26 AM
- TitusRoad said...
Is the store Jazzman in Madison too cool to have a website? That's lame.
I ate deer sausage when I was home and packed some for friends in the city. I love deer sausage.
Loving deer sausage is so the complexity and dichotomy of being me. You really can't pin me down, literally because I am a top. But also figuratively. I am a mixture of unexpected twists and turns. - 12/27/08, 8:31 AM
- TitusRoad said...
I feel my morning loaf beginning to percolate.
- hdhouse said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- TitusRoad said...
I also ate lefse when home which is a Norwegian bread that my mom makes. It is really yummy.
- hdhouse said...
because the classical music section is, or used to be, a great place to meet women...duhhh!
- TitusRoad said...
Speaking of compact discs I got tons of blank CDs for christmas so I can make catchy music to play in my car.
- TitusRoad said...
I will be right back.
The loaf has arrived. - 12/27/08, 8:35 AM
- TitusRoad said...
I am watching PBS cartoons now.
Can you name something that grows is one of the questions for the cartoon characters. - 12/27/08, 8:38 AM
- TitusRoad said...
One of the answers was "cats" can grow.
- TitusRoad said...
The cartoon is Sid The Science Kid.
- siyeh pass said...
B-Side's a great store. I recognized it from the pic - been going in there since college. I guess I don't fit the stereotype that's here, but that's not news - I know more about baseball than your average bear, too.
- save_the_rustbelt said...
I checked with my seriously heterosexual musician/dj son who is here for the holidays devouring massive amounts of food and sleeping late.
He tells me women either have simple pop tastes or they send a man to do the shopping.
Limited sample, to be certain. And he has had trouble with women, including his maybe yes, maybe no fiance' chick.
He promises to double check when he returns to Nashville, they seem to like music down there. - 12/27/08, 10:00 AM
- Meade said...
Those are a couple of handsome young men you've raised, Althouse. Kudos!
- MadisonMan said...
The scarf looks Tres Gay.
The scarf looks Tres Blanc to me -- really extremely white, as in brand new -- and I will venture that it is a Christmas present.
Does he drink coffee? Shame to spill coffee on a white wool scarf. - 12/27/08, 10:05 AM
- save_the_rustbelt said...
I have friends and family in Tulsa and Dallas, and those are quite nice cities, and I have friends in Kalamazoo. All straight though.
Do you know about gay rodeo?
You might like Tulsa and Dallas if you showed up during the gay rodeo. Hunky men with really big silver belt buckles. - 12/27/08, 10:05 AM
- Matt Eckert said...
Hey I did not know that Charles Nelson Reilly lived in Madison.
- somefeller said...
I'm not familiar enough with the other cities Titus mentioned to have an opinion about them, but anyone who says that Dallas and Houston (two of America's biggest cities, both of which are centers of wealth, arts and gay culture, I might add) are "not fabulous" shows himself to be something of a poseur. As long as we are sharing opinions, darling.
Yeah, I know that last line sounded a little odd coming from me, but why should Palladian have all the fun? - 12/27/08, 11:33 AM
- Ann Althouse said...
"The scarf looks Tres Blanc to me -- really extremely white, as in brand new -- and I will venture that it is a Christmas present. Does he drink coffee? Shame to spill coffee on a white wool scarf."
Actually, the color is an off-white, cream. And it's not wool, it's Cashmink, which can be hand washed. It looks like cashmere and is really soft. Lots of beautiful colors and patterns, only $25, at Jazzman, which everyone knows is the best men's clothing place in Madison. And go across the street to Karen & Company (Sassafras) for the best women's clothes. - 12/27/08, 12:04 PM
- EDH said...
Titus said...
When flying home to Madison I was next to an infantry officer... He asked if I was married or ever been married. I said no. I didn't tell him I was gay. Should I of told him I was gay?
...I would never tell a stranger that I just met that I am gay, even if they asked. It is none of their fucking business...
And also, I don't want to hear or smell other people taking dumps as I am doing it.
Obviously, Titus is in favor of a don't ask, don't tell and don't smell policy. - 12/27/08, 12:11 PM
- Meade said...
"Lots of beautiful colors and patterns, only $25, at Jazzman, which everyone knows is the best men's clothing place in Madison."
Hmmm... maybe I need to make a trip to Madison. Just to upgrade my wardrobe. I think that scarf looks sharp. Well selected, well worn. - 12/27/08, 12:18 PM
- TitusSuedehead said...
Dallas and Houston are awful...and in Texas. I have been to Dallas and Houston for work and (pleasure?) and they are awful. I went to the Niemies at both cities and saw so much of the shoppers to hate. Also, Dallas killed Kennedy so there is a special place in hell for them. Anywhere that you have to drive to gay bars is down right unforgivable. I am sorry but to be really fabulous you need to be on a coast and you need to run out of your loft and yell taxi and immediately get a cab-and you need to to it very dramatic preferably in front of tourists from Missouri-perhaps even elbowing one of them for good measure. Chicago makes a good run for it but Lake Michigan is not the ocean.
- TitusSuedehead said...
Tom Delay is from Houston-enough said.
- blake said...
Wait, Titus!
Are you saying Lee Harvey Oswald wasn't acting alone!?
First time I've heard such a theory. - 12/27/08, 2:16 PM
- Alex said...
Titus - I'm sure you only hang out with the gay glitterati set. Anyone else is not worth hanging out with.
- Kirby Olson said...
They might all be women in drag. It's Madison.
- somefeller said...
Anywhere that you have to drive to gay bars is down right unforgivable...Tom Delay is from Houston-enough said.
Under that logic, Boston is fabulous and Los Angeles is not. That's not change I can believe in, especially having lived in Boston (a fine American city, but not exactly the hub of the world, despite the slogan). And Tom DeLay lives in Sugarland, not Houston. To give a comparison, that's sort of like saying someone from a not very cool part of Long Island is from New York City.
In any case, I'm sorry you had a bad time in Houston. Perhaps you can make a return trip during Pride Weekend this coming summer or something. But be sure to rent a car. Only losers rely on mass transit. This is the West, you know. - 12/27/08, 9:29 PM
- Ern said...
In my experience (mostly with classical music), women seem more likely than men to attend live performances of music. Perhaps women prefer their music live.
- michael farris said...
Late to this, but I have to say the picture looks straight out of Stuff White People Like : "Pretending to be Interested in Jazz".
Generally, I hadn't thought about it before but back in my undergraduate days the clientele at non-mainstream new/used record stores (several within a couple of blocks) was overwhelminingly male. They sometimes hired pretty punkish girls (possibly to help draw in male customers) but as far as I can recall they never talked about music like the male clerks.
On the other hand, lots of females at the mainstream stores, cruising the pop bins.
Come to think about it, I knew (alternative type) female musicians and they didn't realy obsessively talk about music the way guys did either.
The only woman I've ever known into talking about music (and with really eclective tastes) was a lesbian FWIW. - 12/28/08, 4:49 AM
- muddimo said...
I'm pretty sure that guy in the photo has never mixed concrete in his life. Just sayin.
- Irene said...
Dear Blog Owner,
My name is Irene, and I work with the website ZooCaro:
I recently found your site and am very interested in exchanging links.
As you know, reciprocal linking benefits both of us by raising our search rankings and generating more traffic to both of our sites. Please post a
link to my site as follows:
Title: ZooCaro
URL: http://www.zoocaro.com
Description: A shopping search engine where you can find anything from clothing to electronics to books!
Or get an html logo from here: http://www.zoocaro.com/link.php
Once you've posted the link, let me know the URL of the page that it's on, and I will post it on our site.
Thank you very much,
Irene - 1/12/09, 6:03 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Luxury Visionaries 2016
Commissioned to create an observational tower for Phoenix, Arizona, by Novawest, an American property company, Danish architectural firm BIG has released renderings of how the unconventional structure will look.
Reaching 420 feet, the honey dipper-shaped development will have approximately 70,000sq ft of space, with the spiralling floors on the upper levels housing restaurants, exhibition spaces, a bar and shops. Visitors will ascend to the tip of the tower by elevator before proceeding downwards to access the lower levels and the attractions they house.
As with many new landmarks and structures, the development has been given a nickname and attracted controversy. Referred to as 'The Pin', it will soar over much of Phoenix – a relatively low-rise city that has in the past been unreceptive to the construction of taller buildings. In 2003 Donald Trump proposed the development of the Trump International Hotel and Residences Phoenix but the 190-foot-tall project was opposed locally and its construction was prohibited.
Novawest wants the observation tower to operate as a tourist attraction and multifunctional space for locals, accommodating weddings, office parties and other social events, and is aiming to start construction in August 2013, with the aim of having the structure open in advance of the 2015 Super Bowl, scheduled to be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
See further images of the Phoenix Observation Tower here.


text:
- Score:
- rated 2.49 / 5 stars
- Views:
- 94,502 Views
- Share Links:
- Genre:
- Gadgets - Soundboards
- surreal
- saladfingers
- davidfirth
Credits & Info
- Uploaded
- Nov 23, 2005 | 6:10 PM EST
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Salad Fingers A strange cartoon about a creature who loves to touch rusty metal.
Author Comments
Heres a little soundboard i made for salad fingers episode 4.
Took me a while to get all the sounds, Please read the directions and also take a peak at the little backround animations.
I am not the creater of salad fingers, david firth is...you may visit him here www.fat-pie.com
Rated 3 / 5 stars
A bit average soundboard
This wasn't a very exciting soundboard.
It could use more variety of sounds.
Plus other music.
The design was okay.
But it just didn't feel salad fingers-ish.
Rated 2.5 / 5 stars
Not bad but not good either.
There was already a Salad Fingers soundboard with phrases from a lot of the episodes not just episode four but i understand fans all (well most) wanna show their love,what i didn't like about this though for the most part is the fact you gotta hold the mouse button for the phrase to speak so you couldn't go to two phrases on the back to back quickly also being that it was just from one episode there wasn't that many phrases either,nice layout but not that great of a soundboard.


text:
Leatherwolf Schedules Headline Show January 28th; Live DVD To Be Filmed!
Southern California's vaunted heavy metal Triple Axe Attack, LEATHERWOLF, have scheduled a headline show at the Ramona Mainstage, 626 Main Street, Ramona, CA http://www.ramonamainstage.com/ on Saturday, January 28 where the band will be filming for an upcoming live DVD.
Featuring original members Michael Olivieri (vocals, guitar), Carey Howe (guitar), and Dean Roberts (drums) along with bassist Patrick Guyton and new guitarist Rob Math, LEATHERWOLF are celebrating both their 30th band anniversary as well as the 25th anniversary of their highly acclaimed major label debut album for Island Records which spawned the MTV single 'The Calling.'
"We had originally planned to release the 'Live at the Galaxy' DVD but with Rob in the fold we've decided to re-shoot everything. Rob is a killer player who has brought a lot of new energy to the band and we wanted to capture the new and improved LEATHERWOLF for prosperity", states drummer Dean Roberts. "We've already talked to Roy Z (HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON) about mixing and should have everything completed in another couple of months in time for a tentative summer release."
LEATHERWOLF first emerged in the early 80's as part of the burgeoning Orange County metal scene, playing shows with contemporaries such as METALLICA, SLAYER and STRYPER before signing with local indie label, Tropical/Enigma, for the release of their Randy Burns (MEGADETH, KREATOR) produced eponymous debut in 1984. The band soon caught the attention of Island Records resulting in two further, highly acclaimed releases, 'Leatherwolf' (1987) and 'Street Ready' (1989). After a lenghty hiatus, LEATHERWOLF re-grouped for a number of shows and issued the 'Wide Open' live album in 1999. A new studio album, 'World Asylum', followed in 2006, re-issued in 2008 as 'New World Asylum' with returning frontman Michael Oliveri re-cutting all lead vocals.
Leatherwolf online:


text:
Black women in parliament
Published: Last Edited:
This essay has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work written by our professional essay writers.
Black women in Parliament; a new perspective
It all started twenty one years ago in the House of Commons but we did not hear of it until a year back when Dawn Butler, openly accused the parliament of racism. Diane Abbott, being the first black woman in the parliament endured this but backed up Dawn when it finally came down to it in April 2008. Dawn Butler, one of the only two black women in the House of Commons and also the labour party Member of Parliament for the Brent South region, complained of experiencing various forms of racism in the Parliament. For instance when she was once standing in a lift, some of the other Members of Parliament commented on how terrible it was that cleaners were allowed to use the same lift as them. ( appendix 1) Another incident occurred at a party when a former minister David Heathcote-Amory questioned her reasons for being there and then commented that the Parliament were letting anyone in nowadays. The following sums up how she feels about the situation she is currently facing.
'I thought people in Parliament would be progressive. It is still a shock that they are not,' she said. 'Over the past 400-plus years, the only black people - and black women in particular - in Parliament have been there to cook and clean. For some politicians, it's still a shock to come face to face with black women with any real power. Racism and sexism is Parliament's dirty little secret' (Butler cited by Hill and Revill , 2009).
This statement from Dawn shows that men still believe in the concept of Stereotyping. A modern definition of a stereotype is that provided by Oakes, Haslam and Turner (1994): 'the process of ascribing characteristics to people on the basis of their group membership'. In Dawn's case, they used this notion in two ways. The first was their perception of a woman and where her rightful place is, at home with the kids. The second way was them believing that black women, in particular are only meant to be house helps or cleaners. The second perception can be further proved by using a suggestion by Hamilton and Glifford (1976) which is that it is the tendency of us not to be able to appreciate novelty which causes us to associate members of minority groups with undesirable characteristics. Stereotyping in any way is due to the lack of willingness for one to change his beliefs and attitudes. This in turn has brought about sexism and racism. This case shows a strong woman fighting for her rights and another article featuring British MP Harriet Harman (appendix 1.1) will show us what women with power can do to change the current situation. Stereotyping is only one of the many criteria that this case relates to. Culture influences, power, politics, stress, conflict and the future trends for change will be talked about in relation to this essay aside from the main problems which are gender harassment and racism in the Parliament.
"Racismis man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason"- Abraham J. Heschel. The question is what happens when racism is not the only sin being committed, combine it with sexism and we have a very hard life for a black woman in the Parliament. According to a standard dictionary, racism is defined as the hatred or intolerance shown to a different race or people of different colour. The world has advanced greatly so the question is why does racism still exist in organisations today? In organisations a reason for racism is frustration. If one is having some sort of work related problem, they may blame immigrants for taking away their jobs or creating fewer opportunities (Abanes, 1992).
Another very important reason is organisational culture. If we were to define culture it would be the symbols, beliefs and patterns of behaviour learnt, produced and created by people in an organisation. The men in the House of Commons were not used to females in such a high post let alone females that were of another race. Crompton and Jones (2004) suggested that it was all about 'networking' when climbing up the ladder. Such networking may occur in the form of shared sporting interests such as football or rugby which women are not interested in. Hence women evidently are left out and feel it harder to be accepted than men. Even men talk such as 'you have to get on the team' add a language barrier for women to communicate with other men (Riley, 1983).
The Parliament has an obvious male dominated culture, not only when referring to its members' perceived attitudes towards women like Dawn but also for example, concealed within its physical decor. This forms the first level of Schein's three levels of culture.
A virtual tour of the Parliament building experienced online showed me a picture of olden day Britain. The traditional chandeliers along with its ancient British architecture emphasises the point being made. The Parliament is trying its best to preserve the olden day culture, although one must realise that as a result of this, traditional attitudes, view and perspectives will still exist. To elaborate further, what was observed was that in the Parliament's central lobby stood statues of important 19th century British statesmen. The point to be noted here is the word "statesmen". Nowhere will you find a portrait or statue of a woman. An interpretive approach like Schein's can be used to understand the culture but does not explain where these attitudes came from. From a functionalist perspective we see that the Parliament's culture was cultivated by the men who have ruled in the past and was then modified as years went on (Trice and Beyer, 1991). Years ago, women, not being given a worthy status was not looked at as sexism, as it was simply a way of life but now that women are increasingly demanding equal rights and have penetrated as far as in to the Parliament, they are questioning the attitudes of men in the organisations they work in. The culture in most organisations see women as holding a subordinate role and none of high importance. If we were to look at the medical or engineering fields of work it is pretty obvious which sex dominates these. Furthermore why do we always assume that a 'secretary' is always a woman. Are women forced to impersonate a man to some extent in order to be heard in an organisation these days? According to research , yes, women these days feel the need to use a deeper voice and show assertive behaviour in order to get noticed and not sidelined by the other sex. Seen as the more passionate of the sexes, they are often walked over and may be in the 72% of women in the world that have been bullied in their workplace or the 85% that believe that there is an obvious bias towards men. In conclusion the change has to be gradual and aimed at the attitudes of the members of the organisation, hence changing the overall culture.
Hofstede (1991) developed four dimensions to examine national culture. One that seemed to match our problem is Masculinity versus Femininity. Gender roles are very distinct as women and men both know their place in society. When gender roles overlap femininity comes about which causes conflict.
This conflict can bring about either of the two effects. The first being the attempt to change the attitudes of members of the Parliament and bring in more coloured people or women and the second would be the simpler more obvious way- firing the complainant or bringing negative publicity towards him so the public themselves would want him out. In other words the seniors may ask themselves "should we attempt to change the culture attitudes in the firm or simply stop hiring them." Unfortunately what really happens if a person suspects discrimination or experiences harassment is, that he may not wish to pursue his case for fear of a backlash.
As in the case of the House of Commons, Diane Abbott being the only black woman in Parliament most likely felt that she had better remain quiet as she had no support and could easily be voted out at the next election if she did speak up. The type of conflict that Dawn experienced was interpersonal which means she was in conflict with other members of Parliament who are on the same level as her (Champoux, 1996). The two women, despite experiencing the same reason for conflict, took different approaches in resolving it. Diane preferred to avoid conflict as a whole, whereas Dawn showed more aggression and used politics to force the issues to be realised. A redefined definition of Politics is described as the attempt to manage, settle, resolve or transform a conflict or putting in the effort to recognise or win a conflict (Mitchell, 2006). In addition to this, he states that conflict analysis needs to be performed before any type of resolving measures can be put in to place. This means the Government should analyse if Dawn's claims are actually legitimate first, before they can carry on with a way to resolve the issues. Dawn mentioned that she had been told by the speaker of the house that there was nothing that could be done about it and this in itself shows a flaw in the way this body of power operates. This shows a bureaucratic mode of operation within the Government in itself. The Government may have democratic principles in mind when forming itself but eventually it all turns bureaucratic. What can one do when the body that passed laws against racism and for women's rights is one of the biggest sources of these two offences. In conclusion conflict is seen as an important mechanism for bringing about change in organizations (Chamberland and Kund, 1965). If one does not stand up and fight for his rights then he should not expect change to occur.
A woman harassed either for her gender or race will experience stresswhich will be evident in her performance. According to Cartwright and Cooper (1997, p5) stress is defined as the "force that puts a psychological or physical function beyond its range of stability." Another conflicting theory states that the events in themselves do not cause 'stress', rather it is how individuals appraise events that is critical (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984). Not all are strong enough to handle criticism and harassment like Diane Abbott. A nervous breakdown is inevitable and one will show lack of confidence in her work if she is constantly taunted.
The lengths that women go through just to prove their worth in an organisation is stressful in itself. Maternal leave is a big cause for stress for women too as once they return they may find that they don't have their jobs anymore. In this recession though, one can possibly argue that it's not really fair to have a woman off on paid maternal leave while someone could have taken that place and earned himself a salary. Will women stop being hired just because they are "women" a different species seen to have traits such as kindness, sympathy and understanding? The issue nowadays is that many organisations see the ability to have these traits as a positive thing. Even the ability to be a mother and hold a career is seen through a new perspective and admired by many men and women as a matter of fact. So the change we see presently is that of men feeling under threat for their jobs and feeling most defensive. This could be the reason for women still being harassed in organisations despite new trends and attitudes. Men don't want to admit that they are not fully in control these days and refuse to share power. Power is the biggest sought triumph, in this day and age. If you have no power, you have no say and that is a fact. In conclusion organisations should account how issues like these can lead to claims for stress 'costs' like absenteeism, accidents and efficiency (Arnold et al., 1998).
Power is a big reason why women seem to have been quiet all these years. Defining power is Goltz, S. and Hietapelto, A. (2002) with the view that power is the ability to control the operant behaviour of others through the manipulation of behavioural contingencies. This means that the person who has the ability to affect behavioural outcomes and uses this efficiently is the one with power. Women have recently got the power they needed to make a change for other women. Harriet Harman (2009) stated "Equality matters to us. Because it's a fundamental human right to be treated fairly." This woman has the legitimate power needed to make such a speech hence is the reason why we need more women up there in Parliament to represent all the other women suffering from sexism. Steven Luke (1974) believed in three faces of power and these are used to explore my point further. The three sources of power were decision making, non decision making and shaping desires. Non decision making is the ability of powerful people to ignore the demands of weaker people by either, avoiding them, delaying them or using extensive bureaucratic procedures to inquire about them. This very much applies to Dawn's scenario as she had been sidelined by those in power when she brought up her case. These issues are normally avoided by them in fear of conflict arising. Although generally, power seems to be used when a conflict of interest or a disagreement about goals does arise.
CHANGEis "the act or an instance of making or becoming different." It must be noted that the differences in attitudes are essential for change to occur although it is these differences that causes conflicts (Huczynski, A. and Buchanan, D., 1991).
When looking at how change can be implemented a PEST analysis may provide a guideline.
From the pest analysis it is observed that Political, Economic and Socio- Cultural factors play a big part in any future trends for change.
Change in organisations
On a more general level companies can attempt to reduce both racism and sexism by applying one or more of the following. The first one is the drafting of the company's policy, towards racism and sexism. This will also show guidelines for how the company will deal and investigate reports of both vices. Secondly, making sure that everyone in the company is aware of the company's stance towards harassment and understanding that it will not be tolerated. As mentioned before traditional mentality which consists of male dominated culture, attitudes and beliefs need to be changed.
These cannot be done instantly and need to be cultured overtime. So in conclusion it is not all up to the employers or managers to try to enable change. Individuals need to stand up and initiate it themselves. Dawn Butler and Harriet Harman are key examples of women speaking up for their rights.
Harriet Harman has let known that the Equality bill has been passed which strengthens the law to tackle race discrimination as it enables more MP's of Black and Asian ethnicity to join the Parliament. She also brought to the World's attention that there exists a 22% pay gap between males and females. The only way to tackle this is for the Companies to publish their wages to both men and women which enables comparison.
Change in the Parliament
In relation to the government, they may have been able to have an all British membership at one point but times have changed and the 4.4% of Asians and 2% of Africans in the British population currently have to be equally represented. Although these groups may be a minority they do not seem to be represented well in the Parliament as currently there are only two black women and not one asian. Let's be honest the Parliament is not made up of the youngest of men so their traditional attitudes and culture may be hard to try to mend but as a newer generation of MPs' come in, the prospects for change look better.
Why change must occur
Since there are dynamic changes in the business environment, gender diversity should adjust accordingly. An advantage of this gender diversity would lead to a greater contribution in increasing an organisation's competitive advantage due to the different outlooks used by the two different genders and through the various strategies used. According to an article by McCuiston,V et al. (2004) a prediction was made that by the year 2008, 50% of all those entering the US workforce would be either women or people of colour and ethnic minorities. Models of business success in organisations are to be rethought due to the increasingly competitive global marketplace. This seems to have been a reactive response to external, environmental factors and was generated
proactively in anticipation of future trends (Hamel, 1998). The article proves this, furthermore by describing how organisations are prepared to effectively align business strategies with today's demographic realities to achieve profitability, growth and sustainability. This article hence shows a trend towards the awareness of the importance of women in an organisation. As Handy (1993) summed up interpretations of many authors with the concept "change is a necessary condition of survivial". However, despite policies on gender diversity women are still being treated inferior to men (Harriet Harman, 2009). "And because it's also the basis of a strong economy which draws on the talents of all. The economies that will flourish in the future are not those which are blinkered by prejudice or stultified by the old boys network - but those which draw on the talents and abilities of all."
We will fight for fairness, fight for equality and - most importantly - we will fight to win.
Companies generally fear what sexism and racism can do to them mostly in the form of inferior work from those affected and perhaps lawsuits filed which brings about negative publicity to the firm.
Appendix (1.)
The guardian.co.uk- The observer
Amelia Hill and Jo Revill
13th April 2008
Racism rife in Commons, says MP
Dawn Butler, one of only two black women in the House, speaks out about the discrimination she has suffered from politicians of all parties
Dawn Butler, the MP for Brent South. Photograph: Graham Turner
The House of Commons, held up as a beacon of democracy, has a 'dirty little secret', according to black MPs - its racism.
Dawn Butler, only the third black woman ever to have become an MP, said she faced such frequent racism from politicians of all parties that she had to 'pick her battles' to avoid being constantly in conflict with her colleagues. Disillusioned by what she has found, she is calling for a dedicated complaints department with the power to suspend politicians and send them on awareness training courses.
'I thought people in Parliament would be progressive. It is still a shock that they are not,' she said. 'Over the past 400-plus years, the only black people - and black women in particular - in Parliament have been there to cook and clean. For some politicians, it's still a shock to come face to face with a black women with any real power. Racism and sexism is Parliament's dirty little secret.'
She is backed by Diane Abbott, the only other black woman in the Commons, who said that she had suffered 20 years of prejudice. 'In the beginning, some of it was sheer ignorance. I remember being shocked when a Labour MP asked me once whether we celebrated Christmas in Jamaica,' said Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.
'It has not helped that the Labour party powers-that-be have always seen me as "uppity" but I have dealt with the racism and misogyny by reaching out to other black women.'
Butler, who won the Brent South seat in 2005 when she was 35, described how shocked she was by the attitude of a senior Conservative who challenged her right to have a drink on the Commons' Thameside terrace, a privilege reserved for MPs.
In an article written for the Fawcett Society's new collection of essays, Seeing Double: Race and Gender in Ethnic Minority Women's Lives, Butler describes how former Tory minister David Heathcote-Amory confronted her as she went to sit in the members' section on the terrace. 'He actually said to me: "What are you doing here? This is for members only."
'He then proceeded to ask me: "Are you a member?" And I said: "Yes I am, are you?" And he turned around and said to his colleague: "They're letting anybody in nowadays."
'This man could not equate the image he saw in front of him with that of an MP. It was quite upsetting for my team and so we had to take it further.'
In an interview with The Observer, Butler went on to describe how an official complaint she made was stonewalled. 'It's not as though Parliament has a human resources department that you can complain to and expect disciplinary action from,' Butler said. 'So after being told by the Tory chief whip and the Speaker of the House that there was nothing to be done about it, I had no choice but to let it drop.'
Heathcote-Amory, MP for Wells, rejected the allegation that his remarks to Butler in September 2006 were racist. 'It is quite absurd,' he said. 'What she is actually objecting to is that I didn't recognise her as a new MP. I simply asked her what she was doing at that end of the terrace, and they are quite sensitive about this kind of thing, they think that any kind of reprimand from anyone is racially motivated.' He agreed that there was a problem with too few black and minority ethnic MPs being elected.
'The trouble is that feminism has trumped everything. We are a bit obsessed with getting more women in and I think genuinely broad-based politics is one that takes people from every social and religious group. But we are exaggeratedly courteous to anyone with a different skin colour, so the idea that anything I have said is racist is absurd.'
But Butler has also described further incidents in which she claims to have suffered explicit racism from politicians, lobbyists and police who provide security at the Commons.
'I was using the members' lift in the middle of last year, when a number of politicians started talking about how cleaners and catering staff shouldn't be allowed to use that specific lift,' she recalled. 'It was obvious they were talking about me and so I started to drop hints that I was an MP.
'They didn't pick up on my hints and continued complaining in a loud voice. When we all got out of the lift, I ran along the corridor after the particular person who had been most involved, and tried to make them realise how rude it was to talk like that; it would have been rude even if I had been a cleaner or caterer,' she said.
Zohra Moosa, editor of the Fawcett Society book, said: 'With only two black women MPs and not a single Asian woman, Parliament has never once been representative of Britain. There is no excuse for an unrepresentative democracy in this day and age but, until we change the way our institutions work, we will never have the politicians we need.'
Appendix (1.1)
30th September 2009
Harriet Harman: Speech on equality issues
Since last conference, we have had 12 months of determined progress towards equality. It's been a year of promises made and promises kept. Twelve months ago, I pledged to you that we would press forward on our progressive agenda to help make Britain a fairer and more equal place and conference that is exactly what we have done. For us, for Labour, equality is not just a slogan - it's what we are about. It's a way of life. It's about our values and how we do our politics. Equality matters to us because its about people's lives. Its about the right of a disabled person to work on equal terms Its about the right of a woman who works part-time not to be excluded from the pension scheme. Its about the right not being written off as too old. Equality matters to us. Because it's a fundamental human right to be treated fairly. And equality matters to us because it's the only way you can have a united and peaceful society in which everyone feels included. And because it's also the basis of a strong economy which draws on the talents of all . The economies that will flourish in the future are not those which are blinkered by prejudice or stultified by the old boys network - but those which draw on the talents and abilities of all. Equality and fairness are the very hallmarks of a modern and confident society looking to the future in which everyone is able to play their part.
And conference this Labour Government has made clear that our quest for fairness and equality is not just for the good times. Even through the massive economic challenge of the last twelve months we have not put equality on the back burner. Because, as Labour, we know that it's precisely when times are hard, that it's even more important that everyone is treated fairly and that everyone pulls together.
And so the whole labour team fights for equality - under Gordon's leadership. And Gordon Brown, as prime minister, has indeed taken a proud lead. Last year, for the first time ever, a British prime minister hosted a reception in 10 Downing Street to mark LGBT history month. We celebrate past progress like civil partnerships - happy anniversary Angela Eagle and Maria Exell - but we resolve to step up action to tackle the problems that still persist - like homophobic bullying in schools.
But advancing progressive causes is a struggle for change. The truth is that it doesn't happen because of any one individual. Progress is advanced, barriers are broken, changes are made because we are a movement of people who share the same values and because we refuse to give up the fight for what is right. And we won't take no for an answer. Labour's team is an army of equality champions - working with my committed team of equality ministers - Vera Baird, Maria Eagle and Mike Foster - demanding change.
Last year's conference demanded a strong Equality Bill. And through the National Policy Forum we've done just that. We've shaped a Bill which strengthens the law to tackle race discrimination, toughens the duties of all public authorities to ensure that disabled people can live independently and work in just the same way as people without disabilities and which bans the last legally permitted- discrimination - age discrimination - and about time too. Labour insisted that we do more to increase the number of our outstanding black and asian MPs - so we have. In the Equality Bill we will change the law so that parties can do more to increase the selection of black and asian candidates.
Trade unionists have demanded action on pay discrimination against women. Women at work are paid 22 per cent less than men. A 22 per cent pay gap in the 21st Century. That is just not acceptable in this day and age. But women who work in financial services are paid 44 per cent less than their male colleagues. So we will make every big employer publish how much on average they pay their women per hour and how much they pay their men. I know this is controversial - especially in the private sector. But, you can't tackle pay discrimination if it's hidden. Good employers have nothing to fear - but bad employers must have nowhere to hide.
Labour women MPs and Labour women throughout the party have demanded more help for families. So, we doubled maternity pay and extended it from six to nine months. And the prime minister, earlier this month, announced that now we will give families more choice by letting the mother choose to either take the pay and leave herself or, when the baby is 6 months old, let the father take the remaining pay and leave. And we remain committed to our goal of achieving a year's paid leave by the end of this parliament. And, this year, as well, we've given more parents rights to flexible work. Now its not just parents with children six who can request flexible work but all parents with children up to 16.
But we are committed to doing more, taking up new battles, recognising the big changes that lie ahead in our economy, in our family life and for the next generation. Families are not just parents and children. More and more families simply could not cope without grandparents helping out with the kids. And more and more family life is not just about looking after children and going out to work but caring for elderly relatives too. In the next 20 years the number of people over 85 is set to double - so just as we've backed up families with children, we will back up families caring for older relatives too. The lives of women today - and their hopes and ambitions are different from our mothers'. And that is the case, whether you are a girl school leaver in Scotland or a young mother in Wales, whether you are one of the thousands of wives of our armed forces. The wives of our servicemen have always held things together at home. And their task has become even more demanding with the men away fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
Just like every other woman, service wives want to, and need to, get training, get work, find childcare. But that's hard if your family has to move regularly and if you are on a base miles away from your parents and in-laws. That's why Bob Ainsworth, the secretary of state for defence, and I are working with ministers across government to make sure that as well as doing all we can to support our armed forces, We are helping our armed forces wives' so they don't lose out on new opportunities to get on in their work. Our navy, airforce and soldiers make a great sacrifice for our country and we back them up. Their wives, too, make an enormous personal sacrifice for this country and we will back them up too.
And we are stepping up our action to protect women from violence and sexual exploitation. At long last we've ditched the antiquated law which allows a man to get away with murdering his wife by claiming that it was her fault because she provoked him. On rape, though 50 per cent more men are convicted of rape than they were in 1997 - because we've toughened the law, got a special squad of rape prosecutors and use the DNA data base - despite that progress we know that there are still major problems in how the justice system deals with rape.
We have got to work out where the cracks in the system are and take further action. Rapists must be caught after their first attack - if they aren't they just carry on and more women suffer. And that's why we've set up a review under Vivien Stern. We've made progress. But not enough. We're determined to make more.
And on prostitution. We know that prostitution is not work - it's exploitation of women by men - often women who have mental health problems or drug or alcohol addiction. So we're introducing a new criminal offence of having sex with a prostitute who's being controlled by a pimp.
We're stepping up our action to tackle human trafficking. We're determined to ensure that, especially in the run up to the Olympics, international criminal gangs don't trick and abduct women from abroad and sell them for sex in London.
And there is a very sinister development which we are determined to stop. You know trip advisor - a website where guests put their comments on line for others to see. There is now a website, like that, where pimps put women on sale for sex and then men who've had sex with them put their comments on line. It is 'Punternet' and fuels the demand for prostitutes. It is truly degrading and puts women at risk.
Punternet has pages and pages of women for sale in London. But Punternet is based in California so I've raised it with the US Ambassador to London and I've called on California's governor Arnie Schwarzenegger to close it down. Surely it can't be too difficult for the Terminator to terminate Punternet and that's what I am demanding that he does.
A further challenge that we have to tackle in the months ahead is, that seeping in to many communities, is the racism and division of the BNP. The BNP pretend they've changed, pretend they're respectable. They are no such thing. They're still the same party that wanted the Nazis to win the war. They're still the same party whose constitution excludes from membership anyone who is not "indigenous Caucasian." It's right that the new Equality Bill will ban that clause. There can be no place in our democracy for an apartheid party.
Our active and campaigning parties have proved that the way to tackle the BNP is to be on the doorstep. Showing that we are taking action for those who fear for their jobs or their homes. And showing that we are on their side
Our government is - under Secretary of State, John Denham taking forward co-ordinated government action to address disadvantage and alienation. Our active and campaigning parties are working with black and Asian communities to challenge the BNP. Tackling the hate of the BNP and showing that we are on their side.
We are fighting back against the BNP. Conference the poison of the BNP has no place in our communities - not now; not ever. We all know that unfairness, prejudice and discrimination is not just because you are a woman, or because of your race, or disability or sexuality. Overhanging all these different strands of inequality is the inequality rooted in the family you were born into and the place you were born. Your class, your region. Every one of us knows that although we've made progress tackling the massive divide that the Tories drove into society, there is still injustice and unfairness. So clause one of our new Equality Bill will bring in a legal duty on all public bodies to narrow the gap between rich and poor. It will be a law that binds all government ministers, and all government departments as well as local government.
By the age of six, the bright child from a poor home is overtaken in school by the less- able child from an affluent home. In this day and age - who really feels that is acceptable? We certainly don't. But I'll tell you who does - the Tories. The Tories were pretending to be progressive - to pretend they care about inequality. But they've ditched that. They are back to their true nature. They opposed lgbt rights.
They opposed tax credits and plan to cut childcare They oppose the new Equality Bill. We want change - they would turn the clock back. We've built up support for families - don't let the Tories wreck it. The progress we have made towards equality - don't let the Tories wreck it. Every gain has to be fought for, defended and built on This is our fightback conference.
The whole Labour team is the fightback team. We know what we must do. We will fight for fairness, fight for equality and - most importantly - we will fight to win.


text:
Bright and pretty apartment on the centre! MARIACKI 6 (8117)
Size60 m²
Floor No.(with elevator)
- Kitchen
- Elevator in building
- Internet/WiFi
Accommodation summary
Address | Mikołajska, 30-001 Krakow, Poland |
Property type | Apartment |
Property ID | 9UIH6N75 |
Acceptance rate | 92% |
Response time | A few hours |
Calendar updated | Today |
60m2, 2nd floor, LIFT!, 2 rooms, brand new, building beautifully renovated and redecorated, sunny, cosy, quiet,modern and comfortable furniture, great standard.
- bedroom with the double bed (can be separated into two single beds) + one single bed.
- living room with comfortable corner sofabed, TV SAT, internet
- kitchen nice and modern and fully equipped with all aplianes and dining table.
- bathroom with the shower.
- big hall with nice wardrobe.
House rules
Prices |
Price for > 2 guests | 19 NZ$ per guest/night extra |
Details |
Check-in after | 2 PM |
Check-in before | On arrangement |
Check-out before | Noon |
Cancellation Policy |
Reviews for this host's other properties
Incredible views of the main square and nice high-ceiling apartment directly in the heart of the Stare Masto. The furniture and other home furnishings aren't of the highest quality but the apartment is spacious and has lots of room for a group of at least 4 people. Lack of air conditioning can be a problem in the summer months and the music from the square can be distracting but this overall is an excellent choice for Krakow for the location.
Very nice apartment, good location but very very noisy necessarily bring (in summer) through the night, ear plugs! (Lots of revelers in the streets)
Rent office very friendly and helpful.
Sehr schöne Wohnung, gute Lage, aber (im Sommer) die ganze Nacht hindurch sehr, sehr laut, unbedingt Ohropax mitbringen! (lots of revellers in the streets)
Vermietbüro sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit.
The appartment is nice but maybe too small for 8 people. Martin is a nice host, and the location is good. Everything was ok.
A very conveniently placed flat between old square and the castle, practically very close to every historic place. Flat is also well furbished with enough space up to three peoples. Downstairs there is a bakery where you can have a fresh breakfast.
So all fine, the only think is the communication (slow in reply) which need to be improved.
Another trip to Krakow and another fantastic opportunity, good location, clean, good style and overall good service. If so gladly recommend this apartment and this landlord
Endnu en tur til Krakow og endnu en fantastik lejlighed , god beliggenhed, rent , god stil og total god service . Vil så gerne anbefale denne lejlighed og denne udlejer ,
+ The apartment has super location !!!!! - No washing machine, no elevator, bad beds.
+ Leiligheten har super beliggenhet!!!!! - ikke oppvaskemaskin, ikke heis, dårlige senger.
The apartment met our expectations but the agency that managed the Windu and were below it. I never received a reply to my emails custom in number 5. We gave RV outside the apartment but no one came because the address of the apartment and that the agency that manages were false . We were very lucky to find it after several hours.
L'appartement a répondu à nos attentes mais l'agence qui le gérait et Windu étaient en dessous de tout. Je n'ai jamais reçu de réponse personnalisées à mes mails au nombre de 5. Nous avions donné RV devant l'appartement mais personne n'est venu puisque l'adresse de l'appartement et celle de l'agence qui le gère étaient fausses. Nous avons eu beaucoup de chance de le trouver au bout de plusieurs heures.
The apartment was very centrally located in Krakow. It was furnished with all the important things (coffee maker, hair dryer, ironing board, Wäschständer) and clean. A toaster would have been great. The balcony chairs and the table should be replaced, as they are very shook and were no longer stable. All the main attractions could be easily reached on foot.
In the same house could tours (eg Auschwitz etc.) are booked.
Overall, highly recommended!
Many Thanks!
Das Apartment lag sehr zentral in Krakau. Es war mit allen wichtigen Dingen (Kaffeemaschine, Haartrockner, Bügelbrett, Wäschständer) eingerichtet und sauber. Ein Toaster wäre toll gewesen. Die Balkonstühle und der Tisch sollten ausgetauscht werden, da sie sehr wackelten und nicht mehr stabil waren. Alle wichtigen Sehenswürdigkeiten konnten gut zu Fuss erreicht werden.
Im gleichen Haus konnten Touren (z.B. Auschwitz etc.) gebucht werden.
Insgesamt absolut empfehlenswert!
Vielen Dank!
Amazing apartment! Unbeatable location.
Increíble apartamento! Localización inmejorable.
Very good downtown
Muy bien céntrico
- Quality assured accommodation
- Every host is verified by telephone
- Secure payment via SSL encryption


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Dear Williams Alums,
I am pleased to announce the launch of the 2015-16 Williams Cycling Team Official Kit. The kit is manufactured by Hincapie Sportswear, suppliers to Team BMC and to many other collegiate cycling teams; Hincapie provides great gear with a high level of technical innovation, utility, and comfort. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the kit is that it has been completely redesigned this year. The team decided that it was time to refresh our look and one of our current members, Matt Davies ('17), worked with Hincapie to make these new kits a reality.
The Kit
This year, we are offering a wide range of items, prices are listed below (shipping included) and pictures are attached:
Velocity short-sleeve jersey ($100.00)
Velocity long-sleeve jersey ($110.00)
Velocity bib-shorts ($100.00)
Skin suit ($275.00)
Arm warmers ($40.00)
Leg warmers ($50.00)
Socks ($10.00)
Cap ($12.00)
We are offering the both short-sleeve and long-sleeve jerseys, as well as the bib-shorts, in both men's and women's sizes (XXS to XXXL). All other items are unisex sizes. You can find out more information on the details of all of these items on the Hincapie website, but I am also happy to answer any questions you have.
If you would like to order any of these items, please email Matt Davies (email@example.com) with quantities, styles, and sizes of the items you wish to purchase. The deadline for the order is Friday, October 16th. Please send payment, in full, to:
Rachel O'Sullivan (firstname.lastname@example.com)
1410 Paresky
Williams College
Williamstown, MA 01267
With the check made out to: Williams College Cycling Team
Please include complete contact information (name, address, e-mail, and phone number) with both the e-mail and the check. This will help us ensure that every order reaches the right address!
We hope to get the orders out to you before we go on break in December, but please remember that we are at the mercy of our vendor in terms of production dates. We will provide regular updates on our website (http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/cycling/).
The proceeds from this clothing sale will help the Cycling Team keep the cost of the kit down for current students and help the team supplement the funds that are provided to us by College Council.
Thank you,
Rachel O'Sullivan '17
Co-Captain, Williams College Cycling Team


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This two-pack includes two 4 oz. tins of roasted garlic sea salt. Roasted garlic sea salt is made by blending coarse sea salt with freshly minced garlic to make this wonderful salt. It can be used on everything either before cooking or after as a finishing salt. It can be stored at room temperature for up to one year.
This product ships from the maker within
3 days, via USPS
Unused and unopened items may be returned within 30 days


text:
E-mail me: firstname.lastname@example.com
Skype: cbgriffin My online presence elsewhere:
Originally from New York, Charles Griffin returned to the U.S. in 2010 to take a position at Florida's Full Sail University as course director of Advanced Music Composition in their MPBS program, after spending 5 years living and working in Latvia. His compositions and arrangements have been performed at festivals and concert halls throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Brazil, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
He is also a radio show host on 91.5 WPRK FM. His show Zero Crossings incorporates live interviews with composers, conductors and performers with a focus on the local contemporary art music scene.
Read more in the biography section.


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The Knicks are winners of three-straight games since former head coach Mike D'Antoni resigned and New Yorkers are smiling that their boys in blue and orange are back on the playoff hunt.
Most blamed D'Antoni for the Knicks inconsistencies and lamented his inability to mesh his offensive system with the unique one-on-one talents of star forward Carmeo Anthony. As the story goes, Anthony was unhappy, D'Antoni was unhappy, and the Knicks sided with their star player.
So if Carmelo Anthony is happy now, why is he still not performing?
Anthony is averaging fewer points per game this season (20.7) than he ever has in his career and things are happening to him that were unfathomable a year ago. He is getting his shot blocked at the rim. He is missing layups. These are not issues that can be blamed on D'Antoni's system.
New coach Mike Woodson made clear that during his regime, the offense will be about Anthony. More post-ups are coming. The Garden faithful will see far more isolations. His point totals in Woodson's first three games? 16,12,16.
He didn't lead the Knicks in scoring in any of the three.
This season has been a whirlwind of storylines for the New York Knicks. Between figuring out if D'Antoni is the right man to coach the Knicks (obviously he wasn't), what is wrong with Amar'e Stoudemire (jury's still out), and whether Jeremy Lin is for real (he is) nobody is asking the most important question.
Why isn't Carmelo Anthony scoring?


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Donald Trump 'being a gentleman' holding my hand, May tells American Vogue
Theresa May has spoken publicly for the first time about holding hands with Donald Trump, saying that she believes the US president was just "being a gentleman" when he took her hand during her visit to the White House.
The comment came as the Prime Minister spoke to fashion bible American Vogue, in an interview which highlighted her taste in clothes as much as her politics.
Mrs May was pictured by renowned portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz – whose previous subjects have included John Lennon, the Rolling Stones and the Queen – wearing knee-high leather boots as she went for a walk with husband Philip.
Despite the British media's long-standing obsession with May's shoes and the recent furore over her expensive leather trousers, Vogue describes the PM's style as "decidedly no-drama" and says that she operates under "a carefully preserved carapace of conformity".
Asked about the £1,000 Amanda Wakeley trousers, the PM retorted: "Look, throughout my political career, people have commented on what I wear.
"That's just something that happens, and you accept that. But it doesn't stop me from going out and enjoying fashion.
"And I also think it's important to be able to show that a woman can do a job like this and still be interested in clothes."
Interviewer Gaby Wood met Mrs May, a few days after the January White House visit, at 10 Downing Street – which the magazine notes she has transformed "from a gentlemen's club into a boardroom" by replacing David Cameron's wingback armchairs with a glass-topped business table.
Laughing off the pictures showing her holding hands with Mr Trump as they walked from the Oval Office to a press conference, Mrs May told the magazine: "I think he was actually being a gentleman.
"We were about to walk down a ramp, and he said it might be a bit awkward."
She was pictured by Leibovitz at her official country residence Chequers wearing a dark blue coat and dress by LK Bennett, and out walking with Philip in a long red coat by Egg and a grey Sine For Egg sweater.
Discussing her home life with Philip, she revealed that their most common argument is over what to watch on television, with her husband preferring history programmes while she wants to watch crime drama NCIS.
Despite their long-standing rule that "I cook, and he puts everything in the dishwasher", Mrs May revealed that Philip has surprised her by rustling up "a very good mushroom risotto" since her busy schedule as Prime Minister has left her less time for the kitchen.
:: Mrs May's interview can be read in full at www.AmericanVogue.com.


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Get an overview of this hotel3-star bayside hotel near Pier 60 Park
Situated near the bay, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Captain Blighs Landing and Pier 60 Park. Sand Key Park and Clearwater Marine Aquarium are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Hotel Features
Along with an outdoor pool, this hotel has concierge services and laundry facilities. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided.
Room Amenities
All 25 individually decorated rooms provide free WiFi, free wired Internet, and balconies. Guests can appreciate conveniences like refrigerators and microwaves, and other amenities include premium bedding and cable TV.
Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new windowCharthouse Hotel & Suites
Hotel Amenities
Charthouse Hotel & Suites features an outdoor pool, a terrace, and concierge services. Public areas are equipped with complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. Onsite self parking is complimentary.
- Total number of rooms - 25
- Number of floors - 4
- Outdoor pool
- Concierge services
- Laundry facilities
- Terrace
- Free self parking
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Free WiFi
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired high-speed Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- Premium bedding
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Microwave
- Daily housekeeping
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
- Cable TV service
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Ceiling fan
- Access via exterior corridors
- Free local calls
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Shower/tub combination
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
- Free WiFi
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Free dial-up Internet access
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Individually decorated
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
Hotel Policies
Check-in time ends at 6:30 PM
Check-in time starts at 4 PM
Minimum check-in age is 21
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 11 AM
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10 per night.
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- Minimum Spring Break check-in age is 21 years old.
No cribs (infant beds) available
- Resort fee
Optional extras
- Rollaway bed fee: USD 10 per night
Hotel Name
- Charthouse Hotel
- Charthouse Hotel Clearwater Beach
- Charthouse Clearwater Beach
We should mention
A resort fee is included in the total price displayed. Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


text:
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
Jan. 21, 2009 - Responding to a presidential directive, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday ordered a suspension of active military commission proceedings at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a senior Pentagon official said here today. President Barack Obama, who had called for the Guantanamo facility's closure during his campaign, directed Gates to pause legal proceedings involving alleged terrorists being held and tried there, pending further guidance from the White House, spokesman Bryan Whitman told Pentagon reporters.
The president directed the secretary, who then directed the Office of Military Commissions, to cease referring any new cases through the military-commissions process at Guantanamo and to request 120-day continuances on all ongoing active cases there, Whitman said.
Whitman said he anticipates that further White House guidance regarding Guantanamo Bay will follow.
"The president has clearly made his intentions well known" regarding activities at the detention center, Whitman said.
Gates has recommended shutting down the Guantanamo detention center since he was appointed defense secretary more than two years ago. In December, Gates requested a proposal for closing the facility.
Gates has stated that requirements for closing Guantanamo include constructing legislation that provides statutory framework for housing detainees outside the confines of Guantanamo Bay, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters during a Dec. 18 news conference.
The defense secretary "has asked his team for a proposal on how to shut it down [and] what would be required specifically to close it and move the detainees from that facility, while at the same time ensuring that we protect the American people from some very dangerous characters," Morrell said.
The Military Commissions Act of 2006 established procedures governing the use of military commissions to try alien unlawful enemy combatants engaged in hostilities against the United States for violations of the law of war and other offenses that can be tried by military commission, according to a military-commissions fact sheet.
The detention center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay has housed nearly 800 suspected terrorists captured in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places since the start of the global war on terrorism that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
About 250 people are being held at Guantanamo today, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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text:
- Home
- Kitchen & Cooking
- Cooking
- Toasters
- Dualit 46525 Architect 4-Slice Toaster, Black & Steel
Warranty Information
12 Months
Dualit 46525 Architect 4-Slice Toaster, Black & Steel
Product Description
Please note: The image for this product is for illustration only and the actual product differs slightly from the image shown. The actual product has black side panels as shown in the second image.
The Dualit 46525 Architect 4-Slice Toaster, in Black and Stainless Steel both looks fantastic and has Dualit's legendary performance. The fully featured toaster has geometric lines that look great from any angle.
The toaster not only boasts a contemporary industrial-inspired look with clean, smooth curves but benefits from intuitive and reliable functionality. Each Architect toaster features panels that can be changed by the user in a kaleidoscope of panel options, Architect owners will be able to update the colour of their products time and time again - a truly unique and imaginative development.
- Commercial grade elements
- Interchangeable panels, with a wide variety of colours and designs, the Architect can be modified to suit changing tastes
- Peek & Pop function, this feature allows you to check on your bread without stopping it toasting
- Extra wide slots: For chunky bread and more – combine with our sandwich cage accessory and no job is too tough
- Defrost function: A better crunch as you wont need to rely on toasting straight from frozen
SKU Code: 46525


text:
Results 433 to 444 of 453
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
Since ASB took my pick lol
With the 2nd pick in the 3rd Round of the 2013 NFL Draft, The Jacksonville Jaguars select, Menelik Watson, OT, Florida St.
Went with Watson because the Jags could use a RT and they need one athletic enough to fit their new zone blocking scheme. Still very raw but he should be able to compete at RT from day 1 with what they have there. If he doesnt work out at RT they also need help at LG.
Detroit on the clock
02-20-2013, 02:42 PM #434Pro Bowl Russell Street Raven
- Join Date
- Jan 2011
- Location
- Watford, England
- Posts
- 1,746
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
Order for round 3:
- Kansas City (2-14): Actualspambot Kyle Long, OT/G, Oregon
- Jacksonville (2-14): Carey Menelik Watson, OT, Florida St
- Detroit (4-12): CodyPKA Jawan Jamison, RB, Rutgers
- Oakland (4-12): Ngata_ate_my_Lunch
- Philadelphia (4-12): CodyPKA
- Cleveland (5-11): S.r.genovese
- Arizona (5-11): GOTA
- Tennessee (6-10): b murph
- Buffalo (6-10): irishraven
- New York Jets (6-10): londonraven
- Tampa Bay (7-9): Ravenous
- San Francisco - from Carolina (7-9): MD Boy
- New Orleans (7-9): Carey
- San Diego (7-9): ctulb
- Miami (7-9): Iggy
- St. Louis (7-8-1): leachisabeast
- Pittsburgh (8-8): Wickedsolo
- Dallas (8-8): Runrayrun27
- New York Giants (9-7): Bigplayreceiver
- Miami - from Chicago (10-6): Iggy
- Minnesota (10-6): Inexplicable
- Cincinnati (10-6): Jaydee
- Washington (10-6): leachisabeast
- Indianapolis (11-5): Jonboy
- Seattle (11-5): Dan Featherman
- Green Bay (11-5): admartin
- Houston (12-4): Kyle Cactus
- Denver (13-3): boulderraven
- New England (12-4): Bigplayreceiver
- Atlanta (13-3): Bazooka Joe
- San Francisco (11-4-1): MD Boy
- Baltimore (10-6): Actualspambot
Carolina -> San Francisco: Trent Robinson and Frank Alexander
Chicago -> Miami: Brandon MarshallLast edited by ctulb; 02-22-2013 at 04:34 AM.
"Flacco stepping up and throwing deep down the far sideline... CAUGHT!!! Into the endzone, TOUCHDOWN JACOBY JONES!!!!!"
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
It looks like CodyPKA is up
Putting the Fanatic back in Fan
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
The Detroit Lions select Jawan Jamison, RB from Rutgers. The Lions addressed their sub par defense in rounds 1 and 2, and fill their biggest need on offense with Jamison. The Lions haven't had a RB that is capable of staying on the field in the past couple of years with Jahvid Best, Micheal LeShoure, and others. Best's ship has probably sailed. Jamison provides a nice 1-2 punch with LeShoure, and is more than capable of carrying the load should need be. Jamison runs a lot bigger than his 5'9" frame would indicate, and he possesses great hands for catching balls out of the backfield.
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
02-22-2013, 08:26 AM #438Pro Bowl Russell Street Raven
- Join Date
- Jan 2011
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- Watford, England
- Posts
- 1,746
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
The Raiders have been on the clock for long enough, so if no one minds I'll jump in for their pick.
With the 66th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select Will Davis, CB, Utah State. Oakland has needs nearly everywhere on defense, but choose corner here to address a secondary that was ranked 29th in opposing completion percentage. Consensus seems to be that Davis had a disappointing Senior Bowl, but the Raiders love numbers and can't ignore his 2012 season of 54 tackles, 22 PDs and 5 picks.
CodyPKA and the Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock."Flacco stepping up and throwing deep down the far sideline... CAUGHT!!! Into the endzone, TOUCHDOWN JACOBY JONES!!!!!"
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
I like Will Davis. He's pretty underrated.
Disclaimer: The content posted is of my own opinion.
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
I will have Philly's pick in this evening. Too busy to research at the moment
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
The Philadelphia Eagles select Chase Thomas. LB from Stanford. Philly needs help all over the board on defense. I could have easily gone with a corner here. Instead Philly takes Thomas a gets a solid tackler, as well as someone who can get to the QB which will help out Trent Cole
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
Chudzinski goes with the high riser at the Senior Bowl and (potentially) the combine. The Browns, in typical Browns fashion, think they are smarter than everyone else and pick EJ Manuel QB from Florida State leaving Nassib and Landry Jones on the board.
Re: Russell Street community mock draft
The Arizona Cardinals have some good defensive talent and are strong against the pass. Their run defense though really hurt them last year. They are very happy that a very athletic interior d-lineman who is great at eating up blockers is still on the board The Arizona Cardinals select:
Bennie Logan DT LSUPutting the Fanatic back in Fan
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Re: Russell Street community mock draft
Nice pick GOTA. Somehow I think he's going to go much earlier than the 3d round though.
Btw has anyone picked Atrhur Brown? I can't believe this guy is on the board.
Irishraven turned his card in and the Buffalo Bills select, Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas state


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I have a love-hate relationship with snow geese.
Here in Northern California, we are blanketed in snows every winter. Blizzards of them descend on the rice fields north of Sacramento, their grinds a white tornado of birds. Their barking din echoes in my ears long after I've left the marshes. They are everywhere.
So you would think that with a half-million wintering snow geese, plus another 200,000 Ross' geese (the snow's smaller cousin) it would be easy to shoot your fill here in the Central Valley. Nothing could be further from the truth. Snow geese are aloof. They travel the valley en masse, in flocks that can number in the hundreds.
Ever try calling a group of 300 snow geese down to your decoy spread? Unless you are a very good caller — and you have 2000 decoys around you — it ain't happenin'.
Most days we mere mortals just stare longingly at the lords of the air as they cruise over us 150 yards up. We are cats peering through a window, licking our chops at the doves just outside. So close. So far.
But sometimes the window opens. Strong winds force the geese to fly lower, where wind speeds are typically slower. In a really powerful wind, the white kings must return to earth. Where we are waiting for them.
Saturday morning came early, 2:30 a.m. to be exact. I had drawn the No. 23 pick at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, but our friend David had the No. 5 pick, which would practically give us free rein of choice places to hunt on the refuge. And it was windy, with gusts expected at 30 miles per hour or more.
David had done his research, and chose a blind where we were likely to intercept snow geese taking flight into the wind, and out of nearby "closed zones," where hunting is prohibited.
"It's going to be tough carrying back our 18 geese today," David joked. I snorted. The idea of David, Holly and I each getting our limit of six snow geese was preposterous, even on a windy day. I tend to be a cup-half-empty guy in the field: I've seen the best-laid plans of mice and men fail time and time again, and so I'd rather be pleasantly surprised with modest success than crestfallen once high hopes crash.
Just before dawn, the ducks were flying everywhere. Even my hopes began to rise. But of course, they were flying just out of range. We were required to hunt from a stomped-down, mud island blind with little cover. It was clear the ducks knew danger lurked on that island. David managed to drop a teal, but soon after the ducks disappeared. We would see very few of them for the rest of the day.
But as expected, the snow geese were flying. Low. Holly shot one, but it sailed. This is one of the great frustrations of snow goose hunting. Geese in general are tough animals. I can't count the number of times I've plucked a goose and found healed shotgun wounds on wings and bodies and legs. They don't die easy. Holly dashed off to recover her goose.
While she was gone, another group of geese came toward us, barking all the way. They flew right over the blind, and David and I rose up and dropped two. Thank God. I jumped out of the blind, grabbed the geese and brought them back before another flock flew by. My goose was a Ross' goose, a small species of snow goose that's only slightly larger than a mallard.
Holly returned, gooseless. Her snow had indeed died, but it landed in a deep canal in the closed zone, where hunters are forbidden to enter. Maddening.
Equally maddening was the geese's habit of coming right at us, closer… closer… and then side-slipping away to the left or right at the last minute. For every flock that flew right over us, ten side-slipped us. And even with the wind bringing the snows down from an unreachable 150 yards to a tantalizing 60 yards, 60 yards is an iffy shot at best. We needed them lower.
As the day wore on, from time to time the goose flights would stop altogether. Once the drought lasted two hours. Why we stayed is beyond me. The eternal hope of a hunter, I suppose. Maybe the next flock would make a mistake. Maybe it'll be lower. Maybe we'd actually kill one. Maybe.
Perseverance paid off. Some geese did make mistakes, and I did manage to kill four snows on Sunday. But it took until sundown. We drove home, exhausted.
At the table, snow geese do not enjoy the reputation of their darker neighbors in our marshes, the white-fronted goose, a/k/a specklebelly. We call that bird the "ribeye in the sky" as they are usually fat and lovely. Not so the snow goose, whose other name is the unflattering "sky carp."
Snow geese are primarily eaters of green things, not grain. Grass will keep you lean. Grain makes you fat. So snows are rarely pudgy. And their skin? It's blue. Weird, I know. Looks unnerving plucked and roasted. But then again, I rarely bother with this anymore. Snow goose feathers are harder to pluck than any other waterfowl I know. So I skin most of them.
Once skinned, however, snow geese are fine fare. One great way to cook them is in this simple, Russian-inspired goose stew with barley, celery root and lots of mushrooms. It is a soul-satisfying, rib-sticking peasant dish. Just the thing to salve the frustration of 13 hours spent in the marsh, staring enviously at the lords of the air.
Goose Stew with Barley and Mushrooms
This is a hearty stew inspired by some similar Russian stews I've come across over the years. I imagine it to be something eaten in Siberia, or on Wrangel Island, where many of California's snow geese spend their summers. I used snow geese in this recipe, but the dish would work with all sorts of meats: other geese, ducks, jackrabbit or hare, venison — and yes, domestic beef or lamb.
I also used wild yellowfoot mushrooms, which can be hard to find. If you have access to a fancy supermarket, buy them, or buy beech mushrooms. If that's not an option, any fresh mushroom will do. Don't have celery root? Use potatoes. No barley? Rye or wheat berries would also work, although rye takes a long time to cook. No duck fat? Use lard or butter. No duck stock? Use beef stock.
This stew keeps well in the fridge for a week, and it freezes well.
Serves 6 to 8.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
- 8 goose legs, about 2-3 pounds
- 3 tablespoons duck fat, lard or butter
- 1 large onion, sliced, about 3 cups
- 1 pound yellowfoot chanterelles, beech mushrooms or other mushrooms
- 7 cups duck stock or beef stock
- 2 teaspoons marjoram
- 1 cup barley
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 celery root, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon sour cream per person
- Heat the duck fat in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the goose legs well. Salt them as they cook. Remove the goose legs as they brown and set aside.
- Once the goose legs are all browned, add the onions and mushrooms and turn the heat to high. Stir to combine. Saute until the onion begins to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Add the marjoram and return the goose legs to the pot, then pour over the duck stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until the goose legs are tender, anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours.
- When the goose legs are tender, remove them, let them cool a bit, and pull all the meat off the bone. Return it to the pot. Add the barley, carrots and celery root. Stir well and cook until the barley and celery root are cooked, about 30 minutes. Add salt to taste.
- Serve garnished with dill and black pepper, and give everyone a dollop of sour cream on their bowls when you come to the table.


text:
'Recipes for food she had, but not so much recipes for life. But her cooking. Her cooking was the flawless creation that she wasn't'
Tablet Original Fiction: a rabbi, a broken soul, and a huge wad of cash
I didn't fit in among the scruffy rock musicians and young women in shawls and drapey skirts, but my Shavuot visit changed me
I never felt comfortable in my Orthodox neighborhood on Sukkot until I made a sukkah of my own—from the most unlikely materials
The road to marriage churns up an unusual conundrum: What happens when you fall for the matchmaker—not the match?