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American Idol season 5 alum Mandisa is set to release her first album in four years. Out of the Darkness is out May 19. See the album art.
Colton Dixon – Jingle Bells – K Love Music City Christmas (VIDEO)
Watch Colton Dixon perform "Jingle Bells" on the UP Network K-Love Music City Christmas airing tonight at 8 pm. Video inside.
Billboard Music Awards 2012 Live Blog – Winners List (UPDATED)
We're live blogging the Billboard Music Awards right here! American Idols nominated for awards include: Scotty McCreery for Best New Artist and Top Country Album. Jennifer Hudson for Top R&B album (I Remember Me) and Mandisa in the Top Christian Song category ("Stronger").
Unfortunately, Scotty is on tour with Brad Paisley and won't be in attendance. However, there is a trio of Idol winners performing tonight. Carrie Underwood is reportedly singing the title track to her new album Blown Away. Kelly Clarkson is set to perform her new single, "Darkside" and Jordin Sparks will participate in a special tribute to Whitney Houston.
Ruben Studdard, Danny Gokey, Mandisa, Phil Stacey – Dove Awards (VIDEO)
American Idol alums, Ruben Studdard (S2), Phil Stacey (S6), Danny Gokey (S8) and Mandisa (S5) joined forces last week at the 43rd annual Dove awards in a string of performances.
Videos after the jump.
Idol Alums Give Back In Nashville – PHOTOS
mj santilli
Latest posts by mj santilli (see all)
American Idol alums, Bucky Covington (S5) Harlem Globetrotter Rocket Rivers, Lindsey Cardinale (S4) Bo Bice (S4) Lacey Brown (S9) Mandisa (S5) Melinda Doolittle (S6) and Phil Stacy (S6) participate in the "Idol Gives Back" Volunteer Program at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, yesterday April 14) in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, Idols will […]
Mandisa Nominated for 3 Dove Awards
mj santilli
Latest posts by mj santilli (see all)
Season 5 Idol, Mandisa (who has lost over 100 lbs since her Idol run!) has been nominated for 3 Dove awards. The nominations were announced yesterday for the 41st Annual Dove Awards. The awards ceremony will take place April 21, 2010, at the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee. Mandisa received nods in the following categories: […]
Come Together Now Haiti Charity Single Available on iTunes
mj santilli
Latest posts by mj santilli (see all)
The Michael W. Smith helmed charity single, "Come Together Now", featuring Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey and Mandisa is available NOW on iTunes. 100% of the proceeds from this collaboration of country and Christian artists from Nashville will go to fund the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Get "Come Together Now" HERE.
Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey and Mandisa Record Haiti Charity Single
mj santilli
Latest posts by mj santilli (see all)
Popular Christian artist, Michael W. Smith got a group of gospel and country artists together in Nashville last Wednesday (Jan 27) to record "Come Together Now" a song written by Smith and fellow Gospel veterans, David Mullen and Cindy Morgan. The song will be released soon, with all proceeds going to fund the Haiti relief […]


text: Sega 'Thinking About' Saturn Games For Downloadable ReleasesMichael McWhertor6/30/10 3:40pmFiled to: SegaSaturnSega Saturn363EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalink Sega is bringing back its beloved Dreamcast this fall—or at least two of its more memorable games, in downloadable form—but what of its predecessor, the sometimes spectacular but relatively unsuccessful Sega Saturn? Sega has not forgotten it. In fact, Sega is "thinking about ports of Saturn games" for future releases. It has already ported a handful of Saturn era titles to the PlayStation 2—Nights Into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon, Last Bronx, etc.—but it may abide fan wishes for more recent retro remakes. Advertisement Advertisement "What we announced this time is a project where we will have consecutive releases of titles that were debuted on Dreamcast," Sega producer Yosuke Okunari told Impress Watch, as translated by Andriasang. "Separate from this, we're of course thinking about ports of Saturn games. It's the same as how Sega Ages and Virtual Console were separate existences. It's not that we have no intention of porting Saturn titles, so please share your requests."We've already made our selfish wishes for Sega's next batch of downloadable Dreamcast games, but if they're going to give us an inch, we're going to take a yard. So, let's get this list started. Burning Rangers, Panzer Dragon Zwei, Shining Force III... Sponsored Sega Considering Saturn Download Releases [Andriasang]Reply363 repliesLeave a reply

subset: commoncrawl


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Most of the big fall pictures we've looked at the potential pros and cons of so far have been more serious in nature — unsurprising, considering that films at this time of year tend to be targeting the Oscars. Sure, there's the light-hearted animation "Wreck-It Ralph," but we've also had "Lincoln," "Skyfall," "Flight," "Django Unchained," and "Les Miserables," most of which are likely to be relatively light on laughs (though will probably turn out to be funnier than some of the upcoming so-called comedies like "Playing For Keeps" and "Parental Guidance").
Could Judd Apatow's "This Is 40" be something of a breath of fresh air? The comedy giant has had a mixed few years since he last directed, with producing efforts like "Bridesmaids" and "Girls" winning acclaim, but "Wanderlust" and "Five-Year Engagement" disappearing without a trace. Will returning to the scene of his greatest success, "Knocked Up," see him come up with his best directorial effort so far? Or could his worst traits as a filmmaker be magnified here? You can see Oliver Lyttelton and Katie Walsh square off below, and let us know what your hopes or fears are regarding the film in the comments section.
"This Is 40"
The Case For:
For better or worse, the last decade or so has seen Judd Apatow become the figurehead of the modern American comedy film — from "Anchorman" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin" to "Bridesmaids" and "Girls," it feels like there've hardly been any comedic phenomena that he hasn't been attached to since the one-time "Larry Sanders Show." But as the grosses of "The Hangover" and "Ted" have dwarved Apatow's own output, he's seemed fairly unconcerned, with his own directorial work becoming increasingly serious in tone. And "This Is 40" seems like it could be the director's biggest step in that direction so far.
Returning to and fleshing out secondary characters — and highlights — from "Knocked Up," in Leslie Mann's Debbie and Paul Rudd's Pete (along with Apatow and Mann's daughters Maude and Iris), the movie picks up with the duo on the cusp of the big 4-0, kicking against middle age and trying to make changes in their lives. It's his least high-concept directorial effort to date, seemingly continuing along similar lines to "Funny People," which for the first two thirds of its running time was an unsentimental, unsparingly honest, and surprisingly dark comedy-drama, the kind of thing that James L. Brooks would make if he made a good film that wasn't called "Broadcast News."
The trailer suggests something fairly broad, but my gut says that Apatow won't have lost his edge, and the raw, uncomfortable truths that made up the best parts of "Knocked Up" and "Funny People" should be present and correct, especially with people like Albert Brooks, John Lithgow, Lena Dunham and Chris O'Dowd joining the Apatow Players for the film. I'm expecting something unruly, sprawling and imperfect, for certain, but also potentially one of the more interesting and personal studio movies of the year.
As for our colleague's charges of sexism, maybe we're blinded by our Y chromosome, but I'm not sure that they're entirely fair. There are absolutely films in the Apatow stable with troubling depictions of women ("Forgetting Sarah Marshall," anyone?), but this is also the man who backed "Freaks & Geeks," "Bridesmaids" and "Girls." And his own directorial efforts have, yes, focused on the boys, and the man-child trope (which blessedly seems to get a rest here), but his female leads, from Catherine Keener to Mann's appearances, have been as complex and flawed as his leading men. And with Apatow's wife and daughters center stage here, I've got my fingers crossed that this could be his most balanced and complete film so far. – Oliver Lyttelton
The Case Against:
Just what everyone was waiting for — the sequel to "Knocked Up" featuring supporting characters Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann), the goofy couple who modeled the ups and downs of marriage and parenting for Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen in a light, low-stakes subplot. "This is 40" tackles aging and long-term relationships, and who better equipped to speak to the plight of women as they cope with these issues than noted sexist Judd Apatow? Despite his role as a producer on HBO's "Girls," Apatow's representations of women in his own directorial efforts have been problematic, whether it's the refusal to even entertain the idea of abortion in "Knocked Up," or Elizabeth Banks' wild nymphomaniac antics in "The 40-Year Old Virgin." Not to mention what might be the worst offender: "Funny People," which evinced such a dismal attitude towards the female characters listlessly orbiting the slacker dudes who pass for men in the Apatovian Universe as to leave quite the bad taste in one's mouth.
Real-life wife Leslie Mann is, once again, the vessel for Apatow's ideas about image-obsessed women and the silly overgrown man-children with whom they willingly mate, and after all the awkwardly humorous set-pieces fade away, what we are left with is a hollow shell of a story that reinforces the same old traditional ideas about gender expectations that originally imprisoned these characters. These films put up the front that they will present a fresh and funny take on modern romance and sex, but in reality it's a nihilistic, backwards view of gender and relationships that continually re-inscribes the skewed norm to diminishing returns.
Identity representations aside, based on the trailers, it seems clear to me what we are going to get with this particular film, which is what we get from every Apatow project: a murderer's row of comics and cameos loosely organized into an overly long picture with a few gross-out set pieces involving the fluids and solids that come out of people's bodies, a druggie sequence that screams "YOU HAD TO BE THERE," and a bunch of whiny upper-class white people whose children act more mature than they do. Leslie Mann pokes Megan Fox's nubile tit. Paul Rudd is verbally assaulted on the toilet. Albert Brooks plays a SIXTY YEAR OLD version of the man-child. Oy. So, what we're really looking at is more of the same grinding retread of his various "comedic" tricks and tropes, and an Apatovian bungling of what could be an interesting, emotionally resonant topic.
But it's not JUST a bungling of what could be an interesting topic. The aforementioned backwards view of sex and relationships condones the stereotype of the shrill harpy and her immature husband, living in an impossible house (how'd he buy that on a record label salary?) inflating their first world problems in order to motivate a very low-stakes plot. It's the Apatow formula, and it isn't just a comedy for fun's sake. It's something much darker than that: it's both a reflection of this auteur's troubling yet obtusely archaic view of women, men and class, and the subsequent myth that gets written into the culture, effectively strengthening the symbol of the man-child as the virile hero in this post-post-modern world, a concept that, frankly, does not appeal to me personally, but also terrifies me with the scope of its cultural ramifications. What hath the Apatovian man-child wrought? So, yeah, I guess you could say I'm not anticipating this one. – Katie Walsh


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... to protect Holder's arse. What a truly disgusting administration. One can only hope that the voters will see through this in November.
... to protect Holder's arse. What a truly disgusting administration. One can only hope that the voters will see through this in November.
M&K's HR UH Tucker of Texoma JH
M&K's SHR Prime Black Angus
M&K's Miss Jessie Girl JH
Sir Jacob of Lakeview-Jake
Freeway JYD
Mike Whitworth
makes me sick
"I'm gonna lean up against you, and you lean up against me. That way we don't hafta sleep with our heads in the mud"Forrest Gump, 1994
Obama's like a kid in a candy store with these executive orders., I'll have another and another ..... What ever happened to "we are a country with laws on the books.". He does whatever he wants whenever he wants.. Nov can't get here fast enough for me. Holder needs to go and when these leaks are investigated I hope Obama goes like Nixon. The fish stinks from the head.Cyndi
But, this was to be the most transparent Administration....
The Pres cannot issue Executive privilege because Holder states in writing that Obama didnt know anything about this after feb 4 & he would have had to know and talked to holder in order to issue this privilege To bad holder, just produce the documents and stop hiding your time is UP Stop democrat against republican ,stop black against white, just follow the law
Last edited by 23721; 06-20-2012 at 09:51 AM.
I think he's trying to help Holder because if he had a son it would probably look like him . Really, this guy and all his rot need hit the road. This Country has become such a Joke. They are all scambling now BYE BYE Obama Bye Bye Eric!
dictator much?
You guys should go play with your dogs and quit getting your blood pressure up over political vendettas and all the crap coming out of Faux News.
I listened to Faux Radio on my hour long drive from training dogs for 6 hours yesterday. It was like listening to an hour long infomercial from the RNC.
Free your mind, enjoy life, ignore the BS...
"For everyone to whom much is given, of him shall much be required." -- Luke 12:48
Raven - Moneybird's Black Magic Marker***
(Esprit's Power Play x Trumarc's Lean Cuisine)
Mick - Moneybird's Jumpin' Jack Flash***
(Clubmead's Road Warrior x Oakdale Whitewater Devil Dog)
Peerless - Moneybird's Sole Survivor
(Two River's Lucky Willie x Moneybird's Black Magic Marker)
Youse don't understand, he is OBAMA!!
He is bigger than us, he is bigger than 1 man, he is bigger than America and he is certainly BIGGER than the Constitution!!
This is exactly the purpose of executive privilege!!
C'mon people, it's OBAMA, the fantasy man!!!
Stan b & Elvis


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Back to: Gear Guide
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High Gear looks at spherical goggles with the Smith I/O and VZ El Kabong
January 19, 2014
What separates a $50 pair of ski goggles from a $235 pair? Sure, sometimes it's the name on the goggle strap, but often it's the technology in the goggle itself, i.e., the quality of the lens. Entering the $200 range, you're typically looking at better antifogging capability and features such as light-sensitive adjusting lenses.
Just like a good pair of boots or a good pair of skis, the right goggles can be worth the investment and will improve a skier's or snowboarder's on-mountain experience. Fogged-up goggles or a pair that make you feel like you're looking through a tunnel everywhere you go can really make for a frustrating day on the mountain.
Anyone hitting the hill for more than the annual trip should consider investing in some solid eyewear.
This week, we checked out the world of spherical lens goggles with the Smith Optics I/O and VonZipper (VZ) El Kabongs to see if spherical lenses lived up to the hype. Not only that, but we also got to test the Smith's photochromic, light-adjusting lens technology, which lightens and darkens based on changing weather conditions.
Spoiler alert: Spherical lenses make a difference, and the photochromic lens is awesome.
Spherical vs. Flat lenses
The biggest price jump between a cheaper, entry-level goggle and a higher-end model has to do with the lens — specifically, is it spherical or flat? From there, costs increase slightly for polarized or light-adjusting lenses. The difference between spherical and flat, or nonspherical, lenses is in field of vision and amount of light distortion. Spherical lenses allow for a wider field of view, greatly improving peripheral vision, which obviously is nice on a ski slope. Like the name implies, spherical lenses are rounded, designed to simulate the lens in your eye. The spherical lens allows light to pass through the way it's supposed to. A flat lens will bend light, creating some degree of distortion. A flat lens also can create tunnel vision, whereas a spherical lens opens your field of view.
Having long opted for the cheaper alternative, I immediately noticed the difference the spherical lens makes while testing the Smith and VZ models. I was never a fan of goggles and often opted for sunglasses instead, in order to not lose peripheral vision. I also constantly found myself putting goggles on my head if I was trying to find something in a jacket pocket on a chairlift, for example.
Both the Smith I/O and the VZ El Kabongs made it much easier to look down and see what I was doing than did my previous flat-lens goggles, and on the slope, my peripheral vision was greatly increased. As far as spherical lenses are concerned, I'm sold. Still, frame design and padding could potentially counter the benefits of a spherical lens, but that was not the case with the models tested.
Both also offer features that makes it easy to change lenses and have both a variety of replacement lens options.
Heres a quick look at each:
Smith I/O goggle with photochromic and polarized lenses
While the lens on the I/O is extremely easy to pop out to change — thanks to its two-clip quick-release system — with Smith's photochromic light-adjusting lens, you may never need to. Its rose-tinting lightens and darkens based on weather conditions, making it extremely versatile in most situations. Only on the sunniest of days would a more tinted lens be a consideration, and even then the photochromic lens performed admirably. It absolutely shined in low light. Smith Optics goggles come with a suitable alternate lense. We also tested the company's polarized lens, which is a great option for a sunny day. Polarized lenses reduce glare. Smith's polarized lens also holds up pretty well in low light. In addition, they offer plenty of other replacement lens options in the $40 to $100 range.
As for the design, the I/O offers a medium fit suitable for most head sizes. The three-layer foam makes for a comfortable, breathable fit while not obstructing the field of vision that the spherical lens offers. You really can see more of what's around you.
The I/O also offers a 5X antifog dual-lens technology. When tested, the lenses fogged only slightly while wearing a neck gator and blowing directly upward. Even then, the lens cleared quickly. Assuming that's not how you breathe while skiing, there should be no trouble. The goggle's strap has a quick release and a rubber strip that helps keep it from slipping on a helmet.
All in all, this is a solid, extremely versatile goggle well worth the investment.
Retail: $175 to $235; replacement lens: $50 to $100
VonZipper El Kabong
VZ is known for its stylish, oversized reflective lenses, and while a number of the company's models look large, they actually fit most head sizes. The El Kabongs we tested offer a number of features similar to Smith's I/O goggle; in fact, they could probably be goggle cousins. The El Kabongs also have quick release with push-button clips on either side of the lens, and like the I/O, the frameless design makes it easy to change lenses.
While VZ doesn't currently offer light-adjusting lenses, the company does have a variety of tint options, including polarized lenses. And for a rider going for steeze, VZ provides a number of mirrored-lens colors.
The oversized lens also provides an excellent field of vision while not feeling bulky or cumbersome. We tested one of the SpaceGlaze green-tinted lenses. It performed admirably in both sun and low light. The VZ goggle also comes with a yellow replacement lens well suited to foggy, low or flat light conditions. The El Kabong's foam padding with polarfleece exterior provides both comfort and breathability. The dual-lens antifog system also keeps the goggles from fogging up.
The El Kabongs are a solid blend of style and performance and a great option to take to the slopes.
Retail: $185; replacement lens: $40 to $60


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Articulated Zebra Blixen Necklace
Marc by Marc Jacobs
- Necklace measures approx 19" in length
- Toggle closure
- Revolve Style No. MARC-WL82
- Manufacturer Style No. M5123143
Fashion legend Marc Jacobs introduced his diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, with a spring 2001 runway show. He has gone on to win seven CFDA awards including Womenswear Designer of the Year, Accessories Designer of the Year and Menswear designer of the year.


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In his report, he said that the creative industries had responded constructively to Professor Hargreaves's report and were busy streamlining copyright licensing for the digital age. He expected such streamlining to reinforce the lead enjoyed that the British creative industries already enjoy in the distribution of digitized content. However, more could be done and his main suggestion was
"the creation of a not-for-profit, industry led Copyright Hub based in the UK that links interoperably and scalably to the growing national and international network of private and public sector digital copyright exchanges, rights registries and other copyright-related databases, using agreed cross-sectoral and cross-border data building blocks and standards, based on voluntary, opt-in, non-exclusive and pro-competitive principles."Such a Hub would serve both copyright owners and content users in the UK and beyond and it would have 5 main purposes. First, acting as a signposting and navigation mechanism to the complex world of copyright. Secondly, being the place to go for copyright education. Thirdly, being the place where any copyright owner can choose to register works, the associated rights to those works, permitted uses and licences granted. Fourthly, being the place for potential licensees to go for easy to use, transparent, low transaction cost copyright licensing via for example digital copyright exchanges (DCEs), acting in effect as a marketplace for rights, Fifthly, being one of the authoritative places where prospective users of orphan works6 can go to demonstrate they have done proper, reasonable and due diligent searches for the owners of those works before they digitize them.
To maintain momentum, Hooper has recommended setting up a steering group to be called the Copyright Licensing Steering Group (CLSG) with a wide mandate to ensure continuing cross-sector and where
possible cross-border coordination. The creative industries had already agreed to provide an office for that work for another year. The report addresses a number of technical issues such as the standardization of identifiers and other data. It also describes some of the licensing and registration schemes that exist in various parts of the world,
Should anyone wish to discuss this article or Richard Hooper's final report, call me on 0800 862 0055 or contact me through Facebook, Linkedin, twitter or Xing, or through my contact page.


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Subject: | Re: Anger Management with Thea Campbell! |
Author: | lakin5 (Authenticated as lakin5) |
Date: | September 23, 2012 at 4:06:54 PM |
Reply to: | Re: Anger Management with Thea Campbell! by Billina |
"It's Kyle, I mean he can be the most stupidest, arrogant jerk I met, but he's one of best friends. Like I said our relationship is bi-polar. Even though, we fight all the time, we still have some pretty good times between us too. It's so weird, I can trust with some of most well kept secrets but yet I feel the need to hide so many things form him too. Our relationship is so messed up, and I think it's far from fixable. But I can't help but think that everything will work itself out, but lately the dream is starting to become a lost cause." Thea said desperately, confused out of her mind."I just can't help but think that one day he is gonna hurt me just like Franny did. And it kills me inside, some times I think it would be easier if would just do it already. But it's painful waiting it for to happen because I know it will, eventually. I just know it."
Because this message is archived you cannot respond to it. |
Messages in this thread: |


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Horse Stable
this wiki
Note: Horse Stable is no longer available for purchase as a building plan or in completed form. If you do not have it already, you cannot get it.
The Horse Stable is a building that was released on February 3, 2010. Similar to the Dairy Farm and Chicken Coop, it can contain up to 40 horses and only one can be owned per farm. However, unlike the aforementioned, the Horse Stable must be built. The foundation was given as a gift to farmers playing at that time whereas new farmers (or those who accidentally sell them) could purchase them from the Market. Once a foundation had been acquired, farmers could receive help from their neighbors, by gifts of building materials. A total of 50 building materials are needed before the Horse Stable is fully functional.
Construction Edit
Note: Your stable comes with 1 added Brick for free. This information below is correct but you need to buy or receive 9 bricks.
Brick (10) | Harness (10) | Horseshoe (10) | Nail (10) | Wooden Board (10) |
Notes Edit
- The stable requires 10 of each Building Materials.
- Building Materials are also available from the Market at a cost of 1 cash each. This makes a complete Horse Stable cost 50 cash if they received the stable as a gift or 49 cash if the farmer buys one at the Market since a Brick is already included in the stable. Upon completing 50% of construction, farmers can post feeds which gives their friends one free construction item. Upon completing 100% of construction, farmers get a Grey Horse. Also, if a farmer then posts the completion feed on their wall, neighbors receive a Horse.
- Farmers also obtain one of each building material category each time they try to house the Wandering Stallion, but don't yet possess a completed Horse Stable.
- Horses are normally harvested every 3 days, but when you put them in the Horse Stable, they can be harvested in 1/3 of the regular time (which means farmers can harvest them every 24 hours).
- As of February 19, 2010, any time a farmer collects from their Horse Stable, there is a chance that they will receive special "Consumable Buffs", such as Arborists or Farm Hands in their Gift Box, as well as the chance to share some with their neighbors.
- Players can also get a chance to harvest a 100 experience. These buffs count towards receiving the Horse Power Ribbon.
- As of March 19, 2010, when collecting from a Horse Stable with a Stallion in it (Wandering or White) there is a chance of producing a Foal.
- A horse stable can be harvested multiple times a day by putting a horse that is between 34 and 99%ready in the stable. the stable then automatically will be ready.
- As of May 15, 2010, a Horse Stable can be expanded by acquiring the same building materials as needed to build it. Each expansion will add room for 5 more horses, and it was possible to perform this 4 times, making the new maximum capacity 40 horses.
Paint Colors Edit
As of 19 February 2010, farmers could paint their stables different colors. The colors are available in the market and can be purchased for 5 Farm Cash each. The colors are not displayed on the iPhone version. The default is the white paint.
White Paint*** | Green Paint | Blue Paint | Pink Paint | Red Paint |
***NOTE: White Paint will restore the stable to its original color.
Horses Edit
Different types of animals can be placed into a horse stable. For a full list, see: Horse Stable Table.
Wandering Stallion Edit
The wandering stallion is an animal that appears at your farm. When this happens you will get a pop-up informing you of it. You can then click share or turn it down. By clicking share you will post a feed on your wall, from which up to ten friends can click.(they must have a horse stable.) After accepting the wandering stallion he goes in your horse stable. When you harvest the horse stable you have a chance of finding a foal. After the first harvest the wandering stallion goes away.
Trivia Edit
- Horse Stables were announced in the official FarmVille Podcast on 29 January 2010.
Gallery Edit
See Also Edit


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JOHN H. SCHIESSLER began playing acoustic and slide guitar at age 12 and worked his way through blues, folk and rock music, influenced by Fred McDowell, Ry Cooder or Stephen Stills
... as a connaisseur for down home blues, acoustic and electric slide guitars, roots-flavoured folk-tunes, great songwriting, sheer vocal strength and beautiful, rich harmonising, come visit here for a listen. Turn up your speakers and take it in.
John H. Schiessler produced and mixed "Beige Fish-same , "Wildcat Cafe " and the new album "Down Home Shuffle" at DeJohn Studio / Munich
Mastered by Bobby Altvater at Sky Studio / Taufkirchen for Sky Productions.
"BEIGE FISH" is AVAILABLE ON I-TUNES - CD BABY - AMAZON AND ANOTHER 25 ONLINE STORES.


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The Nekupe Sporting Resort and Retreat has opened its doors to guests in Nicaragua. Located in a 1,300-acre nature reserve, 30 minutes from the town of Granada, the luxury boutique hotel caters for active-outdoor-loving guests, and it has eight guest rooms, suites and villas, plus facilities including a hillside chapel, a yoga deck, a restaurant and the Nekupe Spa.
Extreme adventure tourism gains a broader range of enthusiasts
A taste for truly exciting and extreme activities is developing among holidaymakers throughout the globe. Supermarket Travel Agency recently published a list of the world's wildest attractions, where it is clear to see that from bungee jumping into volcanoes to watching tornados, the quest for unique thrills gains more and more enthusiasts.
The story behing El Pacifico hotel in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Nicaragua is emerging as a hotspot in Central America with miles of coastline and unspoilt beaches, tropical forests, and all-year-round sunshine. The coastal town of San Juan del Sur on the Pacific Ocean side and is attracting travellers from afar. After months of travelling, one American couple have decided to make the laidback Sur Juan del Sur their new home.


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The United States is currently enjoying an unprecedented respite in the foreign policy arena — a temporary relief from the normal rigors of history that allows us to take stock at home and abroad.
It may seem outlandish to claim that we're in the midst of a lull, given that America faces a civil war in Syria, an Iran that seems to be seeking nuclear weapons, an irresponsible North Korea that already possesses them, continuing threats from terrorists, a rising China and rapid climate change.
Yet the United States enjoys a respite all the same. For the three and a half centuries of the modern international era, great powers have almost always confronted rivals determined to defeat them and replace the global order they worked to bring about. In the last century, this process unfolded three times. The results were violent, costly and dangerous, and included two world wars and a cold war.
Today, there are threats, but they tend to be regional, years away or limited in scale. None rises to the level of being global, immediate and existential. The United States faces no great-power rival. And this is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
The biggest strategic question facing America is how to extend this respite rather than squander it. This will require restraining foreign involvement and restoring domestic strength. We can no longer seek to remake countries in the Middle East and South Asia, as was tried at great cost and with little success in Iraq and Afghanistan.


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1. To dream that you try to enter a place in which is guarded with security, signifies that you go over obstacles to solve trouble.
2. Dreaming that you are in security, means that you are uncertain about intimate relations.
3. Dreaming that you see security guards on site, suggests that you threaten something at home and at work.
4. To dream that you guard something or someone, means you should take care of your financial situation and budget.
[Other similar dream interpretations]
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Updated 27/3/13: We have updated this feature twice; once on the 26th to clarify that there will be no camera firmware update in April, and secondly on the 27th with new information about the HTC One's mysterious performance at ISO 800 (and a possible firmware update in April). Both updates can be found on the Conclusion page.
One of the major selling points of the HTC One that we recently reviewed is its camera technology. While we've given you some basic information about what it's about in our review, we did mention that we would dissect its camera performance in detail and that we'll deliver in this article.
Take note that this article is to examine and understand what HTC One has implemented in their new phone and it's not a camera phone performance shootout (which we'll save for another dedicated feature article). As such, we didn't gather every major new phone in the market for this comparison. For this article, we've chosen a few key phones (HTC One XL, iPhone 5, Nokia Pureview 808 and Nokia Lumia 920) that can help us understand where the HTC One stands and how has it improved or detracted against them.
HTC calls the camera technology on the One 'ultrapixels', but all that means is that the photosites on the sensor are larger by design, rather by limitation. Instead of piling on the megapixels on the same small sensor, which would make each individual photosite smaller, HTC has constrained the megapixel count to 4MP, making each photosite larger. HTC explains it quite easily in the graphic below. The photosite is measured in micrometers, and HTC is showing how the One's 4µm photosite is larger than its competitors' photosites.
Not sure what megapixels and photosites are? We went into more detail into what makes a digital image in The Nokia 808 PureView's 41 Megapixels Explained.
In theory, larger photosites should make the sensor more sensitive to light, producing images with less noise and higher dynamic range. But photosite size is just one part of the picture (excuse us). Like we said in our Nokia 808 PureView feature:
Improvements in image quality can be made from advances to sensor technology and image processing. This isn't impossible; more megapixels have been crammed into digital compact cameras over the years while sensor sizes have remained constant, and some manufacturers have been able to do it while retaining image quality. Nikon's latest D800 DSLR camera shoots at 36MP, whereas its predecessor the D700 shot 12MP images with the same sensor size, and Nikon is claiming even better image quality than before.
In other words, you can bump image quality through better sensor design, image processing and optics, and get the same or better image quality even with smaller photosites.
And of course, with less megapixels you sacrifice image detail - there are less pixels to 'draw' the same amount of information as a similarly-sized sensor with more pixels. Remember that a digital image is composed of individual dots, or pixels. The more there are, the finer your images can be. Just look at the difference between the 8-bit NES graphics of yesterday and today's full-HD PlayStation 3 games.
Wikipedia comes to the rescue again, with this easy-to-understand illustration of the difference in resolution you can get with more pixels:
So how much 'canvas' is the HTC One sacrificing? Take a look at the graphic below to see. At 4MP, it has half the pixel resolution (not sensor size) compared to an 8MP camera like the HTC One XL and the iPhone 5.
Now, with the preamble out of the way, let's take a look at the HTC One's camera and see if it lives up to the marketing. But first, a specs sheet for you to devour.
Editor's note: We apologize for the spec sheet's incompleteness, full camera specifications for mobile phones aren't readily available.
HTC One | HTC One XL | iPhone 5 | Nokia 808 PureView | Nokia Lumia 920 | |
Megapixels | 4MP | 8MP | 8MP |
Sensor Size | 1/3-inch BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS | 1/3.2-inch BSI CMOS | 1/1.2-inch | 1/3.2-inch BSI CMOS |
Pixel Size | 4µm | Unknown | 1.4µm | 1.4µm | Unknown |
Focal Length (35mm equivalent) |
28mm | 28mm | 33mm |
Max. Aperture Range | f/2.0 | f/2.0 | f/2.4 | f/2.4 | f/2.0 |
Minimum Focusing Range | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 15cm | 8cm |
Image Stabilization | Optical | Digital (video only) |
Digital (video only) |
Unknown | Optical |
ISO Sensitivity | ISO100-1600 | ISO100-800 | Unknown | ISO50-1600 | ISO100-800 |
Updated 26/3/13: HTC has clarified that the second unit which we received "has the final commercial firmware, compared to the original unit which was pre-production and had an isolated hardware issue, which resulted in differences between the two sets of photos taken with both devices." According to our understanding, all the commercial sets which will launch in April will come already updated with this firmware. As such, there will be no second camera update for the One, unlike what we previously wrote below.
While we were halfway through reviewing the HTC One's camera, HTC called and swapped out our One with one (cough, cough) which had a firmware update for the camera. The update made a noticeable difference in the quality of the photos, as you can see for yourself below in the 100% crops. Images are sharper, with more detail. A visible softness in the upper left and bottom right corners, which we attributed to poor lens construction, has cleared up.
There's still something unusual happening with ISO 800 however. With both the older One and the One with the firmware update, image quality at ISO 800 takes a sudden dip; details are softer and the image is noisier than both ISO 400 and ISO 1600.
Unless otherwise stated, we'll be using the updated HTC One for the rest of this camera review. HTC says that there will be a firmware update for the general public in April. As such, what we present you is what you can expect out of the phone, if it has been updated.
Before | After |
Find a new home for humanity. The journey begins now. How far will you go?
5 things to consider when you buy home broadband plans


text:
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan administered oath of "Aao Banayen Apna Madhya Pradesh" to people at a function in Alirajpur today. The Chief Minister said that all should do our work enthusiastically and unitedly. He said that everyone should do his work with dedication and honesty wherever he is to develop Madhya Pradesh as an ideal state in the country. He said that the government will never spare corrupt and send them to jail. Shri Chouhan said that good performers will be rewarded.
The Chief Minister said that technical examination will be made for Rs. 700 crore irrigation project for Alirajpur district. Similarly, examination of Rs. 65 crore lift irrigation project at village Jabdi under Jobat development block in Alirajpur district will also be made. Shri Chouhan also assured to examine a scheme for fitting electricity pumps at Kapildhara wells.
The Chief Minister said that Government will provide additional Rs. 5 lakh each for development to Gram Panchayats elected unopposed. He also laid emphasis on attaching top priority to sanitation, education, health, drinking water, road and other works in villages. Shri Chouhan said that laptops will be given to students passing class XII exam with over 85 percent marks.
Similarly, Government school pass outs will be provided free smart phones on admission in colleges so that they can obtain all kinds of information.
Underlining unprecedented progress made during last 5 years in Alirajpur district constituted on May 17, 2008, Shri Chouhan said that there will be no lack of funds for development.
Shri Chouhan announced that independent district level offices of all departments will be opened in Alirajpur. Shri Chouhan laid foundation stones for 19 construction works costing over Rs. 10 crore 48 lakh at the function. He also distributed amounts and material to beneficiaries under various schemes.
Announcing Rs. 25 thousand per marriage under Mukhyamantri Vivah and Nikah Yojanas, Shri Chouhan said that of this amount, Rs. 19 thousand will be spent on marriage works and Rs. 6 thousand each will be deposited in concerning couple's bank account. The Chief Minister announced that state government will bear entire expenses on 4-year-old deaf and dumb girl Vedika to enable her to hear. The Chief Minister also worshipped 11 girls. In-charge of the district and Minister Shri Antar Singh Arya, MLAs Shri Nagar Singh Chouhan and Shri Madho Singh Dabar and former MP Shri Dilip Singh Bhuria also spoke on the occasion.
From helipad upto function venue, Shri Chouhan met citizens cordially. The Chief Minister sought elderly persons' blessings by touching their feet. He posed for photographs with youths, shook hands and held discussions with them. The Chief Minister also accepted applications from citizens.


text:
Type.GetField Method (String, BindingFlags)
Searches for the specified field, using the specified binding constraints.
Assembly: mscorlib (in mscorlib.dll)
- name
- Type: System.String
The string containing the name of the data field to get.
- bindingAttr
- Type: System.Reflection.BindingFlags
A bitmask comprised of one or more BindingFlags that specify how the search is conducted.
Zero, to return null.
Return Value
Type: System.Reflection.FieldInfoAn object representing the field that matches the specified requirements, if found; otherwise, null.
_Type.GetField(String, BindingFlags)IReflect.GetField(String, BindingFlags)
Exception | Condition |
ArgumentNullException | name is null. |
The following table shows what members of a base class are returned by the Get methods when reflecting on a type.
Member Type | Static | Non-Static |
Constructor | No | No |
Field | No | Yes. A field is always hide-by-name-and-signature. |
Event | Not applicable | The common type system rule is that the inheritance is the same as that of the methods that implement the property. Reflection treats properties as hide-by-name-and-signature. See note 2 below. |
Method | No | Yes. A method (both virtual and non-virtual) can be hide-by-name or hide-by-name-and-signature. |
Nested Type | No | No |
Property | Not applicable | The common type system rule is that the inheritance is the same as that of the methods that implement the property. Reflection treats properties as hide-by-name-and-signature. See note 2 below. |
Hide-by-name-and-signature considers all of the parts of the signature, including custom modifiers, return types, parameter types, sentinels, and unmanaged calling conventions. This is a binary comparison.
For reflection, properties and events are hide-by-name-and-signature. If you have a property with both a get and a set accessor in the base class, but the derived class has only a get accessor, the derived class property hides the base class property, and you will not be able to access the setter on the base class.
Custom attributes are not part of the common type system.
The following BindingFlags filter flags can be used to define which fields to include in the search:
You must specify either BindingFlags.Instance or BindingFlags.Static in order to get a return.
Specify BindingFlags.Public to include public fields in the search.
Specify BindingFlags.NonPublic to include non-public fields (that is, private, internal, and protected fields) in the search.
Specify BindingFlags.FlattenHierarchy to include public and protected static members up the hierarchy; private static members in inherited classes are not included.
The following BindingFlags modifier flags can be used to change how the search works:
BindingFlags.IgnoreCase to ignore the case of name.
BindingFlags.DeclaredOnly to search only the fields declared on the Type, not fields that were simply inherited.
See System.Reflection.BindingFlags for more information.
If the current Type represents a constructed generic type, this method returns the FieldInfo with the type parameters replaced by the appropriate type arguments.
If the current Type represents a type parameter in the definition of a generic type or generic method, this method searches the fields of the class constraint.
The following example gets the Type object for the specified class, obtains the FieldInfo object for the field that matches the specified binding flags, and displays the value of the field.
using System; using System.Reflection; public class MyFieldClassA { public string Field = "A Field"; } public class MyFieldClassB { private string field = "B Field"; public string Field { get { return field; } set { if (field!=value) { field=value; } } } } public class MyFieldInfoClass { public static void Main() { MyFieldClassB myFieldObjectB = new MyFieldClassB(); MyFieldClassA myFieldObjectA = new MyFieldClassA(); Type myTypeA = typeof(MyFieldClassA); FieldInfo myFieldInfo = myTypeA.GetField("Field"); Type myTypeB = typeof(MyFieldClassB); FieldInfo myFieldInfo1 = myTypeB.GetField("field", BindingFlags.NonPublic | BindingFlags.Instance); Console.WriteLine("The value of the public field is: '{0}'", myFieldInfo.GetValue(myFieldObjectA)); Console.WriteLine("The value of the private field is: '{0}'", myFieldInfo1.GetValue(myFieldObjectB)); } }
Windows 7, Windows Vista SP1 or later, Windows XP SP3, Windows XP SP2 x64 Edition, Windows Server 2008 (Server Core not supported), Windows Server 2008 R2 (Server Core supported with SP1 or later), Windows Server 2003 SP2
The .NET Framework does not support all versions of every platform. For a list of the supported versions, see .NET Framework System Requirements.


text:
Many evangelical churches regularly encourage their members to tithe, or give the church at least 10 percent of their income. Yet, according to the February Evangelical Leaders Survey, most evangelical leaders do not believe the Bible requires Christians to tithe.
The survey showed that 58 percent do not believe the Bible requires a tithe, while 42 percent do.
"The Old Testament called for multiple tithes, sort of combining government taxes with religious stewardship. Many churches later adopted 10 percent as the standard," said Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, in a released statement. "Since there is such a strong evangelical tradition of tithing I was a little surprised that a majority of our evangelical leaders say the tithe system of the Old Testament does not carry over to the New Testament or to us."
NAE leaders are adamant that this doesn't release Christians from giving. Alan Robinson of the Brethren in Christ Church said, "Tithing was an Old Testament legal model that ought to lead New Testament Christians to lives of sacrificial generosity. While tithing is not 'required' today, it is my view that Christian generosity will, at a minimum, reflect the Old Testament requirements of the law and should, in fact, greatly exceed it."
David Neff, Editor-in-Chief of Christianity Today, added, "Anything less [than 10 percent] seems like an ungenerous response to God."
Although most leaders do not believe the Bible requires Christians to tithe, the overwhelming majority, 95 percent, indicated that they give at least 10 percent.
One respondent who does not tithe said that he gives more or less depending on the needs and his situation. Another leader, Jerry Dykstra of the Christian Reformed Church in North America who believes tithing is required and indicated that he tithes said, "If folks actually tithed, churches would not know what to do with the money."
"For many American Christians, sacrificial giving encouraged throughout the Bible would mean giving over 10 percent. Personally I believe that the New Testament teaches 'proportionate giving' that may be more or less than 10 percent depending on income. In my home we've always given more than 10 percent," Anderson said. "Increasingly churches offer financial courses and teach on stewardship. My hope is that in coming years, we will see more generous, proportionate, cheerful and sacrificial giving among American evangelicals."
The Evangelical Leaders Survey is a monthly poll of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. They include the CEOs of denominations and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations including missions, universities, publishers and churches.
StarTribune.com welcomes and encourages readers to comment and engage in substantive, mutually respectful exchanges over news topics. Commenters must follow our Terms of Use.
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Comments will be reviewed before being published.


text:
Security Functions & Services
If a resident needs assistance with a problem in their manor in the evenings or on weekends or holidays, and the resident calls the Security Communication Center, will they send a Security Officer to help?If a resident needs to have work done inside their manor, but circumstances prevent the resident to schedule a time to be home, is it possible for Security to let the workers in, and keep an eye on them while the work is being done?
What is the policy regarding transport of residents by Staff?
If under-aged residents are observed living in a manor, to who should this be reported to ensure that occupancy rules and regulations are not being violated?
Do residents have access to Security's list of crimes and incidents in the Community?
Is there a place in the Community where a resident may temporarily store refrigerated/frozen food if their refrigerator/freezer suddenly malfunctions?
Why does Security respond to Paramedic/medical aid calls?
Does the Security Division conduct personal welfare checks on residents?
Will Security provide patrol of a manor while the resident is on vacation?
Based on established service levels by your Boards, the Security Division does not provide patrol of manors while residents are away on vacation. However, residents can call Security Dispatch at 580-1400 to advise of their departure and provide contact information while away.
Is there a Lost and Found office serving Laguna Woods Village?
Is it possible to obtain a copy of an Incident Report that is generated by Security when an accident/event occurs?


text:
How delightful it would be to float in the air, With sky all around and plenty of hope to spare
Looking and seeing ant people amongst the toy trees below And grassy quilts arranged in rows alongside tiny jumping doe
How fanciful it would seem for a helium balloon to come my way, lonely and blue, and share my cocoon.
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text:
Today's Deals
We have 2029 more deals currently active in our Deals section. Click here to view them now.
L.L.Bean Men's Mountain Classic Anorak for $40 + free shipping
L.L.Bean offers its L.L.Bean Men's Mountain Classic Anorak in three colors (Bright Navy pictured) for $39.99 with free shipping. That's $10 off and tied with last week's mention for the lowest total price we could find. It's available in sizes M to XL, although not in all size/color combinations.


text:
Email Login
Dan is the Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men and a co-founder of the Catholic Business Network. He has appeared on numerous Catholic media including EWTN television as well as Vatican, Relevant and EWTN radio programs. Dan serves on both the Kansas City Kansas Archdiocesan Advisory Board on Evangelism and Anti-Pornography initiatives. He is a frequent speaker and consultant on Sexual Integrity diocesan programs. Dan spent over 20 years as a senior advertising and marketing executive in national media firms followed more recently by 10 years as a "new media" entrepreneur, investor and consultant. His clients ranged from the NFL to the California Chamber of Commerce to the Rolling Stones. Currently he and his wife own a business in Kansas City while he speaks both nationally and internationally. He and his wife of 37 years, Linda, have four grown children and three grandchildren-all living in the Kansas City area.
Every order from the Catholic Exchange Shop supports the work of CE.


text:
First day of SEMAA Summer Session 1
Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy is running three 1-week sessions for 2nd to 9th graders.
- July 7-11
- July 14-18
- July 21-25
The program classes run from 9am-12pm and lunch is served at noon. Applications and more information can be found at SEMAA.


text:
Nestled in the beautiful pines
of the Black Hills between the historic gold rush towns of Lead and Deadwood. The Ponderosa Motor Lodge has many features and attractions. It is part of "The Historical Lead Walking Tour". Back in the day it was a PIONEER MINING CAMP Complete with a Church, stores, log cabins and saloon, was constructed on Poormans road for the celebration held on August 6th and 7th, 1926. It drew thousands of spectators for the pageant, parades, band concerts and other numerous events. The Ponderosa Motorlodge now occupies this location. With partial building structures thru out the property and one original cabin #10 still standing and to this day is still in service.
Ammenities Include:
Tv's Refrigerators Microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, blow dryers. Gas BBQ Grills Pavilion for our guests with stereo. Fire pit and picnic area. All rooms and cabins are covered by a free wireless Internet access. We also have a computer available for public use.
Ponderosa Motor Lodge 705 Glendale Dr.
Lead, South Dakota 57754
Easy Access on Highway 14A
Access to Snowmobile trails! 5L leave's from yard of The Ponderosa Motorlodge


text:
1 - 20 of 47 Comments
Last updated Jan 18, 2013
Jun 7, 2008
I went to an In-N-Out burger in California and it was REALLY crowded? Who thought it would be a good thing to have one on the corner of Main and Grundy? Isnt there enough traffic in that area? I would love to know where everyone is going to park....considering the parking lot holds about 8 cars!!
Bad Move is say!!! |
Jun 8, 2008
Give the little guy a chance...beats a chain like Mcd's or BK!
Jun 8, 2008
I dont mind giving someone a break but that corner is WAY too busy to have a burger joint on the corner....
Jun 12, 2008
I am more surprised that anyone thinks the place has enough parking. Speaking of BUSY corners...will we ever see arrows on Union/Main or Furrows/Main...these are very busy intersections!
Jun 12, 2008
Is this a done deal?
If so, when can we expect the start of operations? |
Jun 16, 2008
Notice the sign says Joe's In N Out Burger. Although I do love the original I highly doubt it is the California chain considering that chain is only in four states.
Even if it is just a knock off rather than random chain expansion the food will be great. But to have it on that corner is a TERRIBLE idea. Being a resident of Holbrook for 30 years now I would have never imagined traffic on Main St. Too bad 5 corners couldn't stick around. |
Jun 26, 2008
it's not the same place and there's already a lawsuit occuring from the real in n out burger.
United States |
Jun 27, 2008
The real place is amazing.. But, like Lisa says, the traffic would be insane. If you ever have been to All American Burger in Nassau on the south shore, that is how bad it would be. we would not be able to pass that intersection between 5 and 8.... i live a mile from there and i am nervous....
Jun 28, 2008
I can't believe this guy did this..I saw it being renovated and used the same colors and look of the real in and out burger, only to slap his name on it with the in and out wording..in and out corporation could drag this guy on for months in court while he loses money on his investment. He has no choice but to change the colors, the name, and possilbly the decor inside...ugh I am surprised Town of Islip approved this..Brookhaven wouldn't have..
Jul 7, 2008
I was almost fooled about this place. Does this guy think that by adding "Joes" to the name that he can get away with it. This place in the west coast is awsome. He's got to change the name because this is just another generic burger place. If you want the real thing, then you have to go to the west coast.
Jul 15, 2008
I die for In and Out burgers - my fave is the double double(for those who know). If this guy is intending to put his name and try to make it seem as if it's the original, then shame on him.
No burger joint compares to In&Out. If this is in fact a fake and you want a L.A burger joint there is a FatBurger in Massapequa!!! |
Jul 21, 2008
I miss Maybar
Jul 22, 2008
drove by yesterday and noticed the words 'In and Out' are now removed... but red and white paint still there... maybe it would be easier for this guy to look into a franchise with the 'real' California In & Out ?
Jul 22, 2008
IN-N-OUT doesnt sell their franchises....and even if they were going to open up on the East coast....Holbrook would not be the place they would pick. LOL
Jul 28, 2008
the best Los Angeles style burger
on the island is at Johnny Rockets at Roosevelt Field mall.. JR is actually based on the famed LA burger joint called The Apple Pan..I bought a very interesting DVD called "Burger Town" at www.burgertowndvd which tells the story behind the southern cal burger scene. |
Aug 3, 2008
Guess Phil Nolan's belt size will go up a few notches (again)! Wasn't he the guy who said the Republicans drove Islip into the ground?? Now this mess!! Think it's time for Phil to go "IN AND OUT"!!!
Aug 4, 2008
What exactly does this post have to do with the topic??? If you have a problem with Phil Nolan...or someone else...make your own post.... |
Aug 8, 2008
It has everything to do with the this post. are you kidding me?? This was the dream team that was suppose to return Islip to better days?? do you know what a nightmare this will cause, not to mention the safety concerns of our children and families that travel that road. SOMEONE HAD TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION STUPID!!! Apparently you don't live near this location. I suggest you get out of town and take your friend PHIL with you. |
Aug 8, 2008
I guess you are the one that is STUPID since you didnt read the first post on this thread where I asked the same thing. SO maybe you should READ instead of calling others STUPID. and for you information...I do live near the location...that is why I made this post...because I am upset....dope! |
Aug 9, 2008
I really can't believe you're that ignorant. It was your nasty post to me about "what's this have to do with this post" that started our little spat. Apparently you do not realize that the Town of Islip, with Supervisor Phil Nolan at the helm, approved the building permit that allowed this guy to build at that location. I was well aware of your first post and agreed with you. I was attempting to point out that our local politicians, once again, dogged us. If you live locally, then you will recall that Phil Nolan told us it was the Republicans that were destroying the town with inappropriate development. How much more "inappropriate" can you get with this project?? I rest my case....Thank You!!! |
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text:
In his autobiography, "In the Line of Fire," published last year, the Pakistani military leader, General Pervez Musharraf, describes himself as a once talented college athlete. His achievements attracted a particular compliment that lingered long in his mind:
I was fourth in cross-country, was the top gymnast, and was third in the "Mr. FC College" bodybuilding competition. . . . Muhammad Iqbal Butt, who had competed creditably in the Mr. Universe competition, told me at the time that I had a most muscular physique.
Yet Musharraf did not always feel a need to display his prowess. As a boy, he had a brown dog called Whiskey, who taught him life lessons:
I prefer small dogs, though, not the huge ones. This surprises my friends, for they expect a commando to have something like a rottweiler. I think people who keep rottweilers, and similar dogs, have a need to cultivate a macho image.
Musharraf, whose military career includes seven years in the Pakistani Special Forces, is a compact man of medium height who wears rimless glasses and parts his hair unfashionably down the middle; in person, speaking in fluent English, he can come across as more than a little self-regarding. His father was a middle-class auditor in government service, and his mother had high ambitions for her sons. One became a doctor, and, eight years ago, Pervez seized control of his nuclear-armed country.
The Army has ruled Pakistan directly for more than half the country's existence. It is by far Pakistan's most important institution—a source of cohesion and national identity, but also of dissonance, internal violence, inequality, and constitutional failure. As the Army's chief for almost a decade, Musharraf has held the confidence—or, at least, the obedience—of his fellow-generals, and of the more credulous Bush Administration. The General is a secular and liberal-minded individual, and he has certainly acted bravely at times in his attempts to combat Islamic extremists, but he has also proved to be a remarkably poor politician and domestic strategist.
Pakistan is gripped by two overlapping crises. The more visible one is the struggle between Musharraf, the judiciary, and the civilian politicians over elections and power sharing—an uncompromising contest among compromised leaders that two weeks ago culminated in a state of emergency, followed by an Army-led crackdown on human-rights activists, the independent media, and political organizers. It is sustained in part by the competition between two forces: the military, a broadly based, middle-class, undemocratic institution; and the People's Party, a broadly based, somewhat poorer, undemocratic institution (it has never held internal elections). The People's Party began as a rural socialist movement, led by Benazir Bhutto's father, who was hanged by the Army, and it has led national governments three times; when Bhutto returned to Pakistan from exile last month, her followers poured into Karachi to show that they can still rule the streets. The struggle between the Party and the Army, however, is not likely to produce a major transformation—the house arrests, tear-gas clouds, and baton charges are only the latest episode in the national narrative of political dysfunction.
More alarming is the low-grade civil war on Pakistan's western border, a conflict that is pitting the Army, dominated by ethnic Punjabis, against Islamists in the country's tribally organized Pashtun minority, a deeply conservative people who helped repel the Soviet Union from Afghanistan, and gave birth to the Taliban. The latest Pashtun uprising, which is also directed at secular Pakistani politicians and their Western allies, began several years ago. Taliban irredentism and proselytizing by a regrouping Al Qaeda leadership, presumably including Osama bin Laden himself, were among the causes. But antipathy toward the United States, the scheming of Pakistani intelligence officers and, perhaps, senior Army officers, who have long succored Pashtun Islamists, and, crucially, Musharraf's persistent inability to build a political coalition of Pashtun allies who could help contain the Islamists also played a part.
Musharraf's miscalculations were abetted by the United States, which until recently all but ignored the political aspects of counterinsurgency in Pashtun territory. The Bush Administration, distracted by the war in Iraq, and conditioned by its long dependence on Pakistan's Army, outsourced its Pakistan policy to Musharraf and bankrolled his narrow, increasingly self-defeating strategies. Of the approximately ten billion dollars in overt funds delivered to Pakistan since September 11th, for example, less than a hundred million has gone toward education, an issue about which Musharraf has spoken often but done very little.
The Pakistani Army's intermittent attempts to suppress the Pashtun Islamists have failed, and these reversals have recently produced stresses within the military not witnessed since the country broke in half, in 1971: the humiliating surrender and capture of hundreds of Pakistani soldiers and local Pashtun paramilitaries, which have led to prisoner exchanges with the Taliban; reports of desertion and mutiny; and a succession of demoralizing battlefield defeats. About fifteen per cent of Pakistan's Army officers are Pashtun, and the danger of revolt or division among them is deepening. Suicide bombings, emanating principally from the tribal areas—such as the one that claimed a hundred and forty lives at Bhutto's rally in Karachi—now occur regularly in cities and towns that had little previous experience of them. They have also created havoc in Afghanistan, where Pashtuns make up about half the population.
The Bush Administration belatedly supported Bhutto's return—it was encouraged if not altogether persuaded by the idea that she might help Musharraf construct a more plausible political strategy against the Islamists. The People's Party has only a limited following among Pashtuns, but if Bhutto and Musharraf could construct an alignment of secular-leaning leaders and political formations, the theory went, they might strengthen the country's moderate mainstream, provide cover in the West for the Army's unpopular counterinsurgency campaign, and create new pathways for pacifying Taliban sympathizers. That plan is now kaput—one more crumpled draft of the Bush Administration's halfhearted, do-over second-term foreign policy. It is difficult to imagine that Musharraf will ever recover the political strength necessary to govern the country. Not surprisingly, neither the General nor President Bush seems to be aware of this.
Sometimes, the clues to a forthcoming catastrophe can be found in plain sight. This was the case with Musharraf's memoir, which the General promoted on Jon Stewart's "Daily Show" during a postmodern, funny-if-it-weren't-scary author's tour. In addition to passages about pets and bodybuilding, Musharraf delivered in the book an extended reflection on the nature of command, in which he relied upon quotations from Richard Nixon's neglected tome "Leaders." "A leader must understand his environment in all its intricacy," Musharraf wrote:
He must always have a finger on the pulse of the times. . . . A true leader will always be loved by his people. They will be prepared to follow him not because of his rank and position but because of their respect and esteem for him.
Cue the helicopter warming up its rotors on the President's back lawn. ♦


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Monday, February 16th, 2009
By William Kincaid
Roberts Town Tavern could lose parking spaces
The city of Celina's proposal to lease property from the Norfolk Southern Railway Company could lead to the closing of a parking area used by customers of Roberts Town Tavern, 402 S. Main St.
If approved, it also could stop drivers from using the area to bypass the stop light at the intersection of Logan and Main streets, Celina city council members learned this week.
Councilors passed the second reading of an ordinance to enter into a perpetual lease agreement with the railroad for portions of property on both sides of the railroad tracks abutting Lakeshore Park for $1 a year.
The lease would commence Feb. 1 and continue on a periodic basis, with both sides able to withdraw at any time, according to Celina Safety Service Director Jeff Hazel. Norfolk Southern is not interested in selling the land, he said.
The city wants access of the property to demolish a deteriorating building, clean up the area and provide parking for city vehicles during special events.
Celina Planning and Community Development Director Kent Bryan did not say how much it would cost to demolish the building but said the city may be able to get some money from salvaging steel.
Councilman Ed Jeffries said he was against the initiative if it adversely affected Roberts Town Tavern, especially in the current economic climate. He doesn't want to support legislation that would put the bar out of business by reducing its parking, even though he doesn't drink himself, he said.
Jeffries later changed his mind after learning the city would try to create seven to eight additional parking spots on Logan Street.
Tavern owner Kerry Roberts has no legal claim to the parking area, which is owned by the railroad company, council members learned.
Councilman June Scott pointed out that there's nothing Roberts can say in defense, adding the railroad company could come in at anytime and prevent parking on its land.
There are no squatter rights, councilman Rick Bachelor said.
"He very much realizes that," Bryan said, adding he has talked with Roberts in the past about the situation and will further contact him about adding additional parking along the street.
Council members also discussed how drivers have used the thoroughfare to circumvent the intersection light, especially during heavy traffic or the presence of large trucks.
If the property is acquired by the city through the lease, the north and south entrances could be curbed off - eliminating public access.
Because the area is private property, police officers technically cannot ticket drivers who use it as a shortcut, Bryan said.
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• County wants state to pay fees for Beaver Creek
• Depth the difference for Cavaliers in three-team meet
• Bulldogs sweep the Ayersville sectional
• St. Henry rebounds from loss with comeback victory
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Movie SummaryTyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion
Web Site: http://www.madeasfamilyreunionmovie.com/index_flash.php Description: An unstoppable force of nature, southern matriarch Madea may have finally taken on more than she can chew. She has just been court ordered to be in charge of Nikki, a rebellious runaway, her nieces Lisa and Vanessa are suffering relationship trouble, and through it all, she has to organize her family reunion. As the reunion approaches, secrets are revealed and tensions rise. Madea must use every tactic in her arsenal to not only keep the peace, but keep her family together. Movie summaries and listings powered by Cinema-Source
Related Content on Movies from Infoplease:


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By: Stuart A. Stiffler
The founding and evolution of numerous stock and subscription libraries on the Nineteenth Century Connecticut Western Reserve in Ohio, draws attention to the contributing role of these earnest enterprises in the transplantation of New England culture onto the Ohio frontier. At a minimum the collections, supplying representative instructional and general literature, supported social mobility and provided educational opportunity and diversion to isolated farms and towns. At least since de Tocqueville's observations in the 1830s, it has been perceived that when, in the absence of governmental initiatives, a pressing public need should surface, there often followed a compensatory version of American voluntarism. Yet as transitional institutions the social libraries, unlike the common schools and churches, have attracted limited notice in scholarship on the Western Reserve and deserve to be more clearly situated in the Reserve's nascent cultural life.1 Continue reading


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How To Color Fondant Icing At Home - It Is Easy
I love using fondant to decorate cakes and prefer it to cream and chocolate based icings. Fondant gives your cake so much more character, adds color and gives a neat and finished look, which may be a bit difficult to achieve with icing. Fondant is easy to make and is easier to get ready from a cake decorating store. The paste has a wonderful pliable texture and you can use it to roll and cover your cake or to mold into various shapes to add on top of your cake. If you already have white fondant and want to know how to add different colors to it, here are a few tips on how to color fondant at home. It is really easy.
Coloring Fondant
To color your fondant you will need icing colors, which are available in cake and confectionary decorating stores. You can also get them online. While several tints and shades may be available, smaller quantity bottles may be available for the basic colors.
Here are the steps to color fondant
- Keep your white fondant ready. If you have prepared it at home, rest it for a while before you color it. I would suggest that you use a little extra fondant than the amount required to decorate the cake. Just incase you fall short, it will be tough for you to get the exact color with a new batch of fondant.
- Put on a pair of gloves, you could use latex or plastic, the idea is to save your hands from getting colored. Use a flat and smooth work surface.
- Start by kneading the fondant and make it into a ball, then flatten it slightly with your palm.
- You will need 4-5 toothpicks. Dip the tip of a toothpick into the desired color of icing and make dots of the color or wipe it on the fondant. Use a fresh tooth pick for each color.
- Always add lesser amount of color in the beginning, if you require a paler shade. For a darker shade, add more color.
- Once you have dotted the fondant with the desired amount of color, start kneading it again till all the color blends and you get even colored dough. Keep kneading if there are streaks or patches on uneven coloring.
- If you feel that the color is too light, repeat the steps to get a darker color.
- Do not add too much icing color as it may alter the taste of the fondant and may leave your hands and mouth colored after eating the cake. You can always use an airbrush to spray more icing color after you have rolled and applied the fondant to the cake. This will give a better finishing.
- Remember to rest your colored fondant for a while before you roll it out or use it on your cake.
- You can store the colored fondant just you would your white fondant. I would advise wrapping it in plastic wrap and keeping it in an airtight container.
Making fondant colors
If you have the basic icing colors, you could use them to make other colors, just as you do with paint.
- For green – mix yellow and blue
- For orange – mix red and yellow
- For purple – mix blue and red
- For black – mix red, blue and yellow in equal quantities
- For brown – mix green and red
I always keep a bottle of white icing color along with my basic colors. You can make any pastel shade by adding twice the amount of white to a primary color or to the above made colors.
Now that you know how to color fondant, go ahead and get creative and have some fun.
Image courtesy - www.weddingbee.com


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I'm ready for 'Django Unchained' to be OUT already! This is a new trailer for Quentin Tarantino's latest movie. It has an amazing cast: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jonah Hill. The plot of 'Django Unchained' (a bounty hunter agrees to free a slave and help him find his wife in return for the slave's assistance tracking someone down) has me so interested that I'm willing to sit through the violence that's virtually promised in a movie like this from Quentin.
The movie is scheduled to be released on Christmas day, December 25. I'm not sure I'll make it to the theaters on Christmas day, per se, but I know I'll see it. Are you interested?


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Last night I had the scanner going. Normally Sunday nights are pretty boring where I live in Maine. Well around 1 AM a gas/convenience store was robbed. It takes me less than 5 minutes to walk to this store and I do it often and I get fuel there often as well. I don't know if he pointed a firearm at the clerk but apparently he did have a firearm. The news story has no broke yet but I spoke with one of the clerks today and he did get away with what was in the cash draw and he said they had suspect in custody.
If I really needed something quickly I might run down there and forget to arm myself as driving takes only few minutes round trip. Well after what happened this morning my mindset is forever changed.
This is the first time I have heard of this store being robbed in years and I consider where I live to still be pretty safe but sadly we all know it can happen anywhere at anytime.
Nobody was harmed.


text: I went down last week. Checked a few different spots and found only one place that was even remotely ridable. This place went from totally flat to chest-shoulder and really fun. 12-15 guys in the water sharing the only peak. I've had more relaxed sessions on the north shore. I hope that's not an indicator of what this winter is going to be like down there. I dunno.


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Warcraft Movie Trailer
The last news about the World of Warcraft Movie. Watch the movie trailer soon.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Warcraft Movie Trailer
The movie trailer of Warcraft has been released online, watch it below:
Are you all pumped up for the film?
Friday, November 7, 2014
Warcraft Movie Posters
Here below the official posters of Warcraft:
(Click on a poster to enlarge.)
Those posters look awesome! Can't wait to see some actual footage from the film!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Warcraft Motion Title
Here's the motion logo of Warcraft the movie:
The war will begin soon, brace yourself for an epic movie! :)
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Warcraft Movie Pictures
Here below a few pictures of Warcraft:
(Click on a picture to enlarge.)
Are you impatient to see the world of Warcraft come to life on the big screen?
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
World of Warcraft Movie Directed by Duncan Jones
Update - Director Duncan Jones has taken over the project.
Blizzard Entertainment and Legendary Pictures are really decided to work together to bring us a World of Warcraft movie.
We know since last year that it won't be a full CGI movie, they're indeed thinking about a live-action Warcraft movie:
"The idea of a complete CGI movie has come up in discussions but it's not something we've really considered because it takes so long to generate just the brief amount of footage that we create for the game. [...] That department's focus is creating the footage for the games to tell the story; it would be a huge undertaking and it's not really something that we're ready to do anytime soon."
Frank Pearce,
VP of product development at Blizzard Entertainment
It's been confirmed today that we will have a live action Warcraft movie, and the name of the director has also been revealed: acclaimed Director Sam Raimi will be in charge of the film adaptation of Warcraft!
The plan is for Raimi to supervise development of Warcraft and shoot the picture after he completes work on Spider-Man 4, which gets under way early next year for Columbia Pictures. IMDb is maybe listing the movie for a release in 2011, but I think Warcraft in 2012 sounds more realistic.
I'm quite glad that a high-caliber director has been hired to tackle the adaption of Warcraft, but Director Sam Raimi has to keep in mind that Warcraft isn't Spiderman. I mean Warcraft is a huge world that calls for respect: it has followers (like a religion, it's not about fans anymore) all around the world. I don't really know what to think about Sam Raimi's latest statement about his involvement in the Warcraft movie:
"At its core, 'Warcraft' is a fantastic, action-packed story. I am thrilled to work with such a dynamite production team to bring this project to the big screen."
Director Sam Raimi
Well let's be optmistic, Sam Raimi could very well bring us the World of Warcraft we've ben craving for since so long.
Wednesday, March 3, 1999
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Dear Philips,
i have a Problem with some 3d content. Not all content is created in the right way and so the Sites were change.
Some Brands have a function to correct this Problem and can change Left/Right to Right/ Left. (I think LG and Samsung have this Feature).
But i prefere Tv's from Philips but i already miss this function.
Know Philips this Problem?
And is there a plan to update the 3d Models with a new function
Side-by-Side (Left/Right)
Side-by-Side (Right/Left)
in the 3d menu?
Best Regards
Firmware 000.014.084.000, 2011-10-21


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There are over eight thousand applications in the Productivity section of the App Store, totalling almost 2.5% of all applications available to download. Why then – and how – has 6 Wunderkinder's Wunderlist come from nowhere to almost eight million task creations, being labelled as iPhone App of the Week by Apple in both the US and German App Stores? Through a beautiful design and integrated interface, all with no price tag attached, its one million users have everything to be happy about.
The sleek get-things-done application aims to simplify life's tasks with one interface and minimal fuss. "Wunderlist makes it dead simple to organize your daily life. Just add some lists and start filling them with the things that need to be done" reads the official release, noting the capability to add tasks by e-mail. The application is free to download on both the iPhone / iPod Touch and iPad, with no strings (or adverts) attached.
There doesn't appear to be any compromise between price and security either. The free application sports SSL encryption, meaning every login and sync happens securely with no interception from third parties. All data is stored on secure servers run by Media Temple, a 103-employee strong company that operates twenty four hours a day to ensure that secured data remains secure.
Earlier this week, I got in touch with Robert Kock, Co-Founder of the company behind the application. Here's what we talked about:
What was the inspiration behind Wunderlist?
Robert: Before we started working on Wunderkit, we discussed how we could gain awareness for our brand and our work even before the initial launch. How could we get thousands of people being interested in us? We wanted to make it big, so we decided to built a software and give it away for free. Thinking about an application that literally everyone would need, we came up with a concept of a task manager called Wunderlist. To improve the user experience to a maximum, we combined several aspects of popular software. So now we have an easy-to-use task manager for nearly every device that provides cloud sync and sharing functionality for free.
Why and how is the service free?
Robert: Wunderlist is free because it is a give away. We want users to get used to our philosophy of simplicity and good usability and we wanted them to get to know the 6Wunderkinder brand. We managed to built a substantial fan base literally within several weeks.
What are your future plans?
Robert: Because the development and the maintenance of the Wunderlist service requires more and more of our resources, we thought about monetize Wunderlist later on. But we won't consider any actions before we asked our community which way they'd like us to go. Besides all that, we are working on Wunderkit and hope that all of our users will love it as much as we do.
Available to download now.
Wunderlist: To-Do List & Tasks
Image courtesy of 6Wunderkinder.


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I want one so bad it hurts...
awesome, im interested!
I saw your original article a few months ago about this. I went to purchase one but they were on pre-order, I might have to splurge now.
I'd love one! I definitely cup my hand around it anytime I need to listen to music or a video and I don't have my headphones handy.
Please send one so I can get some volume in my life...
Would love to have one! And even more experience it =)
Look awesome.....!
I need bring my iPad to the beach for party this weekend....!
This would be great, I'd even cut my case if it meant things would actually be louder.
Who puts a speaker on the back of a device, I mean really?!


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Designers A-Z
LFW Dates
Press Portal
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In London
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Registering as a Blogger
Corporate Hospitality
London Fashion Week Festival
"London bestrides the world of fashion like a dapper titan and I'm proud to support London Fashion Week, which showcases the brightest and best designers working today. This week promises to be the most exciting yet, offering opportunities for even more people to feel a part of the fashion pack, with pop up stores, live streaming and even a film festival. But it's not just about how creative and stylish London is, it's a big moneyspinner, bringing in orders from around the globe and generating billions for our economy." - The Mayor of London Boris Johnson


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Who Is This Year's Ultimate Web Sensation?
By Melissa Hunter
TV and movies are so 2004. Any celebrity who wants to stay famous uses the Internet as a platform to catapult his or her career. But what is it that makes the biggest Web Sensation? Is it legions of Twitter followers? A provocative blog? A viral video? We take a look at the year's fron-trunners, and hopefully by the year's end we'll determine the ultimate Celebrity 2.0.
Candidate #1: Ashton Kutcher, the Twitter King
In the ultimate popularity contest, Ashton Kutcher challenged CNN to a race to a million followers on Twitter. His campaign promises included charity contributions, playing Ding-Dong Ditch on Ted Turner's house, and a copy of Guitar Hero to his millionth follower. He ended up beating CNN and followed through on his Ted Turner stunt (a prankster like that could never renege). Beating out the biggest news network on the ultimate information-sharing site is pretty impressive. Apparently people are more interested in Demi Moore's butt than the recession. No shocker there.


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Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) shares are trading near all-time highs. The total market capitalization is almost $500 billion. Despite the fact that the company is the world's largest firm by market capitalization, Apple stock is grossly undervalued. The company has approximately $100 billion in cash and equivalents and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 20% during the next five years. This implies a PEG ratio of 0.6. Excluding cash, the stock trades at 8.4 times FY 2013 earnings. Compare that to Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) and Citrix System (NASDAQ:CTXS) trading at 47 times and 21 times 2013 earnings, respectively with a projected long term growth rate of 18%. By every metric, AAPL shares appear cheap. If only the market would realize the insanity that is the current valuation of AAPL.
There are several things the company can do to correct the mis-pricing of its stock price. For starters, the company can return part of the $97 billion cash reserves to its shareholders, which will help in increasing the share price. Mr. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, recently said at a conference that the company was internally discussing the best use of its cash. He said "I would be the first to admit the company had more cash than we need to run the daily business. So we're actively discussing it. I only ask for a bit of patience, so we can do it in a way that's best for the shareholders."
Apple will host its annual shareholder meeting on February 23, 2012. Some investors are hoping that the company will announce its maiden dividend. Although the dividend will be helpful in boosting the share price, I do not believe that it would be a good use of the company's cash. While I am a strong proponent of issuing dividends as a way to return cash to its rightful owners, in the case of AAPL, I would recommend the management to instead introduce a share repurchase program.
I have time again argued against share repurchase programs at companies such as Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) as they have largely been a failure. However, as I have demonstrated in recent articles, the fair value of AAPL ranges from $677 to $773 a share. Therefore, it makes more sense to buy back the stock as opposed to issuing a dividend as the investment could potentially lead to a return of 35% to 55%. Additionally, it will be the company's way of conveying to Wall Street that it believes the firm's shares are grossly undervalued. This is exactly the strategy adopted by Warren Buffett when Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) announced that it may repurchase some of its Class A and/or Class B shares if the shares were trading at reasonable levels (up to 10% above book value). Not surprisingly, shares spiked on the news.
Apple currently has approximately $35 billion in U.S. cash reserves. The company could easily return $15 billion to its shareholders using share buybacks. The company could also issue debt at these incredibly low interest rates and use the proceeds for the share repurchase program. At the completion of this buyback program, the number of shares outstanding would have fallen from the projected 946 million to 916 million in 2013 (assuming average stock buyback price of $525 a share). The 2013 EPS would increase to $49. Assuming minor expansion of its P/E multiple from 14.3 to 15.3, the stock price could potentially jump from $500 a share to $750 a share implying a return of 50%.
In addition to the stock repurchase program, it is high time the company splits its stock. I recommend a 10:1 split. If you ask the average investor about AAPL stock, the common reply you hear is that the stock is overvalued (as I figured out in a very unscientific survey of some of my buddies). The most common reason they cite for their opinion is the fact that AAPL trades upwards of $500. Most people have no idea about AAPL's growth rates and the multiples at which the stock trades. They are just fixated with the share price.
Apple has, in the past, split its stock. The last split was a 2 for 1 split in February 2005. So splitting the stock is nothing new for the company. Now is as good a time as any to split the stock. Although technically a stock split should have no impact on the company valuation, small investors are more likely to buy a stock at $50 a share than at $500 a share. It would bring it new investors and help expand the multiple. Stock splits have been in existence for a long time now and have proven to be quite effective when used appropriately. Just in 2010 Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU) had a 10:1 split when the stock was trading upwards of $700 a share. The stock has more than doubled since the split.
By employing a combination of share buybacks and stock splits, I predict that AAPL would trade on par with its average fair value of $725 a share.
Disclosure: I am long CSCO.


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But recently the Patriots coach has stayed away from the 300-pounders in the draft, and more recently he's jettisoned a handful of them out of town as well. Ron Brace, Myron Pryor, Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love were all sent packing over the past several months with the latter two waived earlier this week.
The moves sparked some discussion inside the PFW walls this week, and they also led to the questions about the current depth at the position. The Patriots would seem to have some options when it comes to outside threats with the likes of
But the situation inside isn't quite as clear with
So, given the lack of certainty at the position we wondered if Belichick had another move up his sleeve. He's obviously not afraid of doing some unconventional things, so would it be completely out of the realm of possibility for him to bring back former All-Pro Richard Seymour?
We give the topic some thought in this week's Samsonite Make Your Case debate:
Should the Patriots sign Richard Seymour?
PFW's Paul Perillo says ...
Assuming Seymour isn't looking for anything too absurd in terms of dollars, I think it makes all the sense in the world to bring him back. He's a guy who's shown the ability to play in three- and four-man fronts in the past and has had obvious success playing in a Patriots uniform. He understands Belichick's ways and he wouldn't re-sign if he wasn't willing to conform to the system the way he did so well from 2001-08 before he was dealt to Oakland. So any lingering ill-will that may or may not have existed shouldn't factor into this decision at all.
Seymour is not the dominant force he once was but he can still play. After making five Pro Bowl appearances as a Patriot, he managed two more (2010-11) with the Raiders. He would immediately give the defensive line added versatility and could perform at either tackle or end depending on how Belichick wished to utilize him. He has the ability to pressure the pocket, and although not a pure pass rusher, he would join Tommy Kelly in providing the ability to collapse things from the inside.
Assuming the price is right, and at this point in the offseason it would seem nobody is willing to break the bank for him, bringing back Seymour make all the sense in the world.
PFW's Andy Hart says...
You can't go home again, especially when you didn't leave on the best of terms the first time. Seymour is an aging former star who's likely still looking to be paid handsomely for his services. I don't hold that against him, but it doesn't fit with the Patriots needs right now.
Seymour has always been best suited as the five-technique in the 3-4. New England needs more of a true interior lineman/backup nose tackle type at this point. There is no reason for Belichick to invest even decent money in a guy who's going to rotate with the likes of Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly. That money would be much better suited luring John Abraham to Foxborough.
Sure the Patriots are a little thin (ironically) at defensive tackle. But they need low-cost depth at a position that isn't among the most important on the field anymore in today's NFL. Seymour was great his first time around in New England as a key cog on very good championship defenses. But times have changed.
Now it's the fans turn to cast their vote in this week's Samsonite Make Your Case poll question.
Click here to vote on a mobile device.


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Apple has confirmed what we all suspected: multitasking is coming to the finally confirmed iPhone OS 4.0 upgrade. The upgrade itself won't be available for consumers until sometime this summer (Apple CEO Steve Jobs did not get more specific than that), but Apple claims their long-coming implementation of multitasking is "gonna be the best."
Jobs demonstrated multitasking on the iPhone, but it's expected for iPod Touch and iPad, too.
Essentially, when a user double clicks the home button, it pulls up a dock-like interface (very similar to what you'd see in a normal OS X session) that allows the user to swap between applications that are running. Jobs showed a user jumping from a URL in an e-mail to Safari, double clicking the home button, pulling up the apps that are running -- in this case Safari, Mail, ESPN and Tap Tap Revenge -- and simply clicking Mail to return to the e-mail account.
The company claims their solution to multitasking avoids the common issue with adding multitasking to device: sluggish performance of the device and a rapidly draining battery.
How much that claim holds up won't be known for a few months yet.
Have something to share? Sitting on a news tip? E-mail me. You can also follow me on Twitter.