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The goal of the proposed research is to use a chemical biology approach to elucidate novel molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of the Wnt/GSK3/beta-catenin signaling pathway, which is implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of bipolar disorder. Recent work by the candidate showed that histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a role in modulation of beta-catenin levels. The candidate hypothesizes that specific histone deacetylase isoforms regulate beta-catenin levels and that elucidation of the mechanism(s) underlying HDAC regulation of beta-catenin levels will lead to a fundamental understanding of the Wnt signaling pathway and the identification of novel therapeutic targets for bipolar disorder. The research proposal aims to identify the specific HDAC isoforms that regulate beta-catenin levels, using RNAi against specific HDAC isoforms as well as novel isoform-specific HDAC inhibitors. The proposal aims to characterize mechanism(s) underlying HDAC modulation of beta-catenin signaling, by examining effects on chromatin remodeling as well as acetylation of lysine residues on beta-catenin itself. A systematic study of the lysine acetylation and the GSK-3 and casein kinase-1 (CK1) phosphorylation sites on beta-catenin will be conducted to delineate the temporal and regulatory effects of the phosphorylation and acetylation events. The proposal further aims to study the effects of beta-catenin modulating HDAC inhibitors on the proliferation and differentiation of human neural progenitor cells. The candidate is a physician-scientist with clinical training in psychiatry, with a focus on schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He is currently conducting post-doctoral research in chemical biology, focusing on discovery of novel mechanisms that regulate beta-catenin signaling. His long-term goal is to establish and direct an academic research laboratory applying novel strategies in chemical biology to clinically-relevant challenges in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The proposed research will be carried out under the sponsorship of two mentors: Dr. Stuart L. Schreiber in the Chemical Biology Program at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and Dr. Bruce M. Cohen in McLean Hospital. This award will support a unique training experience in clinically-informed research in chemical biology, and will establish an academic pathway for the discovery and development of experimental therapeutics for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
The development of improved therapeutics for bipolar disorder remains a significant unmet medical need. Identification of small molecules that regulate the Wnt-GSK-3/beta-catenin pathway through novel mechanims could lead to the development of alternative therapeutic agents with greater efficacy and reduced side effects compared to existing agents.
Karmacharya, Rakesh; Lynn, Spencer K; Demarco, Sarah et al. (2011) Behavioral effects of clozapine: involvement of trace amine pathways in C. elegans and M. musculus. Brain Res 1393:91-9 |


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The family of a Swanton man killed in a New Year's Day traffic collision in Providence Township has filed a civil lawsuit against the other driver, who was convicted last month of a criminal count for recklessly causing the crash.
Jillian Gray filed the lawsuit Friday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on behalf of her deceased father, Jeffery Brown, who was 49.
The wrongful-death complaint seeks more than $75,000 in compensatory and punitive damages. The case has been assigned to Judge Gene Zmuda.
Candy Gillen, 42, of 10722 Fulton County Rd. 8, Pike Township, pleaded no contest Aug. 13 to one count of aggravated vehicular homicide. As part of the plea, a second aggravated vehicular homicide count, in which alcohol was stated as a factor, will be dismissed. She faces up to three years in prison when sentenced Sept. 24 by Judge Linda Jennings.
The Ohio Highway Patrol said Mr. Brown's sport utility vehicle broke down on northbound Jeffers at a stop sign at Neapolis-Waterville and was struck from behind by Gillen's car. Mr. Brown's SUV was pushed into the intersection's northeast corner, where it hit a guard rail and ignited.

subset: commoncrawl


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Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard, whose courtship was featured on the just-aired eighth season of "19 Kids and Counting," were married Saturday (June 21) in Springdale, Ark. in front of more than 1000 guests, reports People.
Jill, the fourth of 19 children for Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, shared her very first kiss with Derick after their vows. The two met online and then met in Nepal earlier this year, where Derick was doing missionary work, and began courting.
Five of Jill's sisters were bridesmaids, two brothers were groomsmen, five brothers were ushers, and the remaining brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews served as ring bearers and flower girls.
Father Jim Bob tells People, "It really hit me that Jill was leaving as she was packing her bag the other night. We all realized she was really leaving. We are so glad that Derick is an answer to her prayers. It's an emotional time, but a joyful time."
"19 Kids and Counting" has not officially been renewed for a ninth season, but we would say the safe money is on another season, which should feature Jill and Derick's wedding and the continuation of Jessa's courtship with Ben Seeward.


text: Wii Gun Involved In 3-Year-Old Shooting Is Amazingly LifelikeMike Fahey3/09/10 11:20am1.5K1EditPromoteGo to permalink At the top is a Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistol. Below, the WiiAuto Pistol. Mistaking the former for the latter, three-year-old Cheyenne Alexis McKeehan of Wilson County, Tennessee, shot and killed herself Sunday evening. Where does the blame lie?


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coloring only some substring
thanks all for the solutions to coloring "to" substring, but these will not color "to" in the string "bottom" , any ideas? lst = {"to", "be", "or", "not", "to", "be", "bottom"}; lst /. x : "to" -> StyleForm[x, FontColor -> Hue[1]] Or: lst /. "to" -> "!(* StyleBox["to",FontColor->RGBColor[1, 0, 0]])" Or: lst /. "to" -> StyleForm["to", FontColor -> RGBColor[0, 0, 1]] thanks jack >>i have the list: >>lst={"to","be","or","not","to","be","bottom"} >>how to search for the string "to" and then to output the whole content of >>List >>lst but with the substring "to" colored in red. >>thanks >> >>jack


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August 21, 2007
25 comments:
- Trooper York said...
Ouch...you found the Gowanus Yacht club...now this is bad..worlds collide...the internet touches the dive bar next to the bagel store
- Ron said...
ah, New York....gotta love it!
- Trooper York said...
Don't worry...it's a lot more fun later in the evening...wait until they move the sign out on the sidewalk next to parking meter over by the dashboard light.
- Maxine Weiss said...
When a woman out, after dark, goes to report a crime to the police....the first question they ask her is: "Where was your husband?"
The second question is: "What were you doing out, after dark, alone"?
Love, Maxine - 8/21/07, 4:43 PM
- Palladian said...
"When a woman out, after dark, goes to report a crime to the police....the first question they ask her is: "Where was your husband?"
The second question is: "What were you doing out, after dark, alone"?"
Really? In New York City that would be grounds for a civil suit against the police.
Repeat after me: T-I-R-E-S-O-M-E - 8/21/07, 5:18 PM
- Trooper York said...
Maxine..we know what your answer would be...that one of your fifty cats has gone missing
- From Inwood said...
'Fess up, Prof A has found where the rats breed!
And your comment about Maxine was extremely witty & impossible for her to answer. Perfect squelch.
See, wit is more effective than cussin!
Regards - 8/21/07, 5:32 PM
- age group mom said...
Ann, is there still an Italian restaurant next to the Gowanus (or nearly so) on DeGraw Street? I went on one of the first dates with my husband there. White tablecloths, fish tank, waiters in black bowties. Classic Brooklyn.
- From Inwood said...
Trooper Y
Speaking of cats, cussin, & Maxine, once, long ago my relatives moved my aunt (always referred to as "poor ______" & her beloved cat from one apt to another 1/2 mile away, but still in Inwood. (It was used for the chase scene in the movie "The Devil's Own" with Brad Pitt & Harrison Ford). Cat jumped out window on to fire escape & kept climbing. Auntie took off for roof of tenement, um, apt house, via elevator. Teenage moi was selected for aunt detail & when I got to the roof she was shouting "pussy, my pussy" to some disreputable looking guy. I dissuaded him from considering the scatological implication of this synonym for cat.
We then considered whether the cat had leapt to the next building or whether it had jumped to its death. Auntie was not too happy with my indifference & wishing to get back to the Yankee game on TV.
Ultimately (the next day, alas requiring another trip to the roof & the staircase street & much keening), the guy in the apt immediately above found the cat & called down. I was sent to pick it up & was tempted...Nevermind. - 8/21/07, 6:12 PM
- Glenn Kenny said...
Age Group Mom—
Is there an Italian restaurant? Italian restaurants used to be the only game in town. Mr. York already mentioned Monte's, there's Marco Polo on Court, the mysterious Two Toms' on Third Ave...and on Smith, by the "Gowanus Yacht Club," there's the Red Rose, which matches your description. The maitre'd/manager is Santo, son of the restaurant's founders; his dad, Tony, still makes the rice balls and they're remarkable. - 8/21/07, 6:37 PM
- Glenn Kenny said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- Maxine Weiss said...
When the Police Man asks the Little Lady what she's doing out at that time of night, he's simply looking out for her and trying to protect her virtue.
I'd be flattered someone so big and strong cares about my well-being.
There's no grounds for a civil suit. The Policemen have the right to be proactive, and try to stop a future, potential crime BEFORE it occurs. - 8/21/07, 6:38 PM
- Trooper York said...
Age group mom...the restaurant is called Red Rose and is still going strong...Santo (the son) is in charge now...but dad still makes his rice balls and mom still sneaks a cig at the front table...I first met the family when the had a shop on Cheever Place around the corner from Sacred Hearts...they had a 25 cent potatoes and sauce hero to die for...but as you know they stepped it up a lot since then
- Eric said...
The man-shaped sign is advertising Gaffel Kolsch.
That's enough to draw me in.
From newyork.citysearch.com:
"A "Beer Garden" with no restroom is an Accident... too late. I wet myself. Hey, when I was 22 watering a nearby tree was kewl but at 28... Not So Much. Especailly since I live near the GYC. But the customers they get who are NOT from Carroll Gardens don't care where they leave their mark especailly when they are encouraged and/or dared by the GYC workers." - 8/21/07, 7:06 PM
- downtownlad said...
Gowanus Yacht Club is one of the best bars in New York.
I hear they finally were allowed to turn their grill back on as well . . . - 8/21/07, 7:21 PM
- Trooper York said...
They originally had the sign around back....but they paved over the area and made it into a parking lot...that's the place to pee...just don't touch Jerry's SUV...because there is a good chance you can get an STD from that SUV.
- rcocean said...
Althouse, would you quit posting interesting photographs and comments.
We need turn away from things of interest and discuss more important matters - like Scooter Libby. And what did Karl Rove say to Robert Novak 2 years ago. - 8/21/07, 9:34 PM
- Jeff said...
Bunnies are very upsetting.
I've got a theory - 8/21/07, 9:49 PM
- Eric said...
Trooper, Downtown:
Is GYC busy during daylight hours?
I'm planning to visit some relatives in NYC soon, and a visit to Brooklyn Brewery and a Polish deli down the street is a definite.
A sidetrip to GYC is a maybe. I don't know if my Aunt Millie will dig the no bathroom scene. - 8/21/07, 9:58 PM
- Maxine Weiss said...
Notice how Althouse doesn't post in the evening. Her last post was at 2:25 pm.
That Althouse---completely caught up in the New York social whirl !
Spending her evenings out and about. Making the rounds of New York nightlife...
Good for her. And we were all so worried that she'd batten down the hatches with a self-imposed curfew.
Apparently, that's not the case. Evidently, that she's not afraid to venture out to points unknown, after dark. --As evidenced by the lack of evening postings. - 8/21/07, 11:10 PM
- ricpic said...
The city is gritty,
Its harm is its charm:
A ditty of pity:
Alarm into balm. - 8/22/07, 3:17 AM
- FGFM said...
Apparently, that's not the case. Evidently, that she's not afraid to venture out to points unknown, after dark. --As evidenced by the lack of evening postings.
She's putting on tights and fighting crime. - 8/22/07, 6:52 AM
- From Inwood said...
Your visit to this somewhat unprepossessing place, ironically named, one supposes & Maxine's overblown fears reminded me of Auden's opening lines (tho, of course his uncertainty & fears related to Herr Hitler):
September 1, 1939
by W. H. Auden
I sit in one of the dives
On Fifty-second Street
Uncertain and afraid.... - 8/22/07, 8:18 AM
- Trooper York said...
Eric the Gonwanus Yacth Club is only open during the day on weekends and it is closed when there is inclement weather...but you can find it at 323 Smith St, corner of President, which is the Carroll St stop on the F or G line...but just to be sure for a good time call 718-857-6309.
- Eric said...
Thanks, Trooper.


text:
Sponsored Links
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text:
Overseas Listing & Branch Share Registries
Document date:
Mon 04 May 1998
Mon 04 May 1998 00:00:00
Document No:
Document part:
Market Flag:
HOMEX - Melbourne +++++++++++++++++++++++++ This is to advise: * The New Zealand branch register was transferred from the offices of ANZ Banking Group (New Zealand) Limited to Corporate Registry Services Ltd, Private Bag 92119, Auckland, New Zealand, with effect on the close of business 30/4/98; The listing of the Bank's shares on the London Stock Exchange is to be discontinued at the close of business on 18/5/98; * The United Kingdom branch register is to close and entries transferred to the principle register at Coopers & Lybrand, 12th Floor, 333 Collins Street, Melbourne on 18/5/98. Letters have been sent to shareholders on the New Zealand and UK branch registers respectively. R Jones 1


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Charlie Hunnam is OUT as Christian Grey!
Back to the drawing board. Charlie Hunnam was in as Christian Grey for the 50 Shades of Grey movie, but he has bailed. You can't really blame him...there were thousands of people that signed an online petition to get him out as Christian Grey. I don't know if that was the reason Charlie left the project, but it couldn't have been easy.
The author of 50 Shades wanted Robert Pattinson to play the part, but ....I don't know..doesn't seem to fit (a bit too pale if you asked me).
Who would you want to step into the role?


text:
Help us improve our prizes database. Contact us if you have more information.
Winner: Archibald Prize 2009
With his extraordinary voice and hauntingly beautiful album Gurrumul, Indigenous singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has become something of a cultural phenomenon over the last year.
Born blind, the gifted musician leads a traditional lifestyle on Elcho Island in Arnhem Land and sings in his native Yolngu language, but his fame is spreading the world. He recently won two coveted ARIA Awards among others and was named NT Australian of the Year for 2008.
Guy Maestri saw Gurrumul live on New Year's Eve last year and says it was "truly, an unforgettable experience. Word had been going around all day and the rumours were true– people really were moved to tears."
Believing that this "inspiring, amazing man" would be an ideal subject for a portrait, Maestri managed to track Gurrumul down in Darwin with the help of a friend in the music industry only to discover that he was flying to New York the following weekend.
Offered a 40-minute window of opportunity to meet him early one Saturday morning at Sydney airport, Maestri seized it. "I was introduced to Gurrumul by Michael Hohnen, his bass player, record producer and close friend, who explained to him about the Archibald and why I wanted to paint him."
Maestri did lots of sketches and studied Gurrumul's face intently. "More importantly, I got a sense of his presence and this determined the nature of the portrait: quiet and strong. I usually work in a very liberal, gestural way but this time I built up the image quietly and slowly with many glazes in an attempt to capture the beautiful quality of his skin. I worked on it for over a month, mostly while listening to his music. I made sure to read the lyrics and understand the meaning of each song. The whole process became quite an emotional experience."
Born in Mudgee, NSW in 1974, Maestri completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons) in painting at the National Art School, Darlinghurst in 2003. He has had solo exhibitions at the Tim Olsen Gallery and was a finalist in the 2007 and 2008 Dobell Drawing Prize.


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There's a reason why Cindy Crawford was dubbed "Baby Gia" when she first hit the modeling scene. Indeed, Crawford, now the world's best-known supermodel, greatly resembled model Gia Carangi, who went from high school to the cover of British Vogue in less than two years. Carangi appeared on many more covers of Vogue (French, British, Italian, and American) and Cosmopolitan before dying of complications from AIDs (she was an IV heroin user) in 1986. Now most people recognize Carangi's name from this powerful HBO film that stars Golden Globe-winner Angelina Jolie, who comes by her talent honestly. Jolie is the daughter of veteran actor Jon Voight, and her own training as a model serves her well--she has the moves. Throughout, she's heartbreaking--as no doubt the real Carangi was--effective, and stunning. With good source material (Stephen Fried's A Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia), Jolie's stunning performance, and strong directing by Michael Cristofer, the movie goes beyond the merely sensational. The script was cowritten by Cristofer and novelist Jay McInerney, whose Bright Lights, Big City covers similar territory. As a cautionary tale, Gia works. But to watch Jolie in her character's tragic self-destruction is utterly compelling. --N.F. Mendoza
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Mambo Sinuendo
Ry Cooder and Manuel Galbán. | Nonesuch/Perro Verde.
Continuing the Cuban music odyssey he began to great acclaim on Buena Vista Social Club, Ry Cooder teams with fellow guitarist Manuel Galbán for the delightful Mambo Sinuendo. The stew of influences includes the twang of Duane Eddy, the orchestral drama of Henry Mancini, and the snazzy pop jazz of Perez Prado, whose 1958 hit, "Patricia," receives an elegant reading. In the spirit of Mexico's Esquivel, though less goofy, Cooder and Galbán create mood music that refuses to stay in the background. From the seductive "La Luna en Tu Mirada" to the caffeinated "Los Twangueros," this is delicious fare.


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Day Out With Thomas (TM)
Friday, Jul 13, 2012 9:15 AM EDT
Conway Scenic Railroad, North Conway, NH
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Day Out With Thomas™ offers an opportunity for children and their families to take a 25 minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™ and to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, the Controller of the Railway. Every event has a Thomas & Friends Imagination Station with Thomas-themed activities including stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts, and a Thomas storytelling and video viewing area. The activities on site at Day Out With Thomas™ are for you and your children to enjoy for several hours or more. You should arrive at least one hour before your scheduled train departure.
For more information about this event (directions, FAQs, ADA accommodations, etc.) please visit the Conway Scenic Railroad website or call 603-356-5251.
© 2012 (Thomas) Limited. A HIT Entertainment Company.


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Results 37 to 39 of 39
Re: Do you wanna know why the Ravens don't run this offense on the road?
I don't mind run-run-pass, especially early in the game or when we have a good lead. The problem isn't the run-run-pass, it's the run-run-throw it deep down the sideline play selection, especially early in games, but even when we have a lead. Flacco needs to hear the words "throw it to Boldin" before he trots on the field every time. Whenever we need to get a drive and he throws it to Boldin, we start moving the chains. That's how we clawed back to win at home against Arizona last year. That's how the game-winning drive started against the Browns. Run the ball, and throw it to Boldin.
That's how the Coryell is designed to work, and Cam's insistence on trying to go backwards down the play chart is what stalls this offense.
11-12-2012, 04:34 PM #38Hyperbolic curmudgeometer
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Re: Do you wanna know why the Ravens don't run this offense on the road?
Oh, dear me, Beast, there also comes a time when people need to realize that this team has had many good things handed to them on silver platters by their opponents, e.g., Palmer getting tripped by his own guard on that early 4th down play. Not that I'm complaining about it--I just think it's nutz to expect that to continue. I have trouble seeing how we get to 10 wins without catching a few more (maybe more than a few more) breaks along the way, & while the Law of Averages is only valid over a lot longer stretch than a football season, things do have a way of regressing to the mean--i.e., evening out.


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Artist description:
quick sketch, add some basic color.... :|
this's supposed to be a part of my first wip (1st part), but i forgot to save it, now how do i continue this ?? oh god,why am i so clumsy ?????
Java Draw Created Sep 08, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 pechucky.
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yeah,...you're right, i used to be a sasuke's fangirl (not a hardcore though) and i've drawn him several times, when i want to draw a cold and mysterious guy, i can't help thinking of him ^^
It's all Sasukes falt for having such a stylish haircut! :) Cool drawing :D The guy will surely turn into a werewolf, so awesome! :)


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December 2014
Revisiting my 2009 All-Star Christmas Baseball Squad
Every Christmas Eve it has become customary over the last several years for me to wander through the pages of MLBlogs and take a journey into the Christmas minds of some of our great bloggers.
This year my adventures turned up several great redux renditions of the Christmas classic poem "T'was The Night Before Christmas", and I even found a few Holiday "Wish Lists" searching for wins, the postseason and an eventual ring for 2011.
As I was traveling through MLBlogs, I thought to myself, "Self, what would be the ultimate Christmas All Holiday baseball squad?"
I somehow answered my own question immediately in my mind and began to seek the right combination of Christmas-based characters both human and cartoon to field such a Holiday squad. I ventured back into the cobwebbed recesses of my past favorite memories on film and television.
Let me tell you that sometimes even Wikipedia can't help as I entered into a vision quest to determine the right pairing of 10 players and coaches for the Polar Express. Being that we will be playing in the North American Winter League, I have instituted the Designated Santa on my team. I think this squad has the right hint of animation and human elements to make this team a winner.
Starting Pitcher:
I decided that the only person who could be the starting pitcher for the Polar Express had to be Charlie Brown. His classic Christmas TV special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" first hit the CBS airwaves way back in 1965 and was an instant hit with kids of all ages.
I thought Brown was my perfect holiday pitcher because of his vast past experiences pitching.
Of course I did balk at the chance that Brown could somehow be suddenly de-clothed by a sharp liner up the middle after he hangs one of his patented mid-80's curve balls. Brown has the uncanny fortitude to throw hard and long into games for the Express.
I did not have to think long and hard about the right guy to catch for this team. I did however need someone who had some brawn and might be dumb enough to sit back there and be ready for anything coming off the fingertips of Charlie Brown.
I considering all the positive and negative variables and kept with my first impression that Cousin Eddie from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" was the man for the job. "Christmas Vacation" first hit movie houses back in 1989 and became an instant classic for it's off beat humor and odd but familiar family gathering situations. Eddie is a pretty big guy, and he looks like he could block the plate like an ice sheet.
Now that you have seen my pitcher/catcher battery, I decided that this team will not need any relief pitchers since it might have the 10-run rule in effect going into the 5th inning knowing the way Charlie Brown pitches to batters'. So let's get you now acquainted with the 5 infielder I selected for my All Holiday team.
First Baseman:
I wanted to get a guy who has some solid baseball experience to man the First Base bag. We needed a solid guy to protect the line and can post up correctly on the bag if the ball gets hit into the infield.
I chose a guy who owns a few minor league ball clubs in real life as my first bagger. I think he can do the job with a flair, and if not, provide a comedic relief maneuver or two while out hugging the bag.
I decided to with Francis Xavier Cross from the film "Scrooged". I have always thought this was a awesome Nuevo take on the Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol."
The film originally hit theatres back in 1988, and is still one of my favorite comedy movies for the holidays. I think that Bill Murray captured the perfect sarcastic essence of a socially detached Scrooge, and his comic genius shows brilliantly through in this adaptation.
Second Baseman:
I wanted a Second Baseman who could be as quick as a rabbit (or bunny). He needed to have that rifle arm and accuracy to get the double play, or to cover the bag when Cousin Eddie launches a rocket to tag out a rambling polar bear trying to steal a base to get into scoring position. I with smart Ralphie Parker from "A Christmas Story" to play second base for me.
The movie has been another holiday appetizer since its original screening date in 1983. Wonder if I can talk Ralphie into asking his Dad if he wants to sell that lamp yet?
In the film, Ralphie showed the type of moxie I want on Second Base who is smart enough to think on the fly to either talk about the notorious leg lamp, or just be quiet as a mouse.
Ralphie also has the determination and spunk to keep pestering his parents for that Red Ryder BB gun. Hopefully the ball coming in hard and fast from Cousin Eddie from behind the plate will not put his eye out.
My Shortstop has to be extra agile and have smarts to think on his feet at the same time. He has to be able to use his internally cold instincts to decide if the throw should be made, or possibly cover second as the pivot man on a ball hit to the first base side of the bag.
I think, that Hermie, the dentist elf from "Rudolf the Red-Nose Reindeer" would be the perfect guy to man the hole position for the Express. He showed remarkable smart judgment during the TV special, which first hit the networks in 1964. And with over 46 years of intelligent moves, Hermie should be a valuable addition to the squad.
Third Baseman:
Playing third, I had to find a big guy who could move laterally and go blindly into foul territory for pop-ups. He also had to have some horizontal versatility towards the chalk on the left-field line.
He had to be a power hitter to help produce runs and add some protection for our little squad. It had to be a movie character from the couple of years to add some youthful vitality and vigor.
My Third Baseman had to have the energy and the motivation to add to this teams awesome charismatic chemistry. The personality that fit like a glove perfectly to me was Buddy from the movie "Elf."
He has the comedic chops to take one for the team and would sacrifice his body. His quick wit and glove along with his power stroke should provide more than a few Kodak moments as his long high drives make it over the high walled snow fences.
Left Fielder:
My choice for Left Field could not have two-left feet. He has to have the agility and the coordination of an athlete, plus run like a deer.
He had to be sure footed and be able to dance in the outfield while chasing down flares and dying quails. The guy who I think would be a model Left-Fielder for this squad was George Bailey of "It's A Wonderful Life".
I just hope George remembers to put some extra Zuzu petals in his uniform pants pockets before he takes the field. We know they are magical.
Center fielder:
I needed to find a shrewd and sometimes calculating Center fielder. Someone who could snipe a base runner who made a mistake, or tried to score on his arm. I needed someone with a huge heart who would run and run all over the field and get the ball where ever it was on the field.
I needed someone who could exhibit some sense of emotion even if he is a problem-child at times, but plays the game on the team's level too.
For that reason, I picked Grinch from the movie "The Grinch". I wanted someone who could go from bad to good in a heartbeat. If he did make a bad play, or a questionable action on or off the field, I could just say it was the "Grinch just being the Grinch".
I wanted to find a Right-Fielder who was not be afraid of the snow wall, or of sprinting towards a pop-up down the icy foul line. I wanted to see a nice combination of horizontal or vertical movement towards the failing sphere.
He needed to have a rifle arm and a uncanny wit about him to keep base runners honest on the base paths.
I chose Ernest from "Ernest Saves Christmas". This 1988 sequel, to a sequel, to a sequel kept a long line of profitable movies going for over a decade.
We needed that kind of staying power in our Right Field. A streak like that can be contagious on a team. If the team has that kind of confidence, they will go above expectations and strive to be the best in the Winter League.
Designated Santa:
I needed a huge lovable character who could also slam the tar out of the ball for this spot in the lineup. Someone who evokes the bit of charm and the joy of the big guy himself.
He had to be able to belly up to the plate and hit it a mile, or at least to the South Pole with his swing.
The guy I picked for this position has been cranking out several installments of his own movie franchise. I picked Scott Calvin as my Designated Santa from the movie, "The Santa Clause".
That kind of confidence and staying power will be needed in the clutch for this team. It also helps protect the younger hitters on the team by showing the power and the possible results of pitching to this Christmas giant.
First and Third Base Coaches'
Now that we have finished with the fielding and Designated Santa position, let's meet the two extraordinary base coaches' selected for the Polar Express. Both come with their own sets of particular unique in-game behaviors, and both can help base runners and hitters alike in the game situations.
First Base Coach:
Over in the First Base box we have a guy who can make the ball seem to "freeze" in mid-air. He was instrumental in teaching players how to hit frozen ropes down the line for extra bases hit for the 2010 Express.
This Coach has been described as a cold hearted soul, who can always melt you with just his smile.
His cunning direction and cool nature makes him the perfect First Base Coach for this team. I am talking about the always cool cat known as the Snow Miser.
He was in the 1974 classic movie " A Year Without Santa Claus", and has been giving icy banter to opposing players for years. His cold demeanor is legendary. He uses his cold hard facts to make the opposition freeze in their tracks while trying to diving for low balls or foul pop-ups hit by the Polar Express.
He is the kind of guy you do not want nipping at your nose, and the perfect Coach for this team.
Third Base Coach:
Our Third Base Coach is a Christmas Hall of Fame legend. He had been blazing the trail like a beacon in the night for years pioneering the use of unique signals and well placed lighting to facilitate the proper transfer of anticipated moves and pre-arranged actions to Polar Express base runners' and batters'.
His expert knowledge of reindeer games and his leadership expertise is unparallel in the Winter League. I am talking about the brilliant Rudolf. Since his first sighting on televisions in 1964, he has been leading a lighted path for children and players alike to the real spirit of Christmas.
His classic "Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" TV special is a holiday necessity that is even today without an equal. It is for that reason that he should be the perfect choice as the Third Base Coach for this high-powered squad of Christmas icons.
Without Rudolf showing us the way on Christmas, we would be blinded by the darkness and might end up losing our way around the base paths.
It has been a great pleasure today giving you some of my All Time Christmas iconic players that had to take the field for this special squad.
There certainly will be your own thoughts and rationale for extra additions and subtractions of certain characters to this team, but unless these selected All Holiday baseball players moving on, or are retiring to the celluloid and video vaults, the true essence and the spirit of this team will live on forever in our hearts and minds……………………..
Merry Christmas to everyone in the MLBlogs.com community and beyond!!
Rays Renegade
Rays Renegade & The Pitchouts (2010 edition) Wish You Happy Holidays
As we gander closer to the Holiest nights of the year, I want to take a moment out and thank the many viewers, commentator's and baseball friends who have made this year of 2010 so…well glorious.
I might not be sporting 5 Golden Rings, but another A L East banner for the Tropicana Field rafters was an expensive present, but more than enough to send 4 Lords a-leaping in my book.
I thought it was only right to honor and pay a holiday tribute to guys who made a lot of what happened for the Tampa Bay Rays possible in 2010.
No, I am not talking about the Rays 3 Wise Men, Stuart Sternberg (Owner), Matt Silverman (President) or Andrew Friedman (VP of Baseball Ops), even though their leadership and vision, along with over $ 70 million little helpers did play a significant role.
I am talking about the quintuplets of quality, the Rays starting 5 rotation. These five hurlers rocked both the Trop. and everywhere else in the MLB this season to produce 96 wins (only 1 win short of their 2008 record).
The Rays rambunctious five even tried to produce 5 separate 200+ innings producers, and only got derailed by a late season road bump by Jeff Niemann and Wade Davis and still came within 37.2 innings of the feat.
So it was only right that the Ray Clubhouse new Rock, Rap and Reggae band, The Pitch-Outs should bring you a little holiday cheer.
The band is led by the dramatic and charismatic vocal soundings of Matt Garza, who gets to those classic Rock falsetto high notes just as quickly as his 95+ high and tight fastball screams over the plate.
His physical nature as the Punch-Outs front man is showcased by him toying with the crowd before delivering a solid move that is more crippling than his backdoor slider.
Behind him we have the always rock solid lead guitar work of the Ace of the quint, James Shields, who sometimes wears a gray beard off stage as a disguise to keep his many fans at bay.
But on stage there is no disputing the talents and ability of this emerging rock legend as his fingers take to the Stratocaster and take you on a melody ride on his crazy train.
On the left side of the stage we have the southpaw David Price who is very noticeable in his blond flowing locks and seems to be the shy guy of the bunch until he get his guitar strap over his shoulder, then he turns into a modern day Bootsy Collins just up there trying to seduce, embrace and groove to the music.
His rhythm guitar is one of the solid reasons this Rays band of hurlers is going places, and might just eventually challenge Garza for some of the band's spotlight in 2011.
On the bass guitar is country born and bred Wade Davis, who has taken to the music the same way he takes the mound…with authority and has produced one of the best Rays rookie campaigns in the team's short history.
In his first extended time at the MLB level, Davis has shown he can step to the mound and deliver and be a consistent part of the future of this amazing band. Sky is the limit as Davis enters his Sophomore tour with no signs of letting up or moving into the background.
Last, but definitely not least we have the Tall Texan, Jeff Niemann who was put behind the drum set only because he kept hitting the band's stage lighting with his head during their earlier sets.
But the big man can definitely hit the skins and showed in 2010 that his beats are as good as anyone out there, and that you can never count him out. With his patented move of jumping up from the drums set and leaping into the air with the band's last number, the 6′ 8″ Niemann suddenly produces one of the band's great moments of the night.
So this holiday season it just seemed only fitting to let the band successful CD's like "Buckled your Knees" ,"Backdoor Slider Blues", " KO Blues" or even the emotional passion of "Pitching My Heart Away" should be in the stocking of the ones you love.
The band optimizes the energy and gusto that is the frankincense and spice that encircles the Rays Republicuniverse. So be sure to watch and listen to the holiday styling's of The Pitch-outs and look for another CD to drop in April 2011.
From everyone, even the mice at the Rays Renegade abode, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that all of life's gifts are delivered to you under your glistening Christmas tree or in your stocking this holiday season.
2014 All-Hero Holiday Baseball Team
Several years ago I started a MLBlogs.com Holiday tradition by posting about my personal character selections for that season's All-Holiday squad. The first squad selected back in 2008 was composed of characters we all know and love from our favorite holiday movies and shows.
The usual suspects were invited on the team like George Bailey and little Ralphie, and of course Rudolph. But I knew I had to bring about a more super human strength factor this Holiday Season if we were to beat the current League Champions and their stormtroopers.
Since the "Evil Empire" took the trophy in 2009, I could always hit the "Stars Wars" human and machine memory banks and find more than enough characters and antics to post a pretty good line-up. This holiday season's roster will be based on Super Heroes. So let's get on with the formal introductions of my All-Holiday squad for 2011.
So with no further ado, let me introduce to you the 11 players of the newly formed N'oreastern Blizzard, the second franchise of the North American League.
This was a tough decision knowing that so many great super heroes could throw a baseball not only through a strike zone, but through the stadium backstop and wall. I decided to take it in a bit of a different direction. He might be the youngest of the Fantastic Four, but the Human Torch was an easy choice for my starting pitcher. This decision did come with some possible side effects with the baseball actually vaporizing before it gets near the plate. But I have a plan.
With the definite possibility that the other team could chart his flame path to try to steal his pitch locations, I asked Jonathan Lowell SpencerStorm to throw an extra puff of trailing smoke along with the ball to cover its path to the plate. I also dipped all 13 dozen game balls (the same number as the MLB uses per game) in a flame retardant liquid that would not leave a residue, but would leave the ball intact for numerous flights to the plate.
First Baseman:
I decided to go with my gut instinct here and put Mr. Fantastic aka Reed Richards, the leader of the Fantastic Four at first base bag as much for his intelligence in the arts of alien biology and physics as for his vertical and horizontal dexterity. Because he could conveniently stretch out far and wide, it made him another clear choice because of his flexibility get errant throws and also provide superb dives and lunges for balls hit either to his left or right.
Here is the position where I am thinking I will get the biggest feedback in the form of the player I picked for this spot. I decided to give this spot to Super Sentai, who was actually the basis for the popular Power Rangers characters. Unknown to most of us in the United States, this Super Hero series has been translated and brought to other cultures around the world from Brazil, Italy, Spain and Portugal to even the US where they were transformed into the Power Rangers. Super Sentai is my only super hero that has come from overseas to play America's game, and has found his rightful place among my team.
Spiderman aka Peter Parker was one of the only super heroes to not be a protegé at one point in his development. Parker seemed a natural and true choice for this position if you consider his web-shooting ability along with his uncanny spidey-sense. That essence of instinct and range makes him a natural for the spot. And with the mantra, "With great power comes great responsibility" spoken to him by his late Uncle Bob, Spiderman could actually maybe be a nice clone of a certain "Evil Empire" shortstop with his remarkable range and throwing accuracy.
Third Baseman:
I decided the Hot Corner should be patrolled by Spawn. Because most 3B's are viewed as baseball mercenaries, this former CIA agent fits perfectly into the mold of a MLB 3-bagger. Considering his character has been known to morph and change during the course of his adventures, this might transform perfectly for him at third base where I though his uncanny ability to transform and stand tall and firm while guarding the line might be the perfect trait for this position. And knowing that games can be won and lost down the Right field line, his ever-expanding bag of tricks from sprinting in for bunted ball to making odd angle throws or even making full-body dives over the bag to snag balls screaming down the line at the speed of light makes him the perfect choice.
This line-up spot was actually very easy for me. The character taking this spot has to dive, block and basically be a human wall to the Human Torch's hot tamale pitches. That is why Thing from the Fantastic Four was the perfect pick. As the founding member of the Fantastic Four, Thing also can be the field general that every team needs behind the plate. Born Benjamin Jacob Grimm, he was an avid football player, which will make him a perfect wall when he stands in front of the plate and blocks a runner from trying to score on him. And with his orange-colored skin, he will be an easy target for any member of the Blizzard's pitching staff. Add on his comical tag line of: "It's clobbering Time", and you get one of my team's pure power hitters.
Left field:
I wanted to use one member from the Batman franchise here. For that reason I selected the Batman (Christian Bale version) who could be the most productive and intimidating based on the uncanny ability to leer into the infield might keep guys from trying to stretch singles into doubles. Just a glare from his eyes might freeze a runner between bases and hesitate just enough for him to get a quick throw in and nail him for an outfield assist. Added on the fact he has enough pieces of equipment on his utility belt to scale any wall, even the Green Monster and bring the ball back into play. Plus the caped crusader has some pretty cool rides which translates nicely into the MLB lifestyle.
Right field:
Here is another spot that I thought demanded that I have one of the fastest super heroes in the corner outfield to cover the Centerfield-Right field gap. For that reason, Flash seemed to be the perfect fit. I decided that the Scarlett Speedster would be a nice deterrent to teams trying to not only run on his arm, but test his abilities to get to almost any ball hit his way. One of the greats attributes a Rightfielder can have is teams' fearing what he will do once he has the ball in his glove or hand. Flash gives me that extra jolt of confidence that if a runner is trying to score from third base, the throw will be at the plate with authority.
Center field:
This one was actually another one of the easiest positions to fill on this roster. Who else but Superman (Christopher Reeves version) could patrol the gaps and distances to the centerfield wall. Partner that with a great ability to keep the ball in the park hit at any height, and you get a solid defensive outfielder who also can bring some super power to the plate.He could take a bit of pressure off Batman in Left field, but it would be on a purely speed basis to secure the out and not be an ego thing. Mark that with his solid personal makeup and you got a guy that the fans would also enjoy having him autograph a ball with his eyes, or even pose for pictures strutting his muscles.
Here is a spot I did not include my initial 2008 squad, and I felt terrible about it. Every team needs a guy who can button down those close games and give them that needed push to hold a team scoreless and then win in walk-off fashion. For that reason, I think the Punisher is the perfect man for the job.
Not only does the Punisher have those human flaw trademarks we all know and love in our closers, he has that anti-hero trait that most MLB closer possess and use to their advantage. As Frank Castle, the Punisher will use whatever methods are needed to get a positive end result. That, is the ultimate goal of every closer, to have the game come down to his abilities and he conquer them single-handedly.
I think there is only one choice considering it has to be a position of power and great energy. Without a doubt, the prefect DH would have to be the Incredible Hulk. Just on his pure ability to hit the cover off the ball. Hulk has the ability to change, so he could be his green imposing self at the plate, and transform into his human form and become a speed merchant on the base paths. But, for the sake of argument, I think he will try to maintain his angered state throughout the baseball game just for team confidence.
So there you go. This is my player selections for my Christmas 2011 roster of the newly formed second team in the North America League. Unlike the AFL or even the USFL, this baseball league will continue to expand with at least one team forming every Christmas season until we have enough teams to play every day of the holiday season.
This is my own little personal Winter League experiment, and with three teams already in the books, it will be fun to watch both the N'oreastern Blizzards, Evil Empire and the Polar Express playing on a cool and sunny Florida baseball diamond near you. Admission is free and remember, a hot dog always tastes better at the ballpark!
Happy Holidays to everyone from Rays Renegade.
St. Pete. City Council Puts Steamy Piles of Coal in Rays Stocking
I'm dumbfounded and disgusted right now.
Not simply by the obscure comment I heard during today's St. Petersburg City Council meeting made about the "arrogance of the Rays" in regard to this issue and if that is not the pot calling the kettle black then we seriously are in trouble as a city.
This Rays ongoing stadium stalemate is beginning to feel like a modern rendition of the tale regarding Sysphus.
I guess the best way to illustrate this point is if the Rays mascot Raymond on in this case Rays-phus begins pushing a boulder towards the tilted top of Tropicana Field and as he nears the cupola it begins to rolling back and Raymond must again repeat the process again…and again…to infinity.
I think the St. Pete. City Council has unknowingly finally jumped the proverbial shark and truly are not thinking about a lasting baseball presence in the city. But then again, what do you expect from a city that can't decide on a Pier design and wants a modern masterpiece that will stick out like a sore thumb with the surrounding Mediterranean-Spanish influenced structures
Without a doubt this was a called Strike 2 on any baseball's future in St. Petersburg, maybe even Tampa Bay.
Plain and simple, the St. Pete. City Council tonight might have finally made it morally and ethically for the Tampa Bay Rays to call the city's lawsuit bluff and they might finally venture outside of St. Petersburg…. no matter the financial or legal repercussions.
I truly thought that St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and the Rays President of Operations Brian Auld produced a fair and just starting pointof cooperation for the team to regain or provide some positive movement towards finding a new stadium for the team.
The St. Pete. City Council really had nothing financially to lose by approving this mutually arranged agreement with the Rays. Instead they might have caused the wheels to begin turning on the Rays exit strategy.
By them voting against this agreement the City Council might collectively risk St. Pete's baseball future and force the hand of Major League Baseball who can without recourse oe worry pluck this team out of the region in a heartbeat and pay the Rays stadium contract out of their petty cash box.
So by a 5-3 vote to not approve the reached agreement by Mayor Kriseman and the Rays on a stadium exploration agreement outside the city limits of St. Pete, they must now accept the present and future consequences of this action.
First off, to St. Petersburg City Council members Karl Nurse, Charlie Gerdes (my Councilman) and City Council Vice- Chairman Daren Rice.. Thank you for your insight, confidence and trust that by voting in the affirmative we can find a viable solution to the Rays stadium issue whether within out city limits or outside them.
To St. Petersburg City Council members from Chairman Bill Dudley, Steve Kornell, Jim Kennedy, Amy Foster, and finally Wengay Newton…..Shame on you for letting this stalemate continue and not bring some sunshine back into the darkness that has been the Rays stadium saga with our fair city.
Some will say I have not right saying this, but I was born in St. Anthony's Hospital, educated in St. Petersburg and I have given my heart and soul defending it in the past to disapproving souls, but tonight I'm embarrassed by the tunnel vision and negative energy created by this vote for the city and its citizens.
Without a shadow of a doubt right now I understand some of the logic for the rejection, but to slam the door on the Rays like this hastens the team's ownership's want to leave this region in the dust and fall into the welcoming embrace of a city like Nashville or Montreal.
I expect a terse and very firm worded response from Major League Baseball to hit the wires proclaiming their frustration that the team's host city wants to play "hard ball", but in essence MLB and the Rays truly hold all the important cards.
By negating this agreement fashioned by your own Mayor it not only proves he doesn't have true support on the City Council, he has a band of talking heads who vote with their perceived notions, not the true intention of their voting public.
I do not only worry about this decision for my own St. Pete Rays fans and residents, but I feel like I need to apologize to every other city and country within Tampa Bay region for the audacious antics of my hometown's City Council.
But I shouldn't have to do that. The Rays are one of our largest spring to fall assets within St. Petersburg. They employ so many of our citizens, pay taxes, support the local economy plus give endless amount of time , money and energy to causes outside the Trop's walls within this St. Petersburg community.
Instead out elected City Council decides they know the opinions of their represented people and basically tell one of our greatest tourism tool to "go to their room" like they did something wrong.
Seriously, if I was the Rays, I would not wait patiently with their bat on their shoulders awaiting the next St. Pete curveball. I applaud Mayor Kriseman for his due diligence in trying to keep this matter from escalating, but you have to think the Rays have the advantage now
And I guess the St Pete City Council doesn't understand basic baseball realities. The Rays now have a full count 3-2 against them and believe me they will not give the city of St. Pete. The satisfaction of a strike out.
They could simply stand there and take the pitch calling the cities bluff …and walking…never giving St. Pete a second glance.
Post Script:
If you want to read the Rays and Mayor's mutually agreed upon document put before the St. Petersburg City Council today, here is a link to the file (thanks to the Tampa Bay Times).
Silverman Restoring Faith in the Rays, One Trade at a Time
Matt Silverman, my cap is tilted to you.
Got to admit, I thought the Tampa Bay Rays might make a few moves to fill holes and bring competition into Spring Training, but I never imagined we would see the bodies fly this winter.
And that's a good thing.
Sure I will miss the likes of outfield duo of Wil Myers, Matt Joyce and several of the Rays pieces that have left this team via trades this off season, but what you have brought back to the Rays with these trades will immediately make an impact on the Rays offensive and defensive alignments for many seasons to come.
That is what a true leader does. They go out and make a team better without a dollar spent or a moment of sleep lost. Right now the new President of Baseball Operations is healing the Rays Republic's gaping mental and emotional wounds left by Andrew Friedman leaving for Chavez Ravine and bringing up morale and cohesion among the Tampa Bay fan base.
It took a lot of internal guts and fortitude to hire a first time Manager like Kevin Cash, but the guy has the energy, passion and baseball smarts to not only do the job, but have the rest of us want success for him right out of the gate.
An oversight most people are not connecting with is Cash will be an instrumental piece of the puzzle for the Rays young catchers as they come up and develop in the system or at the MLB level.
With Cash only a handful of seasons away from wearing the backstop gear, his insight and knowledge of the needed skill set of an MLB starting catcher cannot be taught or duplicated. It might not have been the most popular choice, but it will be one that works cohesively with the Rays style of play and should bring immediate results to this team.
For that, I want to say "Thank you".
So many times when a team has the type of high level personnel changes the Rays have had since October, there is a shock and awe period where things stay the same and change is not aggressively embraced or executed. So far this off season, that has not been your game plan.
Instead you have shed several bulky salaries like Jeremy Hellickson and Joel Peralta and gotten enough in return to satisfy not only your bottom line, but let the system restock itself and possibly build a few more trade assets heading into the not so distant future.
Even more impressive has been you commitment that no one on the roster or system is safe from trade, and by not only making that statement, but showing it by trading Joyce and Myers, you have made a great statement to the rest of Major League Baseball that the Rays might not have the biggest payroll in baseball, but they will have the talent to stack up against their AL East foes.
As Boston, New York, Baltimore and Toronto re-stock and re-focus for 2015, the Rays have aggressively looked for stop-gaps and talented individuals to fill holes, provide added strength and stay competitive without rewarding a single player with a contract that could cripple the Rays chances of being the Beasts from the East again.
I have said for a while that the Rays are at a proverbial tipping point in regards to talent, payroll and their fan base. Moves and trades like the ones completed by Silverman and crew will go a long way into enticing the Tampa Bay community to embrace the Rays and show the rest of the baseball nation that Tampa Bay is a place where baseball can survive after the spring thaw.
Again, thank you Matt for taking positive steps so early in the off season to bring back so many and so much to the Rays fold.
Myself, as a long-time Rays fan am extremely grateful for the job you have done so far this offseason.
Joyce for Jepsen Trade Immediately Makes Rays Better
It was written in the Florida sands that the Tampa Bay Rays might trade their left-handed outfielder Matt Joyce before spring training.
Some would say it was out of the Rays usual character to trade 2 player's straight-up for one another. But then again, until this afternoon we did not know of the Rays heightened want to find an immediate stop-gap to fill an early 2015 seasonal void left by an unforeseen pitching injury and subsequent surgery.
So the swapping of Joyce and reliever Kevin Jepsen takes on a far different hue than the usual off season trade of two players as Jepsen will be called upon immediately fill a late inning void left by the injury of Rays closer Jake McGee.
McGee who had been previously diagnosed with loose foreign bodies in his left pitching elbow and has undergone surgery and should not return to the team until possibly late May or early June. This leaves the Rays with two players, McGee and SP Matt Moore who both might not hit the mound until a third of the 2015 season is complete.
An interesting side note to this trade by the Rays and Angels is that both players will be leaving their hometown teams and journey across the country to play in 2015. Matt Joyce of course was born in Tampa , Florida and Kevin Jepsen was born in Anaheim, California.
Another similarity between the two players in this trade is Matt Joyce (May 5th with the Tigers) and Jepsen (September 8th ) both made their MLB Debuts in 2008.
So what kind of reliever did the Rays get when they traded for Jepsen?
If his stats are any true indication, the Rays will get a solid competitor who could be slotted in the Rays late inning 7th, 8th inning roles without hesitation. The injury to McGee and the previous trade of Joel Peralta would already redefine the late inning roles of the Rays Bullpen, but this injury takes one more talented and experienced arm out of the equation and demanded a direct sub sequential move to eliminate this hole in the Rays reliever corps.
A little background on Jepsen's career with the Angels:
He come to the Rays after appearing in 315 games with the Halos, which ranked him 5th All-Time on their Career Appearance list.
Jepsen is only 1 of 4 relievers ever to play at least 7 seasons with the club. Interesting factoid, former Angel and Rays closer Troy Percival leads that list overall with 10 seasons playing for Angels.
He ended his Angels career in 10th place on the Angels All-Time list with an career mark of 8.69/K's per 9 innings.
Jepsen is currently under salary arbitration this off season with him projected to receive a salary of possibly $2.6 million and Jepsen will also be under team control for another season.
The trade could also have some financial relief for the Rays as the swap could save the Rays $2.4 million as Joyce was estimated to receive possibly $5 million for 2015 through salary arbitration.
2014 was Jepsen's best season in the MLB appearing in 74 games with a 2.63 ERA with 75 strikeouts and .05 HR per 9 innings mark.
His 74 game appearances in 2014 ranked 4th in the American League and was bettered only by fellow Angel Joe Smith (76) and the Indians duo of Cody Allen (76) and Bryan Shaw (80).
Jepsen also ranked 8th in the AL in Holds with 22 and he earned 2 saves in 2014.
He throws a 4-seam fastball(95-99 mph), a 2-seam fastball (94-97) a cutter (89-93) and a curveball (83-86 mph). His cutter is usually reserved for right-handers while his 2-seam fastball is used primarily against left-handers. Jepsen also uses his curve in 2-strike counts on hitters.
Oh, and he is not related to former Rays Concert performer Carly Rae Jepsen who was born in Mission, British Columbia. That is a good thing, remember Carly's First Pitch.
With the injury to McGee the Rays had to act quickly to find an experienced relief option to plug right in fill the relief corps void. Jepsen has the statistics and experience to come right in this spring and compete for a Bullpen spot as well as be a viable and consistent option to place in the late inning role previously held by Peralta.
Rays were swift, did their due diligence and quite possibly got the guy who could be an extremely valuable asset to the Rays late inning machine for the next 2 seasons.
Perfect Holiday Glove to Step Up Your Baseball Game
Some people say breaking in a new glove is one of the hardest tasks in baseball. You can spend what feels like an eternity getting that cowhide to conform and evolve into a perfectly forgiving pocket for that spherical rocket to settle in.
No matter what level you are currently playing at, or even if you want a glove for ball hawking or even as a method of protection when a line drive come swirling into your section, breaking in a glove can be the difference between it popping out, a stinging palm and sometimes even that embarrassing miss-cue or as I like to call it, a E-10…Error on the fan.
What if I told you there was now a glove out on the market, made by one of the most premier athletic gears providers, and you will never have to break your glove in.
That's right…Never, ever will you have to sit a 1-ton car on your glove overnight, pop anymore rubber bands trying to get a pre-formed pocket in your mitt or ever again spend hours rubbing oil into the leather.
Of course this glove will not be cheap (it retails about $400), but you will never have to spend valuable time worrying about getting the rigidity out of your new leather glove, and with its neon green and black coloring, people will see your glove coming even in the most shaded parts of the ballpark.
The Vapor 360 glove by Nike uses a new glove construction method called hyperfuse to bring to reality baseball's first ultra-responsive, lightweight mitt with the time-saving aspect of being the only fielder's mitt on the market that can be immediately on the field without the hassle or time drain of the usual glove breaking in process.
Seriously, this glove can be snagging fly balls and be used in long or short toss the moment it comes out of its shipping box.
And Nike did get professional advice on the product as Colorado Rockies All-Star and 3-time Gold Glove winning outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was a hands-on consultant during the gloves developmental stages.
Nike stands by their claim of the glove needing no break-in time, and its ready to use application makes it an ideal glove option for everyday use by both professional as well as amateur players and for that fan who wants the gear the players use.
Nike Baseball senior designer Matthew Hudson told online website Stack that: "Traditional leather baseball gloves can take up to 3 months of break in. We've taken a traditional leather for the palm and perforated it to remove some of the structure so it forms more quickly."
That means less sweat and toil oiling the heck out of the cowhide, putting it under your mattress and sleeping on it, or using your car as a machine press to quicken the breaking in process.
Gonzalez used the Nike Vapor 360 on the field during the last season (of course in a more neutral and approved MLB color scheme) and raves about the product.
"Once I put it on and played catch…everything clicked." Gonzalez also added: "This is what I was looking for. I wear this glove and I feel like I can catch any ball."
So even if you do not have a professional baseball fan on your Holiday gift list this season, even the most dedicated and savvy baseball fan would cherish a glove like the Vapor 360 the next time they line up on the field, or reach out with their glove for that screaming foul or Home Run ball into the stands.
The Vapor 360 is available now on Nike.com.
Will the Rays Thanksmas Evolve Post Maddon?
It was an event that made spaghetti, pierogies and hand-formed meatballs fashionable at holiday time. Served meals to many who would not have a holiday meal in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Sarasota/Manatee counties. Thanksmas had become more than just a symbol of the season here in Tampa Bay.
It was a time for the Rays staff, front office and the community to celebrate after another great season as well as see old familiar faces and new smiles while dining on Hazelton, Pa classics. Sure 4 seasons ago Rays former Manager Joe Maddon inspired and perspired in the first carnation of this event, but as it grew so did the locations, participants and the joyous goodwill and harmony this embodies the holiday season.
But now that Maddon has traded his Carolina blue Rays jersey for Chicago Cubs pinstripes, what is the future of the event?
Maddon is adamant that the holiday event will continue in some form for years to come, but you have to wonder if the Rays might want to have their own face front and center starting with the 2015 event, or maybe even embrace a pairing of Maddon and Cash in a compassionate solidarity towards promoting a holiday harmonious event of giving back to Tampa Bay.
Maddon, who is also a part of Ava's ownership stake spoke with his Ava partners and they were onboard with the Cub's new skipper's idea of bringing hot food and maybe some cold cash into the hands of the area's homeless and unfortunate as sometimes a little extra money can transform a life on the streets into something amazing and uplifting.
Last night former Rays and Tampa native Tino Martinez and current Ray Kevin Kiermaier joined in with Maddon at South Tampa bistro Ava, to help collect $22,000 in donation to this year's event which also will have some cash assistance and donation to its participants.
Maddon was proud to tell participants at last night's fundraising gala: "This is the message I wanted to get out to the shelters and people connected with this…This is not going away."
So we know that Maddon is committed to continuing the seasonal event, but you have to wonder if the Rays might also fashion their own version of "Thanksmas" in the future with Cash holding the golden spatula.
The 2014 Thank-Mas schedule has been announced and Rays front office and team personnel will once again come together to embrace the essence and wonder that is the Thanksmas experience.
Thanks-Mas was a brilliant brainchild of Maddon's to help the Tampa Bay community. It got people from all walks of life involved and wanting to give back to our community during the holiday season as well as be a great inspirational story for everyone involved.
We truly do not know what will happen in the future for Thanksmas, but we can dream.
Salvation Army Tampa area commander Major James Chip Hall probably summed it up best regarding Thankmas when he stated: "It's important for people here to know they matter. That was the one thing Joe was good at. He told them that they're not invisible. That they're not forgotten."
Maybe we should tinker the recipe of the event to include a dash of Cash to go along with the present ingredients of a cup of the Rays, an ounce of Maddon combined with a pinch of compassion and pound of giving that has made this event flourish.
That sounds like a perfect recipe for future success of the holiday event not matter what its future name might become.
Here is the 2014 Thanksmas Schedule:
Monday, December 15 Sallie House
Tuesday, December 16 St. Petersburg Salvation Army, Tampa Salvation Army
Wednesday, December 17 Homeless Emergency Project
Thursday, December 18 Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida
Friday, December 19 Bradenton Salvation Army


text:
This item is temporarily out of stock. However, we can notify you as soon as this product becomes available.
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Description: Use Dritz Overall Buckles when sewing new or repairing bib overalls. These buckles come with no-sew jeans button, so use a hammer instead of a sewing needle. Buckles are sold according to strap width. For use with 1 5/8 inch wide straps. Nickel. Includes 2 buckles and 2 no-sew buttons with tacks.
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text:
James Nicholas Derella, PGA
Main Address:
Las Vegas, NV 89131-4343
(702) 263-1000
(702) 263-1000
James Derella is a PGA Professional in Las Vegas, NV. The PGA of America comprises 27,000 men and women professionals with one singular goal in mind - to make the game of golf more enjoyable for you.
Services Offered:
- Instruction
- Play Golf of America Participant
Welcome to Golf Month
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In order to better serve our overseas consumers, My Brands is pleased to announce a new partnership with MyUS.com to offer convenient, fast, and trackable international shipping to more than 225 countries. MyUS.com members receive deeply discounted shipping rates, exceptional customer service, 24/7 online access to their account, and access to other services.
Sign up with MyUS.com and receive your own U.S. street address to receive merchandise. MyUS.com provides specialized international package forwarding services from your new U.S. address to your international address.
Follow these two easy steps for international delivery:
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Welcome to My Brands, login or register here
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$4.10 per item
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Allegro Balsamic Vinegar Marinade. More than five decades in the marinade business have given Allegro the time and experience to develop the best of the best - the Vintage of marinades. We are delighted to bring these unsurpassed, true marinade formulas to market. Created with well-earned expertise and commitment to quality, our Vintage marinades truly achieve excellence.
My Brands is working with Playtex Baby to continue to provide the Ventaire Standard Bottle in both the 6 and 9 oz size. These have been pulled from retailers and for moms who may have used this bottle in the past with success, they have become harder to find. Until now!


text:
While more and more ships were hurrying to the spot where the aud had sunk we rowed slowly towards the Bluebell.
Page 11: "aud" changed to "and" (Discovery and early History of).
Her grandson, Olaf Feilan, was then grown up, and aud was very infirm.
aud, you shall have your way," says he; "God grant there come no ill of it!
The opera—a well-known one of a favorite composer, aud admirably sustained—attracted little attention.
Then aud woke Thord, and he turned on his side when he saw a man had come in.
aud cherished her treasures by herself, and none was the wiser except Finnward.
Thord said he was minded to think that aud Ingun changes her dwelling had done it.
During this time the voyage of the aud was the subject of constant inquiries on the part of the Government and the Press.
aud Snow, a notified clock-makker 'at lived up aboon abit here, had the managing of her a lang time, at so much a year.


text:
Hawaii's state legislators are lining up a string of new holidays, parks and memorials to honor Barack Obama, the first American president to claim the state as his home – though commemorating his birthplace may prove difficult.
Senate President Coleen Hanabusa wants Aug. 4 to be a state holiday commemorating Obama's birthday, reports the Honolulu Advertiser; and State Rep. Della Au Belatti is pressing for Obama's inauguration day, Jan. 20, to be memorialized in Hawaii as Barack Obama II Ohana Day.
And though Hanabusa and Belatti are Obama's fellow Democrats, even Republican state Rep. Gene Ward is hoping to add to the honors list.
"We're all Americans first and then we're Republicans and then we're Democrats," Ward told the Advertiser.
Ward is proposing Hawaii establish a President Barack Obama Birthplace State Park.
Only, the president has yet to reveal exactly where his birthplace is.
Get the must-wear clothing item for 2010! "Where's the birth certificate" T-shirt!
As WND has reported, Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro, claimed Obama was born in Queens Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, a testimony reported as fact by several news sources and the myth-busting site Snopes.com.
Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawaii |
But after WND drew attention to a letter from the president declaring as his birthplace the Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu instead, news sources and websites jumped to scrub the Queens location and replace it with Kapi'olani.
The Advertiser also reports Obama was born "at what at the time was known as the Kapiolani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital."
The White House, however, has thus far refused to verify which hospital the president claims as his birthplace or whether the letter – purportedly from President Obama claiming Kapi'olani – is, in fact, real.
In October last year, WND sought answers to the hospital question by retaining a top private investigator with extensive FBI training and tasked with visiting both the Queens Medical Center and the Kapi'olani Medical Center to investigate claims that Obama birth certificates existed at either hospital.
The private investigator, however, reported that sheriff's deputies were stationed at both hospitals to fend off press inquiries about Obama's birth certificate.
Ward is not daunted by the confusion, instead suggesting that 4,124 square feet of currently overgrown scrub land at 6091 Kalaniana'ole Highway be used for the proposed birthplace park, since it sits near to 6085 Kalaniana'ole Highway, the address listed in a 1961 Advertiser birth announcement as home to Obama's parents.
As WND has reported, however, there also exist discrepancies over the Kalaniana'ole home, as Obama's parents weren't the primary occupants of that address – unless, as the Advertiser has speculated, they lived in a cottage behind the house at 6085 Kalaniana'ole Highway.
Commemorating Obama's childhood home might also prove challenging, as the president spent his Hawaiian boyhood years in half a dozen Honolulu residences with one or more of his relatives.
One resolution before the state legislature proposes placing the apartment building where Obama's grandparents lived on the National Register of Historic Places. Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, still lived in the building until her death two days before Obama's election as president.
The resolution acknowledges that even though it's unusual to place a condominium or apartment building on the National Register, "the Punahou Circle apartment where President Obama and his grandmother lived represents a proud and historic part of history in Hawaii."
The Advertiser reports other proposed honors include renaming Obama's first school – Noelani Elementary School – President Barack Hussein Obama II Elementary School and changing McKinley High School to President Barack Hussein Obama II High School.
Honolulu's Mayor Mufi Hannemann has joined the fray, urging the city council to rename 'Ä€ina Moana Beach Park – commonly known as Magic Island – to President Barack Obama Beach Park at Magic Island.
Ward told the Advertiser the efforts represent the state Legislature's desire to remind the state's citizens "of the greatness of who we are in Hawaii and what we can achieve – and [Obama] is a good example of that."
As WND has reported, Obama's birthplace is only one of many pieces of information still unknown about the sitting president's past. Other documentation not yet available includes his kindergarten records, Punahou school records, Occidental College records, Columbia University records, Columbia thesis, Harvard Law School records, Harvard Law Review articles, scholarly articles from the University of Chicago, passport, medical records, files from his years as an Illinois state senator, his Illinois State Bar Association records, any baptism records, his adoption records and even a long-form birth certificate that could quell questions about Obama's place of birth.
"Where's The Birth Certificate?" billboard at the Mandalay Bay resort on the Las Vegas Strip |
The campaign followed a petition that has collected a figure now approaching 500,000 signatures demanding proof of his eligibility, the availability of yard signs raising the question and the production of permanent, detachable magnetic bumper stickers asking the question.
The "certification of live birth" posted online and widely touted as "Obama's birth certificate" does not in any way prove he was born in Hawaii, since the same "short-form" document is easily obtainable for children not born in Hawaii. The true "long-form" birth certificate – which includes information such as the name of the birth hospital and attending physician – is the only document that can prove Obama was born in Hawaii, but to date he has not permitted its release for public or press scrutiny.
If you'd like to sound off on this issue, please take part in the WorldNetDaily poll.


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Sports Psychologist Stanford: NFL Jovan Belcher Suicide – Can Athletes Break under under Performance Pressure?
Dr. JoAnn | Dec 03, 2012 | Comments 2
Sports psychologist Bay Area – Watch this video as I am interviewed on National Headline News, CTV National News and CNN discussing the NFL Jovan Belcher murder-suicide. I am asked, what causes athletes to break under presssure? I emphasize the importance of sports psychology, mental skills training and performance coaching for professional athletes, coaches and athletes at all levels. My interview is at 1 min., 32 seconds into this video. Short but very important words.
COACH CERTIFICATION: You can get certified as a sports psychology performance coach – Build your athlete coaching skills, confidence, focus, and sports performance results quickly with Dr. JoAnn's world renown online sports psychology Performance Coach Certification training and e-courses.
Learn more here >> http://www.PerformingEdgeCoach.com
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: Sports psychology expert, Dr. JoAnn Dahlkoetter is a peak performance coach, best-selling author of YOUR PERFORMING EDGE™, STANFORD Performance Consultant, sports psychologist to OLYMPIC Gold Medalists and CEOs, winner of the San Francisco Marathon and 2nd in the World Championship Hawaii Ironman Triathlon. She is an internationally recognized Keynote Speaker, columnist, and frequent TV expert commentator on NBC, ABC, and BBC networks. Dr. JoAnn provides corporate training and personal coaching programs for athletes, coaches, sports parents, business, wellness, and reaching your potential in life. http://www.DrJoAnn.com Phone: 650-654-5500 Email: email@example.com
Comments (2)
Top athletes are faced with many challenges. Most are faced with perfection in their sport, perfection for their team, perfection for their coaches, etc. They are challenged with the expectations of media, fans, coaches, school where they came from, even family expectations.
With these challenges, many top athletes will put more pressure on themselves and even go over and beyond to risk everything including their families. When athletes get over the edge, and find that everything they have starts to diminish to a point of no return (like losing your family), that loss is accelerated driven by emotions and the fall is instantaneous.
Sports has been driven by competition in the area of the type of sport. Many athletes are coached to be superior in their physical ability of the sport. There is an interesting aspect here that needs attention. How much time do we spend in practice working on skills? Most would say the entire practice. Here's my next question, How much time do we spend in practice working with the mindset of our athletes? Most would say little to none.
In sports, life, in everything, there is balance. Our up and coming athletes from youth, teens, to adults, needs the balance to excel in what they do. Balance is fulfilled with coaches teaching the game, Performing Edge coaches working with mindset of the game. This balance is transferred to the athlete's life and be better prepared to deal with the challenges that they are faced with.


text:
(MISA/IFEX) - On 14 June 2005, Lusaka police questioned Anthony Mukwita, a Radio Phoenix "Let the People Talk" programme host, over a fax anonymously sent, which he had read on air during the 10 June edition of the programme. The fax accused the government of condoning corruption and warned that the country might slip into anarchy as a result.
Mukwita told MISA that a chief investigations officer for Lusaka Division and two detectives followed him to the MISA Zambia offices from where he operates and questioned him in connection with the fax, signed only "Annoyed Zambians".
"They demanded to have a copy of the fax, which cautioned the Mwanawasa administration to be responsive to the people's needs or risk throwing the country into anarchy through another attempted coup, similar to the one staged by Captain Stephen in 1997," Mukwita told MISA Zambia.
Mukwita said the police wanted him to give a statement but he refused, insisting that he would only do so in the presence of his lawyer. The interview was done in the presence of MISA Zambia's chairperson, Kellys Kaunda.
In a related development, Radio Phoenix has terminated Mukwita's contract as of 16 June, citing his decision to read the controversial fax on the "Let the People Talk" programme, among other reasons.
In a 15 June statement, Kaunda condemned the police action saying it was part of a grand scheme to silence the "Let The People Talk" forum, the only platform available to the Zambian people to air their views freely.
Mukwita will be questioned again in the presence of a lawyer at the MISA Zambia secretariat on 16 June.


text:
Leading water scientists have issued one of the sternest warnings yet about global food supplies, saying that the world's population may have to switch almost completely to a vegetarian diet over the next 40 years to avoid catastrophic shortages.
Humans derive about 20% of their protein from animal-based products now, but this may need to drop to just 5% to feed the extra 2 billion people expected to be alive by 2050, according to research by some of the world's leading water scientists.
"There will not be enough water available on current croplands to produce food for the expected 9 billion population in 2050 if we follow current trends and changes towards diets common in western nations," the report by Malik Falkenmark and colleagues at the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) said.
TVNL Comment: Too many people...stop having kids...the world can not support them...do the math!


text:
Keep It Simple, Stupid | |
PerlMonks |
Re: How to have OS specific code sections in Perlby VinsWorldcom (Parson) |
on Oct 31, 2012 at 17:03 UTC ( #1001708=note: print w/replies, xml ) | Need Help?? |
There error is happening because the module MIDI::ALSA is not installed on your Windows machine. use doesn't work the way you're thinking it does. It is not evaluated as the code is run, but before that. So your "logic" is correct, but your logic is wrong - if that makes sense ;-) There have been many suggestions on how to do this with the if pragma for example, but I've found this to work for me:
In Section
Seekers of Perl Wisdom


text:
You are here
Emilio Fernandez
Camera: Canon EOS 5 D, Mark II
Lens: Tamron 28-300 mm. at 160 mm.
Exposure: 1/100 seconds
Aperture: f/11
Edited in CS6. Enhanced red color with Hue/Saturation.
(4 votes)
Red Lips by Emilio Fernandez
By efernandez45202 Posted: Jul 16, 2014
Views: 154
Dimensions: 1396x1680
Size: 297kb
Filed Under: Picture This: Red!


text:
Results 1 to 1 of 1
- Join Date
- May 2006
- Posts
- 10
Techno-hunt archery shooting system
I have a model 50 thats 5-6 years old installed and in running condition that I am selling, this system is complete with all computer, sound system, sensors, cabling, stand, screen, and walls for tunnel.
system is in operation you can come shoot it then take it down and move it to you location.
I will sell this system for $8000 OBO.
Please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com
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wanted used dart system,techno system
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In which a veteran of cultural studies seminars in the 1990's moves into academic administration and finds himself a married suburban father of two. Foucault, plus lawn care. Comments are welcome. Comments for general readership can be posted directly after the blog entry. For private comments, I can be reached at deandad at gmail dot com. The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of commenters), and not those of my (unnamed) employer.
The cast of recurring characters includes The Wife, The Boy, and The Girl. The Boy is in elementary school. The Girl is in preschool, and queen of all she surveys.


text:
Bally's Steakhouse, one of the more venerable beef palaces on the Strip, will be replaced early next year by BLT Steak.
The new steakhouse will be more than twice of the size of the current one, at 9,300 square feet and with more than 250 seats.
The space will be anchored by a fireplace and decorated with wood finishes complemented by warm tones of amber and tangerine and accented by glints of polished stainless steel.
The original BLT Steak opened in New York in 2004. It has become known for the signature warm Gruyere-laced popovers served with every meal and blackboard specials that highlight seasonal foods. More than 500 wines will accompany a broad menu that includes such signature dishes as tuna tartare, chopped vegetable salad, Dover sole and peanut-butter chocolate mousse and Prime and Angus steaks ranging from a 28-day dry-aged New York strip to a bone-in ribeye.
Bally's Steakhouse is expected to close sometime this fall. No news yet on the fate of the Sterling Brunch, currently served in the steakhouse on Sundays.


text:
On 15 and 16 November 2010 the Heinrich Böll Stiftung (HBS) and the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) will host an international conference on 'Struggle for equality: Sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights in Africa'.
The conference will seek to analyse the challenges faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) communities in Africa. It will also provide a platform for the discussion of strategies aimed at creating an environment on the continent where sexual minorities can enjoy the full range of human rights and are recognised as full citizens. The conference will facilitate dialogue between representatives from politics, academia, civil society and the broader public on these important issues.
The conference is divided into a public opening on the 15th of November and an expert seminar on the following day (limited seats).
More information on the conference website. You can also download the conference programme here.


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interface performance facts and myths
I'm developing a pretty big m4l device (but this
question should relate to maxmsp in general) with
an intensive interface and while building I'm
it's starting to be less responsive.
About performance and interface, this is what I think
so far (but correct me if I'm wrong):
– hidden interface objects are slow (they are sort of still
– putting bpatchers in bpatchers (etc) is okay, its the content of the bpatchers that counts in performance.
– interface objects that ore not set hidden but are outside of the screen (like in a bpatcher with stuff out of the frame because of offset) are not drawn and therefore not slowing the patch down.
– objects not in presentation mode present are not drawn
any opinions, more info or other tips related to performance and interface?
(btw, I didn't plan to change scheduler settings because since
MIDI is still the priority + it should work well on every
computer out of the box)
thanks in advance
- This topic was modified 3 years by yurki. Reason: changed the forum type: turns out to be a m4l thing
Check the refresh rates for your objects. Most are set to 1 ms by default.
Can you give me an example of an objects that has that?
Can't find it in inspector or attribute lists…
It's the "update limit" parameter in M4L controls. Some things may not need to be updated every 1 ms.
@ Yurki said
"- hidden interface objects are slow (they are sort of still
This is incorrect. Hidden interface elements are not drawn. If you can empirically show other wise we would be very keen to see it
hey, thanks for the reply's!
I finally got time to get back into this…
found it! that's a good thing to know
But now I understand more why the whole interface is
slow: its actually ONLY the hidden live.dial.
(combined with an overall busy patch of course)
I didn't manage to isolate the problem in a patch with the hidden object
(sorry andrew) because I simply can't get the same cpu load in a simple patch I think.
Nevertheless I tested a few things so I can say these with some certainty.
Here's what's going on:
– I have a subpatch that the user can open in which you have 36 copies
of the same bpatcher in another bpatcher (so 2 levels).
the deepest level (which has 36 copies next to each other) has a few objects
in top of each other (its a way to have the interface function as I want).
On the top of these objects is a live.dial.
– since I only want to use the live.dial if the user wants to
map something internal in live, it stays normally hidden.
– when live transport is going and the patch is busy (its a sequencer),
the interface becomes slow. both when live.dial is visible or not.
and here for the weird part:
at the moment I move the live.dial in the bpatchers patch so its
NOT visible in the interface anymore, the patch becomes fast!
I double checked if data is coming in or out of the live.dial, but
nothing. also there is no automation in live to send to the live.dial.
I expected the live.dial not to slow things down both hidden and not hidden
since it doesn't seem to do anything. when it's hidden I even would more expect
it wouldn't slow stuff down, but it still does. Now, again, at the moment I
move the live.dial out of the visual rectangle of the bpatcher, the whole interface
is fast again.
whatever is going on prolly came to light because it's copied 36 times,
so a slight slow down happens 36x times
hope anyone can shed some light on this one…..it really seems like a m4l bug to me.
some last things:
– I tried to put the update limit 1000ms of the live.dial. I noticed a small increase
in responsiveness of the interface, but not much. I also noticed that
when the transport is stopped and the patch is not doing stuff, the live.dial
updates visually super fast, so I guess the update limit only is about
– as to be expected, when I remove 3/4 of the the 36 patches, it becomes fast again.
it's the total of 36 that's slowing it down…
I magically solved it by removing the whole live.dial
and replacing it by a new one.
I later checked all the properties of both the old and the fresh
live.dial, set it exactly the same.
my guess is that it received some property setting which is not
in the default inspector list and wasn't there in the patch anymore
while it still was saved with it, or, it was a max4live bug….
can't believe the problem was that easy to solve :s, should have tried to reset
the object before. oh well, happens, Im happy :)
Forums > Max For Live


text: Boy Asks For 3DS For Christmas, Gets Box Full Of Rocks InsteadLuke Plunkett12/28/12 2:30amFiled to: 3dsNintendoCrimeWalmartHumor181EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalink It might not have been as saucy as a collection of sexy images, but it still makes for a tale of Christmas heartbreak: according to a report on Fox, a boy from Talladega woke up on December 25 to find a Nintendo 3DS box waiting for him. Only there was no 3DS inside. Instead, it was... a box full of rocks. Wrapped in tissue paper. While you might think it's a Craigslist scam, it's not; instead, the boy's mother bought it from Walmart, where it seems this is a thing, with scammers buying goods, taking them out, stuffing the boxes with heavy substitutes then returning them, busy/lazy staff not even bothering to check the contents of the goods. Advertisement Advertisement All's well that ends well, though, as once local Walmart staff were informed the boy was quickly given a real 3DS to play with.Talladega mom buys Nintendo 3DS, gets a box full of rocks [Fox]Reply181 repliesLeave a reply


text:
You called? Putting aside the grammar and spelling in the above quote (does anyone actually learn grammar these days - hmmm... doubtful), that "some individual" would be me. And I wasn't complaining. At least I may have been but I don't think so. It has been what I have been hearing. I think. I've been hearing something. Maybe it isn't the rDac. I know something got between my ears when the rDac was in the system and caused all sorts of unhappy faces. Might have been the voices I hear from time to time. Who knows??
Whether it was the rDac or something else the noise reaching my brain (and the brains of my mates...but I discount them - I mean whoever has the bad taste to know me cannot be relied upon) got very ugly indeed around the 80hr mark and is only just beginning to abate now - at about the 150hr mark. I reported positive experiences up to the 80 hr mark. Or at least I think I did.
I am glad if you have not experienced the changes I have. Hope you don't. It may well be my unit is faulty. It may well be the type of music I listen to. It may well be the voices in my head. I don't know but to me all has not been well in Arcam land. Which surprised me: Arcam are a large global audio company with first rate r&d and reliable products - by and large - if not always to my taste.
I certainly don't rate the rDac up to 10k level of dac. No where near it. But if you think it does good for you. Can you send me some of the good stuff you obviously have access too? It would make this hobby a whole lot more fun and I would probably be $9500 ahead.
IMO it is a competent unit but doesn't lay a glove on the higher end dacs I own, have owned or heard. I hoped the dCS tech would elevate a budget dac into.... something ...else. Atm I am not convinced it makes it into Lavry Da10 territory let alone anything better. Actually I am sure it doesn't. But then again I am sure getting involved in a protracted land war in Afghanistan is a mistake so you can't take anything I say seriously.
The rDac It is fine with simple music but falls apart badly on complex pieces. But so do most dacs. I'm listening to Oscar Peterson's Last Call at the Blue Note as I think out loud here and the rDac is being perfectly pleasant and well behaved. The Eroica earlier today was a vastly different proposition. Ragged is how I would put it. But less ragged than it has been. So that is progress.
Of course these are my personal musings and not to be taken with anything other than a large grain of salt.Sea salt at that. YMMV depending on what you are used to, what your system is and what you listen to. Oh and the phase of the moon, the BP stock price, how warm the beer is (shudder shudder) and whether I had marmalade on my toast this morning.
Now ..these are as cheap as chips...I suggest everyone go buy one and make up their own mind.
Head-fi is a international community so the grammar is not always correct.
I have Audio-gd DAC-19DSP,DACMAGIC ,KRELL KPS25SC 24/96 and rdac.
I feel there is nothing to change in that review i trust my ears and brain and the great 25 years experience with digital audio.
"luxury" smoothness in midrange wich i dont recall to have heard from DAC's under 10K"
but probably your unit faulty
Edited by thinker - 8/26/10 at 5:46am