text:
My upstairs neighbors have sucked sucked sucked since the day I moved in. They don't get home until 9 or 10 each night, but when they do they stomp around and reinact Mexican wrestling matches until the cows come home. Night after night, I've cringed in my bed after ever slam/thud/shudder wondering if that's the one that's going to wake up A and send me over the edge. I envisioned snatching him up, running up the stairs in my underpants with crazy bedhead and confronting them. Luckily, I've seen enough episodes of nightline to know that beating on strangers' doors isn't the best course of action, so I have refrained. Each time I have vowed that I will call the apartment office the next day, but I never do. Maybe it wasn't that loud, I tell myself. I'll look foolish, I think. That's a first world problem for sure, I say.
Not tonight. Tonight, I had enough. One too many thud/cringe combos and I dialed the courtesy officer before I could lose my nerve. He was so very pleasant and reassuring (Me: "They're like stomping? On my head? and it makes me sad? But I don't want to hurt their feelings?" Him: "There's no reason for that. Call this number. We'll send someone. It's all going to be okay, ma'am.")
And send someone they did. He was a strapping young man with a friendly smile, or maybe it was more like when dogs bare their teeth out of fear? I'd be scared too if a crazy lady threw open her door, revealing a completely dark house and her standing there looking like Weird Al on a bad hair day, with a towel held over her body to hide the fact that she was in her underwear and totally unprepared for gentleman callers. Especially if she then hissed at me that "my son is SLEEPING in the room right there" and gestured to the window,causing the towel to slip a bit, "and my neighbors may not know that I live here or they may just be raging assholes I'm not sure but can you please make it stop and I swear I'm not crazy kthxbai."
I probably should have found a better way to introduce myself than by dispatching the cops to their door and I hope they don't hate me. Maybe there's a single female in the residence and she'll appreciate the city's finest on her doorstep. I don't hold out much hope even then, because I'm pretty sure I just scared him off women forever.


text:
The weekend a chance to unwind, relax and play a little WoW.
Sounds wonderful, unfortunately that's not how it works for me.
Today, I leave the day job and go wait tables tonight and then for another 10 to 12 hours tomorrow.
Sunday, I'll usually get a little WoW time in there, but there's a certain 9-year-old in my life who has a birthday party this Sunday, where I brave the wilds of Chuck-E-Cheese. I hope I come out alive. (Side note, when did it change from Showbiz Pizza?)
So I should get *some* time in this weekend. Get my random in before I collapse after work tonight. Usually get a little time in on Sat morning before I run away to work. Then on Sun morning, it will probably be the same way this week.
I either have an ICC 10 or ToC 25 run on Sunday night depending on if folks shows up for the ICC 10 raid. But otherwise, I plan on continuing my work on Loremaster and Wintergrasp Veteran. (Although part of me is saying, "You should really work on a PVP set so you're not running WG in PvE gear!" And then another part says, "But you were talking about trying to heal as well and you haven't even started on that set!") WTB more bag space and specs, oh yeah and time always want more of that! 😉
So what are your plans for the weekend?

subset: commoncrawl


text:
27. HTTP Header, GET/POST/HEAD, HTTP Status Codes
79. What kind of data is passed via HTTP headers?
Both HTTP requests and HTTP responses use headers to send information about the HTTP message. A header is a series of lines, with each line containing a name followed by a colon, a space and then a value. The fields can be arranged in any order. Some header fields are used in both request and response headers, while others are appropriate only for either a request or a response. Many request header fields will allow the client to specify several acceptable options in the value part and, in some cases, even rank each option's preference. Multiple items are separated using a comma. For example, a client could send a request header that includes "Content-Encoding: gzip, compress," indicating it would accept either type of compression. If the server uses gzip encoding for the response body, its response header would include "Content-Encoding: gzip". Some fields can occur more than once in a single header. For example , a header can have multiple "Warning" fields.
Response Header Example
Server: Microsoft-IIS/7.5
Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:15:53 GMT
Content-Length: 2291
Content-Type: text/html
Set-Cookie: ASPSESSIONIDQQGGGNCG=LKLDFFKCINFLDMFHCBCBMFLJ; path=/
Cache-control: private
80. Juxtapose the HTTP verbs GET and POST. What is HEAD?
HTTP GET requests a representation of a specified resource. Requests using GET should not have the significance of taking an action, other than retrieval. HTTP GET enables to send the entire request, along with any required parameters, all contained within the URL submission. Any parameters that are sent along using HTTP GET can only be in a name/value pair construction – also known as a querystring.
HTTP POST submits data to be processed(e.g from an HTML form) to the identified resource. The data is included in the body of the request. This may result in the creation of a new resource or the updating of a resource, or both. HTTP POST is similar to HTTP GET in that name/value pairs are sent to the server for processing. The big difference is that HTTP POST places the name/value pairs within a request header so they are not visible; HTTP GET sends these same items within a viewable open URL string.
HTTP Head asks for the response identical to the one that would correspond to a GET request, but without the response body. This is useful for retrieving meta information written in response headers, without having to transport the entire content.
81. Name and describe at least half a dozen HTTP Status Codes and what they express to the requesting client.
1xx: Information
100: request continue
101: switch protocols
2xx: Success
200: ok
201: created
202: accepted
203: partial
3xx: Multiple Choices
300: ambiguous
301: moved
302: redirect
303: redirect method
4xx: Errors
400: bad request
401: status denied
403: forbidden
404: not found
405: bad method
406: none acceptable
5xx: Server Error
500: server error
501: not supported
502: bad gateway
503: service unavailable
504: gateway timeout
505: status version not supported
Happy Programming! =)
Source: mainly MSDN, wikipedia.org.


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March 14, 2008
LUIS RENTERIA, PLAINTIFF,v.K. WILLIAMS, DEFENDANTS.
The opinion of the court was delivered by: Hon. Jeffrey T. Miller United States District Judge
Plaintiff Luis Renteria, a state prisoner proceeding with counsel, brought this action under 42 U.S.C § 1983 for a violation of his civil rights.*fn1 Plaintiff claims that Defendant K. Williams, a corrections officer violated the Eighth Amendment by use of excessive force and the First Amendment by retaliating against the Plaintiff. Plaintiff also alleges several state law claims under Cal. Penal Code § 149 and § 243(a). Defendant filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on August 4, 2007. (Doc. # 76.) Plaintiff filed his Opposition on June 11, 2007 (Doc. # 89), and Defendant filed a reply brief on June 18, 2007 (Doc. # 90.).
On November 21, 2007, Magistrate Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo issued a Report and Recommendation (R&R) recommending that the court grant Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment as to excessive force and the state law claims, and dismiss without prejudice Plaintiff's retaliation claim for failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Plaintiff filed an Objection to the R&R on January 7, 2008 (Doc. # 95), and Defendant filed a Reply to the Objection on January 9, 2008. (Doc. # 96).
Plaintiff's § 1983 action arises out of events that occurred while he was incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison ("Calipatria"). (R&R at 2.) Defendant was a correctional officer working at Calipatria at the time. Id. Plaintiff alleges that while in his cell, Defendant, standing approximately seven to ten feet away, sprayed a stream of cleaning solution at the Plaintiff. Id. Plaintiff alleges that the spray contacted his eye and irritated his eye. Id. Plaintiff was seen by Medical Technical Assistant David Erwin and then, three weeks later, by R. Meisel, a licensed optometrist. Id. Both examinations found no sign of irritation or damage to Plaintiff's eyes. Id. In response to Plaintiff filing a grievance for his eye injury, Plaintiff claims that Defendant retaliated against him by threatennig his life by telling him repeatedly that he would be a "dead man" by use of justifiable gun fire. (Complaint at ¶ 9.)
Specifically, Plaintiff alleges the following constitutional claims: (1) Defendant violated his Eighth Amendment rights by using excessive force by spraying him this the cleaning solution; (2) Defendant violated his First Amendment rights by retaliating against him for filing prison grievances; and (3) Defendant assaulted him under Cal. Penal Code § 149 and § 243(a). Plaintiff seeks $500,000 in general damages and $500,000 in punitive damages from Defendant. (Compl. at 9.)
Now, Defendant moves for summary judgment for four reasons. (See Memo. of Pts. and Auths. in Support of Defs.' Motion to Dismiss at 6-18.) First, Defendant claims that Plaintiff has not exhausted all available state remedies for Plaintiff's claim of retaliation. Second, Defendant claims that any force was negligent, at best, and de minimus, and not actionable under the Civil Rights Act.. Next, Defendant claims that he is protected by qualified immunity.*fn2 Finally, Defendant argues that the state claims alleged by Plaintiff are unclear and criminal in nature, not civil.
II. DISCUSSION*fn3
The court reviews a magistrate judge's R&R according to the standards set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure ("FRCP") Rule 72(b) and 28 U.S.C. § 636. The court "shall make a de novo determination of those portions of the report . . . to which objection is made. A judge of the court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by the magistrate judge." 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1); United States v. Raddatz, 447 U.S. 667, 673-74 (1980).
A. Eighth Amendment Claim of Excessive Force
The court adopts the R&R's recommendation to grant Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment, because Plaintiff failed to establish an 'physical injury'. The R&R concludes that there is no evidence except Plaintiff's conclusory allegations that Plaintiff suffered an injury. Plaintiff merely states that he objects to the R&R, but does not identify any specific arguments in opposition to the R&R. (See Objections at 1.) Having considered the R&R and the applicable authorities, the court adopts the R&R's analysis and recommendation regarding Motion for Summary Judgment on the claim of excessive force.
Under the Prison Litigation Reform Act ("PLRA"), "[n]o Federal civil action may be brought by a prisoner confined in a jail, prison, or other correctional facility, for mental or emotional injury suffered while in custody without a prior showing of physical injury." 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(e). This provision "requires a showing of physical injury that need not be significant but must be more than de minimis." Hudson v. McMillian, 503 U.S. 1, 9-10 (1992); Oliver v. Keller, 289 F.3d 623, 627 (9th Cir. 2002). In Oliver, the court held that back and leg pain from an uncomfortable sitting and sleeping arrangement was de minimis. Oliver, 289 F.3d at 627. Additionally, facial pain such as a bruised, sore ear and nose sores is also de minimis. Siglar v. Hightower, 112 F.3d 191 (5th Cir. 1997); Cannell v. Multnomah County, 141 F.Supp. 2d 1046, 1053. However, injuries greater then bruising like loosened teeth and a cracked dental plate qualify as physical injuries. Hudson, 503 U.S. at 10.
Plaintiff has not suffered a 'physical injury' as required by the PLRA. It is questionable if Plaintiff suffered any injury at all. However, even if the court assumes all facts in favor of Plaintiff, the alleged injury is de minimis. Defendant provided medical reports and sworn statements by Medical Technical Assistant David Erwin and R. Meisel, O.D. Both statements indicate they saw no signs of irritation or damage to the Plaintiff's eye. (Decl. of D. Erwin at ¶ 6; Decl. of R. Meisel at ¶ 1,8.) However, Plaintiff claims that R. Meisel performed pressure tests which revealed problems with his right eye.*fn4 (Opp'n of Def. Mot. for Summ. J. at ¶ 14-15.) Plaintiff alleges that the test results were normal during a follow up appointment almost two weeks later. Id. However, without additional evidence, it is impossible to determine what the notations on the medical reports mean. Therefore, since Plaintiff failed to met his burden proving a genuine issue of fact, the court grants the motion for summary judgment.
However, even if the court assumes that Plaintiff had pressure in his eye, the injury is de minimis. The injury is minor and similar to a bruise as in Siglar. Siglar, 112 F.3d at 193. This type of pain would not raise to the level of physical injury. Id. Additionally, the injury did not require additional medical care or leave a long term injury as in Madrid. Madrid, 889 F. Supp at 1254. Both of Plaintiff's eyes tested normal upon the next examination. Therefore, he has no long term effects, ...
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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30122715657182183452018-03-02T07:52:33.664-08:00The Phillies PhactorA blog about the Philadelphia Phillies by Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Greg Pinto, featuring trade and free agent rumors, game recaps, baseball analysis and, of course, some random thoughts.Greg Pintohttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-73771771819900454052012-01-26T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:01:23.455-08:00MLB Speculation: What Could the Phillies Fetch in a Trade for Cole Hamels?The Philadelphia Phillies aren't a franchise that is afraid to make an unpopular move. If the front office feels as though there is a move to be made that will improve the future of the franchise, they'll pull the trigger with the hesitancy of a cold blooded killer: Instantly.

Just ask Cliff Lee how the Phillies feel about making an unpopular move. He was the star of the club in 2009, but wary of their chances of signing him long term, the Phils sent him packing, shipping him to the Seattle Mariners for a couple of prospects with high ceilings.

The list of unpopular decisions, from the perspective of the fan base, is a rather lengthy one, but a topic that is neither here nor there in this context. The topic of this post is going to be about the future of left handed starting pitcher Cole Hamels.

About a week ago, I outlined the theory behind the statement that the Phillies' options regarding the future of Hamels are two-fold: Either work out a contract extension with the club's' longest tenured pitcher or send him packing.

That's right, I'm suggesting that if the Phillies can't agree to a new deal with Hamels, he should be traded.

Sure, this wouldn't be a popular decision amongst the fans, but sometimes, in order to make a business decision, you have to cut all emotional ties. With Roy Halladay and Cliff already under contract and making at least $20 million per season, the Phillies would set an unprecedented mark by adding Hamels to that list. It would make them the first club in history to feature three starting pitchers earning at least $20 million, because, realistically, Hamels is going to earn at least that much.

That's just the rotation.

The rest of the club is getting expensive as well. Ryan Howard's contract extension is about to kick in and he is set to earn at least $20 million as well. Hunter Pence is due a raise, and Shane Victorino is set to become a free agent.

With that in mind, the Phillies will have limited resources to address several areas of need next winter. When all of those contracts come off the books, the club will be in need of a starting pitcher, a third baseman, and a center fielder, none of which is a position where the players come cheaply.

It may be an unpopular decision and sound like blasphemy to some, but somebody has to say it: The best business decision may be to trade Cole Hamels.

Obviously, that decision stems from a lack of high ceiling players in the upper tiers of the Phillies' farm system. With numerous holes to fill and a lack of prospects ready to step in and play at the MLB level, the Phillies are once again going to spend a pretty penny on the free agent market should they stay the course.

With top tier starting pitching in high demand, a number of teams would show interest in Hamels, even at his current price of one-year and $15 million. The question then becomes as simple as this: What would the Phillies look for in a trade?

Well, the simple answer is that (hypothetically speaking, of course) the Phillies would be looking for at least three high-ceiling prospects, two of whom are close to the MLB and one of whom will have a tremendous impact at the MLB level.

Three positions that the Phillies could look to address in a trade for Hamels are a third baseman, a starting pitcher, and a center fielder, likely in that order of importance.

Third base is the position with the most glaring lack of depth in the organization. While players like Maikel Franco and Cody Asche could someday have an impact, they are still years away, and the Phillies don't have years to wait.

A starting pitcher may be an unlikely trade target given the Phillies' depth in that area, but if you find an opportunity to add an impact pitcher, you don't pass on it. While Trevor May could be knocking on the MLB's door soon, other pitchers like Brody Colvin, Jon Pettibone, and Jesse Biddle are still years away.

The case is the same for a center fielder. The Phillies have plenty of toolsy outfielders, but none are a sure bet to make the MLB and none are particularly close to contributing.

If you can address each of those three areas, it is my personal opinion that you trade Hamels without thinking twice. The question then becomes: Which teams would be interested? Which teams match up best with the Phillies?

At various points throughout the off-season, the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Yankees have all been linked to various starting pitchers.

However, with the Tigers' recent acquisition of Prince Fielder and the Yankees' acquisitions of Hiroki Kuroda and Michael Pineda, both of those clubs would likely be only on the periphery. The Rangers have a full rotation, and wouldn't overpay for Hamels. The Twins likely don't have the resources to land the lefty.

That leaves the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Royals as teams that I think would be the best fit, for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the have the resources.

Though the Red Sox wouldn't be be able to make a move for Hamels without clearing cap space (perhaps sending Kevin Youkilis back to the Phillies?) they have the prospects to get a deal done. The Phillies would surely have interest in third baseman Will Middlebrooks or starting pitcher Anthony Ranaudo. One of those two would headline a deal, and the Red Sox have enough second tier prospects to get the job done.

The Blue Jays, on the other hand, are in a much better position to make a deal. They are well under the luxury tax threshold and have a farm system that is absolutely stacked. Interestingly enough, the Phillies have had interest in re-acquiring Travis D'arnaud over the off-season, though, the Jays are unlikely to part with him, but one must wonder whether or not the two clubs have had discussions.

The Jays also have a slew of pitching prospects, headlined by Daniel Norris (who cannot be trade until next summer after being taken in last season's draft) and Noah Syndergaard. Jake Marisnik is a toolsy outfielder the Phillies may have some interest in, and any of those guys could headline a package the Phillies would talk about.

The team that I believe is the best fit is a surprising team: The Royals. At a glance, there doesn't seem to be much of a match here, but the Royals are a team that isn't far away from competing. In fact, they're very, very close to being competitive in the AL Central, even after the Tigers' acquisition of Fielder.

Like the Blue Jays, they have the money, and they have the prospects. The real question is whether or not they would be willing to part with some of the top talent they are banking on to turn the system around to acquire Hamels, who could realistically lead their franchise back to a winning season.

Would the Royals part with Moustakas?

Would the Royals be willing to part with third baseman Mike Moustakas? Would they be willing to part with top left handed starter Mike Montgomery, or prized outfielder Wil Meyers? Would they be willing to part with Cheslor Cuthbert or John Lamb?

The bottom line is this: Trading Cole Hamels has to make the Phillies an obviously better team, especially moving into the future, than they are at the moment. You don't make the trade if that's something you can't accomplish.

However, the Phillies have a strong team, even without Hamels, to compete in the short term. If trading Hamels allows you to keep stride with young teams like the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves moving forward, I'd pull the trigger without blinking.

And I have little doubt that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has thought the same thing.Greg Pintohttp://email@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2012/01/mlb-speculation-what-could-phillies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-59258197894794429232012-01-14T07:53:00.000-08:002012-01-14T07:55:08.185-08:00Bleacher Report Round-Up: Bold Predictions, Role Model Players, and Spellbinding TeamsAs teams gear up for the 2012 season, there has been no shortage of surprises this winter. Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the ineptitude of super agent Scott Boras, who was forced to settle for a one-year deal for former Philadelphia Phillies' closer Ryan Madson (with the Cincinnati Reds) and has yet to find homes for two of the winter's top talents: Prince Fielder and Edwin Jackson.

But the free agent log jam runs much deeper than that. Powerful first baseman Carlos Pena has yet to find a home, and Roy Oswalt is still looking for the right opportunity. Brad Lidge is out to prove he still has something left in the tank, as the baseball world waits to see whether or not the Texas Rangers have their ace in Yu Darvish.

The moral of the story: Stay tuned. Normally during this time of year, we're trying to figure out which budget conscious free agents are going to find new homes, but there are still big fish to fry. As you wait and wonder, here are a couple of slideshows that I wrote for Bleacher Report during the week.

1.) Bold Predictions For Every Phillies' Player

This slideshow kicked up a bit of a stir, as we debate what actually constitutes as a "bold" prediction. Is a bold prediction an outlandish statement with a remote possibility of coming true? Perhaps a bold prediction is a statement that shows change in a player. Maybe a bold prediction is a reason to be cautiously optimistic or prepared for the inevitable failures of a certain player.

So in this slideshow, I've made predictions for every player that projects to be on the Phillies' 25-man roster, including why I believe that Chase Utley is still an elite second baseman, and why Mike Stutes still has a lot to prove at the MLB level.

2.) 25 Philadelphia Phillies Your Kids Can Look Up To

The title says it all. This slideshow features 25 players that your kids should be looking up to for various reasons, including building character, learning how to play the game, and showing passion for the game of baseball.

This list features a wide range of players, from current stars to Hall of Famers, and from fiery, pesky shortstops to a future United States Senator.

3.) Philadelphia Phillies: 25 Most Spellbinding Teams in Franchise History

If you want to take a look at some of the great moments in Phillies' history, I would suggest scrolling through this slideshow, were I take a look at 25 of the best teams in franchise history, and give you ample reason as to why the fans couldn't peel their eyes away from them.Greg Pintohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2012/01/bleacher-report-round-up-bold.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-19835716852836464182012-01-13T15:24:00.000-08:002012-01-13T15:28:12.272-08:00Phillies Making Huge Mistake By Settling For One-Year Deal For Cole HamelsBaseball is a funny sport. The off-season is a strange time of year in the baseball world for a number of reasons. There are no games being played, but a ton of work to be done.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall for some of those front office meetings, listening to some of the conversations, ideas, and proposals exchanged among the experts, because without a doubt, only the most sensible of those conversations make it into the news.

The Philadelphia Phillies are having an abnormally strange off-season this winter. Jim Thome is back in town. Jonathan Papelbon is the new closer. Dontrelle Willis is a reliever, and Ryan Madson is a member of the Cincinnati Reds.

As strange as that may seem to some, here's a bold statement for you: The Phillies are about to make their biggest mistake this winter by doing something that most general managers would be praised for in certain situations: Playing it safe.

In this piece from Comcast SportsNet's Jim Salisbury, with quotes from Phillies' assistant general manager Scott Proefrock, it is revealed that the Phillies plan to offer left handed starter Cole Hamels a one-year deal this winter to avoid arbitration. From my perspective, the Phillies can take three, legitimate directions for Hamels, but the kicker is this:

A one-year deal in any way, shape, or form is the worst one.

Hamels is under team control for the 2012 season one way or another. If he and the Phillies are unable to reach an agreement, both parties will go to arbitration and settle on a salary for the upcoming year. In a nutshell, this would be playing it safe for the Phillies.

Agreeing to a one-year deal is nearly a formality at this point, but the thinking behind the process would be that general manager Ruben Amaro would be able to negotiate a contract extension with the Phils' third ace sometime during the season.

How did that work out for Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals?

Granted, those are two entirely different scenarios, but the Pujols saga in St. Louis should teach the Phillies a valuable lesson: There are no guarantees that Hamels will be wearing red pinstripes in 2013. After failing to reach an agreement with Pujols heading into Spring Training, the first baseman refused to discuss a new contract during the regular season, fearing it would impact his play.

Now he's a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Phillies are in a similar situation with Hamels. Though both sides are willing to discuss a new contract, and both sides want Hamels to be a member of the Phillies well into the future, the fact that they've been unable to make any strides towards a new deal should be concerning, especially considering the fact that Amaro has made most of his contract extensions in the month of January.

Though there have been no definitive reports suggesting that this is the case, the reason to believe that there is a sizable gap between what the Phillies are offering and what Hamels is looking for is obvious.

The Phillies will look to use a couple of aces with comparable numbers as the framework for a Hamels extension. The first would be Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers, who signed a five-year, $80 million contract prior to the 2010 season, the average annual value (AAV) of which is $16 million.

The second comparable is a deal that Hamels' agents would be wise to try and discredit. That deal is between the Angels and their ace, Jered Weaer, who gave the Angels what is considered to be a "hometown discount," signing a five-year, $85 million deal, the AAV of which would be $17 million.

AP Photo

With those two contracts in mind, it shouldn't be hard to find the middle ground in negotiations. The Phillies should be willing to offer Hamels a deal of at least five seasons worth somewhere in the range of $80 - $90 million.

While that would be a fair deal for Hamels, his agents are licking their chops at the thought of taking him to free agency. He would be the best starting pitcher available in yet another thin class for pitching, and teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are known to have interest in his services.

In the prime of his career and left handed, there is little doubt that Hamels, on the free agent market, would be much more comparable to Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia, both of whom signed mega-deals as free agent lefties at the top of their class.

That should give the Phillies some pause. They know that if they want to sign him to a contract extension, they'll have to pay Hamels at least $20 million a year. At that point, the Phillies would be carrying a payroll with more than $60 million committed to three starting pitchers for the next few seasons. Is that a wise business proposition?

Of course, this would be the best option for the Phillies. Hamels is a homegrown starting pitcher, and the Phillies have locked up most of their homegrown players. Signing him to a contract extension before the season makes a lot more sense than giving him the opportunity to explore other offers on the open market, but the second best direction may surprise you some:

Trade him now. We'll discuss that in another post.Greg Pintohttp://email@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2012/01/phillies-making-huge-mistake-by.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-29687748204966449512012-01-06T09:11:00.000-08:002012-01-06T09:11:32.518-08:00Bleacher Report Round-Up: Turning a New Leaf, Fantasy Payroll, Player ComparisonsBeing a Featured Columnist for the Philadelphia Phillies for Bleacher Report has opened a number of doors for me as I pursue a career in journalism. I've interviewed a number of current and former baseball players, including former MVP of the Boston Red Sox, Fred Lynn, and was able to get a taste of what covering the Phillies' beat is like by covering the team from Citizens Bank Park.

That was kind of a long winded explanation for the point I was trying to get across here, which is more simply said as: I take pride in the work I do for Bleacher Report.

The company has come a long way over the last year or so, bringing aboard credible writers and approaching sports journalism in a way that no organization has ever done before. There will always be lingering questions about credibility, but at the end of the day, regardless of my reputation, I realize that the only way to gain support is by doing good work. The recognition will come later.

So with that being said, I've decided that at the end of each week I'll post a round-up of the slideshows I've written for Bleacher Report during the week, for those of us who crave baseball 24/7.

1.) Philadelphia Phillies: 25 Reasons 2012 Will be Different than 2011

In this slideshow, I break down 25 reasons that the 2012 season will be a completely different experience for the Phillies. I have laid out why each player is in store for something new in 2012 and took a look at the rest of the National League East, and what each of those factors means for the Phillies in 2012.

2.) Philadelphia Phillies: Handing Out Their Payroll Based on Success

This slideshow kicked up a bit of a stir in the comments section. In this one, I looked at how the traditional means of creating a payroll in the game of baseball can lead to an inefficient product on the field, and compared those salary numbers to the amount of money I would pay each player based on the success of their 2011 season alone. That means that I only valued statistics in this process, and created some interesting results.

3.) Comparing Every Philadelphia Phillie to a Former Player

In this slideshow, I simply took various aspects of a current Phillie's career and compared them to the various aspects of a former player's career. This created some interesting results. For example, I examined the route Mike Stutes took to the MLB in 2011, and compared that route to former Phillies' reliever Toby Borland (a story provided by fellow Bleacher Report contributor, Mike Lacy.) I compared Domonic Brown to Darryl Strawberry, and some way, some how, managed to link Hunter Pence's career statistics to... Aubrey Huff?!

As always, thanks for reading, and I appreciate any feedback you have to offer!Greg Pintohttp://email@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2012/01/bleacher-report-round-up-turning-new.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-753734045021418092012-01-05T08:58:00.000-08:002012-01-05T08:58:19.372-08:00Philadelphia Phillies Still in the Market for a Third BasemanWith the holiday season in the rear-view mirror, and people getting back into the swing of the daily grind, be it children in school, adults at work, or whatever the case may be, one thing now comes into focus for those of all ages: The countdown to Spring Training has begun.

Though there are some big free agents still occupying the free agent market, a quick glance at the Philadelphia Phillies' depth chart would lead one to assume that their shopping for the winter was pretty much completed. Heading into the off-season, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. needed a couple of things from the free agent grocery store.

A veteran closer? Check. The Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon to a lucrative, four (potentially five) year deal. An improved bench? Check. After re-signing back-up catcher Brian Schneider, only he and utility man Wilson Valdez remain from last year's reserves. The club signed free agents Jim Thome and Laynce Nix to provide some left handed pop, and acquired Ty Wigginton from the Colorado Rockies to do the same, but from the right side of the plate, waiving goodbye to Ben Francisco in the process.

Albeit for maybe a small signing, like a fifth outfielder to hold down the fort while Ryan Howard recovers from his torn Achilles tendon, the Phillies seem pretty much done, right?

Wrong.

A number of sources believe that the Phillies are still in the market for a third baseman, and while there haven't been any names bandied about as of late, it is clear that none of them will be able to mark down the Phillies as a potential landing spot if the team is unable to move current third baseman, Placido Polanco.

After the Phillies were dispelled from the postseason last October, both manager Charlie Manuel and GM Amaro Jr. were relatively clear about their desire for an upgrade at third base, and while the latter's stance has changed over the course of the winter, one must wonder whether or not he is simply downplaying his interest.

After all, Polanco is certainly no guarantee heading into 2012. The third baseman will be 36 this season, and is coming off of an off-season in which he had surgery to repair a double sports hernia. This comes on the heels of a slew of other injuries, including to his back and elbow.

The Phillies have made no bones about their concerns about not only his health but offensive production. Last season, Polanco posted a slash line of just .277 / .335 / .339. For a corner infielder with no power, that simply won't do.

During the Winter Meetings in December, the Phillies were actively shopping Polanco to other teams, though in the long run, no trade was consummated. This, however, was in large part due to the fact that the Phillies had made progress on a deal with Jimmy Rollins, their Plan A. Plan B was to acquire a third baseman with more power.

One man may have changed the Phillies approach from "either or" to "both" this week: Prince Fielder.

When news broke that the Washington Nationals were the leading candidate to sign Fielder, the rest of the National League East went on high alert. Adding Fielder to an already impressive offense and vastly underrated pitching staff would, simply put, make the Nats a contender.

 But what does this mean for the rest of the NL East?

I was able to get in touch with a source this week, and though he wasn't able to divulge much information, he did comment on Fielder. When asked what a potential deal with the Nationals would mean for the rest of the NL East, the source said, "You have to be blunt about that situation: He [Fielder] is a game-changer. Teams are preparing to counter. It's your classic arms race."

With that statement echoing loud and clear, you can already see the results of that potential arms race. The Miami Marlins pulled the trigger on a deal to acquire former Chicago Cubs' starter Carlos Zambrano, and the Atlanta Braves have revisited talks with the Baltimore Orioles about All-Star outfielder Adam Jones.

The question then becomes: What will the Phillies do?

Unless they are able to find a match on a Polanco where they wouldn't have to eat the entirety of his salary, the answer is probably nothing. Polanco does, however, still have value. He is a supreme defender at two positions and when healthy, a very good contact hitter. Some team will take a chance on him if given the opportunity.

At that point, what are the Phillies' options. First and foremost, they would like to add a bit of power to that position, and while this doesn't have to be a 30 home run threat, they'll be looking for some power regardless. One name you can probably put the axe to is David Wright. In terms of salary and prospects, the chances of the Phillies and New York Mets matching up on a deal here are slim to none.

AP Photo

One name to definitely keep an eye on is Wilson Betemit. Betemit is a guy that the Phillies have talked about in the past, and I've been told, haven't completely closed the book on. While the upgrade is probably minimal (.795 OPS, 8 HRs in 2011,) teams are probably looking back on a 2010 campaign in which he posted an OPS of .889 and hit 13 home runs and wondering if that can be replicated. A BABip of .361 shows that that would be an unlikely scenario.

The best thing Betemit has going for him is that he will probably be relatively inexpensive when the dust settles, perhaps to the point that the Phillies can make a move for him without having to move Polanco.

Of course, they could always explore the trade market as well. While Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres isn't a name likely to be moved this winter, he would be a good fit for the Phillies. Perhaps a more likely target is Alberto Callaspo of the Los Angeles Angels, a likely victim of the depth chart should Mark Trumbo prove his health.

At the end of the day, however, I would expect the Phillies to stand pat at third base. There just isn't a great deal to be had for a third baseman, and the addition of Wigginton should help the Phillies alleviate some of the stress on Polanco, who Amaro Jr. believes can still be an everyday player.

Just know this: The Phillies' off-season isn't nearly as over as you think it is.Greg Pintohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2012/01/philadelphia-phillies-still-in-market.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-69776653461203210022011-12-30T13:08:00.000-08:002011-12-30T13:08:35.387-08:00Speculation: Should the Phillies Inquire on Cubs' Starter Matt Garza?The week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day have always given me the impression of a tumbleweed rolling through a barren desert in regards to baseball—Not much going on.

So as we sit here ready to ring in the New Year in style, there's not much going on in the baseball world. Regardless of the fact that several top tier free agents such as Prince Fielder and Ryan Madson remain on the market, the Philadelphia Phillies have finished up their winter shopping, for the most part, leaving room for a minor signing or two to round out the roster.

Or have they?

About a week ago, a blog that covers a wide range of Philadelphia sports called "The Philly Phans" passed along a rumor from a source of theirs suggesting that the Phillies may be close to acquiring New York Mets' third baseman David Wright.

The rumor sounds crazy at first. Why would the Mets trade the face of their franchise to their most heated rival? Why would the Phillies trade a number of top prospects with years of control to the Mets, a division rival who is trying to rebuild? You're supposed to kick your rival while they're down!

But as far as the topic of this post is concerned, all of that is secondary. Sure, the Mets have their reasons to trade Wright and the Phillies surely need a third baseman with legitimate power, but the aspect of this rumor that really caught my eye was that the suggested deal included Domonic Brown.

Now hold on just a second.

Is this the same Domonic Brown that the Phillies refused to trade in packages for Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and Roy Oswalt? The same Domonic Brown that was rated as the organizations top prospect before losing eligibility? The same left handed hitting, outfield prospect that has been riding the shuttle between AAA and the MLB?

Once upon a time, Ruben Amaro Jr. wholeheartedly refused to trade Brown. If there was any truth behind the "Wright to the Phillies" deal at all, the Phillies' willingness to include their former top prospect should come as a surprise.

The real point of this post is more of a hypothetical question: If the Phillies are truly willing to trade Domonic Brown, wouldn't it be wise to shop him around a bit before trading him to a cash-strapped division rival trying to rebuild?

The David Wright rumor was the second time I've heard Brown's name come up this off-season. During the Winter Meetings, a rumor was being floated that the Phillies had inquired on former Oakland A's (now Washington Nationals') starter, Gio Gonzalez, and general manager Billy Beane requested the Phils' outfielder as the centerpiece of any deal.

Obviously, a deal between the Phillies and A's was never consummated, but the conversation in and of itself may have been a bit telling.

First and foremost, the fact that the Phillies were talking to other teams about available starting pitching suggests that they aren't terribly confident that they can sign Cole Hamels to a long-term extension. He's going to be expensive, and from a player's standpoint, has no reason not to test the market.

Secondly, the inquisition about starting pitching leads you to wonder how much confidence the team has in Joe Blanton. The expensive right hander made just eight starts last season, when he battled elbow injury, and in those starts, posted a record of 1-2 with an ERA of 5.17 and a WHIP of 1.51. Not terribly inspiring.

If Blanton is unable to stay healthy (and effective,) the Phillies will have to hand the ball over to Kyle Kendrick, and outside of their current long-reliever, the Phils have very little starting pitching depth. All of that goes without the simple mention that Vance Worley's advanced metrics point to a regression in 2012.

Simply put, it makes sense for the Phillies to inquire on starting pitching. If they're truly willing to include Brown in a deal, that expands their list of options, and one name to keep an eye on would be Chicago Cubs' starter Matt Garza.

As the Cubs go into a full-blown rebuild this off-season, Garza becomes their most valuable trade chip. The right hander posted a record of 10-10 last season with an ERA of 3.32 and a WHIP of 1.26. Perhaps most importantly, especially from a Phillies' perspective, is the simple fact that he is under team control, through arbitration, for each of the next two seasons.

At that point, the obstacles to the deal become two-fold. First and foremost, what is Garza truly worth in terms of prospects? At a glance, Brown seems to be a little too much for the Cubs' ace, but the hauls that the San Diego Padres and Oakland A's received for Mat Latos and Gio Gonzalez this winter would warrant his inclusion.

The Cubs are said to be focusing on pitching, and the Phillies have several prospects with upside worth offering. If Brown is included in the deal, the Phils won't move Trevor May. However, they would probably listen to deals involving fellow right handed starters Brody Colvin and Jon Pettibone.

Assuming that Brown and one of those two starting pitchers are in the deal, what else could the Phillies offer? Would they be willing to trade talented outfielder Jiwan James to the Cubs? He would fit nicely into their rebuilding efforts, and they would have more time to nudge him along than the Phillies care to spend.

With those names bandied about, does a trade of Matt Garza in exchange for Domonic Brown, Brody Colvin, and Jiwan James make sense for both sides?

The second and largest factor would be Garza's price. Though he is under team control, he won't be cheap. He'll make about $8 million in arbitration for the 2012 season, and depending on the type of year he has in 2012, would see another large rise in 2013.

The Phillies would be well aware of this, and may try and beat back the price of prospects a bit. The more challenging goal, however, would be fitting Garza into their payroll. Having been unwilling to pass the luxury tax in recent years, they would have two options: a.) Move some of their more expensive players, for example, Joe Blanton, for salary relief; b.) Ask the Cubs to pay some of Garza's salary.

Neither scenario is a likely one.

There aren't many teams around the game that would be interested in taking Blanton's salary off of the Phillies' hands, and the Cubs are trying to move payroll off of the books, though I'm sure they would pay some of Garza's salary if it meant acquiring another, or a better, prospect.

At the end of the day, I don't think it would be unusual for the Phillies to ask the Cubs about Matt Garza. We're talking about a team that employed four aces last season and reaped the benefits, winning more games than any team in baseball.

You have to ask yourself, however, is the risk outweighed by the reward? The Phillies would be moving a supremely talented batch of players to bolster a pitching staff that is already considered the best in baseball. Would acquiring a guy like Garza decrease their chances of signing Hamels to an extension? Would the Phillies be able to move Blanton?

Remember, this is all just speculation. If the Phillies are willing to include Domonic Brown in a trade package, they are going to be getting a lot of phone calls, and if they are confident about John Mayberry's development, moving Brown may prove to be a beneficial decision.

-Greg Pinto

Follow @Greg_PintoGreg Pintohttp://email@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2011/12/speculation-should-phillies-inquire-on.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-46607485961189116022011-12-29T19:51:00.000-08:002011-12-29T19:51:27.481-08:00It's Time to Get Real: Ryan Madson Isn't a Fit With the PhilliesFor every moment that Ryan Madson sits unsigned on the free agent market, speculation continues to grow that he could pursue a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies to take over as the set-up man for the club's new closer, Jonathan Papelbon.

It's time to face the music, people. Madson isn't going to re-sign with the Phillies.

The closest the free agent closer came to signing a deal this winter seemed like it was forever ago, when rumors surfaced that he and the Phillies had agreed to a four year, $44 million pact. The Phillies have since agreed to terms with Papelbon and Madson has watched his market shrivel up like tomatoes baking in a summer sun.

As teams with a need for a closer drop like flies, speculation grows that Madson is going to have to accept a one-year deal, and while that may be justified speculation, the idea that this deal will be with the Phillies is far-fetched.

First and foremost, we must take a look at the Phillies' payroll. The Phils made a couple of big splashes this winter, signing Papelbon to fill the ninth inning void and resigning longtime shortstop, Jimmy Rollins. They've also made a number of smaller moves, acquiring Ty Wigginton via trade with the Colorado Rockies and signing free agents Jim Thome, Laynce Nix, and Dontrelle Willis.

You can't stop there, however. The Phillies will see another rise in their payroll this winter when arbitration eligible players Cole Hamels, Hunter Pence, Kyle Kendrick, and Wilson Valdez all agree to new deals. Finally, we must factor in a number of raises in salary, including a jump of nearly $10 million in Cliff Lee's contract.

At the end of the day, the Phillies are looking at a payroll of right around $175 million for 25 players, including several per-arbitration players (for instance, John Mayberry Jr. and Antonio Bastardo.) That's a lot of money, and considering the fact that the luxury tax threshold will be $178 million, it certainly seems as though the Phillies are finished with their winter expenditures.

Can the Phillies break that luxury tax threshold? Sure, that's conceivable. Teams like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have done so in the past, but the Phillies have maintained their stance that they'll only go over the luxury tax "for the right deal."

Is Madson the "right deal?" He's certainly not going to sign for $3 million. The same case could be made for free agent starting pitcher Roy Oswalt, who is also seeking a one-year deal.

The bottom line is this: Though the Phillies would love to have Madson come back and be the set-up man, they have to avoid the shiny new toys and realize that their bullpen is already amongst the best in the National League.

Even if Madson is forced to accept a one-year deal, several contending teams, including the Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds, can afford to offer him a more lucrative one-year deal and the opportunity to showcase himself as a closer for a contending team.

At the end of the day, money rules all, and the Phillies certainly can't afford to bring Ryan Madson back aboard without making a major trade or facing larger, unnecessary monetary repercussions.

Photo Credit: www.trentonian.com

-Greg Pinto
Follow @Greg_PintoGreg Pintohttp://firstname.lastname@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-time-to-get-real-ryan-madson-isnt.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012271565718218345.post-51201919465487488132011-12-29T14:39:00.000-08:002011-12-29T14:39:57.874-08:00So after spending about an hour (yes, an hour; these things can be kind of tedious) customizing this new blog, I sat back in my chair, looked at the screen and thought to myself, "Man. This is like watching a prospect make his debut against Albert Pujols."

The casual baseball fan will know the point was this: It wasn't easy.

I've never been a person with an eye for design or the patience to sit down and try and figure out what looks best, so the highlight of that last hour was finding the preset template of the guy at the baseball game. Throw a little red in there and we're in business!

In all seriousness, creating a blog was something that I have been meaning to do for a while now, and finally, here it is. As a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, I spend a lot of time writing about the Philadelphia Phillies. I've worked on assignments ranging from the greatest players in the team's history to the best reasons to raise your kids a Phillies' fan.

As much as I love writing about the Phillies, I have been looking for a place to make more concise thoughts and statements for quite a while now, and while the idea of a blog was always in the back of my mind, it never really clicked until recently, when it was suggested to me by a friend that starting a blog would be perfect.

So here I am.

As I've continued to write about the Phillies and my knowledge on the subject has grown, I've been looking for a place to expand my avenues. That's why, on this blog, you will be able to find a number of things that cross my mind during the day: Trade and free agent rumors from various sources, not only about the Phillies, but about baseball in general; tons of analysis, from reactionary pieces to those transactions, possible fits on a roster, questionable decision making, etc.; and of course, recaps of what happened during each and every Phillies' game.

So that's about all I have for a first post. Thanks for checking out The Phillies Phactor and make sure to stay tuned for everything Phillies (and baseball) related!

-Greg Pinto
Follow @Greg_PintoGreg Pintohttp://email@example.com://philliesphactor.blogspot.com/2011/12/so-after-spending-about-hour-yes-hour.html


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A Jackson Charter School Kindergarten classroom has its walls covered with charts and materials for learning. The room was decorated by CICS Jackson Charter Kindergarten Teacher Lindsay Johnson, but it is her innovative ideas that keep students engaged.
"One of my first goals as a teacher at the beginning of the year is to create a classroom that is comfortable and safe feeling for the students that come here," Johnson said.
School Assistant Director Autumn Elrod nominated Johnson for WREX's Teacher of the Week. Elrod said Johnson spends extra time crafting exercises for students to meet their individual learning needs, including using song and dance as a teaching tool.
"When I see that light bulb go off in their head they just get so excited when they learn new things," Johnson said.
Johnson started at CICS 3 years ago. School Director Angelique Watson says she saw a spark in Johnson from the first interview.
"She was phenomenal and I knew she was someone we needed on our team to help have a major impact on student learning," Watson said.
She said Johnson had a natural gift to connect with the students. She also provides them with resources to accomplish their goals, preparing them for the next level of education.
"She lets me go to first grade for math," Kindergarten student Benjamin Prochnicki said.
Johnson still has the same enthusiasm she started with, according to Watson. That enthusiasm has led Jackson to become a mentor to her fellow teachers. She recommends teachers use students that perform well to help others, and to try to cherish their time as educators.
"Enjoy what you do, because this is what we went to college for."
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Anthony believes that we are all born psychic, and Thankfully his relatives were being aware about this and authorized him to assert that heritage from his earliest active Reminiscences. To…
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Smokefree legislation/initiatives
Tobacco control not very good but smoking has been banned in government premises. Enforcement is very weak. The Tobacco Control Bill is at final draft stage.
Factors helping or hindering the implementation of Article 8
The tobacco industry is working very hard to dilute the bill by exerting influence at the political level. However the Ministry of Health is not going to accept their suggestions.
Needs related to implementing smokefree policies
Solomon Islands does not have people dedicated to public education on the harmful effects of tobacco use.
First, say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. Health Service Food and Human Resources: Duty free cigarettes, wholesale cigarettes online


text: Volvo Gets IT: IT Drives Innovative Sustainability Solutions February 4, 2010 by nigelpm Leave a comment Recognition that IT is key driver of sustainability solutions across the company. Focus on IT for communication, collaboration, effective business processes, and GHG reduction. Advertisements Share this:ShareFacebookTwitterRedditLike this:Like Loading... Related Author: nigelpm Associate Professor of Information Systems, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan - Helping organizations to navigate digital transformation.


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I've been risking life and limb with every test ride, due the fact that my rear tire is beyond bald. There was significant amount of cord showing (check out the cross section). So for Father's day my lovely wife gave me a new rear skin (OK I did the shopping). In addition to the useless rubber, the rear rim is blessed with fluouresent green and purple showing through the two layers of poorly applied flat black Might as well pull the tire and clean up the rim. Check out the edge of the rim for the previous color samples.
It was a total pain to clean and sand, thanks to massive amounts of chain lube and globs of paint. I think the last coat of black was rolled on. I also had to clean up the gouged edges of the rim where somebody had ridden the bike on it's side. Honestly it's still not that great, but is a whole lot better.
Here it is with the new tire, a sport-touring dual compound that will last a little longer with my mild riding habits. Nice to have some tread to use.


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Right White Ink Pen?
I so want a white gel that really works. The American Craft Galaxy Markers run out of their juice even when stored properly, and the two Ranger Ink Essentials I purchased on line are an abysmal disappointment.
Some other suggestions from near and far come up on a search but the pen that seems to come the closet to what I want, the Uni-ball Signo Broad UM-153, is now out of stock at Jet Pens.
Posted by Zoe, ontheroad at 10:34 AM
Labels: Pentamento, Ranger, Sanford, white gel
4 comments:
I have one of those UM-153 white pens and love it. It writes better on dark paper than any other white pen I've tried and I've even used it as a correction pen. Hope you're able to get one soon.ReplyDelete
Thanks for corroborating that the UM-153 is a winner.ReplyDelete
I will be searching it out today.
Ontheroad did you finally get your hands on a Uni-ball Signo Broad UM-153? If so, what is the verdict? Just asking because I too have been searching all over. Just recently, have been using the Sakura Gelly Roll and it too tends to skip as I write or draw. Let me know if the UM-153 is worth the try. =)ReplyDelete
I did find one here:ReplyDelete
And it is a big improvement over the others I have but I haven't used it enough to give it a high or low mark.
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Back in high school when my parents split up, I thought Dad would live in the home we grew up in together as a family forever. A younger me thought, Why wouldn't he? It has everything a man could ever want. A quarter-mile driveway providing endless privacy. Four bedrooms. Two and a half baths. A massive family room. A spankin' new kitchen with stainless steel appliances. A younger, more naive me thought that living there alone would be like Dad owning his own palace (complete with at least three flat-screen TVs). And a hot tub.
The realistic me years later is coming to terms with the fact that he doesn't need this house. A realistic me is wondering when he's going to spruce up the yard, fix a few things on the inside, and move out of the place where I used to play Xena Warrior Princess in the backyard. And a few weeks back, I got a bit of an answer to that.
He asked, "Would you be sad if I sold this house?"
My answer? "Sure I would be. But you should."
Sure, I have a lot of memories in that olive green house. It was there I learned how to ride a bike. It was there I hit my first baseball. It was there I learned my first Britney Spears dance (totally a childhood landmark moment), and there that I baked my first cake in my Easy-Bake Oven. I remember deciding which college I would attend sitting at the kitchen table, and oh man, the glasses of wine we've consumed sitting around the granite kitchen counter as Billy Joel blasted overhead.
As much as I value those memories, though, we'll make new memories somewhere else. It'll be a new chapter, with new appliances and new bottles of wine. Besides, I moved out. I moved on. And at the end of the day, there's no real reason that Dad shouldn't, either.
... He just better let me dig through that basement first for my collectibles before throwing everything into a dumpster. You know that dusty American Girl doll in the corner is going to be worth a pretty penny one day.
Do you or your family members still live in the home you grew up in? Do you have your own story about moving on?
Image via Emily Abbate


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Our Oatmeal, And HoneyButter Scented Recipe, For Farmhouse Memories!
Amplify'd from stores.intuitwebsites.com
Rustic Farmhouse Scented Soap
Our Farmhouse Soap reminds us of many of the activities that have taken place at our farm. We have taken our ingredients into account for all the fun times we have had here under our weeping willow tree and its shading canopy; sleep-overs, tents, numerous games of baseball, kick the can, and fireworks!
Here we have a soap with ingredients that can conger up memories for us ... Buttermilk for all the biscuits and cornbread, Olive Oil for our garden's leaf lettuce salads, Sunflower Oil for those bold and stately sunflowers in the garden, Vegetable Shortening (soybean oil) for all the wonderful desserts eaten, Lanolin from the sheep wool, Bees Wax and Honey from our Bees Knees, Eggs from the chickens, Oatmeal with our Honey drizzled on top for breakfast...
The fragrance we have chosen for this version of our Rustic Farmhouse Soap, is an Oatmeal and HoneyButter Scent. This scent has a warm undertone of creamy vanilla! This soap is rustic and nubby in appearance, due to the oatmeal inclusion, the deep chocolately brown is from the mellowing of the vanilla used.
We have also crafted our Olde Farmhouse Soap as a pure and natural, unscented soap bar, for those of us who prefer no fragrance. This will be found in our Pure and Natural Category.
Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, Olive Oil, Palm Oil, Soybean Oil, Distilled Water, Buttermilk, Lanolin, Bees Wax, Egg Yolks, Oatmeal, Honey, Fragrance Oil if Scented Version is Chosen.
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See this Amp at http://bit.ly/nfXkQR


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We're really sorry, but it looks like this job has already been filled.
Register your CV with us, see our latest jobs or use the search below.
We are looking for a Project Manager to join our client, a large telecoms company, on an initial 3 month contract based out of either London, Manchester or Edinburgh.
Max pay rate: £400
What you'll doAs a Project Manager in UK Banking & Financial Services you will be responsible for E2E delivery of client Projects. This responsibility will span everything in that E2E journey including scoping, requirements, design, delivery, implementation and bringing into service. All of that will an exceptional eye for customer experience and commercial interest. In the fast pace, high impact world of UK Banking & Financial Services you will do all of that in a highly charged environment of pressure where impact of Project failure can be share price affecting. What we're looking for· Highly capable and motivated Project Managers· Strong commercial pedigree· Track record of delivery in pressured, high impacting client environments· Experience of working within Banking & Finance sector preferred· Self-starters who will own and drive their Projects in proactive and professional form · Experience in the following technologies helpful but not essential:o Cisco Nexus / ACI deploymentso End of life and tech refresh activity across DC and network environmentso Wi-fi deployments o UC / MS Skype deploymentso Network Security technologieso Avayao Genesys
Interested candidates should submit their CVs in the first instance: Sophie . Garty @ experis . co .uk


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2016 Tour de France: Onboard Camera - Stage 18
Submitted by admin2 on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 13:52
|Follow cyclingfans on Twitter and never miss a race. Cyclingfans.com: The #1 destination on the internet for live race coverage.
- Onboard Camera - Stage 18 (Velon CC, Ambient sound, 03:22) For more Tour de France videos go here.


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Venus has been retrograde since October 8 and remain so until November 18. Beginning November 7th until the 29th, Venus retraces her steps from early September when she returns to her home sign of Libra and revisits 27 to 29 degrees of Libra before re-entering Scorpio on the November 29 to stay until January 7, 2011.
What were the first ten days of September like for you? Do you have unresolved issues or unfinished projects from that period? Or maybe, you did work then that you haven't been paid for yet. Much of November may be a time to help you gain some closure or arrive at a solution.
Venus symbolizes love and money, while Libra represents relationships, so these may be the areas in life that Venus' return to Libra will trigger this month. With Saturn (reality/structure/hard work) also in Libra where he's been since July and where he'll remain until 2012, some of us may be learning or re-learning how to relate with others; how to be in a healthy relationship with another/others or even with money; or how to put away our blinders and "see" our relationships as they truly are. Perhaps, finances being tight becomes a lesson in values and priorities; a relationship on the rocks finds solid ground to rebuild the relationship structure or crumbles; or a failed relationship, a lesson in self-worth.
However, Venus' transit may manifest in your life and whether these events/issues are related to Saturn's transit, take this time reassess finances and what course of action, if any, may be necessary to take; gain understanding on the nature of your relationships, whether they are healthy or not and what you can do to improve things; and/or be open to re-establish a new value system...perhaps, what you once deemed super important may no longer be at the top tier of your priorities.
Those with natal planets, especially natal Saturn, and/or house angles within 27 to 29 degrees of cardinal signs may experience Venus' return in Libra stronger than most. In addition to Venus' transit, Chiron and Neptune will now also be direct and transiting the last degrees of fellow air sign, Aquarius, during this period when Venus is also in Libra.
Also today, Neptune stations direct, after five months of being in retrograde motion.
To get an idea of how Venus' transit may influence you (along with Chiron and Neptune's transits), look to the solar and/or natal house governed by Libra (and Aquarius for Chiron and Neptune) and which house/s 27-29 degrees of Libra falls in your birth chart (26-28 degrees of Aquarius for Chiron and Neptune). For those without a birth chart handy, cast your birth chart at http://alabe.com/freechart.
Alternatively, I am available for personal consultations. Schedule your session or Request an estimate for a more customized reading.
Related articles:
- Transiting Venus in Natal Houses
- Venus in Libra ~ August 6 to September 8, 2010
- Venus Retrograde ~ October 8 to November 18, 2010
- Venus Direct ~ November 18, 2010
- Venus Re-enters Scorpio ~ November 29 2010 to January 7, 2011
- Saturn in Libra ~ October 29, 2009 to April 7, 2010; July 21, 2010 to October 5, 2012
"Libra" - image credit and copyright to Sodahead.


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Friday, June 28, 2013
Rachel Rambles About You Look Different in Real Life
From Goodreads:
For the rest of the world, the movies are entertainment. For Justine, they're real life.
The premise was simple: five kids, just living their lives. There'd be a new movie about them every five years, starting in kindergarten. But no one could have predicted what the cameras would capture. And no one could have predicted that Justine would be the star.
Now sixteen, Justine doesn't feel like a star anymore. In fact, when she hears the crew has gotten the green light to film Five at Sixteen, all she feels is dread. The kids who shared the same table in kindergarten have become teenagers who hardly know one another. And Justine, who was so funny and edgy in the first two movies, feels like a disappointment.
But these teens have a bond that goes deeper than what's on film. They've all shared the painful details of their lives with countless viewers. They all know how it feels to have fans as well as friends. So when this latest movie gives them the chance to reunite, Justine and her costars are going to take it. Because sometimes, the only way to see yourself is through someone else's eyes.
Smart, fresh, and frequently funny, You Look Different in Real Life is a piercing novel about life in an age where the lines between what's personal and what's public aren't always clear.
When I first read the summary for You Look Different in Real Life, I was instantly intrigued. It seemed like such an interesting and original subject matter. I couldn't wait to read about these teenagers who'd grown up in front of the camera and get into how that lifestyle affected them. Unfortunately, this book left me rather disappointed. The premise of the book had the potential to be highly entertaining, but I found myself bored and unimpressed for the majority of it.
The biggest problem I had with You Look Different in Real Life was the way the characters were portrayed. The main focus of the book was the narrator, Justine, who felt incredibly flat and lifeless to me. I feel like there was very little character development for her throughout the book, and there was nothing special or interesting about her that made me care about her or her life. The other characters, the teenagers featured in the documentary films, received even less character development. As I was reading, I felt like the characters were all so boring and two-dimensional. They didn't seem to have any personality traits that came across clearly in the book. They were all just there. As they found themselves in difficult or dramatic situations, I couldn't bring myself to care about them at all. I felt like I was given no reason to be emotionally invested in them, so all the situations that were supposed to make me feel bad or sad for them had almost no effect on me.
Also, the relationships the characters had with each other didn't seem realistic to me. The drama and tension between the characters felt superficial, and I had a hard time believing it. It didn't feel like they genuinely liked or hated or didn't trust each other.
Another issue I had with this book was the plot, or rather, lack of a plot. The first half of the book is about Justine's memories of the other kids and the films, and the cameras following around each of the kids and shooting footage. Nothing important happened during this time period, other than establishing some of the back story of all the characters. The story didn't seem to really start until the five teenagers were forced to participate in a retreat in a cabin in the woods, where they were expected to communicate with each other and learn to get along with each other. As I was reading, I assumed that this was when the book would get interesting and the characters would work out their problems and I'd get to see some character and plot development.
But after spending a short period of time on this retreat, the plot quickly moves away from it. One of the characters takes off unexpectedly, and the other four follow her. The rest of the book was about the group driving around and...not doing much else. It was boring! Their little road trip seemed pointless, and it didn't seem like any progress was being made. The plot was dull and I found myself wondering when things were going to get interesting.
The book wasn't all bad, though. I still think the idea behind the documentary films is fascinating. In the book, five kids are the subject of different films about their everyday lives. Every five years, another film is made, when the kids are at different ages and stages of their lives. There's Five at Six, Five at Eleven, and the film being made in the book, Five at Sixteen. It's a really interesting concept, and the point is to see how the kids change, and how their relationships to each other change as they all grow up. I wish the characters had more life to them so that I could appreciate this part of the story.
Another thing I did like about the book was the ending. It was nice to see that everyone, specifically Justine, seemed to get their crap together by the end of the book. There was also a little bit of romance at the end, which I was not expecting, but I thought it made sense in the story and it was an example of some good old character development. I wish the romance had come into the story a bit earlier though, because I would have preferred to see the character development sooner rather than later.
You Look Different in Real Life was not the worst book I've ever read, but it wasn't the best, either. I found myself incredibly bored with this book, but I didn't hate it. The original idea behind the book held so much potential, but the lifeless characters and boring plot disappointed me. My overall opinion on this book: Meh.
3 comments:
Have you heard of the films this book seems to be based on? Google the Up series (starting with Seven Up.). I haven't seen them but the premise fascinates me.ReplyDeleteReplies
Ooh, I just Googled them! I had no idea something like the films in the book even existed! How cool. :) I might have to check them out at some point...Delete
This book sounds like a bit of a train wreck. I was interested in it before, but I think I may just skip it now.ReplyDelete
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(NOTE: Anyone seeking post-earthquake news on Fr Luc and the kids – they are fine! – please visit here for the latest information. 1/18/10)
Information and Inspiration from Sheepfold School, Haiti
So, I've known of Sheepfold School & Orphanage since back when I was in school in Miami and have been in touch with Br Luc a few times directly since then. But Ive realized the last few months – I dont know too much actually about the place or the people there other than the basics. I wanted to change this. So, I wrote to Fr Luc recently- emailed him in fact – and asked a lot of questions about the school – I wanted to know more so I could share more with other people. He gave me a lot of interesting information and also, not surprisingly, left me feeling inspired and humbled. Here are the basic facts about this wonderful place in this very poor country.
This year, the school is educating 326 kids. I read lately that only about 53% of Haitians can read, so this access to a basic education is a big and important thing. Education is so vitally important to anyone's progress, right? And we can be a concrete part of helping Sheepfold do what it does for 326 kids.
There are fourteen classrooms at the school- that's bigger than I imagined it. There are also 47 teachers. By the looks of their cool names, like Pierre Beauplan and Francois Audinelle, it seems most are Haitian. Fr Luc noted that all of the teachers been certified by the Department of National Education. (Sheepfold don't play. )
I found these photos taken by visitors from Br Luc's religious order on Facebook of all places. These photos were more than I had ever seen of the school. You can see the kids also have access to computers. It looks like they're those "One Laptop Per Child" super-durable inexpensive computers.
Another important feature- the students get one meal a day from the school. This consists of rice, beans, and vegetables. So along with education, the school is feeding the kids too, in a place where hunger is an ongoing pervasive problem.
Another cool thing about the school is, education is provided for kids over 18. And let's face it, even if we're over 18, we're often still kids. There is a vocational component to Sheepfold where students over 19 can study. They study to be mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, tailors, and computer specialists. Work skills in a country with an 80% unemployment rate- very important! I know there is also a bakery where they make bread for the school and neighborhood, I need to ask Fr Luc. more about that, and farming training.
Recently, Sheepfold added a small seminary- five men are studying for the priesthood. I' m not sure if they're going to enter Br. Luc's order or not, but he seemed pleased with this in his email.
I asked Fr. Luc what he would like to fix or expand at the school and he said they need a library and the school could use some paint.
This is what's amazing about this place, to me, Sheepfold isn't only a school or only an orphanage – but both.
Currently, there are 78 young boys and 113 boys age eighteen (and I think older, like the age of the vocational school.) Any of you reading this who have sons – try to picture that many boys to manage. Fr Luc says he is aided by other religious- priests and nuns – at the orphanage. Fr Luc says the boys come to stay at the orphanage because they don't have family or because their parents can't care for them. (There are hundreds of thousands of orphans in Haiti.). I asked what he might like to fix or expand at the orphanage and he said said he'd like to buy some mattresses for the boys.
I asked him what he wanted us to know about the boys at the orphanage and he said that the are intelligent in school, interesting and "the hope for the country."
I hope I have painted a picture of a very amazing place helping children as talented and precious as any – I would never want to paint a picture of gloom and doom, negativity, "neediness" or something like that.
At the same time, it would be a mistake for me not to make it clear that life in Haiti is "very hard" – as Fr Luc put it in last year's Christmas list. In the correspondence I have had with him over the last month, he invited me to come to Haiti to see the poverty first hand and how, in his words, people live "like a dog or a pig." He said in his last email that the recession is has made life even more difficult. He says as long as the politics don't change the "poverty and misery" continue in his country.
Let me finish with one thing that struck me most of all in Fr Luc's email. I asked if they ever just didnt have enough to go around- food, water. And his response was that "Divine Providence always gives us what we need, just as He does for the birds of the air."
It took me a moment, but I realized he was citing The Gospel of Matthew:
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
This really made me stop and think. I can't even imagine some of the things Br. Luc sees on a daily basis, his frustrations, his responsibilities, his challenges. But here he was reminding me- who's seen none of that- that we have to have faith that we need to do our part– our drop in the bucket- and then trust that the Lord will provide. And that is maybe Sheepfold in a nutshell to me- a place of faith, hope, and love – in action.
And I think about the word "valuable" — these kids who, by no fault of their own, are in this position of great disadvantage – they are VALUABLE . They are valuable to their community – as Br Luc says- they're the hope of their country. They're valuable to each other and to the adults who care for them. And to those of us of religious faith, these kids are valuable to God. And as an off shoot, they must be valuable to us as their brothers and sisters (or maybe aunties and uncles.) They deserve to have lives that reflect that worth.
"Birds of the air". It made me think of one of my favorite Nina Simone songs- Billy Taylor's "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" (click for lyrics). Here's Nina on youtube. Or if you prefer newer school, there's this one.
I hope over the next few weeks, you'll consider adding a drop to this bucket (except you people who donated to my walk in the fall; your money's no good here!)


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Today starts a new series, Photo Friday. I have taken a lot of photos throughout the years and for the most part they just sit on my camera or computer. Photo Friday gives me an opportunity so share some of them. No words other than a basic theme. Just sit and enjoy.
Flowers of San Lodovico in Orvieto, Italy


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With an aluminum frame and no giant wooden box, this bike is less than half the weight of my previous bike. It is light enough I don't use the assist nearly as much, saving it for hills. With the mid-drive system, the power is supplied through the cranks, instead of through the hubs. The cranks and the chainring can move separately, meaning the motor doesn't drive the pedals, only the chain (unlike a Stokemonkey mid-drive). This makes the motor engaging and disengaging a lot smoother.
The motor uses magnetic sensors on the rear wheel and cranks to detect motion, as well as a torque sensor on the cranks to determine when and how much to engage. The system is pretty seamless when up to speed, though there are situations when the motor kicks in when it shouldn't. When slowing to a stop and still pedaling, the motor will sometimes engage momentarily. Also, I have had it engage when walking next to the bike if the pedals start turning, as when going up a curb where the pedals get caught on the curb.
There are 4 levels of assist, with the lowest level being hardly noticeable and the highest level only appropriate for going up steep hills or going 20+mph on level ground. I usually leave it on 0 or 1 on level ground and 2 when going up regular hills. The motor helps most when pedaling slowly, around 50-60 rpms. The power drops as you pedal faster, with the assist not helping much when pedaling more than 80-90 rpms. For me, riding with the motor requires a slightly different riding style than without. The power of the motor drops as the battery gets drained. Level 1 on a full battery is the same as level 2 or 3 when the battery is at 40% charge.
The addition of the motor and the ability of the pedals and chain to move independently means the pedals are very far apart. About 5/8" wider (190mm total) than on a commuter or mountain bike (150-165mm). Personally, this is acceptable in exchange for having the motor in the cranks. The Cetma had the pedals about 1/4" wider than a mountain bike without a motor because of the wide chainstays.
I have noticed a little noise coming from the motor cover when pedaling. It isn't clear whether it is the two covers rubbing against each other or the cover rubbing on the frame. I will have to investigate as the creaking noise is annoying because the rest of the bike is so quiet.
The components were very well chosen on this bike for good durability, value, and low maintenance. It uses Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with large rotors for fantastic stopping power. It is easy to slow the bike going downhill with one hand while signaling with the other hand. These brakes use mineral oil like Shimano instead of the DOT fluid used by other manufactures. Having bled other brakes before, I prefer to work with mineral oil, despite the higher cost.
The drivetrain is 8 speed with an 11-32 cassette, which I would consider changing to 11-34 when it comes time to replace it. Xtracycle and Bullitt mostly use 9 and 10 speed drivetrains, which seems unnecessary for cargo/commuter bike use. Replacing the chain and cassette when they wear out will cost 20% more for 9 speed and 100% more for 10 speed.
The wheels and tires are heavy duty, the rear wheel is 48 spokes and the front is 36, with both using extra thick 13 gauge spokes. Tires are Schwalbe Big Apple Plus front and rear, which is my personal favorite for cargo bike use. The wheels are a little easier to remove than on my previous bike, so I could probably use the regular Big Apple tires and change an extra flat now and again. The wheels come with a quick release. I would have expected axles with nuts on them for heavy duty use and for the extra security. I replaced the quick releases with security skewers. After I installed running boards in the back, I noticed that the quick release skewers wouldn't be able to open with the running boards on. This wouldn't be too much of an issue with the Yuba's running boards because they can be removed without tools. Mine are installed more permanently, so using the security skewers is good as the tool to loosen them just fits without removing the running boards.
|Not much clearance between running boards and hub skewer.
The bike comes equipped with front and rear lights as well as front and rear fenders. This is pretty unique, even among cargo bikes. The front fender was an inexpensive Planet Bike fender, which I replaced with the better supported (two sets of stays instead of one) and longer Planet Bike Cascadia fender.
The lights are Spanninga lights for use with ebikes. The front is a Spanninga Corona Xe, it has 3 leds that put out 20 lux that provide good indirect light to avoid blinding oncoming traffic. The mirror reflector and the lens used to direct the beam make it a little too diffuse and irregular (dappled might be the right word). It doesn't provide the uniformly bright light pattern of the B&M lights I use on my other bikes and (which vary from 50-90 lux). But the ability to mount the light in front of the basket instead of the handlebars means better lighting angle and stuff in the basket doesn't block the light.
|Some rivnuts visible above the running board, not sure what you would use them for.
|Front Bread Basket mounts nicely to hollow tube running all the way through the frame.
Headset is heavy duty 1.5" instead of normal 1.125"
The entire frame is very well braced and stiff. The balloon tires at moderate pressure (35 psi) make the ride pretty smooth.


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Thursday, February 16, 2012
Fitness Challenge: Day 28
A hike in the desert combines exercise and sightseeing and allows vacationers to keep to a fitness regimen. The Boulders Resort offers a variety of outdoor adventures, including rock climbing, horseback riding and a desert hike.
We are outfitted with fanny packs, water bottles and healthy snacks (apples and granola bars) before our trek, and our guide carries extra water, reminding us every few minutes to take a sip.
It isn't brutally hot, but it is extremely dry. Lip balm is required, along with sunscreen and a hat. Our three hour hike is more endurance than cardio, but it is an excellent way to explore our surroundings and exercise.
Note to family travelers: although fit kids could handle this hike, it is limited to those ages 16 and up. Of course, you can just drive yourself to the national park and go on a family hike, but you don't get the fanny pack.
Posted by Judy Antell at 11:17 AM
Labels: exercise, family travel, fitness, vacation
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Another Beautiful Day In ParadisePosted: March 15, 2017 Filed under: Fishing | Tags: Olympic Peninsula Steelhead, Olympic Peninsula Weather, Winter steelhead fishing Leave a comment
They don't call it WINTER steelheading for nothing… Before the big warm rains and resulting river blowouts, I ran back over to the Olympic Peninsula for a couple days. Mostly it was a social occasion, to hang out with good friends Nate and Jeff, and stop in for another visit with JD. I went to school with Nate way back when, we've fished together all over the place, and now he lives in California. He's also one of the people who first made me aware of, and encouraged me to participate in, fish conservation. So a chance to celebrate his birthday on the river wasn't to be passed up.
The weather, though, had it's say. Air temps stayed in the 30s, we had mixed rain and snow, the occasional white-out blizzard and some pretty sketchy driving. Water temps stayed low, and very few fish were being caught. Probably because there simply aren't many around this year. I was lucky enough to hook one during a brief–and coincidental, I think–moment of sunshine (shortly after the picture above was taken), but otherwise we heard of little success. And a lot of the time, we were treated to a persistent, wet, mix of slushy snow and rain. Like this:
Or this:
But numb fingers and slow fishing did little to dampen the enjoyment of time on the river with good friends. With all the politics around Olympic Peninsula wild steelhead now, and some pretty serious issues about their future survival, it was further incentive to participate in the challenge of saving them–if for nothing more than to have more days like these ahead.
Olympic Peninsula ReturnPosted: March 2, 2017 Filed under: Fishing | Tags: Hoh River, JD Love, Olympic Peninsula Fly Fishing, Olympic Peninsula Steelhead, Sol Duc River, steelhead fly fishing, Swinging Flies Leave a comment
The crowds. Declining wild steelhead runs. Fish Politics… A few years back, I pretty much quit the Olympic Peninsula, for any number of reasons. Since then, I've been lucky to spend most of my steelhead time on the Bulkley, the Kispiox, the Skeena and Nass, unnamed BC coastal rivers and other places far and wide. Then there's the food fishing in Puget Sound, Willapa Bay and the Columbia. Plenty to keep me busy, but I was jonesing to swing flies for wild steelhead, and this year, for the first time in a long time, I felt the pull of the OP.
Fellow fish fanatic Danielle and I headed west shortly after torrential rains had blown out every river in the state. We had to kill time before the rivers were fishable, so we walked into the Lower Elwha Dam Site and felt the power of a full and free river tearing through the canyon. We stood on the new Elwha Delta and watched the river meet the sea. Then we pushed on farther west.
The OP rivers were falling into shape, and we were soon swinging flies through high, dirty, yet fishable water. The skies cleared. Temps dropped. Snow fell. Conditions went from marginal to perfect. Not many fish around–Perhaps the bulk of the run (2-salt fish) perished in The Blob?–but enough to keep it interesting. And so much killer water to swing through! I had forgotten how much I love this place, and it felt great to remember.
Another bonus was time with JD Love, a good friend and the dean of Olympic Peninsula fly fishermen. We had a gorgeous elk-roast dinner with the Loves at their home on the Sol Duc, and a few hours here and there on the water together. JD's generosity extended beyond local knowledge and dinner–he and his wife also came to the rescue when we found a lost beagle on the lower Hoh and spent the evening tracking down its owner.
As the days passed, I looked with fresh eyes at the natural beauty of our rainforest landscape, watched the crowds of bobber-tossing guided anglers grow as the waters dropped (one day I counted 17 boats in at Morgan's Crossing on the Hoh…), and yes, even managed to scrape up a few fish on the swung fly.
I think it's one of those things where you forget the treasure you have in your own backyard, take it for granted, grow frustrated with it. But after some time away, you understand and appreciate what you have, and perhaps love it even more than you did before. I will be back on the OP again. Soon.


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On rare occasions a guest writer will come on to Examiner. Today Philip Lopez has asked to share his essay about parenting and those tough questions parents, at some time or another, have to answer.
If you're a parent, you've undoubtedly discovered that raising children is the most difficult task you've ever undertaken. It's your responsibility to shape their impressionable minds – whether or not they grow up to become productive members of society and successful individuals supposedly hinges on your every move. So go figure they ask the most difficult questions early in the parenting process, when they're most curious and you're most clueless. Below are a handful of those questions that make parents cringe.
1. How are babies made? Every parent has inevitably been asked this question in some variation. Most are left wondering how such a thought had entered their child's mind, and who they should tongue-lash for putting it there. But now that it's on the table, you have to explain it in terms that are least explicit. "The birds and the bees" talk has long been a go-to option, or you can come up with your own story. Or better yet, defer to your spouse.
2. Why do boys have [this] and girls have [that]? You get the idea. If they happen to ask this question along with question No. 1, they probably know more than they're leading on. If they ask those questions when they're 14-years-old, you've got bigger problems on your hands.
3. Where do people go when they die? If you're a Christian, the answer seems simple enough: Heaven. But explaining what Heaven entails and what it takes to get there can take an eternity. Explaining any religion's afterlife to a three, four or five-year-old is akin to describing quantum physics to a football player – it's a lost cause. If you don't happen to belief in an afterlife, well, your answer is easy.
4. Am I going to die someday?
This question is a bit underrated and often unexpected. Your child may or may not realize they are going to die when they pose question No. 3. If they do, break the news gently. Many kids have spent sleepless nights pondering their fate, and you know that when your kid is sleepless, you're sleepless.
5. Why? "Why?" usually pertains to anything and everything, and the question is typically asked a bazillion times through ages three and four. The best part about parenting a young kid is they don't realize that you're pretty much clueless about everything, so almost any answer will suffice as long as you don't warp their perception of reality.
Part 2 – next 5 questions —>>>>> Click here.