text:
New Jersey is hot as a pistol. "The Sopranos," Bruce Springsteen, Bob Torricelli, a state Supreme Court that expresses its latent creativity by taking a broad and even artistic approach to the law. New Jersey is front-page news.
You got a problem with that?
* * *
I happen to love New Jersey. It's not a hard place to love. I went to high school and college there, I lived there a few years ago, and there is something poignant and moving in it. Jerseyites all know they're part of a national punch line—"I'm from Jersey!"—and they accept it with grace and a shrug and play along with the joke if it'll make you happy. They are unpretentious.
And Jersey is colorful. It is not a beige state like Virginia, where everything—the hair color of the girls at the mall, the hills, the buildings of Tyson's Corner—comes in shades of brown. New Jersey has a broad palette; there's a full ethnic mix, and people have a shock of red hair and black hair and blue eyes and green eyes and freckles and round ebony faces. The grandchildren of the immigrants of Eastern and Western Europe are there, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of black Americans who came north in the 20th century are there, and so are new immigrants from all over the world.
It has the same ethnic mix as New York but less conceit. Instead of vanity it has an accommodating brassiness. The Jersey I like best is hard-hat, not high-hat, and working-class. In its old train stations and its black steel bridges—TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD TAKES—it looks like the America of "On the Waterfront," that masterpiece of estrangement, loyalty and love. My Jersey looks like America when America was young and tough.
Of course Jerseyites wince when you write things like this because it seems like you're reducing the state to clichés. And that's the politicians' job.
* * *
Forty years ago, in "The Making of the President, 1960," the big book that transformed modern political reporting, Theodore White called New Jersey the most corrupt big state in the union and said the reason was that it was the least covered by the media of the day. The great newspapers and the broadcasters with the most resources were in New York and Philadelphia. Jersey media couldn't hold on to first-rate writers and reporters; those who showed conspicuous talent were quickly lured to the big pay and big bylines of the big cities.
I first read White's observation when I was in high school. I thought to myself: By the time I'm grown up it will have changed. But it hasn't entirely.
Which has been both good and bad.
Good: Jersey longer than many states got to continue as itself, unruined by outsiders. It is still distinctive and still capable, at least to some degree, of producing kids with a bona fide regional accent.
Bad: Its rich tradition of corruption continues, if not largely unchecked then only slowly checked. Bob Torricelli would not, I think, have lasted quite so long in New York.
* * *
Others will castigate New Jersey's Supreme Court, political leadership and senior senator. But I want to castigate Bob Torricelli's withdrawal speech. It was really interesting and revealing. In fact I think it was a masterpiece of political manipulation that failed.
First, what worked.
The speech was timed and presented in a way that showed savvy and discipline. Mr. Torricelli and his staff kept his decision under wraps until the day he stepped down. That morning they began to leak to media bigfoots. TV cable channels and radio stations trumpeted all day that a big announcement was coming. They did it to hold viewers, which built Mr. Torricelli's audience. Mr. Torricelli's people did not put out an advance text of the speech, to the extent there was one, so TV and radio producers didn't know when to cut to the speech and show the withdrawal. So they had to run the whole speech. Mr. Torricelli made good use of the time, presenting reality as he wished it to be understood. Of course he saved the specific announcement of his withdrawal for the end of the speech, so CNN wouldn't switch away from his remarks.
This was all really well done.
Mr. Torricelli got maximum exposure and used it to give a last will and political testament. And for a good while it was a good speech.
He began by putting himself in context. He told us "The Story of Torricelli"—the tale of a young Jersey college kid whose mother and sister put his name up for local office. He enters politics. As a young man he meets Anwar Sadat and boldly declares himself to be a future member of the United States Congress. He hungers for political greatness.
There was an elegiac feel to this part of the speech. His review of his life had height. "Thirty years have passed. I've loved almost every moment. I fought for everything I believed in, with all the fiber in my body. . . . I've had the life that I wanted."
Then he spoke of something that isn't spoken of enough: the meaning of a political life. The purpose of politics, he says, is to offer a stage for the betterment of man. He candidly asserts his partisanship, saying that people denigrate partisanship but that he is proud to wear the label: "I have believed in the Democratic Party all my life."
There was something fresh in this. First, it seemed true. But also, it can be argued that in some ways we don't have enough partisanship in modern politics. Conservatives like me see the GOP as the party more reflective of their views, and thus deserving of regard and respect. But we don't "believe" in it. Most of my friends who are Democrats are similarly liberal, and see the Democratic Party as the vehicle of liberalism. They are loyal to it insofar as it is the party of the left. But there is something to be said for direct and declared partisanship. It keeps things clear. It helps move the ball forward, helps propel events and decisions. And it helps the center hold.
Mr. Torricelli then jumps to the day he walked into the Senate. Here he captures what is rarely expressed these days by political figures in public: the romance of the endeavor. He speaks of the old and spontaneous Senate tradition dating back 200 years in which every senator has carved his name, before he left, in the desk he used on the floor of the chamber. The day Bob Torricelli entered the Senate he lifted the lid of his new desk to see whose names were there: "Hubert Humphrey's name, and Fulbright, and Wayne Morse." The old liberal giants. He wanted to be among them, to be part of their tradition. "I've tried in my own way to add a little bit to whatever they left."
This is good stuff too.
At this point, about halfway through the speech, I thought: People are going to say this was the speech of his career, and Jersey is going to thank him for going out with style.
* * *
But soon it was clear I was wrong, and I thought of what John Kennedy is supposed to have said of Richard Nixon after his bombastic bowing out of politics in 1962: "No class."
What happened to turn Mr. Torricelli's speech bad?
He went too far. He strained credulity and then broke it.
Why was he leaving now? Because he had concluded staying might hand the Republicans a new Senate seat. But it was immediately clear that the timing was related to new allegations that he had attempted to get a pardon from the Clinton White House for a supporter who'd given him $20,000 in illegal contributions. He asserted that withdrawal was his idea, but it quickly appeared to be more largely the result of decisions by national Democratic leaders. He suggested his mistakes were small ones when they were essential ones: the gross peddling of political influence. He suggested the people of New Jersey had been ungenerous in not forgiving him. And there were embarrassing moments such as his apology to Bill Clinton "for not having his strength."
But the moment when the bad in the speech crystallized was when Mr. Torricelli eulogized himself.
"Somewhere today in one of several hospitals in New Jersey, some woman's life is going to be changed because of the mammography centers that I created. . . . Somewhere tonight in Bergen County, if a woman is beaten . . . she'll spend the night in a center that I created. . . . Somewhere today, because I changed the gun laws . . . . Some child in Bergen County will play in a park that I funded, in land that I saved. . . . Somewhere all over New Jersey, some senior citizen who doesn't even know my name . . . will live in a senior center that I helped to build."
I created, I funded, I saved, I did. I, I, I. And they don't even know my name.
This is—well, where to start? It is poor political etiquette, and it is more than that.
Imagine a JFK or a Ronald Reagan talking like that. "I brought the Berlin Wall down—I did it," "I put Castro in his place." "I cut taxes and you didn't even say thanks." And now you won't have Torricelli to kick around anymore.
Ronald Reagan and JFK would not speak that way, and not only because each had grace. They also had more understanding of the facts. Mr. Reagan knew it was the patriots and bravehearts of the world who brought the wall down.
But what is sad is that what Mr. Torricelli had to say is more and more how modern politicians talk. And because he seemed to believe what he said.
He did it, he is great, we owe him.
The kind of politicians who do this are the kind who never say they're in politics. They always say they're in public service.
* * *
As for who owes whom what: A political figure such as Bob Torricelli should attempt to lead in a certain direction. He may think it good to take taxpayer money—that is, your money, the money you worked for—and dedicate it to the building of a local day-care center. He will push for it and get his bill through. When the day-care center is built the politician will show up on the day it is opened and cut the ribbon. He will get in the papers. He will make a statement. He will appear to be effective, the kind of leader who makes a difference. People will say, My son goes to that center Torricelli built.
This isn't bad politics. And if you agree that the day-care center should have been built, and should have been taxpayer funded, you will look kindly on him.
But he didn't "do it., You did. You paid for it. With your taxes. And he was among its chief beneficiaries.
He should thank you.
He should thank the people who paid for the facility he wished to see built and whose existence he will claim as part of his legacy.
The facility serves his interests, in some cases in ways that are not officially sanctioned. The politician, for instance, may see to it that a contractor who is a major contributor gets the bid for the building of the facility. He may see to it that the cousins of his biggest supporter in Essex County work in the facility.
The political figure, that is, can, if he chooses, benefit big time from the building of the facility.
And we all know it. And all of us pretty much accept it. Politics is messy and imperfect. But it is grating to be told by a politician all the things he gave us.
* * *
Here is a rule you can rely on: The kind of politician who insists he is in "public service" and not in "politics" is the kind of politician who'll ultimately think that his constituents owe him.
And so a speech that started out strong wound up weak, a goodbye that started out moving ended up as merely manipulative, and a testament that started out seeming candid ended sounding like mere blowhardism.
Too bad. I thought Mr. Torricelli would go out like a Jersey guy—straight, unpretentious, humble and tough.


text:
I was lucky enough to get both an abstract and oral presentation accepted. Both are on social media.
The Oral presentation is on the lessons from NephMadness. I will be speaking at 5:30 on Friday, November 8, in Room 409. The session is titled Nephrology Education and Research and runs from 4:30 to 6:30.
See you in Atlanta!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Cable Crunchers - Dog Cable Cruncher
9 people have added this to their cart
Description, Sizing and Details
Do your charging cables constantly need replacing? Protect it NOW with these super-gorgeous Cable Crunchers that slip over your charging cord to protect and decorate it! Stop breaking your cables and let these cute accessories defend your phone and charging cable with their monstrous bites! These adorable animals look like they are crunching down on your phone whenever it's plugged in, whether it's a smartphone, tablet, camera or some other device! Material: Silicone Dimensions: 2*2*4 Works with all phone/tablet charging cables but best with iPhone lightning cables.
This item is eligible for return for Onceit credit or full refund. See our returns policyfor details.
The price is the RRP provided to us by our supplier. This price does not reflect our own normal price as we do not usually sell at the RRP. The product may also not be sold in New Zealand at this RRP.
Best Sellers in Home & Gift
- Queen Size Peacock Headboard - Natural$299.00
- Weighted Calming Blanket 9KG Queen Bed - Grey$149.99
- Ribbed Linen Blend Headboard - Queen - Charcoal$189.99
- Velvet Headboard Queen - Stone$349.99
- Velvet Headboard Super King - Slate$449.99
- Linen Blend Headboard - Super King - Grey$209.99
- Queen Stand-Alone Fabric Headboard - Grey$179.00
- Segway Electric Ninebot Kickscooter ES2 -Blue/Dark Grey$749.99$1,099.00
- Royal Comfort Eden 600GSM 100% Egyptian Cotton 8 Piece Towel Pack - Granite$44.99
- Ribbed Velvet Headboard - Queen - Slate$279.99


text:
For some reason, blogger won't let me upload any pictures tonight. . . could be the SLOW internet. ha ha ha. This dish is made in individual bowls (or pots or mugs that can go in the oven). I used 6 glass bowls that hold 1 cup of food. I'll add photos as soon as I can to help because you need the visual to see what to do with it all.
Jack'o'lantern Beef & Bean Pots:
1 lb. ground beef
2 teaspoons chopped onion
1 can of pork & beans
1 can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup Bisquick
3 tablespoons boiling water
1 tablespoon ketchup
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease the bottoms & sides of your mugs/glass bowls/pots. Cook ground beef & onions over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes until done. Drain. Stir in beans, tomato sauce, & brown sugar.
Pour into mugs/glass bowls/pots.
In a medium bowl stir the Bisquick, water, & ketchup until a soft dough forms. Beat vigorously 20 times.
Place dough onto a floured surface & form into a ball. Knead about 10 times or until smooth.
Cut dough into 4-6 smaller balls & roll them flat. Cut with the rim of a cup about the same size as your mug/glass bowl/pots.
Carve a jack'o'lantern face into each dough piece & place on top of your bean mixture.
Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes until crust in light brown. Enjoy!


text:
Hi David -- Yesterday, Moms Demand Action added me to their list of candidates they're supporting. That means a lot to me, especially after I've taken an outspoken position on stopping gun violence, bucking the "DC conventional wisdom" that you can't talk about guns in places like NY-19. Now less than 90 days from the primary. Thanks to your support, the campaign is going really well.
Every day is a sprint. And we have a major deadline on Saturday--my FINAL quarterly filing deadline before the primary. (Honestly, I don't think anyone is more excited than I am that this is the last one.)
It's going to take more than money to win. Which is why I told my team I want to knock on thousands of doors before the primary.
Conor Lamb's win in a district that Trump won by 20 points still has me fired up. He did it because earned the trust of voters that Dems haven't been able to reach in a while. I'm following a similar path in my race (in a district Trump won by 7). My approach is getting noticed. Charlie Cook (one of the top political forecasters) ranks me as a front-runner in the primary and I've earned the backing of former DCCC Chairman Steve Israel.
Truly: THANK YOU.


text:
There is growing consensus on the importance of investment as a determinant for economic growth. However, the relationship between public and private investment was and is still debatable in several developed and developing countries. The situation in Egypt is no exception. While some economists view public and private investments as competitive, others consider them complementary. This paper aims to analyze and assess the relationship between public and private investment in Egypt, in order to propose relevant policies to rationalize and increase the efficiency of public investment, and boost private investment. The study concludes that public investment in non-infrastructure activities crowds out private investment, while public investment in infrastructure such as roads, ports, electricity, education and health complements and encourages it.
In light of these results, the paper offers two sets of proposals. The first, which relates to public sector investment in non-infrastructure projects, suggests that no new investment should be channeled to these projects. It also suggests continuing the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing projects, especially in the banking sector and capital market, in addition to encouraging privatization. The second stresses the importance of enhancing the efficiency of public investment in infrastructure, particularly in the education and health sectors, while encouraging private sector participation (domestic and foreign) in infrastructure projects in addition to looking for new and varied sources of financing.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Phone: 202 24619037
Fax: 202 24619045/46


text:
Mumbai: Mukesh Ambani – The Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited is expected to make some important announcements related to the much awaited Reliance Jio mobile services. Mukesh Ambani will address the Annual General Meeting(AGM) of Reliance Industries Limited on 1st September 2016 in the morning.
Ambani will speak about Reliance Jio at the Annual General Meeting. However, it remains to be seen if he goes ahead and announces a final date for a full launch. Given that the service has been much delayed that could be a bit of a risk.
Earlier, the Reliance Jio SIM was available only to those buying a Reliance Jio Lyf smartphones, but over the past few days, a large number of brands have also been extended the offer to get a SIM. Only a handful of hands, including Apple, are now not tied to the service.
There has been an overwhelming public response to the service, primarily driven by the access to free high-speed data till the service goes commercial. However, despite the rumours, there is no idea what the final tariff structure will be like.
Mukesh Ambani at AGM of RIL 2016:
- Mukesh Ambani sai that Jio will transform the lives of Indians, it will realize potential of every Indian.
Jio will transform the lives of Indians, it will realize potential of every Indian: Mukesh Ambani pic.twitter.com/4k10zf48ep
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016
He said that we are now introducing a line of super affordable 4G smart phones.
- Ambani said that we will cover 90 percent of India's population by March 2017. Will transform India to lowest price data market.
- These are absolutely the lowest data rates anywhere in the world.
- Our data plans go further with a tariff of Rs.50/GB. The more data you use, lower will be the rate.
- JIO's app booking, worth Rs15,000 for an annual subscription, will be available free for all active JIO customers till Dec 31, 2017.
- Great pleasure to announce a revolutionary concept for Indian market , all voice calls for Jio customers to be absolutely free.
Reliance Jio data tariff plans introduced by Mukesh Ambani. pic.twitter.com/25BgMQWNVa
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016
Reliance JIO being launched by Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai, says "the lowest data rates anywhere in the world" pic.twitter.com/tD25IcwD54
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016
JIO makes India the highest quality lowest price data market in the world: Mukesh Ambani pic.twitter.com/gFZuEm1q14
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016
Data packs available in market have an effective rate of Rs250/ GB & with JIO, you can optimise to Rs 50/GB:M Ambani pic.twitter.com/d9jfxgcXrW
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016
Mukesh Ambani said that Data packs have a rate of Rs 250/GB & with JIO, you can optimise to Rs 50/GB, if you use more data, then you can go all the way down to Rs 25/GB.
So why are we doing this? Indians hv come to appreciate "Gandhigiri", now every Indian can do "Data-giri": M.Ambani pic.twitter.com/DtN5yLW4i7
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016
Reliance Jio welcome offer open to everyone from Sept. 5; Every Indian can do 'data-giri': Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai pic.twitter.com/CsUFEUdIdy
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016
Jio to be launched on 5th September, Mukesh Ambani says, "from 5th September India will be changed"
— ANI (@ANI_news) 1 September 2016


text:
I hope you enjoy exploring our pages and if you by chance happen to discover a connection, please get in touch. More will be added as we dig deeper, so please call back some time and enjoy your visit!
All of the contributing researchers have been researching their family roots and have provided information to be included on these pages and to them I am extremely grateful. They've helped put many pieces of the puzzle together.
These bulleted reports were created with The Master Genealogist and formatted for the web with a great companion program called Second Site written by John Cardinal.


text:
PERKINSTON — The Mississippi Gulf Coast Lady Bulldogs soccer team plays its first home MACJC South game Tuesday when archrival Pearl River visits.
Play at the MGCCC Soccer Complex begins at 5 p.m. The game will be streamed at http://livestream.com/BulldogLIVE.
Gulf Coast (2-2, 0-1 MACJC South) lost a heartbreaker at No. 19 Jones on Friday, giving up a last-minute penalty kick in a 2-1 defeat. The Lady Bulldogs will try to get back in the win column against PRCC (2-0, 1-0).
The Lady Wildcats defeated Meridian 6-0 in their first division game. It will be Gulf Coast's only home game of the first half of the division schedule after Copiah-Lincoln eliminated its soccer programs.
For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCAthletics on Twitter and BulldogLIVE on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.


text:
"FREAKED" out on Blu-ray soon!Movies/TV,News Michael Gingold
One of the best horror/comedies and monster-makeup movies of the '90s is going hi-def this summer.
Anchor Bay Entertainment will issue Alex Winter and Tom Stern's FREAKED on Blu-ray August 6, with a retail price of $17.99. Cover art has yet to appear, and details haven't been announced; we'll keep you posted as to whether the marvelous extras from the Bay's now-out-of-print double-DVD set will make the transition. Winter (whose terrific Napster documentary DOWNLOADED opens in New York June 21, and hits additional cities and VOD July 1) also stars in FREAKED as Ricky Coogan, an arrogant young TV star who becomes a captive of Elijah C. Skuggs (Randy Quaid) in his menagerie of misshapen mutants, with makeup FX by Steve Johnson, Tony Gardner and Screaming Mad George. Check out our retrospective interview with Winter on FREAKED in Fango #316.


text:
Forssell turned down the chance of a day off this week to go in for extra training as he prepares to turn his sights on Birmingham´s arch rivals at Villa Park.
"These are the type of games you look forward to playing in as you realise how important it is to the lives of the supporters," said Forssell.
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2008, All Rights Reserved.


text:
Here's a Jewish woman being abrasive and racist and insulting to just about everyone on the bus. She also states because she is Jewish the
non-believers or "goys" should die.
|John Thuo's semi-detached home
in Coventry is funded by the taxpayer.
After spending ten years in the UK, he
has been granted asylum for the
next three
|Click image to download PDF.
|An Education: More than 80 state schools have no white British pupils, compared to 31 schools in 2008, Department for Education figures have revealed


text:
Patient Reviews
I am Pauline James and I'm 95 years young. I'd like to tell you how wonderful it is to be a patient of Dr. Michael Maniscalco. He is very caring and always tuned in to my dental treatment and attentive to my needs and comfort. I've been his patient for at least 26 years or so. In the past I would not smile and show my teeth. But, he gave me my smile back and everyone just loves the way I look and how much it has changed me. Now I love to have my picture made and my smile has given me a renewed confidence in myself. Dr. Maniscalco and his friendly and capable staff are second to none. Thanks so much Dr. Maniscalco, you are #1 in my book.
Pauline James


text:
By: Jake Peroni (A Toast) –
Quentin Tarantino will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most influential writer/directors of out lifetime (whether you like it or not). His eccentric, overbearing jabberjaw can sometimes be a lot to take. Thankfully he knows enough to limit his roles to designated scenes in his own films.
The casual conversation scripts come at us like a high budget, violent, Woody Allen movie. His personality bleeds through the audio and artsy visual production, even though he seems like the type of guy that would upper deck the only bathroom at a backyard wedding.
"OK we want to take your picture. Act casual"
Pulp Fiction is a non-linear set of short stories of a group of less than savory characters, whose lives all intersect at one point in a set period of time. A mix of realistic brutality and unapologetic humor, this film revitalized originality and creative filmmaking… As well as the stagnant career of Mr. John Travolta.
Summarizing the film is incredibly difficult as it encompasses numerous plots, with each scene barreling wildly off track, like a fat kid at an ice cream convention.
Vincent Vega (Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are career criminals, hired by Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) to retrieve a stolen briefcase.
Butch (Bruce Willis) is a struggling prize fighter, hired by Marsellus Wallace to take a dive in his next match. Instead he double crosses Wallace for his own financial gain.
Mrs. Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) is escorted on a date by Vincent Vega at the wishes of her husband, Marsellus.
Winston "The Wolf" (Harvey Keitel) is hired by Marsellus Wallace to clean up a mess made by Jules and Vincent.
Catching the pattern yet? Bottom line is, Marsellus Wallace hires a lot of people to do things and shit always happens.
A Toast
Heroin, surfer music, and kick-ass pony tails.
Pulp Fiction will rightfully so go down as one of the most influential movies of our time. It is a true work of art, and a blatant contradiction to the very foundation of Hollywood high budget hits.
The protagonists are true antagonists in character.
The violence is quick and realistically brutal.
The plot takes "twists" to a new level, opening doors to the wildly unpredictable and creating a newfound tension that any scene may start in one direction and end somewhere you never imagined.
Questions such as the contents of the briefcase, go intentionally unanswered. This is a tactic that would normally be met with a rioting fanbase (See any LOST messageboard), but instead the briefcase has become an endeared mystery of the film.
Another contradiction was the use of "non-pop" music; instead a mix of forgotten songs and regional "surfer" sounds add character to the film. The creative selection of music has enabled the soundtrack to take off on a life of its own, independent of the film.
The most noticeable trait of this film is the non-linear storyline, which at the time was something the audience was not used to seeing. Viewers are seeing a film of events that are not in chronological order. In MOST cases, this would NOT work… but with the right amount of independent plot developments and storyline this movie pulls it off with tremendous success.
One of the most original movies I have ever seen. Violent, unpredictable, awkward, and funny… A mix that is RARELY done correctly on film, and this one sets the benchmark. A true masterpiece in storytelling.
Drinking Game
Take a Sip: every time someone says the "F" word (271 sips! Get Ready!)
Take a Drink: every time someone lights up a smoke
Take a Drink: anytime the characters cross paths in the disorienting time frame of the film
Down a Shot: anytime someone sees the contents of the briefcase
Down a Shot: if you've never whipped out the "Travolta fingers across the eyes" dance move at a wedding.


text:
Monthly Archives: February 2016
Interior Style Guidelines Perfect For Any Home
If interior residence design is your goal, this article has some beneficial info. This article will offer you with guidelines and tips that can support you enhance the way that your property looks. Good art parts can go together way in interior design. You may not have considered artwork ahead of, or could not treatment for it. Nevertheless, one excellent Read More


text:
A few weeks ago I held in my hand a Babe Ruth baseball card from 1916 with a price tag of $82,500, the most valuable object I've ever touched. The owner, a dealer at a local card show in White Plains, New York (Sports JP Promotions shows), which I wrote about in my last Forbes post, was beaming with pride showing it to me. But he would have parted with it for a cool $80,000. For that kind of dough I could have walked a mile to the Westchester mall and bought a Tesla sports car with about $30,000 to spare. The card featured the Babe as a baby-faced Red Sox pitcher, was his rookie version. Rookie cards, marking a player's first appearance, are the most coveted because they are the equivalent of first edition books.
"Babe Ruth memorabilia is better than 24k gold. Every day the price goes up," exclaimed the friendly dealer, who declined to divulge his name.
The thrill of holding his card was, I must admit, a little bittersweet. Back in the late 1980s at show in Madison Square Garden I held another Ruth card almost identical to this one, except it had a crease across the center. The asking price was $1500, about ten times its price about five years earlier, or about $3000 today, adjusted for inflation. We all miss the boat sometimes.
In the era when I wrote a story for Time's business section in 1987 on the booming baseball card business, it seemed that everybody was making a killing in the bullish market. I remember a mob scene at a midtown Woolworth's five and ten cent store after a worker brought out brand new packs of cards with the players showing. Buy Jose Canseco. Buy Bo Jackson. And don't forget Don Mattingly. At the time I heard one story from friends of mine who were dealers that a guy even cashed out his 401K, tax penalties and all, to fill his garage with boxes of 1980s cards. The problem was that, unlike the older cards before the mid-1970s, modern cards were overproduced, saved, and protected, rendering them pretty much as scrap paper.
For my part, I became hooked, too, going to New York shows on many weekends. Riding a wave of nostalgia, I remember my thrill of opening a 10 cent pack of 1971 Topps with their black borders and yelling on the street, "Don Clendenon!" as a woman walking past me smiled. (Clendenon was a star for the 1969 Miracle Mets.) At a local toy store my friends and I peeked at the rack packs, containing cards in see-through wrappers, to find the star. The friendly store-owner joked that he should charges us extra for the privilege. I still remember the faces of Bob Gibson and Ernie Banks in the 1970 series peeking through the wrappers. Plus there were those splintery slabs of pink bubble gum that melted into sweet rubber as you chewed.
"And the secure feel of the cards in your pocket, and the knowledge that they were yours and yours alone. The prospect of all the packages to be opened, the thought of all the new cars to be flipped," Brendan C. Boyd and Fred C.
Today a lot of the best items are either sold on eBay or at any number reputable sports auction houses like Hunts, Mile High Card, and Heritage Auctions. The other night, for example, Mile High sold a mint 1961 Topps Roger Maris for more than $27,000 because it is rare in that condition and he broke Babe Ruth's record that year. But even commons, like the 1957 card of the largely forgotten Bobby Avila commanded more than $900. Well-heeled collectors vie with each on websites like PSA for the honor of competing a set in the best possible condition.
Several middle-aged dealers expressed concern to me that millennials don't have the collecting bug that they did at their age, what with all the digital distractions and trips to Ikea. "The newer market has almost pushed out the younger kids," said Mike Vertuli, a serious buyer. "Why should a ball autographed by Derek Jeter costs as much as a Mickey Mantle?" Jeter sells for $400, about the same as Mantle, but Mantle died almost 20 years ago. In fact a lot of today's superstars' memorabilia is out of reach for the younger collector.
But, for the most part, the valuable vintage cards and memorabilia of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and other all-time greats continues to appreciate. In this economy's all or nothing ethos, said a vintage card dealer, Chuck Blue, "it's easier to sell a $5000 piece than a $500 one. There's the middle class squeeze. What is the chance of a babe Ruth card collapsing? People who buy that stuff high end memorabilia are always going to have money. The real high end stuff is always going to sell."
Indeed there were some very surprising and valuable museum-quality items at this show which I'll share in my next post. I not only got to handle these, too, but shoot the baseball breeze for hours about sports history and collecting with my fraternity of hobbyists. On the way out, I noticed a bargain box filled with well-loved cards that shows signs of being flipped six decades or so ago. I bought a 1955 Earl Torgeson with a cool TV design for a $1 for a friend whose son is a Phillies fan, and felt as satisfied as if I had just bought that rookie Babe Ruth.


text:
RubbishExperts is providing junk removal services for London and Greater London. You can rest assured that your removal is becoming managed and taken care of by a specialist UK and London Removals Firm. Acton is 1 of the districts in the west London that come in the London Borough of Ealing. It is 1 of the busiest districts in London and therefore we are providing our customers specialized services in removals, storage, and man and van in this region. We provide a home, bungalow, cottage, office, room apartment or flat and even we also offer you single item flat removals solutions all across the city.
Cottage removals are not provided and carried out by many removal businesses in London but we give the ideal man and van cottage removal services with a responsible staff and we make it positive that all the stuff is moved correctly and in a secure manner. We offer all types of residential or industrial removal services from all over the London areas and we also give our removal solutions in the area of Kingston. Starting life in London as a neighborhood moving firm, our focus to detail and our contemporary strategy to home moving have swiftly taken us further afield. Single space removals are most usually needed by the overseas students who are living in a rented area or hostels and to facilitate the students we offer you single room removal solutions as well. Man and Van London Removals Business covers every single area in England for your removals or moving wants. you can click here to find more information
Workplace removals are a type of removal that must be completed in the least quantity of time to stay away from a loss. Our moving organization serving in London for several years and we have a large quantity of happy buyers who had acquired our removal services. We give you specialized removal services and we can handle all complications in the course of your removals. Residence removals requirement could be different for a variety of motives a) you may be shifting from one residence to yet another, b) you might be storing some unseasonable products of your residence, or c) you may possibly be taking the waste or old material out and bringing some new things in to replace them.
But, you do not have to be tensed anymore, as the best service provider of safe home removals in London is providing you with all the specialist services. Copyright © 2017 Endole Ltd (Company No. 09346879) Registered Workplace: 153 Lodge Road, Birmingham, B70 8PJ, United Kingdom. There are a lot of issues that one particular take into account even though choosing the removal solutions London and the time aspect is critical among all, removal businesses London guarantee the timely and protected removal of your goods. We can offer you all elements of house moving or industrial removals along with our man and van services, packing and packaging solutions, and clearance services and also supply you storage solutions at quite inexpensive prices. Specify date and time to the man and van hires London so that they would make positive to arrive just before time.
We have the potential to carry out all the removal perform with the highest degree of professionalism in all aspects of removals. When talking about shifting from one particular place to an additional, everybody trusts on Man and Van Removal Businesses London for the services of residence, workplace, and furnishings relocation in London. Removals Specialist is a single of the most effective and professional removal organizations and we assure you that if you use our service when you will use it once more. We also provide removal services in the Clapham location as we supply our removal services in other areas of London. Our moving firm is the finest removal business supplying superb removal services with several decades of knowledge in London. This is one particular of the most congested places of London city and it is practically in the extreme south of the London city sharing a little part of West as effectively.


text:
Uncle Sam's Top Hat
See The Video on my Youtube Channel at This LINK
Uncle Sam's Top Hat Crochet Pattern By Sara Sach
Please, Add This Crochet pattern to Your Ravelry Favorites.
Skill: Easy
Crochet Hook-H
Yarn -Worsted Weight Yarn - Red, White and Blue
1 decorative button of your choosing
Yarn Needle
Yarn Needle
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Back Loops Only (blo)
Back Loops Only (blo)
Pattern : Hat measures approximately 3 inches tall.
The hat does not have ear holes or ties,
The Pattern is worked in 4 Steps:
Step 1 - The Top
R : 1 With Blue yarn, Ch 2, 8 hdcs in the 2nd ch from the hook,
join with a sl st, ch 2 (8hdc)
R : 2 - 2 hdc in each st around, join, ch 2 (16hdc)
R : 3 - 1 hdc in the 1st sts, *2 hdc in the next st,
2 hdc in the next 2 sts, Repeat from * around join,
and tie off, weave in your ends and set aside. (24hdc)
Step 2 - The Stripes:
Note: Ch1 does not count as st.
Ch1 after the color change, when changing colors.
leave yarn attached, when changing colors.
Note: Ch1 does not count as st.
Ch1 after the color change, when changing colors.
leave yarn attached, when changing colors.
R : With Red yarn, 1 - Ch 11, 1 sc in the 2nd ch from the hook,
1 sc in the next 7 chs, ch1 turn (10sc)
R : 2 - Working the Blo, 1 sc in each sc, turn
R : 3 - Change to white yarn, leaving the red yarn attached,
working in the blo 1 sc in each sc, ch1, turn
R : 4 - Working in the blo, 1 sc in each sc, ch1, turn
We will be working the blo for the stripes.
R : 5 - R: 6 - White Red yarn, repeat R : 3- R: 4
R : 7- R: 28 - Continue to repeat R : 3 - R: 4
alternating between red and white stripes
for a total of 14 stripes (7 red, 7 white)
Put the ends together, wrong side out,
so the stripes are going up and down, and sl st the ends.
Place the Blue hat top on top, and sew them together,
Or slip st them together, around the top,
then flip to the right side. Weave in the ends.
Or slip st them together, around the top,
then flip to the right side. Weave in the ends.
Step 3 - Hat Band
R :1 - Join blue yarn to hat bottom, any where,
with a sl st, hdc around the bottom edge of the hat,
putting 1 hdc in each row around, join , ch 2 (28 hdc)
R : 2 - 1 hdc in each hdc, join (28 hdc)
Step 4 - Hat Brim
R : 3 - Change to red yarn, ch 3, 1 dc in 1st st,
*2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st*, Repeat
from * to * around hat brim, join to 1sy ch 3 with a slst,
tie off, weaving in the ends. (32 Hdc)
You can attach a button of your choice.
This is a polymer clay Paw print button I made.
This a great photography prop
for human or animal!!!
Patriotic Collar Free Crochet Pattern
can be found at this link:


text:
In January 2014, I reached my breaking point and decided to take a stand about a fairly controversial topic.
I'd been using Instagram as a 'food diary' to help me recover from anorexia nervosa and chronic fatigue syndrome for sixth months at that point – and around that time, many of us within the recovery community had become acutely aware of the pressure on us (and on the general public) to eat clean and only clean.
The Instagram eating disorder recovery community is one where there are many mutual followings. We all saw each others' posts. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people were all interacting and sharing their struggles in an open forum. This meant shared thoughts, behaviours and ideas had an impact on the whole community – and so these worries only multiplied.
The 'clean eating' drive became a pressure that spread like wildfire amongst the recovery community.
Am I recovering the 'right way'?
Am I meant to be eating this?
Is this 'healthy enough'?
Will 'x food' make me fat?
Questions like the above became more and more commonplace in the community and a sense of doubt seemed to be bubbling up in our little 'online haven'. A lot of people relied upon this Instagram community to help them recover (particularly if family members or doctors were not supportive). However – it got to the point where people were relapsing into their disordered eating and habits because they felt scared to trust in the recovery process and instead felt they were being judged by their peers. They felt that they didn't live up to the expectations that had been set by 'clean eating' regimes. I was only one of many affected.
I was aware that, like many plans and regimes and lifestyles, clean eating had and still has a lot of supporters. However – something had to change, at least for those in recovery. The last thing people need when recovering from eating disorders and body image issues is a seemingly never-ending list of things they can't do or can't eat.
That's why I started #balancednotclean that January. I didn't want people to be scared anymore.
I didn't want people to feel like there's only one fixed path to being healthy and happy – there isn't. I wanted to encourage people to drop the idea of whether or not a food is 'healthy' or 'unhealthy' and instead focus on whether their diet makes them feel good, without sacrificing physical or mental health.
I wasn't saying that 'clean' foods like quinoa, chia seeds and banana ice cream are off limits and I wasn't saying that fast-food meals, chocolate and cake are bad either. #balancednotclean is about taking perspective of your diet and mindset as a whole, rather than scrutinising individual ingredients or meals. This is why so many people from so many walks of life have adopted it.
It seemed my feelings really struck a chord; the hashtag #balancednotclean now has 304,662 posts as of me writing this post.
It started with a small group of us using the hashtag in our food posts as we documented our recovery intakes, but it soon spread out of the recovery community into those such as Instagram's '#fitfam' and to health bloggers such as those on this site.
As it continued to grow, I decided to start afresh on a new Instagram account once I had reached weight restoration so I could continue to talk about #balancednotclean and how people can find their balanced of food and fitness. My own ideas surrounding #balancednotclean continued to grow too. Building a website from scratch became my summer project while school was out and with this, I kickstarted my blog (which is where I post reviews, recipes, recovery information, personal and fitness posts). Every day, I committed myself to at least one 'little' task – even if it was just designing a logo or updating the URL of a page. Bit by bit, my vision took shape and became real.
However, it wasn't until 2015 that things really took off. Being weight restored, I found I could enjoy Pilates at home without relapsing into exercise addiction or making my chronic fatigue syndrome worse. I found more inspiration and experimented with my photography and styling and started to develop my interest for fitness and food even more as my health improved. Within the past month, I have found that I love how empowering strength training is.
As #balancednotclean and my Instagram @balancednotclean became more popular, I suddenly found myself being approached by organisations and companies about #balancednotclean. Recently, I was interviewed by BuzzFeed UK about my role within the Instagram recovery community – the article is going to be released soon.
I'm still astonished at how it has grown from one post where I just felt like I had to say something. I didn't think anyone would listen – at the time, I was only 14. I've gone from being unable to eat fruit because it's 'not in a pre-portioned packet' to being able to have meals out, unknown calories, barbeques and social outings without worrying.
Being told I've managed to help and inspire others with my journey is a responsibility, but definitely one that is incredibly motivating.
The support I've had has been phenomenal – sure, not everyone agrees, but that's okay. It was never about forcing people to eat – or think – a certain way. I'm now focussing more on learning about the science behind recovery, exercise and nutrition so that I can continue to make a difference in a healthy way.
If you take only one thing away from this post, let it be this: if you have something you really believe in or want to make a difference with, speak up.
Even if you feel like no one will listen or care, the internet is an amazing catalyst for change. If someone had told me two years ago that I would no longer be afraid of food, that I would be happy and that I would spark an online movement with thousands of followers, I never would have believed them. But sometimes, all you need to do is believe in yourself and believe in your vision. As the cliché goes – who knows where it will lead?


text:
Our Sponsor
HootSuite is a social media management system for businesses and organizations to collaboratively execute campaigns across multiple social networks...
When people think of low income housing, they rarely think of thoughtfully designed architecture, modern technological features and beautiful landscaping. That, however, is exactly what Homeword, a nonprofit based in Missoula, Montana, is creating for its community.
Created 18 years ago, Homeword develops "sustainably built affordable housing and then we also promote strong communities through housing counseling and education for those most in need," explains Executive Director, Andrea Davis.
Homeword has built 13 housing developments consisting of 228 units since its creation in 1995, each with both environmental sustainability and tenant happiness at the forefront of their plans. The women who started the organization were dedicated to providing good quality but affordable housing for community members who most needed it.
Davis says that, "that group of people had the vision from the beginning that you can't build for the future by destroying the environment today so Homeword has been a green builder for 18 years." The developments are built to produce as little waste and negative impact on the surrounding area as possible.
"We believe in utilizing our existing infrastructure," says Davis, "so utilizing our existing roads, sidewalks, water lines and also land that has already been developed that may have then a higher and better use. So not building out in green land basically and farm land but utilizing the existing urban core."
Equinox and Solstice, their two most recent developments, have been built with exactly that in mind. They are within the hustle and bustle of the city, but set along the river and have a beautifully landscaped green space for tenants to enjoy. The parking garage is located underneath the communal green space to maximize the space for tenants and to improve the aesthetics of the campus.
"We do put more investment into our buildings up front and that helps us reduce our operating and maintenance costs long-term on our properties. There's a direct benefit then to the people that live here. We can reduce their living costs," explains Davis.
Everything is planned with sustainability in mind and to that effect, the two buildings have a large gray water system that collects "the water that comes from the laundry and people's bathroom sinks and filters down into a reservoir and we use it to irrigate the beautiful green space," explains Jennifer Betz, the Homeword Asset Manager.
The units themselves are also built with programable thermostats, which ensure not only a more efficient system but also lower utility bills for the tenants. The interiors of the buildings are decorated with "low VOC paints and adhesives, and it promotes healthy indoor air quality so we really focus on providing a healthy environment for tenants," says Betz.
But the list of environmentally friendly features does not end there. There are solar panels, which provide power for lighting in communal areas, LED and power saving lights, and bathrooms full of gadgets to reduce water consumption.
While tenants must pay for their electrical and gas utilities, it is Homeword that pays for water, garbage and recycling. In an attempt to encourage the residents to start thinking as sustainably as possible, Homeword makes recycling as easy as possible and at no cost to the tenants.
Davis explains that "we're not developing rent-subsidized housing ... so folks have to pay a certain rent. Our rent is basically restricted or affordable but it's not subsidized so to a large degree, we are serving the working class."
Their provision of affordable housing that is a joy to live in is only one part of Homeword's mission, however. Davis says that "we wrap our arms around both sides of the housing picture. We develop affordable housing using sustainable methods and then we also teach homebuyer education and financial literacy and we provide one on one housing counseling for folks that may not be ready to purchase a home but eventually have that goal."
The goal is to provide the independence for people to take control of their own future. "We create this housing that helps foster self-respect, they take our education classes and they have the tools. And it's really a longer-term strategy towards poverty reduction," says Davis.
Both tenants and non-residents can attend their home ownership classes and learn about all the joys, and pitfalls, of buying their own home. "Most of the folks that go through our class end up not missing a payment. They understand that they've got ways to and support to figure out how to make this work for them and how to be proactive."
Davis says she is especially proud of the work Homeword does when one of their long-term residents is able to take their class, save up, and then buy their own home, safe in the knowledge that they know how to deal with the financial commitments involved.
The Homeword buildings certainly are eye-catching and their status as low-income housing might surprise some. Davis says Homeword "wanted to bring this part of Missoula back to life and we've done that through the development of Equinox and Solstice."
The joy and support they bring to people in the community is evident, and Homeword's passion is even more so. Davis emphasizes that "it's really heart warming to run into folks that are contributing members of this community. They're working folks and they have their home because of a class that we provided at little or no cost. … those stories are what really make us tick."
To learn more about Homeword, visit their website and Facebook page.


text:
North Wollongong Station is the closest to the Wollongong Campus, on the South Coast line.More than 100 train services run to and from North Wollongong Station every weekday.
By train it takes about an hour to travel from Sydney's Sutherland Shire and about 90 minutes from Sydney Central, 80 minutes from Nowra or 35 mins from Albion Park. See the South Coast Line timetables.
Walk or catch the Free NG Shuttle Bus
It's about a 20 min walk from the station to Wollongong Campus or a quick ride on the free NG shuttle bus, which is scheduled to meet with most trains. The primary bus used is wheelchair accessible. This service runs during session and exam periods. A reduced service also operates outside UOW session periods. Refer to the Shuttle webpage for details.
Paying a fare - using opal cards
The UOW Shuttle Buses and the NSW Government Gong Shuttle are free of charge. If you are catching a regular bus service, you need to pay a fare using an opal card.
Opal Cards are smart card tickets that you load money onto and use for public transport across NSW. They are the new way to buy a ticket for buses, trains, light rail and ferries. Concession Opal cards are available for eligible full-time domestic students. If you are an international student, you will need to get an Adult Opal card. Information on how to apply for these cards, and how to determine your eligibility is available from Student Central.
Adult, Child/Youth and Senior/Pensioner Opal cards are also available now. If you wish to obtain an Adult or Child Opal card you can do so online or from the UniShop.


text:
"Practice and train major lifts: Deadlift, clean, squat, presses, C&J, and snatch."
-Coach Greg Glassman, founder of CrossFit-
This statement, taken from coach G's famous "World-Class Fitness in 100 Words", is exactly what you should expect when you attend a Wasatch Barbell Club class. He is absolutely correct. These movements will increase your fitness and ability to control a barbell. Weightlifting movements will also increase your ability to control your own body. The benefits of barbell training are numerous, these are the top few: increased coordination, increased flexibility, increased strength, increased speed, increased power, and decreased rate of injury from receiving and expending large forces.
Coach G is doubly right in that there is a need for practice and training. There is a lot more to weightlifting than meets the eye. Our background of experience in national level competition combined with coaching a diverse population of athletes means we have drills and training methods for every individual. Wasatch Barbell Club continually programs cyclically 12 weeks ahead of time. However, the posted workout is merely a guideline. Drills and exercises are modified to meet the needs of every individual class attendee, exactly like a normal CrossFit class!
Like coach Glassman says, practice makes perfect! Jump right into a Wasatch Barbell Club class and begin your journey to improved fitness through weightlifting!
Zach Brodis
Olympic Lifting Coach
Working Hours
- Tuesday5:00am - 6:00am
- Saturday6:30am - 7:30am


text:
Main content area
Prices for sending mail
Approximate figures for calculating postage costs
The prices for sending letters, parcels and small consignments at home and abroad can be found in the following overviews.
Swiss Post transports letters and parcels to your desired recipients within the chosen deadline. You benefit from high delivery quality at fair prices.
Prices for domestic letters
Price list for domestic letters with the prices applicable to business customers for mailing letters in Switzerland;
International letter prices
The price list for international letters contains all the information you need on prices and conditions for international letter mail.
Domestic parcel prices
Overview of prices and conditions for the different shipping options for domestic parcels.
Swiss-Courier and Express prices
Overview of prices to send express and courier items in Switzerland and in the Principality of Liechtenstein.
Domestic bulk mailing prices
The price lists for services related to domestic bulk mailing create cost transparency.
International bulk mailing prices
Price lists for international bulk mailing with postage costs for ECONOMY and PRIORITY letters.
Premium prices and information by countryThis online service is not accessible to all.
Business customers who have a billing relationship with Swiss Post can call up prices for international postal consignments and current international information using the "Premium prices and information by country" online service.


text:
View posts by month
How to search categories and tags
just_ann_now asked about bunnies. Since bunnies are best illustrated, I took all of the cuddly bunnies in my house and took a photo of them:
It doesn't look like much because it doesn't include the non-cuddly rabbits or the ones still in my room at my parents' house and a little one I missed because it's currently behind a card on my mantelpiece (you can never have too many bunnies).
For the talky bit, I love rabbits, in case no one's noticed. They are definitely my favourite animal. I've been trying to think about why and what it is I like about them and concluded that I don't know, I just like them. When it comes to cuddly animals they are better than any other and are very useful for cuddling. Rabbits are sweet to look at.
I had a rabbit when I was a child. He was lovely - he loved everyone. He's probably the reason I find lop eared bunnies sweeter than any other type. One day I will have rabbits - I will quite happily be the mad rabbit lady. But first I need a suitable garden and a suitable lifestyle. And be prepared to go out and feed them and clean them out in the freezing cold and the rain (it waits for you to go out there and then starts raining).
In the meantime there's always The Daily Bunny.
Sue Mayer Says:
Monday 8th December 2014 at 10:54 am
I see that 6 of those lovely bunnies are hand made 🙂
I see that 6 of those lovely bunnies are hand made 🙂
Site created by Paranoidangel
Powered by WordPress


text:
EFF will deliver us
brian on 2003.03.30
at 04:08 am
Court reverses decision after EFF files suit: truth does take precedent over copyright. MY LORD. Remind me when I get a full time job to donate to EFF. They may one day save my ass, too.
Posted in: Service Announcement
Comments (0)
Comments have been automatically disabled to curtail spam.


text:
This is an old story, but my thought process has only just caught up with why I care about it. Basically, there's a Bugatti Chiron for sale through an independent classic car specialist in Surrey. It's proudly declared to be the 'first used example' to be offered for sale in the UK. Fine. It was bound to happen.
It's the next bit that riles me a little. The news item from Romans International, via Newspress, says "While simply driving the majority of new cars off the forecourt can wipe thousands off their value, the 261mph supercar has bucked the trend and soared in value to £3.6 million – an increase of £1.1 million over its list price of £2.5 million".
The operative word above is 'value', and what I'm getting at is, just how on earth is £3.6m anything but a heinously greedy random figure?
The press release mentioned above was immediately pounced upon by disposable British tabloid and chip-wrapper The Sun, who polished it to the the expected sensationalist sheen, but did little to investigate the matter further. Notably, it's not at all clear exactly how that 'value' was arrived upon.
There are a number of organizations that specialise in valuing cars. The most famous in the USA is undoubtedly Kelley's, whose Blue Book has been the go-to guide for many a trader since 1918, while CAP has been doing the same in the UK for generations, too. The latter company's modus operandii is outlined in its name, literally Current Auction Prices. So, a rough value given for a 2013 Mercedes E220d, for example, will be based on the kind of numbers that such a car actually makes in trade auctions across the country.
In cases where a certain derivative of the E-Class hasn't been recorded at auction, CAP has invariably gathered enough information from other, comparable sales to extrapolate the missing information. And even if this 'educated guess' proves inaccurate, the organisation has so much influence and authority that any figure it publishes will end up as taken as fact. So, when it comes to setting values of used cars, CAP pretty much controls the industry.
But what about setting a value on something as esoteric as a Bugatti Chiron? Well, though many will protest otherwise, my argument is that you can't.
Nobody has ever bought a used Bugatti Chiron in the UK, so nobody can predict how much one will sell for today. You can make certain assumptions – with a waiting list for new examples, a turnkey machine that you can leap straight into and drive away is bound to attract a premium among the rich and impatient. But a £1.1m premium?
I'm gonna go out on a limb here, and tentatively suggest that the same greed is being shown here as that displayed by the London property market. For a long time, with ever more imaginative and lavish developments being constructed in the capital, the casual and uninformed bystander could be excused for harbouring doubts that anybody could possibly know what anything was worth. If nobody has ever offered a 5,000 sq ft Canary Wharf penthouse apartment before, exactly what price can you set on a property that represents a new peak, a new ultimate? Surely all you can do is set a figure and hope.
You can only base a value on what has gone before, though you can detect patterns and make predictions therefrom. But is a 5,000sq ft property worth twice as much as a 2,500sq ft place, or ten times as much because of its rarity? It all depends on how daring / ballsy or outright greedy the developer and its agent wants to be. So, if a figure of £6million is set and achieved, where do you go from there? Is it sustainable? Will the next 5,000sq ft Canary Wharf penthouse reach that figure, exceed it because of the envy / me-too factor, or plummet in value because nobody really needs such a property?
If this Bugatti Chiron sells for £3.6million, what does this even mean? Does this become a baseline indication of what such machines are worth, or will it be seen as an anomaly caused by being the first one ever offered? My guess is that Romans are a bunch of chancers, hoping that some utter lunatic will pounce at an opportunity to snap a Chiron up quickly rather than waiting patiently in a queue. And with the grotesque amounts of money that seem to be washing around in entirely the wrong hands right now, that could well happen.
However, if it doesn't – if the world decides that £3.6m is a ridiculous over-valuation, Romans will be left looking a little foolish. The dealer and its valuations team are in a great position to shape the fledgling used Chiron market. However, in the high-stakes casino that is the ultra high-end supercar market, it's a game that should be played in a rational, calculated manner, like Poker. Instead, it seems they've taken everything to the Roulette table and bet the lot on 13.
(All images from www.Newspress.com)


text:
Adam Levin joined Crosslink in 2012 and evaluates investment opportunities in Consumer Internet and E-Commerce. Prior to joining Crosslink, Adam was part of Meebo Inc.'s business development team primarily growing product adoption among premium media companies as well as large game and video sites.
Adam began his career at Goldman, Sachs & Co. as an Analyst in Investment Banking focused on Industrials and Business Services. He received his BA in English from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA, Management, from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.


text:
Solo Artist
Working Your Specialty
According to Kendra Eggleton, the high elevation and lack of humidity in Colorado make hair very dry, which makes oil-treatment products very popular.Photo 1 of 4
To stand out in a suite, do something different. Eggleton says her zebra-print wall attracts lots of attention. She did not "name" her salon, she says, because it can confuse clients who tend to look for suite renters by their proper names.Photo 2 of 4
Kendra Eggleton's clients love natural-looking highlights.Photo 3 of 4
Posting color corrections on Pinterest is just one way Kendra Eggleton gets new clients.Photo 4 of 4
At Phenix Salon Suites, Kendra Eggleton is also a National Artistic Director for a color line, which underscores her color expertise.
When Kendra Eggleton signed on at Phenix Salon Suites in Colorado Springs, Colorado, eight years ago, the building wasn't even completed, but she liked the idea of moving from an open rental chair to a suite. It would allow her to get to know her clients on a whole new level, and the rent was just $10 more than the salon from which she currently rented. As Phenix evolved, she discovered another bonus: Phenix presented the additional opportunity to educate other renters.
"The company brought in an exclusive color line, and after shadowing other educators and assisting in teaching, I started teaching as an artistic director," says Eggleton. "It's an amazing opportunity for me because color is my passion."
Naturally, renters can use any color line they want, but many like the exclusive opportunity, and the chance to network with other educators. And, educators get paid, which provides another source of income.
"After 12 years of industry experience, I can now focus on the fact I am a colorist, and my clients are very interested when I tell them I'm a specialist and an educator," Eggleton says.
Natural Progression
Eggleton says she began her career in a commission/rental combo salon and moved to rental as soon as she had five to six clients a week, and could make more paying rent than working under a 60/40 split. The best way for new renters to get clients, she says, is through word of mouth. For every three referrals, she gives the referring client a free cut. Groupon can also work when you are starting out, she notes, but often, bargain-seekers are harder to retain.
"When it comes to retention, be personable and honest about what's best for the client's hair," she advises. "Because I am a color specialist, I can do that and use my expertise and confidence to gain their trust."
Arriving at the point is a progression, she notes. In eight years of developing her social skills, focusing on continuing her education and building business through relationships, she now has a clientele ranging from early their 20s to 80 years old. She is booked three days a week with 10 clients on a busy day, to six or seven on a slow day. This allows her to tell clients who insist on potentially hair-damaging services (over-lightening) that she would rather have them go elsewhere than damage their hair and have to fix it.
"Six years ago, I probably wouldn't have been able to do that," says Eggleton. "But if you are experienced and confident, clients will trust you and take your advice."
While Eggleton keeps current with all the trends, she admits Colorado Springs can fall bit behind the times on edgier looks, and clients there prefer natural looks like blended highlights. Younger clients will progress to pastels, she speculates, but will not embrace obvious block color. "Clients here are outdoor types," she notes.
And yes, it is Colorado, so she has had clients who come in with a legal high. "Whatever the situation, just be yourself, listen to your clients, be confident and don't be afraid to change the subject when topics like politics, religion or personal preferences come up," she advises. "Know your commonalities with your clients, and stay within appropriate limits."
Pre-Booking Rate: 60%. Because I am busy working three days a week, I tell clients that those days fill up fast. When you are new, you may have to work whenever clients need you, but now, I can stick to my three-day schedule—I like my days off.
Weekly Rent: $175. Just one cut and color client brings in $148 and with tip, I usually make $170, so just one client practically pays the rent.
Best Hair Show: America's Beauty Show, Chicago
Best Use of Social Media: Instagram. Use hashtags like #ombrehair, and new clients will find you.
Tracking the Books: I have a software program on my iPad and use a paper book as back up.
Credit Card Processing: Square
Extra Online Education: YouTube videos from regular stylists and colorists.
Favorite Products: Kenra for the backbar; Bedhead for styling
What's Next: Taking my role as educator to the next level.


text:
Biblical Antiquities of Philo (trans. M.R.James)Saturday, April 21st, 2012
For a few versions now, BibleWorks has included R.H.Charles' edited translation of Old Testament pseudepigraphal writings from vol. 2 of his 1913 Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament (APOT). This collection of pseudepigrapha related to the Old Testament has since been 'replaced' by James Charlesworth's Old Testament Pseudepigrapha (OTP), which provides more modern translations based on new manuscript evidence. APOT still retains a great deal of usefulness - especially for its notes, etc. (as are available in the BibleWorks module). One text that is present in Charlesworth's OTP, but not in Charles' APOT, is the work commonly referred to as "Pseudo-Philo." In 1917, a few years after the publication of Charles' APOT, M.R.James translated this Latin text wrongly attributed to Philo of Alexandria. The Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum or (Biblical Antiquities) is now often referred to as Pseudo-Philo, and is often abbreviated either Ps.-Philo or L.A.B. (or LAB). This translation made a previously overlooked piece of early Jewish literature available to the English speaking world.
LAB is a fascinating retelling of the biblical story from Genesis through the reign of King Saul. Manuscripts only exist in Latin, though it is believed by several scholars to originally have been composed in Hebrew. It is thought to predate the destruction of the temple (70 AD). Because of this early date, LAB is extremely significant for its representation of first century Jewish interpretation of Scripture.
This BibleWorks version provides the English translation of M.R.James' 1917 Biblical Antiquities of Philo. The footnotes have been retained throughout (and will display in the Analysis Tab in BibleWorks. Cross references to the Old Testament have been omitted from this version for formatting reasons (though a CHM file of this text may be released in the near future that will retain OT cross references and include James' introduction).
To install the files, download the archive and unzip the files to your /BibleWorks 9/databases folder. If you want the book name to display properly in your browse window, then you will need to append the following line to your default bookname file (typically books.bna in your /BibleWorks 9/init folder:
LAB,Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum,L.A.B.,Ps-.Philo
NOTE: Because of some of the features in this version, the text will best display in the latest update of BibleWorks 9. It has not been tested on earlier versions of BibleWorks (and will certainly not work on versions earlier than 8.)
This version is converted from the electronic text made available freely on the Internet Sacred Text Archive, where James' Biblical Antiquities of Philo was scanned and edited by Bruno Hare (2004). The site states that these files are free for public domain use as long as proper attribution is retained.
Scans of the original publication of James' translation are available via the Internet Archive:
James' translation was republished in 1971 with an extensive prolegomenon by Louis H. Feldman, providing commentary and corrections on James' translation and introduction. It is highly recommended that one consults Feldman's notes when using this translation for research. Alas, it is not in public domain, so the notes cannot be fully incorporated into BW. Daniel J. Harrington produced a fresh translation of Pseudo-Philo in Charlesworth's OTP 2:297-377. Howard Jacobson wrote A Commentary on Pseudo-Philo's Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum (1996) and provides the Latin text, a new translation, and copious notes.


text:
This week the DFPP team travels back in time to talk with Fred MacMurray about his own adventures in time travel and learns that sometime a little Hickory goes a long way when the old MacMurray is around in the 1966 drama Follow Me, Boys!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Disney Film Project Podcast - Episode 112 - Follow Me, Boys!
This week the DFPP team travels back in time to talk with Fred MacMurray about his own adventures in time travel and learns that sometime a little Hickory goes a long way when the old MacMurray is around in the 1966 drama Follow Me, Boys!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
2013 Upcoming Films Review by Briana Alessio
This year is an exciting one for films! Disney has a lot in store with films being released from March through December. We have both animation and live action specialties so let's take a look at what is to come.
Oz the Great and Powerful (March 8, 2013)
Similar to what we have seen in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, we go from Kansas to the brilliant world of Oz. However, instead of focusing on Dorothy, this film concentrates on the life of Oz played by James Franco. The three witches are Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams). This film will be a mystery on who is good and who is evil, as well as figuring out whether Oz is as great a wizard as he leads others to believe. Sam Raimi directs with a score by Danny Elfman.
I've spoken to many people who have mixed opinions on this concept. Most are lovers of The Wizard of Oz, so they believe that the storyline should be left alone. They feel a Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland vibe going on during the previews. However, I feel that Raimi could do a wonderful job with this if he played his cards right.
The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (March 15, 2013)
Airing on the Disney Channel, this film comes from the Wizards of Waverly Place TV show on the same channel. Most of the original cast will be in the film including Selena Gomez who plays Alex. This will focus on a trip to Italy where the family will meet long lost relatives. We see a battle between a good Alex and a bad Alex created from a spell.
Honestly, I do not watch Wizards of Waverly Place so the excitement level is not high for this one. I'm sure it will be a fun, campy film though.
Iron Man 3 (May 3, 2013)
All hail the return of Tony Stark! Marvel will bring us yet another action packed superhero film…no complaints here. The richly talented actor Ben Kingsley will give us the portrayal of the villain named The Mandarin. Paul Bettany returns as the voice of Jarvis, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper. We will also see Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine. Shane Black will direct this one.
Words cannot describe how unbelievably excited I am for this one. After being rather disappointed with the second one, I'm hoping this one will blow it right out of the water. The cast is incredible; hoping the film is as well.
Monsters University (June 21, 2013)
A prequel to Monsters, Inc., this will concentrate on the lives of Mike and Sulley attending the University of Fear in order to become full-fledged monsters. We will see Randall as well as the Abominable Snowman in this. Billy Crystal, John Goodman, and Steve Buscemi return for their original voice roles. We will also hear Helen Mirren, David Spade, and Michael McKean among others providing characters' voices. Dan Scanlon will direct.
Being a big fan of Monsters, Inc. and knowing how many people adore it, I have a good feeling about this. After getting past the fact that Boo will most likely not appear in the film, I have accepted that this will be a solid production. Most definitely looking forward to it, as the original gave us a beautifully animated creation.
The Blue Umbrella (June 21, 2013)
This short will likely appear prior to Monsters University. It will focus on the beauty of inanimate objects – umbrellas. Two fall in love and a story will unravel. We do not have much information on this at the moment but it is almost better to not know and just let it be a surprise. This looks like it will be quite an outstanding piece and might even give some competition for Paperman.
I always look forward to the shorts preceding a Disney/Pixar film. They are continually amazing and give us a peek into the animators' minds each year.
The Lone Ranger (July 3, 2013)
Armie Hammer will star as John Reid/The Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp will star as Tonto in this recreation of the classic 1949-1957 television show. Helena Bonham Carter will play Red and the fabulous Tom Wilkinson will give us Latham Cole. Directed by Gore Verbinski, this focuses on the life of Reid and how he became a fictional but historical role model for many.
This looks to be an exciting film and I am definitely looking forward to seeing it. The excitement level for me probably places this film in third place for me, with Iron Man 3 being in first. Also, with Johnny Depp, you really cannot go wrong.
Teen Beach Movie (July 2013)
Similar to The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex, this film will be a Disney Channel movie. This is about a young surfer girl whose parents send her to boarding school. From here, she somehow finds herself in a 1960s beach musical where people will suddenly break into song.
For some reason, I'm imagining a mix of Pleasantville and Beach Blanket Bingo. Hopefully I will be wrong but I can see it having the same charm factor as Prom. That is, if you are like me and actually thought a charm factor existed within Prom.
Planes (August 9, 2013)
This film will concentrate on a plane named Dusty whose wish is to compete in an aerial race. His friends will assist in helping him overcome his fear of heights. This is said to be a spinoff of Cars; however, Pixar will not be involved in this production. Despite this fact, John Lasseter will oversee the making of the film.
I'm not sure how well this will do in theatres knowing that this is a spinoff of Cars. Hopefully having planes in place will be endearing as well. The concept sounds cute.
Thor: The Dark World (November 8, 2013)
Marvel is preparing to give us another superhero film, this one focusing on the mythical god Thor. Thankfully, the majority of the cast is returning except for Once Upon a Time's Josh Dallas as Fandral. Zachary Levi will step in to take his place. Alan Taylor will direct; this appears to be his first involvement with Disney and Marvel. Christopher Eccleston will play the villain Malekith as a battle wages between Thor and the Dark Elves.
This film rates in second place for me. I'm a Marvel loving gal so I have high hopes for their 2013 films.
Frozen (November 27, 2013)
Kristen Bell and Josh Gad will voice Anna and Olaf in this animated film about a mountain climber on the quest to find the Snow Queen. Hans Christian Andersen wrote the original tale appropriately titled The Snow Queen. This looks to be a mythical story, one which looks to contain unsurprisingly beautiful animation.
I have not heard a great deal about this film but it appears to be interesting. To me, the pictures I have seen resemble a mix of Mulan and The Secret World of Arrietty.
Saving Mr. Banks (December 20, 2013)
Tom Hanks will portray Walt Disney in this film about PL Travers (played by Emma Thompson), the author of Mary Poppins. This takes place before the film was actually released to the public. We are told that part of this was filmed in Disneyland, which should be neat to see. We will see a tremendous cast including the likes of Paul Giamatti, Rachel Griffiths, Bradley Whitford, Colin Farrell, and Jason Schwartman among others.
This looks like it will be an interesting one to see. I am looking forward to seeing Hanks portray our Uncle Walt, as well as seeing Thompson portray Travers. Some of us may be briefly familiar with their real life business relationship which was definitely not an easy one.
I am extremely excited about the upcoming year of films. Each one looks solid in its own way. Despite looking forward to the Marvel centered films most of all, each look like masterpieces which are sure to make 2013 quite a special year.
It's like no place I've ever seen.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Disney Film Project Podcast - Episode 111 - 2013 Upcoming Movies
This week the DFPP team breaks out their time travel machine to take a peek at the Disney movie releases of 2013. From superheroes to the wild west to the beach and beyond, even a glimpse at Walt himself. Join us for this look ahead.
Show notes:
- Oz the Great and Powerful (March 8)
- The Wizards Return: Alex Vs Alex (March 15) (Disney Channel)
- Iron Man 3 (May 3) (Marvel)
- Monsters University (June 21) (Pixar)
- The Blue Umbrella (June 21) (Pixar)
- The Lone Ranger (July 3)
- Teen Beach Movie (July) (Disney Channel)
- Planes (August 9)
- Thor: The Dark World (November 8)
- Frozen (November 27)
- Saving Mr. Banks (December 20)
Enjoy the show!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Disney Film Project Podcast - Episode 110 - National Treasure: Book of Secrets
This week the DFPP team visits scenic Mount Rushmore and discovers along the way that sometimes no matter resolute a thing appears to be it can unlock the best kept secrets in the 2007 action adventure National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
Show notes:
- IMDb
- Wikipedia
- Official Site
- Trailer
- Script
- Soundtrack
- Knights of the Golden Circle
- Resolute desk
- Seven Cities of Gold
- Édouard René de Laboulaye
- Statue of Liberty in Paris at the Île aux Cygnes
- Mount Vernon National Treasure Tour
- Playfair cipher
- Sic semper tyrannis
- Samuel Mudd
- Montesquieu
- Otto Eisenschiml
- The Great Seal
- The White House Museum Curator
- Mount Rushmore
- Albert Pike
- Gutzon Borglum
- Episode 88 - National Treasure
Enjoy the show!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Three Musketeers Review by Briana Alessio
This brief, animated re-telling of the three famous heroes stars Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Believe it or not, this is from 2004 which is frightening since this feels like it just came out two years ago.
Unlike the typical tale (or tail, in this instance) of the film, their version is a tad different. I will summarize their adventure. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are janitors who are looking to be heroes…Musketeers, to be specific. It is refreshing to see a classic villain by the name of Pete as their enemy. He stars as Peg-Leg Pete who believes none of them will ever make it to the big leagues. He is so passionate against their success that he has terms for each of them – he deems Mickey as "just too small", Donald as a "coward", and Goofy as a "doofus." As a matter of fact, there is a funny scene where to demonstrate his point, Pete puts his ear up to Goofy's head to see if it's working, and a busy signal sounds with the familiar "number you are trying to reach" message. That will bring a laugh for adults.
Pete has a mission to kidnap Princess Minnie although his true goal is to do the exact opposite. His league of dummies called The Beagle Boys have misunderstood Pete's order to keep her safe and instead attempt to drop a safe on the unsuspecting Minnie. Thankfully, their plan does not work out. So Pete plans to take his revenge during The Pirates of Penzance when he will display his mighty strength. Princess Minnie informs Pete that she would like bodyguards, so he hires Mickey, Donald, and Goofy for her protection.
A bit of chaos takes place once the gang is attacked by the Beagle Boys. Minnie and Goofy are kidnapped, so the wannabe Musketeers know they must rescue them. After a fun tower scene, the Beagle Boys get knocked off and the ladies are saved. Mickey and Minnie obviously fall in love. Pete soon acknowledges the fact that these three friends are stronger than they appear and that "small", "coward", and "doofus" do not apply at all. After more chaos including a fabulous appearance from Clarabelle, the film ends with a bang on a stage during The Pirates of Penzance. Of course, the film ends on a positive note.
Mickey and Minnie are voiced by the incredible Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor. Allwine voiced Mickey from 1973 to 2009. Taylor has voiced Minnie since 1987; she has also given us Strawberry Shortcake and currently provides voice work on the Disney show Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Allwine and Taylor were married, which makes the whole concept absolutely magical. Tony Anselmo gives us Donald Duck and has been since 1986, while Bill Farmer has voiced Goofy since 1987. Jim Cummings voices Pete, and has provided us with a countless number of character voices through the years. Tress MacNeille plays Daisy and April Winchell voices Clarabelle.
The Three Musketeers is directed by Donovan Cook. Cook has directed a few other titles including two episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Evan Spiliotopoulos and David M. Evans wrote for the film. And of course, some credit must go to the man himself, Alexandre Dumas.
1.) Pete uses his peg leg for the first time since the 1930s.
2.) The original idea for the film came about in the 1940s but Disney realized there needed to be four heroes, not three. They realized in 2004 that they could make a film which could parallel the story to tell an interesting tale in homage of the original. Successfully done.
3.) This is the first feature length film with Mickey, Donald, and Goofy together.
4.) Goofy is the only main character to not appear in his traditional outfit.
5.) Hidden Mickey: a flashing emergency light.
I do not have a favorite scene during this film but the entire ending scene on stage during The Pirates of Penzance is quite comical. There is also a nod to The Mickey Mouse Club where Pete announces at one point, "Hey there, hi there, ho there, you're as welcome as can be." There is also an "I just can't wait to be king" thrown in there. Also, I noticed how much of this film brings back memories from House of Mouse (from 2001 and 2002), the fantastic Disney Channel television series.
The Three Musketeers is a fun film. It's a great one to check out at some point with the family when you have spare time. It is no Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin, but it is worth watching. Definitely not a top notch Disney flick, but certainly a fun one.
My Rating: 3.5/5
By the power invested in my fist, I clobber you.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Disney Film Project Podcast - Episode 109 - Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers
This week the DFPP team steps into animated France to see their Musketeer friends and finds them embroiled in an operatic plot to overthrow the Princess to make a cat King in the 2004 animated adventure Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers.
Show notes:
Enjoy the show!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu-ray Release
When you get to the main menu of the Blu-ray be prepared for a visual treat. The main menu background is a shifting of scenes throughout Neverland. The scenes shift by moving through a 3D representation of Never Land led by none other than Tinker Bell herself. If you head to the sneak peeks you'll a preview for the recently cancelled theatrical release of Little Mermaid in 3D on the Sneak Peeks. And for Tinker Bell fans who haven't already seen it on YouTube, there is a preview of the The Mythical Island - a movie where the talents of the Tinker Bell and her friends get jumbled between them.
Audiophiles will be happy to find that they can use the Original Theatrical Mix audio when watching the movie - this might require special audio equipment to get the full effect. You can also use DisneyView to displays artwork by Cristy Maltese in the left and right borders of the movie on modern displays that are otherwise black. And if you don't want to watch the movie with full subtitles to be able to get them just for the song lyrics throughout the movie you can take advantage of Sing Along With The Movie (With Lyrics). You can also find all the old DVD release "classic" bonus features on the Blu-ray.
Prior to the movie you have the option to watch an introduction by Diane Disney Miller where she talks about Walt's love of the story and how he had wanted Peter Pan to be the 2nd animated feature, but he had to wait until animation techniques caught up with his vision. You will also find the short Growing Up With Nine Old Men which is a brief background and history of Walt's Nine Old Men. It is narrated by the son of Frank Thomas, Ted Thomas director and writer of Walt & El Grupo. In it he goes around to some of the children of the Nine Old Men and discusses with them how it was growing up with their fathers. And if you want to you can listen to Audio Commentary by Roy Disney while you watch the film.
When I first experienced the concept of an interactive Disney Intermission on The Muppets Blu-ray I was floored by the concept. This Blu-ray has a similar feature, but it is very slow paced and not as much fun. Geared toward children, it takes you through some puzzle-like interactions with voiceovers by both Hook and Smee. There are also two deleted scenes which are enacted using the storyboard technique that Disney has used on prior Blu-ray releases. As I really enjoy this method of putting together a missing scene this feature is a treat for me. There are also two missing songs "Never Smile at a Crocodile" (music is in the movie, but not the lyrics) and "The Boatswain Song" which is all about Smee.
This Blu-ray release is fantastic. If for no other reason the digital enhancements to the movie itself make it perhaps the best version of the movie ever released. As it's a popular fan favorite, I think this release will have excellent sales. While there's very little additional new content on the Blu-ray itself, considering the age of the movie and the amount that already exists about it, this is no great surprise. The inclusion of the DVD bonus features is smart, there should be no Blu-ray release by Disney that shouldn't do this for any prior release content. I'm glad to have received a review copy of this release.
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
With a recent spate of restaurant openings for those with restricted diets, the French capital is no longer a culinary minefield for those with special demands.
Located in a country with Unesco world heritage status for its gastronomy, Paris offers myriad opportunities for dining on such traditional delights as freshly-baked baguettes, steak tartare and gratin dauphinoise. But what to do if you're gluten or dairy intolerant, or even vegan? Well, thanks to a slew of new restaurant openings that cater to such dietary requirements, the French capital is no longer a culinary minefield for those with special demands.
For those who need to eat gluten free – which means avoiding wheat, and therefore bread and pastry -- there are two new options. Noglu is a certified gluten-free restaurant in the beautiful covered passage of Passage des Panoramas in the 2nd arrondissement. The sleek black-walled restaurant has tables upstairs and counter seating downstairs, which is great for solo diners. The menu changes daily according to what's in season, such as roast cod with braised carrots or vegetarian lasagna, and lactose-free dishes are flagged on the menu, too. The food is of such a high standard that the restaurant is usually full to capacity -- so make sure you book in advance.
For a more casual solution to wheat-free dining, head to Paris' first gluten-free patisserie, Helmut Newcake near the trendy Canal St Martin in the 10th arrondissement. Here you'll find daily lunch specials (often including a quiche and a hot dish such chicken with polenta), as well as a vast selection of French patisseries like eclairs and lemon meringue tarts -- all of which use the chef's secret non-gluten flour blend. The patisserie is sensitive to lactose-free requirements too, and has meals and cakes without dairy – the pistachio and redcurrant cake is particularly good. There is also a selection of groceries, such as gluten-free bread and dairy-free chocolate, for sale.
For vegans in Paris, it is possible to enjoy the gastronomic prowess of France while avoiding all traces of cheese, cream and foie gras. Vegan restaurant Gentle Gourmet Cafe near the Bastille neighbourhood offers high-quality, seasonal French fare that, although entirely vegan (and therefore also suitable for those who don't eat dairy), attracts even staunch carnivores with its fine cuisine. Try such delights as the croque monsieur with a vegan-cheese béchamel sauce and vegan ham on sliced bread, or their version of the Breton galette pancake, with vegan ham and cheese, artichokes, onions and mushrooms in a creamy, non-dairy sauce. Bon appétit!
Kim Laidlaw Adrey is the Paris Localite for BBC Travel. She also writes www.unlockparis.com.