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Mortgage reform is kicking in on Jan. 10, bringing significant changes to home loan financing.
The new rules were written by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect homebuyers from risky mortgages like the ones that led so many homeowners into foreclosure in recent years. The rules also protect investors from buying shoddy mortgage-backed investments.
The downside for consumers is that the rules make it harder for some people to qualify for a home loan. So, if you're shopping for a mortgage or refinancing right now, it's a good idea to close your loan before the end of the year.
In fact, though, many banks and mortgage lenders already are playing by the new rules.
Better borrowers
The Ability to Repay Rule requires lenders to evaluate your financial fitness to repay a loan, even if it's an adjustable-rate mortgage with low payments compared with a fixed-rate loan.
Remember the "exploding" adjustable-rate mortgages sold to buyers who could afford the initial low teaser payments but lost their homes when the interest rates jumped a few years later? And do you recall the "no doc" mortgages, which let you borrow without proving how much money you have or earn? Those days are over.
Now, lenders will have to evaluate your ability to pay back a mortgage based on these eight points:
- Your income or assets.
- Your employment.
- The monthly payment on the mortgage you want.
- Monthly payments on your other debts.
- Monthly payments on other mortgage-related costs (home and mortgage insurance and property taxes, for example).
- Any commitments for child support or alimony.
- What's left every month after you've paid your debts. In most cases, your total monthly debt payments can't exceed 43 percent of your monthly gross income.
- Your credit history.
Safer mortgages
The Qualified Mortgage Rule defines a category of loans that are safest for consumers. These will be most affordable.
"If you are a borrower getting a qualified mortgage, your loan cannot contain certain features that often have harmed consumers in the past, such as excess points and fees," says the CFPB.
For example, no more:
- Interest-only mortgages, where you paid for decades without ever establishing ownership in the home.
- Negative amortization mortgages, which dug you deeper in debt as time went on.
The new rules apply to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, which make up nearly 70 percent of all new mortgages, the Federal Housing Finance Agency says.
Winners and losers
Your application will have an easier time of it if you can show paycheck stubs with a steady work history and you file W-2 tax forms. "It gets difficult when you have a history of job changes, job loss or inconsistent income from self-employment," Mortgage Bankers Association president David Stevens told MSN Real Estate.
Wealthier borrowers with lots of savings and investments will have the advantage, qualifying for loan options and prices not available to most Americans. MSN Real Estate says:
[Stevens] predicts that borrowers will need a minimum credit score of about 750 to get a lower-cost conventional mortgage with a smaller down payment. On the other hand, even applications with some wrinkles already have easier sledding with down payments of 20 percent or more.
The changes make it harder for lower-income borrowers because they're less likely to be able to save for a down payment or to have consistent employment that pays well. And they're more likely to depend on income from other members of the household – friends or family members under the same roof, making it complicated to apply for a mortgage.
There will be some exceptions to the rules, however, for low- and moderate-income homebuyers working with nonprofit lenders, according to Inman News.
What you can do
Move quickly. If your debt load is greater than 43 percent, consult with several lenders. Find out if you can qualify under the old rules and, if so, if there's still time to get a mortgage closed before the end of the year.
Pay down debt. If you can't move that fast, start paying down your debt so that you can qualify under the new debt-to-income standard.
Try other routes. Mortgages insured by the federal government will have somewhat looser requirements. They'll also be increasingly more expensive. If you're having trouble meeting the new requirements, ask your lender whether you might qualify for a VA, FHA or USDA mortgage.


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Founders Brewing Co. created a special label for its Pale Ale, saluting the christening of the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) aircraft carrier, named for the 38th President of the United States who grew up in Grand Rapids, Mich. During the week of November 3, this special label Pale Ale will be on draft, along with commemorative postcards.
"When we got the call from the folks at Newport News Shipbuilding, asking us to make a special label for this event, it was one of those things that gives you goosebumps," said Founders Co-Founder Dave Engbers. "Gerald R. Ford is a hugely important figure in the Grand Rapids community. We make beer. We aren't in the business of running a nation — nothing near it. But we've done what we can to build our company on values exemplified by Ford, particularly integrity and authenticity. It's such an honor to be involved in this christening."
The beer will be served at a private christening dinner on Fri., Nov. 8. The christening ceremony will be held on Sat., Nov. 9, at Newport News Shipbuilding, where the ship is being constructed. President Gerald R. Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, will serve as the ship's sponsor, performing the traditional honor of breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine across the ship's bow during the ceremony. The dry dock in which CVN 78 was structurally built was flooded, preparing the ship for launch in the days following her christening. The christening ceremony will be held in front of the ship's bow.
Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first of a new class of aircraft carriers, the first new design since USS Nimitz, which was launched in 1972. Redesigned from keel to mast, the ship will be able to launch aircraft more quickly while costing less to maintain, saving the Navy a projected $4 billion over the ship's 50-year life span.
The christening will be streamed online at www.thefordclass.com for those who want to watch from home.

subset: commoncrawl


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Posted by Editoress on 10/21/13
Last Thursday evening (October 17th) Cycling BC held a sold out fundraiser, headlined by Svein Tuft, with other Canadian cycling celebrities also in attendance, including Alison Sydor, Zach Bell, Steve Bauer, Alex Stieda, Ron Hayman and more.
R to L: Nic Hamilton, Allison Sydor, Alex Steida, Tara Whitten, Ron Hayman, Monique Sullvan, Svein Tuft, Richard Wooles, Axel Merckx, Gina Grain, Zach Bell, Steve Bauer - photo Greg Descantes
The silent auction brought in $8500, while the live auction reached over $15,000:
• Day riding with Christian Meier and Svein Tuft anywhere with as many people as you want ($4000)
Osoyoos vacation package ($800)
Personal cycling performance analysis ($1550)
Scott CR1 bike ($1400)
Harbour Air flight for 8 for MTB excursion at Spruce Lake near Whistler ($5000)
3-day F3 driving school experience in Sonoma ($5600)
Our correspondent Greg Descantes grabbed a few of interviews before the event started (below), photos and updates on the current status of a number of Canadian riders.
• Marsh Cooper will be leaving Optum to move to Europe with his wife. Currently he is without a team, but hoping to pick something up over there
• Rob Britton will be returning to North America after racing for Raleigh UK and will join the Smartstop squad
• Will Routley, who rode this season for the Accent Jobs - Wanty team is returning to North American. He has a team but is not yet ready to announce it. This is no surprise, given his previous interviews with us where he mentioned missing Canada
• Zach Bell is still looking for a team after the abrupt collapse of Champion Systems
Steve Bauer, Gina Grain and Richard Wooles
Alex Stieda
Ron Hayman
|Return to Cycling 4 Women homepage | Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top


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Oliver Green
SMALL- fits women's pants sizes 0-4
Pink Geometric sleepie beachies
Regular price $ 22.00
$ 0.00
Pink Geometric shorts for women! These lightweight shorts are great for hot beach days, and summer days and night. Versatile prints make our boxers multi-use.
Beach Cover Up, Lounge wear, warm weather wear, brunch wear, lunch wear, dinner wear, sleep wear.
SMALL- fits women's pants sizes 0-4


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Risk of a Child's Getting Schizophrenia Tied to Paternal (Father's) Age and Sperm Damage
The risk of having a child with schizophrenia may increase with a father's advancing age, researchers reported yesterday. The researchers, who examined the relationship between the fathers' ages and schizophrenia among 87,907 Israelis born from 1964 through 1976, found that the older the father, the more likely he was to have a child who suffered from schizophrenia, a devastating mental illness.
Men who were 45 through 49, for example, were twice as likely to have offspring with schizophrenia or a related disorder as were men under 25, the researchers found. The overall risk of having a child with the illness, however, remained small.;The finding is a very strong association of schizophrenia risk and father's age," said Dr. Delores Malaspina, an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the lead author of the report, which appears in this month's issue of the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.
Other scientists were more skeptical. They noted that confirmation through other studies was needed before such a link could be said to be established, and they cautioned that in the history of schizophrenia research, many apparent associations had eventually proved spurious or impossible to replicate.>If the results of the study hold up to scrutiny, Dr. Malaspina said, "The next question is, `What might explain that finding?'
" One possibility, the researchers argue in their report, is that some cases of schizophrenia area result of genetic abnormalities in sperm cells that become more likely as a man ages. Stem cells in the testicles divide throughout a man's life in a process that leads to the production of sperm. Each cell division carries the chance for copying errors in reproducing the DNA. By the age of 40, research suggests, about 660 such divisions have taken place.
Genetic mutations can also occur from exposure to radiation or chemicals
over a man's life. In contrast, the divisions of cells that produce a
woman's eggs occur only before birth. A number of physical illnesses and
birth defects have been linked to genetic mutations during sperm production
in older fathers, including Apert syndrome, a rare congenital deformity
of the skull, fingers and toes, and achondroplasia, the most common form
of dwarfism. Some cases of schizophrenia, the researchers suggested, might
be associated with similar mutations. The illness runs in families, and
is known to have a strong genetic component, though efforts to identify
the specific gene or genes that predispose a person to schizophrenia have
so far been inconclusive. The disease affects 1 of every 100 Americans
and is more common in men. Full-blown symptoms often first appear in late
adolescence or early adulthood.
Dr. Malaspina said that the findings of her study "suggest that relevant mutations are there" in such sporadic cases "as well as in familial cases." Dr. James F. Crow, a professor emeritus of genetics at the University of Wisconsin, said, "I think this is very strong evidence for a mutation component to schizophrenia, but it's quite an open question as to how much of a component. But other scientists cautioned that other explanations beside spontaneous genetic mutation could also account for the study's results.For example, said Dr. Ann Pulver, director of the epidemiology and genetics program in psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University, "It may be that the fathers of schizophrenics have unusual characteristics that delay reproduction." "I think this is an interesting contribution to the epidemiological literature, that paternal age may be a risk factor for a subgroup of schizophrenic patients," Dr. Pulver said. "And it may be that advanced paternal age is associated with a mutation. But that is a hypothesis and one would need to test it.
In the study, Dr. Malaspina and her colleagues took advantage of the Jerusalem Perinatal Study, a research archive that includes information about all births in one area of Jerusalem. Records from the study were correlated with those of a national registry of psychiatric illness kept by the Israeli government.
The researchers found that in 1,337 people admitted to psychiatric hospitals before 1998, the fathers' ages were strongly associated with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or a related disorder. The risk of schizophrenia increased steadily with the father's increasing age. Advancing age of the fathers, the investigators reported, accounted for 26 percent of the cases of schizophrenia in the study; for fathers over 50, two out of every three cases of the illness could be attributed to the father's age.
Summary of Research from: Schizophrenia Research; Paternal factors and schizophrenia risk: de novo mutations and imprinting


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Official Description: Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place and must rely upon her sharp instincts when she's pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared their entire lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Unofficial Description: No.
Stay away. Go get a root canal. It'll be better time spent versus watching this. And you'll enjoy it more.
I tried – I swear. Just, no.


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KANNAPOLIS, N.C., (Feb. 11, 2014) – With snow falling as teams departed North Carolina for the warmth of Daytona Beach, Fla., the summer of 2013 seemed a long time ago, where hot and humid days ran together.
But there's one date in particular – Monday, Aug. 5 – that stands out for those at Stewart-Haas Racing and the NASCAR industry as a whole. It was late in the evening when at a dirt track in Iowa, Tony Stewart, the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS he co-owns with Haas Automation founder Gene Haas, crashed his sprint car and flipped, breaking his right tibia and fibula.
The day prior, Stewart finished ninth in the Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. It was Stewart's 521st career Sprint Cup start, all made consecutively since his Sprint Cup debut Feb. 14, 1999 in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
That Stewart would miss the final 15 races of the 2013 Sprint Cup season and not return to a racecar until Feb. 14, 2014 – the opening day of practice for Sprint Cup cars at Budweiser Speedweeks – wasn't something people gave much thought to…until they had to.
It was strange to see the likes of Max Papis, Austin Dillon and Mark Martin wheeling Stewart's signature Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet. But as a new NASCAR season dawns, familiarity returns. Stewart, perhaps better known by his nickname "Smoke", is back.
#SmokeWillRise isn't just a hashtag. It's the return of one of the sport's best – behind the wheel of a racecar and behind the microphone of a press conference.
After a 15-race layoff, Stewart will make Sprint Cup career start No. 522 in the 56th running of the Daytona 500 Feb. 23. And after 15 Daytona 500 starts where winning the "Great American Race" has proven elusive for Stewart, his chances in this year's Daytona 500 are perhaps his best yet.
In what could very well be a "Sweet 16" for the ages, Stewart enters his 16th Daytona 500 with a new crew chief, new teammates and a new hunger to drive his racecar better and faster than the 42 others who will join him on Daytona's vast 2.5-mile oval.
Stewart has already proven himself, as his 48 career, point-paying Sprint Cup wins attest. And he's proven himself at Daytona in particular, where Stewart is second on the track's all-time win list with 19 overall victories – rivaling only the late Dale Earnhardt, who has 34 total victories at Daytona and is part of the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2010.
But missing from Stewart's win totals is a Daytona 500 victory. It's a trophy Stewart covets, and one he's come agonizingly close to attaining.
Now, after overcoming the agony of a broken leg, Stewart is hungry to return to his rightful place in a racecar. It's appropriate that Stewart's return comes on NASCAR's biggest stage, where to the victor go the spoils, and one's hunger can be satisfied by the sweet taste of victory.
TONY STEWART, Driver of the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing:
What, if any, anxiety do you have about finally getting back in a racecar?
"I wouldn't say I have anxiety, rather, I'm just impatient to get back in the car. A lot of other athletes, when they come off an injury, their sports are still going on and their season is still rolling. I've had to sit through the end of last season and the whole offseason, so I feel like I could get in a car right now and go race. So, there's isn't any anxiety as far as what's going to happen, it's more about being anxious to get started and get going again. I think that probably will override any pain that may exist once we get back in our Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet."
Is there anything you've learned during physical therapy that gives you an idea as to what to expect from the leg once you're in race conditions?
"Honestly, I don't know and we won't know until we're in the car. I've been driving a street car for five months and I can drive all day. It's not a drama, but it's different than being in a racecar and having to hold the throttle wide open for 50 seconds a lap for 200 laps. We just aren't going to know 100 percent until we get in the car. Everything that we've done in therapy, however, we've done to try to simulate race conditions. We've built contraptions to work on throttle position and work on the endurance that goes along with racing. Our fabricators were busy building racecars, but I also had them working on what I call a 'government project' – building some stuff to help me get ready. I feel like we've done everything we can to address every scenario that could possibly happen while we're down there, and I feel like we're as prepared as we can be."
What sort of "government project" was your team working on for you?
"I actually had our shop build a deal with a seat, a steering wheel and a steering column, with pedals in it for us to use in therapy. The deal has pressurized shocks to give feedback in the pedal. We do a lot of stuff in therapy that is weight training where you're picking up weight and putting down weight. Other than that, there really isn't anything we do in therapy where you just sit and hold a pedal down for 20 minutes. We don't have the time at therapy to do that so we had them build something that simulates the conditions of being in the car and having to maintain the pressure of having your foot on the throttle. We put a lot of thought into what we could do to make it better, make it more real so as to cover every angle that we could so we're as prepared as possible for the start of the season."
What kind of limitations do you anticipate once you're back behind the wheel?
"I really don't think there will be any at all. Our therapy has gone great. We're over the hard part, which doesn't mean we're not still working because we are, but the major hurdles we had to overcome are gone. For a while now, I've been in a routine of strength building and getting the muscle back to where it needs to be. The injury is healing up really well, the bones are healing as quickly as they can, and everything is in good shape to be in a racecar. Fortunately, we're not in a situation where I've got to do 100-yard sprints. If we had to do that we'd be in a lot different situation. I'll still have to deal with G-forces, vibrations and all of the things that a racecar driver navigates. We obviously won't know exactly how the leg will respond and the amount of pain there may be until I'm in the car for the practice session before the Sprint Unlimited. Those are variables we still don't know yet, but the stuff that we're doing in therapy – it's very encouraging. We've made really big steps and I don't think it's going to be anything that's going to bother us in the car in all reality."
You haven't been on the track yet, but you've at least sat in a seat to get the cars ready for the season. How was that experience?
"I got in there and it instantly felt like an old pair of shoes. We did the seat fit and then we had the finished product in so we could make sure that everything was right. It brought back a lot of memories of the excitement I felt the first time that I got in a Sprint Cup car. I hadn't sat in a car since August, so it was just exciting to be able to climb down in the car. It's a challenge getting in and out – not as smooth as it used to be – but once you get down in there, like I said, there is a comfort in it because it's a molded seat. You don't ever get a street car that's molded to fit your shape, so there's just that level of comfort in the car. I was in the seat and the crew guys started telling me that I needed to get out because they needed to get work done – that's a pretty good indication of how happy I was to be sitting in a car again."
What are your thoughts on your chances in the Sprint Unlimited, the non-points race Feb. 15?
"I think they're good. It's a fun race anyway, and to get the fans involved and make them more a part of the actual format and everything, I like it. It's going to be pretty cool to see what they come up with. Daytona is one of those tracks where you can be at the front one minute and in the back the next, so I don't think it's going to change the outcome. But I think Sprint has provided a great asset by having the fans involved and letting them actually be a part of the event more than just watching as spectators. They're now essentially a race director and getting to decide the format, and I think that's kind of cool."
When you're in the draft, how much control do you feel you have inside the racecar?
"It depends on the circumstances. You can't see the air and you hit different pockets (of air). You hit a pocket where you get a real big tow or you hit a pocket where it seems they're getting a tow and pulling you back, and you just have to play the circumstances. You just try getting in different scenarios and try to learn if you get in the middle of the draft, what does it do? Will it give you a push? Will it not give you a push? If you get next to this car, does it suck you up or does it slow you down? It's trial and error, but at the same time, it's like pulling a pin on a grenade. You know through that process that if one guy makes a mistake, the car's torn up for the race. It's just a delicate balance of how hard you go, how many things you try, and how much time you spend doing it."
As a driver, how much input do you have in making the car go fast at Daytona?
"The race situation is a lot different from practice. You tend to have a much larger pack of cars and that makes a really big difference. But you're still able to figure out what your car likes and dislikes in the draft during practice. It may not be exactly what you'll experience in the race, but it's the closest thing to it. Basically, it gives you an idea of what your car is capable of and where you need to be to make the moves you want."
What would winning the Daytona 500 mean to you?
"You look at marquee events around the world, and not only NASCAR but in all of motorsports – the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 24 Hours At Daytona, the Indy 500, the Knoxville Nationals – and to be a driver that can cross off one of those marquee events as a winner, that cements your legacy in motorsports. To be able to win the Daytona 500 is the ultimate dream of a racecar driver."
Where would winning the Daytona 500 rank for you?
"No. 1. I may never get a chance to run in those other marquee events, so that's why it puts the Daytona 500 at the top, because it's something that we actually have a shot at. But it is hard. It's a hard race, and it's not like you get to come back next week and try it again if you don't accomplish it. You get one shot a year to accomplish this goal."
In 2008, you nearly won the Daytona 500. How close were you?
"I've run that race over in my mind a million times on what I thought I could've done differently. If it would've been the Daytona 498, I had it won. I was forced to make a decision of whether I was going to put my whole race in jeopardy to win it, or know that I was getting passed but I may have a shot to get it back in the end. I took the safer route, and I wish I would've thrown caution to the wind. I think I would've rather crashed out of it knowing that I did everything I could, but I wasn't sure that if I made the move to block Ryan (Newman, the 2008 Daytona 500 winner) to get in front of him – they were coming at such a high rate of speed I was probably going to crash half the field if I moved."
If you had to do that race over again, would you make the other decision?
"Yes. That decision to play it safe has haunted me ever since. So, if that situation happens again, I may come back on a hook, but at least I can say I know I did everything I could do to give myself that shot."
Why was a Daytona 500 win just not in the cards for you that day?
"Ahhh, you know, I was working really good with my (then) teammate Kyle Busch. It was just being at the right place at the right time and, you know, Ryan (Newman) and Kurt Busch had just got hooked up and were making a huge, huge run, and that's what it took to get by us. That was the only way they were going to get by us, was to get locked together, and they did a really good job at it."
Stewart-Haas Racing looks a lot different than it did five years ago. What has it been like to watch the team go from a two-car to a three-car and now, a four-car team?
"It's been a big undertaking. Our organization has gone two consecutive years where we've had to add to the existing program with a new team – one year ago with the addition of Danica (Patrick) and this year with Kurt (Busch). Luckily, we're at the stage where NASCAR says we can't do any more teams. I'll be happy to go into next winter knowing we're not going to be adding any more teams, as I'm sure the whole organization is, but we're still excited. I think we're probably the most pumped up as we've ever been. We've got a lot of great things to come this year, and I really feel like this is an organization that people have to watch out for."
How do you see this year unfolding with the additions of Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch to the SHR roster of drivers?
"The biggest thing with this group is that we all understand each other. Kurt, Kevin and I – all three of us have had our less-than-stellar moments, but the good thing is because of that we all understand each other and what it was that put us in those situations. Danica had to go through the same thing during her time in IndyCar and she deals with a lot of pressure here. All four of us understand the challenges we face and, because of that, there is almost a peace of mind in knowing that if we're in a tough situation, we have teammates we can talk to. So far the dialogue between all four of us has been unreal. The good thing is that we each have positive parts of our personalities that helps us feed off of each other and push each other, and that makes us a strong combination."
How do you feel about the new format for determining the championship?
"It's putting pressure on the teams and the drivers but, at the same time, it's really exciting. When you take a step back and look at it, you just can't count anybody out and you have no idea what will happen on any given weekend. Every event in the Chase just means that much more now. Not that it wasn't before, but you won't be able to go to the season finale at Homestead and just coast. This brings another level of excitement. It's pretty cool that NASCAR is as forward thinking as they are. In basketball the court is the same size and the rims are the same height. In football the fields are still 100 yards long and a touchdown is still six points. Our sport changes, and the rules have evolved with the technology."


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In order to demonstrate advantages of U++, we have reimplemented some examples of other libraries.
Comparison vs Qt
Comparison vs Java/Swing
Comparison vs wxWidgets
To demonstrate how not using standard C++ library affects application performance, we have provided following comparison:
U++ Core vs C++ standard library benchmarks
U++ Core vs D programming language
Before following those links, please keep in mind that similar comparisons are always a little bit tricky. While we have tried to be as fair as possible, we were reimplementing tutorial examples which are quite specific stuff. Anyway, if you feel like we have harmed you favorite platform, nothing prevents you to implement those applications in more optimal way or suggest improvements - we will be glad to use your version here.
Do you want to contribute?


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3 Doors Down @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
7.21.2018 @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater - 3 Doors Down headlined a bill with special guests Collective Soul and Soul Asylum. I had covered a 3 Doors show years ago, so this evening was all about the other two acts for me. Collective Soul and Soul Asylum came out and delivered sets that reminded me of how truly special the '90's were for music. I heard many photographers commenting, "that's how it's done" after Collective Soul's set and I have to agree. Rock shows need chunky guitar riffs, an enthusiastic frontman, and songs that are just fun for the crowd to sing along to. That is pretty much what '90's acts were all about, and it was a fantastically magical time in music history.Read More


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Channel: Pure 18
Sigma Zi Chi is the sorority of all sororities. Only the sluttiest most horniest girls need apply. Shayne felt she was up to the challenge. She went in for her first interview only to find out that her first initiation test consisted of sucking and taking a bigger cock than she had imagined. It was too late to turn back now she couldnt risk looking like a chump. Peer pressure prevailed once again as Shayne got really close to deepthroating and took the big dick up her tight pussy.


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Concepción de Ataco
Concepción de Ataco is a colonial villa situated in Ahuachapán, a province in El Salvador. The town is part of the Ruta de Las Flores, which is a journey through colonial towns in the mountains where you can enjoy a cool, pleasant climate and much more. Along the route, visitors will experience spectacular scenery full of greenery and flowers. At […]Read more


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Chefchaouen, Morocco
Narrow Alleyway; Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen Street
Photo Credits: Mark Fischer | CC BY-SA 2.0
Narrow Street in the Medina
Shot by: Nancy Lauer
Photo Credits: Nancy Lauer
Visiting Chefchaouen, Morocco
Pause in Time
Paused in time. Here, I captured an image of a young lady entering her home in Chefchaouen, Morocco, or as its comely known as -- the "Blue City." A photographer's paradise. | Photo Credits: Dean J. Tatooles; Southern Cross Galleries
Chaouen Cat
I'm not a cat guy per se...well at least not a domestic cat guy. However, I love these Moroccan cats. So much personality and love shown by them. Here, I captured an image of one such cat in the streets of the "Blue City" of Chefchaouen, Morocco in October. | Dean J. Tatooles; Southern Cross Galleries
Market Day
Another one of my favorite images I captured in Chefchaouen, Morocco (the Blue City.) I love how the colors pop on the vegetables the woman is carrying. |Photo Credits: Dean J. Tatooles; Southern Cross Galleries
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Oregon woman arrested in Idaho in stabbing death
Police in southwestern Idaho say they have arrested a 23-year-old Oregon woman wanted in connection with the stabbing death of an Idaho man.
Police in Weiser tell KTVB-TV that Ketra Savannah Siuce-Hale was taken into custody Saturday about 5 p.m. at a home in Weiser officers had entered to arrest another individual on a drug violation.
Authorities say Siuce-Hale, of Ontario, is a suspect in the death of 26-year-old Mark Samuel Rogers.
Authorities say Rogers and Siuce-Hale were living together and had an argument last week and that Rogers was stabbed while in a road north of Ontario. He was pronounced dead not long after at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center in Ontario.
Siuce-Hale was being held in the Washington County jail in Idaho on $100,000 bond.


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Unintended Pregnancy Prevention
An unintended pregnancy is a pregnancy that is mistimed, unplanned, or unwanted at the time of conception. It is a core concept to better understand the fertility of populations and the unmet need for contraception (birth control) and family planning. Unintended pregnancy mainly results from the lack of, inconsistent, or incorrect use of effective contraceptive methods.
Unintended pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of problems for the mom and baby. If a pregnancy is not planned before conception, a woman may not be in optimal health for childbearing. For example, women with an unintended pregnancy could delay prenatal care that may affect the health of the baby. Therefore, it is important for all women of reproductive age to adopt healthy behaviors such as—
- Taking folic acid.
- Maintaining a healthy diet and weight.
- Being physically active regularly.
- Quitting tobacco use.
- Abstaining from alcohol and drugs.
- Talking to your health care provider about screening and proper management of chronic diseases.
- Visiting your health care provider at the recommended scheduled time periods for your age and discuss if or when you are considering becoming pregnant.
- Using effective contraception correctly and consistently if you are sexually active but wish to delay or avoid pregnancy.
In the United StatesAccording to a study published in 2011—
- In 2006, 49% of pregnancies were unintended—a slight increase from 48% in 2001.
- Among women aged 19 years and younger, more than 4 out of 5 pregnancies were unintended.
- The proportion of pregnancies that were unintended was highest among teens younger than age 15 years, at 98%.
- Between 2001 and 2006, the proportion of pregnancies that were unintended—
- Declined from 89% to 79% among teens aged 15–17 years.
- Increased from 79% to 83% among women aged 18 and 19 years and from 59% to 64% among women aged 20–24 years.
- Large increases in unintended pregnancy rates were found among women with lower education, low income, and cohabiting women.
Source: Unintended pregnancy in the United States: incidence and disparities, 2006.Contraception. 2011;84(5):478–485.
Recent data from the National Survey of Family Growth show no significant decline in the overall proportion of unintended births (live births to women who did not want to get pregnant when they did) between the 1982 and the 2006–2010 surveys. The proportion of births that were unintended did decline during these years among ever-married, non-Hispanic white women. Women more likely to experience unintended births include—
- Unmarried women.
- Black women.
- Women with less education or income.
Source: Intended and unintended births in the United States: 1982–2010. [PDF- 404KB] National Health Statistics Reports. 2012;55.
The United States has established family planning goals in Healthy People 2020 aimed at improving pregnancy planning, spacing, and preventing unintended pregnancy. An objective is to increase the proportion of pregnancies that are intended to 56%. Family planning efforts that can help reduce unintended pregnancy include increasing access to contraception, particularly to the more effective and longer acting reversible forms of contraception, and increasing correct and consistent use of contraceptive methods overall among those who are sexually active but wish to delay or avoid pregnancy. Research also has focused on better understanding pregnancy intention and how it is measured. As one study suggests, "A better understanding of the multiple dimensions of unintended pregnancy also may lead to a better understanding of the consequences of these pregnancies." (The measurement and meaning of unintended pregnancy.Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2003;35(2):94–101.)


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Creative Captures
To purchase any of these prints please contact us at the number or email address listed above.Read More
Copyright ©2023
Beyond the Lens Photography is a studio and on-location photography business located in St. Catharines in the beautiful Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada, We provide newborn, baby, child, maternity and family sessions to great families all over the Niagara Region. We also provide professional business portraits for St. Catharines & Northern Niagara Region businesses. We serve many areas in the Niagara region some of them including St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Grimsby, Beamsville, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Fonthill and Smithville.


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- Story and photography by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of Boulevard Magazine, a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on Facebook and follow them on Instagram
When I meet Magnus at Craft Beer Market in Kelowna for a chat about life, work and style, he introduces me to the most refreshing thing — a Radler — which is beer and Sprite mixed together. He says it's a typical German drink.
Originally from Füssen, Germany — a mountain town he jokingly describes as "just a bunch of goats and cows" — Magnus came to Canada, and landed in Whistler as a professional snowboarder. He fell in love with the Canadian lifestyle and has lived here ever since.
"When I first came to Canada, I saw what you have here, all the opportunity, and I wanted it. I thought to myself, 'This place is awesome and I'm staying.' I set goals for myself and I went after them. I think generally in life you should keep your eyes open for opportunity and go for it. It's not always going to be perfect. I can't handle whiners. If you're not happy with something then change it yourself. You're the only person who can do that."
Magnus' company, Castello Custom, undertakes all types of millwork: commercial, residential, furniture, etc. "If it's made of wood then we do it."
Asked what he loves most about his work, Magnus says it's all about customer satisfaction.
"It's important that I connect with clients to really feel what they want. I meet every client and bring them to the shop because I need to see their reactions when they see certain things and when they touch certain finishesin order to realize their vision."
Outside of work, Magnus loves dirt bikes. "I love the sound of an engine! I ride the track twice a week to decompress, and my phone stays in truck. When you're on the track, you have to be totally in the moment. If you mess up you will hurt yourself so you have to concentrate."
He also says his personal style its pretty important to him, describing it as "European, old-school-snowboard style and a little bit of rock 'n roll in there. Every person has their own style and it's cool when people embrace that. If you feel that this is what you want to look like, I won't judge you. I think if you judge other people's style then you obviously don't have your own style."
Now aged 39 with two young sons, Magnus says he has a lot to love about living in Kelowna. "People here are happy, especially as soon as the sun shines. I think the most important thing for me is happiness. I want to see other people happy and that is what makes me happy and motivated. It's a cool lifestyle here. It's a good work and fun mix. Everybody works really hard and everybody plays really hard."
Uniform: Lederhosen.
Favourite Denim, brand and cut: Replay.
Current go-to clothing Item: Baseball hat.
Best new purchase: Volcom surf shorts.
Accessory you spend the most money on: Sunglasses.
Favourite work tool: CNC ("Computer Numerical Control — it's a way of controlling how machine tools operate using a computer.)
Sunglasses: Vonzipper.
Favourite band: Metallica.
Era of Time that inspires your style: '70s rock.
Favourite local restaurant: Cactus Club.
Favourite Cocktail/Wine: Dirty Martini.
FavE Print magazine: Motocross Action Magazine.
Album on current rotation: OK, I'm Sick by Badflower.
Favourite city to visit: Calgary.
Favourite App: Sirius/XM.
Favourite place in the whole world: Hawaii.


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1. Hong Kong: Sky100 Observatory ticket and Dining Package
The Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck is located on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), the tallest building in Hong Kong. At 393 meters above sea level, it is the only indoor observation deck in Hong Kong offering 360-degree views of the city and its famous Victoria Harbour. Connected to major transportation networks and a world-class shopping mall, it has been acclaimed as a must-see first stop for tourists to Hong Kong. It also features exceptionally quick double-decker high-speed elevators which reach the 100th floor in just 60-seconds. Beyond the splendid Hong Kong city panoramic view and magical scenery, Sky100 is also home to a large-scale interactive multimedia exhibit and a comprehensive guest center. Offering fascinating insights into local history and culture, the state-of-the-art exhibit enriches visitors with a thorough understanding of Hong Kong. Select Café 100 wine, dessert, and other dining combos to enrich your experience with gourmet food and beverages while enjoying the best view of the city. One tip is to visit the deck around dusk to watch the unforgettable sunset coloring the city's skyline.


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I've been out of the virtual machine market for a while. Back in 2005, I used Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 (not free) and the current version of VMWare (not free). What are some good, free solutions?
I'm sick of trying out new software on my host OS and hosing it!


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A 20 Gigapixel File in Production
David Bergman just made a 20 GIGApixel photo at Yankee Stadium. Below is a behind-the-scenes video showing him shooting it and some of the prints in production. Here's what Bergman said about the project:
I shot 825 Canon 5DsR images (50 megapixels each) at Yankee Stadium a few months ago and stitched them together to create a 20,000 megapixel photo. It might be the largest resolution image ever made at a live event (as opposed to a static landscape shot). A 130-foot long, 20-foot high print was on display at the Canon Expo in NYC. You can even read the prices at the hot dog stand over 400 feet away.
I'd recommend hitting the FULL SCREEN button near the lower right of the video.
Direct link: vimeo.com/139312923


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Arealight Mini Figure Torso - Space Suit - Black
LEGO Mini Figure Torso - Space Suit - Black
Designed to fit LEGO minifigure parts - Arms not included.
FireStar Toys are official distributors for the exclusive range of Arealight parts.
Our custom design accessories are created specifically for LEGO figures using high quality injection molded ABS plastic.


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On Locking Schemes on Linux Device Drivers
Hello fellow application developer or maintainer,
recently we (cdrkit and libburnia developers) came accross increasing problems with reliable and safe device locking. This paper enlightens the issues behind the scenes and presents possible future solutions. It collects our ponderings after having received this advise from Alan Cox on LKML: http://lkml.org/lkml/2007/3/31/175
NOTE: Don't think this is a simple problem and can be easily solved with solution FOO by SOMEONEELSE with FOO and SOMEONEELSE immediately coming to your mind. This doesn't work. The problem has many layers and many stakeholders. It is a mess since years.
Our original concern is the influence of even read-only operations on optical media drives (recorders) during their duty as recorders -- depending on the device model such read-only work may interrupt the process badly practically destroying the medium.
Since many programs already do act on such devices in an unsafe manner, either willingly (e.g. liblkid) or accidentally (e.g. hald, opening with O_EXCL but still clashing with cdr applications working on the competing sg driver), we see the need for reliable communication in order to ensure proper device locking where appropriate, in a way which is appropriate for the particular application.
In the following document, first the currently possible mechanisms are itemized with their advantages and their problems, followed by a draft of an incomplete locking scheme of limited system impact. Finally a complete locking mechanism is proposed which needs coordination with the Linux community, nevertheless.
State of the practice
There are various locking techniques used in other areas which are more or less applicable in our case.
General inter-process locking mechanisms
In general, all the mechanisms listed below are not optimally appropriate for our purpose. Why? They use the filename as identity. Which is okay for normal files, but they lack on two places which make then not reliable when used alone:
- they do not cope with multiple device file which imply the access to the same driver through different files
they do not automatically cope with multiple device drivers accessible through different user space interfaces, like with sg vs. sr drivers on Linux. No matter how many excuses some kernel developers do present to paper over this obvious shortcomings. Automatic use of /dev/sr instead of /dev/sg is not always possible or may not be wanted by the user.
Finally, they may be sufficient to lower the risk on inappropriate operation. Which exactly are available in the wild?
- Lock files associated with target file
Principle: an additional file is created during the action on the real target file. See http://www.pathname.com/fhs/pub/fhs-2.3.html#VARLOCKLOCKFILES Pros: regular filesystem operation, no additional infrastructure required Cons:
- Possible races unless OS mechanisms are used for exclusive operation on the lock file, see below
- The location and name of the lock file need to be known and discussed upfront among all application developers, or be documented excessively
- Permission problems may disallow the creation of lock files (security issues), especially for self-compiled applications and having no root permissions to install them in a required way
- Special precautions are necessary against stale locks
- fcntl(2) exclusive file locking Principle: lock applied on open file handles. Internally associated with a path, see fcntl(2) for details. Pros:
- known (POSIX.1-2001), usually reliable mechanism
- diverges from flock() implementation on Linux, see below. Results in independent locking.
- possible problems on network file systems
- flock(2) exclusive file locking Principle: similar to fcntl locks, applied with a different system function. Pros: see fcntl(2) locking above Cons: like fcntl(2), but less portable, not working over network file systems
Advanced locking mechanisms
- System V Semaphores Principle: a magic integer, "key" or "semid", identifies a set of state objects on which the atomic operations can be performed which are necessary for implementing a proper locking algorithm. See man semget(2), semop(2) SEM_UNDO. Pros: semaphores are originally designed for our purpose and they are very traditional Unix requisites. Cons:
- the semaphore key must be systemwide unique for the set of lockable drives and all participating programs have to use the same key. This situation is prone to collisions with locking mechanisms for other system resources. Function ftok(3) is not a secure solution.
- each device needs a fixely defined index number in the set of semaphores which are allocated system resources. So we can hardly span up a giant index space where we can map different device file classes to disjoint index intervals.
- O_EXCL locking Principle: passing of the O_EXCL flag to the open call. The device is locked exclusively for the calling PID, the lock is maintained in the device driver to the particular major/minor combination. Pros:
- reliable for a device accessible through one driver
for sr it requires kernel 2.6.x (x>=7 or so), with sg it might work on 2.4.
- does not automagicaly make the device inaccessible, only applications using O_EXCL will know about the locked state when getting negative result with EBUSY errno value.
Applicability on CD/(HD)DVD/BD drives
As explained in the introduction, the locking is important on optical media recording due to the delicate operation mode during the recording. Ideally, no application should touch them, even reading from the media is an evil task. But how does the state of the practice look like?
mount: the block device is mounted with the O_EXCL flag BUT the mount executable also uses libblkid which opens the devices without locking and read magic data from it. This also provides no solution for operation through the sg driver.
- hald (HAL daemon): periodically opens the cdrom block devices with O_EXCL flag. Clashes with operation on sg is possible.
- wodim: opens the devices with O_EXCL flag. Opening /dev/sg is possible and happens more likely with versions prior to 1.1.4.
- growisofs: opens the block devices with O_EXCL flag. Opening /dev/sg was never encouraged and does not work on kernel 2.4 (not tested yet on 2.6).
- cdrskin (via libburn): opens the devices with O_EXCL flag. It uses a unique device file path for serious operations on the drive. This is /dev/sg* on kernel 2.4, and recently has become /dev/sr* on kernel 2.6. Operations on other path representations of the same device are restricted to open(2) O_RDONLY and to obtaining SCSI parameters host,channel,id,lun. Mapping to the recommended device names is strictly enforced (FIXME: sure?).
- cdrecord: no locking. Author recommends to just get rid of other applications which may stand somehow in the way of its toy.
NOTE: Some of the things above may be changed but even then it won't happen overnight. We are not in the Linux kernel development or some other big project where one developer can go through the whole code end refactor everything in one run and change all dependencies in the next version.
In the practice, the burn process can be interrupted by mount(libblkid), or even by hald on undetected sg-vs.-sr conflict. This things do already happen!
Proposed general locking algorithms
What can be done with device files alone ?
The following method is proposed to create a midway between the limitations of kernel and the requirements of others, also unifying the way of dealing with the device locks.
The /var/lock locking method with proxy lock files was identified as obstacle because of restrictive security settings on popular Linux distributions (see above). Instead, this proposal relies on a two-step locking method directly on the device file and solves the ambiguity problem of sr-scd-sg paths at the risk that open(O_RDONLY); ioctl(SCSI_IOCTL_GET_IDLUN) could be harmful to running burner activities.
- Open the device. For applications that operate in a delicate way (burning tools), O_EXCL shall be set. For others, it may be omited.
- Set or check the additional fcntl lock on the device file. It must be exclusive! Sample code (by Thomas Schmitt)
struct flock lockthing; ... f = open(device, mode|O_EXCL); if (f != -1) { memset(&lockthing, 0, sizeof(lockthing)); lockthing.l_type = F_WRLCK; lockthing.l_whence = SEEK_SET; lockthing.l_start = 0; lockthing.l_len = 0; if (fcntl(f, F_SETLK, &lockthing)) { close(f); /* user feedback, report error, etc... */ f = -1; } }
Normally, fcntl(2) imposes advisory locking. But the sysadmin can make this mandatory locking by a mount option. (Is /dev mount(8)ed at all ?)
Unique path resolution is necessary so all interested processes come together at the same inode where this locking is guaranteed to collide. (Does F_SETLK work with all the implementations of directory /dev/ ?)
Links or additional device paths created by mknod(1) can be translated into /dev/sg* resp. /dev/sr* by help of call stat(2) and its result element .st_rdev. But the jump from /dev/sg* to /dev/sr* is not possible via stat(2). For that we need open(2) O_RDONLY, ioctl(SCSI_IOCTL_GET_IDLUN), close(2).
The translation is done by obtaining info from the given path, by iterating over the desired device paths /dev/hd%c , /dev/sg%d , /dev/sr%d, and by comparing their info with the one we look for. Kernel 2.6: If the result is a /dev/sg%d then it has to be translated into a /dev/sr%d in another step.
NOTE: there are sysfs symlinks that set up a path usable to map exactly. However, this depends on a mounted sysfs and the required symlinks have also been declared deprecated in the recent Linux kernel versions.
Kernel 2.4 imposes the problem that ioctl(SG_IO) is not possible with sr, so most of the burn programs have to use sg. But growisofs uses sr via ioctl(CDROM_SEND_PACKET) which does not work with sg. We will possibly not come to a completely sufficient agreement under these circumstances. Well, we 2.4ers are used to suffer neglect. (sob, hehe, see below)
Obstacles for using FHS compliant /var/lock/ files
First: races
Second: unclear or unreliable cleanup technique, dangling bad lockfiles possible
Third: The most obvious problem is the usual permission setting of /var/lock :
SuSE 9.0 (kernel 2.4): drwxrwxr-x 3 root uucp 4096 Apr 4 05:07 /var/lock SuSE 9.3 (kernel 2.6): drwxrwxr-t 4 root uucp 4096 2007-04-04 17:50 /var/lock Fedora Core 3.x: drwxrwxr-x 5 root lock 4096 Apr 4 04:03 /var/lock Debian gives rw-permission to anybody and thus would be no problem.
This system may work with the plain old UUCP program and few others programs with low device opening activity AND administrated by root but is a real PITA nowadays.
And the better solution would be ...
* to adopt the FHS idea of locking a proxy before any open(2) is performed, but to avoid the known drawbacks of FHS /var/lock/ protocol.
* to allow the use of any of the sg, sr, scd device drivers at the discretion of the programs.
Proposal for unambigous advisory device locking on Linux kernel 2.4 and 2.6
It is inspired in part by traditional UUCP locking in /var/lock/ as described by http://www.pathname.com/fhs/pub/fhs-2.3.html#VARLOCKLOCKFILES
Compliant processes apply open(2) to suspected CD/DVD burner device files only if they are able to do this via one of the following paths:
- /dev/sg[0..N] , /dev/scd[0..N] , /dev/sr[0..N] , /dev/hd[a-z]
and only after they have obtained a lock on them. (N= 31 or 255 ?) Further precautions like open(O_EXCL) or fcntl(F_SETLK) on the device file are allowed. Programs should offer expert options to disable them, though.
Locking is performed similar to UUCP tradition but without the potential race conditions or potential stale locks: Other than with FHS /var/lock, not the mere existence of the lock file establishes the lock state. It is instead implemented by open(2) with O_RDWR and then fcntl(2) with F_SETLK. The lock file descriptor is held open until the lock is obsolete.
To circumvent the sg-sr-scd ambiguity, those devices must get locked in triples. (One could even argue in favor of sg-sr-scd-st-sd locking.) The triples are formed from those device files which have the same SCSI parameters Host,Channel,Id,Lun from ioctl(SCSI_IOCTL_GET_IDLUN). Since this needs open(2), the search has to be accompanied by locking of the tested files (as singles, not as triples). Triple locking imposes the risk that of two simultaneous contestants none will get the lock. It does not impose other race condition risks.
Paths other than the permissible ones have to be translated. The call stat(2) with its result element .st_rdev allows to search a matching device file among the permissible ones. So /dev/nec_burner can be translated to one of /dev/sr1 , /dev/sg2, /dev/hdd. (If not, then it is hardly a burner device.)
A special case of sg-sr-scd triple searching is the translation of traditional Bus,Target,Lun addresses as of program cdrecord. "Bus" we get from ioctl(SCSI_IOCTL_GET_BUS_NUMBER), "Target","Lun" is id and lun from ioctl(SCSI_IOCTL_GET_IDLUN).
(ATA: Bus,Target,Lun may be translated literally: /dev/hd 'a' + 2*bus + target)
All we need for this is a directory which is present on any Linux system and is supposed to offer rwx-permissions to anybody who is allowed to access the devices.
As an application programmer i would propose /tmp/ and some file name prefix. It would work, after all. Possibly one would have to remove the lock file after releasing the lock. That would play nice with the t-permission.
To perform the sketched algorithm in /var/lock would violate FHS. The often restrictive permission settings of /var/lock would also make necessary an additional rule: A missing lock file which cannot be created allows to use the device as if a lock had been granted. (Provident sysadmins would then once create the lock files in /var/lock/ and allow rw-permission for all intended users.)
This is where we should ask the broad Linux public for opinions and advise. We are not much in a hurry and therefore should ponder duely over any aspect.
E.g. shall we include st and sd into the locking range ? It would not touch the devices themselves but would make users of sg aware of them. It is orthogonal to our core topic of CD/DVD drives since they are not supposed to appear as st or sd.


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June 19, 1997
1. Background
In 1994 James Billington, Librarian of Congress, identified as one of the Library's specific goals the digitization of five million images by the year 2000, using approximately two hundred of the Americana collections at the Library as an initial pool for conversion to digital format. This goal was one of several new initiatives falling under the Library's mission "to make its resources available and useful to the Congress and the American people and to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations." Dr. Billington placed overall responsibility for accomplishing this goal with the National Digital Library Program (NDLP) uder the leadership of Laura Campbell.
In 1995 IBM approached the Library with a proposal to donate significant levels of hardware, software and staff resources to conduct a joint digital library project with the Library. Late in the third quarter of that year an agreement was signed between IBM and the Library.
The agreement identified the roles and responsibilities of the parties (the Library, IBM, and Case Western Reserve University). Responsibility for IBM project direction was given to Rebecca Spohn. The IBM Account Executive for the Library, Mary Henry, was responsible for local, ongoing support of this project. Herbert Becker, Director of ITS, held primary responsibility for the project within the Library.
Prior to and following formal approval of the agreement the parties held several meetings to identify project objectives and discuss logistical plans for conducting the effort. During this process some sharpening of focus occurred, and in late 1995 the parties began the actual work.
2. Project Objectives
The specific objective of the project, as outlined in the initial statement of work dated July 20, 1995 under a Agreement for Joint Study was "to digitize selections from the Federal Theatre Project (FTP) special collection and to make public domain images from this collection available on the Internet". This objective seems straight-forward and uncomplicated, however, the parties acknowledged there were numerous underlying issues that would present interesting technological, design, and intellectual challenges to both IBM and the Library. Although the concept of a digital library is not new, a standard, scalable, commercially available product to support this type of system does not exist. Moreover, the internal procedures for implementing and operating such a system in the Library did not exist.
2.1 The Library
First, the Library wished to investigate the feasibility of using IBM Digital Library software products to construct a standard, scalable system for the capture, storage and delivery of digital collections. Second, the Library wanted to work with IBM to identify and resolve technical, intellectual and procedural problems associated with the development and operation of a digital library system. Third, the Library wished to utilize this project, and especially the scanning hardware included by IBM in its donation, to digitize a portion of the collection known as The Federal Theatre Project. The Library was simultaneously initiating a project to digitize manuscript pages from the Federal Theatre Project (FTP) collection through another process, and was also interested in options for combining images and/or data from the two projects.
IBM is a recognized industry leader in the research, development, and implementation of digital library technology. To maintain its leadership in this industry, IBM relies on developing and maintaining partnerships with clients who are themselves, leaders in their industry. Through its participation in a digital library project with the Library, IBM intended to gather digital library requirements, to enhance their strategy for the development of technology, and to gain additional expertise in this complex arena.
IBM wanted to evaluate the performance of various components of the IBM solution within a "real life" environment. Although IBM introduced Digital Library in March, 1995, various components that the Library would be implementing, e.g., the AIX Object Server, were not yet commercially available at the time of this project's inception.
3. The Collection
3.1 Description
In 1935, Harry Hopkins, Director of the U. S. Work Projects Administration, founded the Federal Theatre Project (FTP). The FTP was designed to reemploy theater workers on public relief during the Great Depression and to bring theater to people in America who had never before seen live theatrical performances.
The FTP collection (1932-1943) consists of various materials: correspondence, scripts, costume and set designs, posters, photographs, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings. The Library of Congress received its collection over the years 1939-1946. The collection was organized and described at George Mason University.
The FTP was considered a good candidate for this project because of the variety of materials, the interest to scholars, and the likelihood of minimal copyright or use permissions issues.
The collection's curator, Walter Zvonchenko, worked with assigned staff from the Music Division and the Library's Information Technology Services to set up and perform the input processing. Staff from the Library's National Digital Library Program office assisted in areas related to retrieval and access, as well as standards and quality assurance for input processing.
3.2 Selection
The Library, working with an advisory group of interested scholars, selected three plays for the project: William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, and the Living Newspaper entitled Power. The plays were selected on the basis of variety, known interest to scholars and the public, and expected lack of copyright issues. All three plays have a wide range of materials in the collection, with an estimated total of 2,000 digital images. The selected materials were stored in numbered containers in the Library. A few of the items, such as over-size posters, were considered fragile and required the care and assistance of staff from the Library's Preservation Office.
4. The System as Envisioned
The system envisioned by the planners called for materials from the Federal Theatre Project collection to be scanned on the PRO/3000 scanner in the Adams building. The scanned image file would be transmitted via the Library's TCP/IP network to an RS/6000 server in the Library's Madison Building computer room. Software on that server would create derivative images (i.e. those of lesser resolution for display and thumbnail use). All images would be loaded in the DB/2 and Visual Info databases. Software links would be created allowing a user to query an electronic version of the Finding Aid (or some other index) and gain access to individual or groups of images. The collection would be made available on the Internet to users with standard web browser software. A subset of the total collection would be made available to Case Western Reserve University for incorporation into a special "Scholar's Workstation" for the use of professors in the development of coursework.
5. Chronology
5.1 Spring/Summer 1995
The Library hosted a series of meetings with various staff from IBM and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) to discuss project objectives, issues, schedules, and expectations. During these meetings the Library devoted much time to describing the technical environment at LC and its digital library activities underway. The Library vigerously stressed its policy of adherence to standards and its interest in migrating UNIX based file collections to a commercially available, scalable platform.
5.2 Fall 1995
The Library constructed a dedicated scanning facility to specifications provided by staff from the Watson Laboratory of IBM. The scanning facility was designed to house the IBM PRO/3000 high-resolution scanner, a prominent item in the inventory of hardware donated by IBM to the Library of Congress. IBM installed the scanner and trained Library staff in the operation and maintenance of the scanner and the scanner control software (PISA).
5.3 Winter/Spring 1996
The Library began scanning operations with Music Division staff. The Library found that scanner features could enhance environmentally-damaged photographic negatives, and that the scanner provided versatility over a wide range of targets. IBM scanner support staff responded to questions and suggestions from Library staff, and made some engineering changes to improve specific aspects of the scanning process. To manage the images being scanned, Library staff developed a PC-based database to track the images and collect information about the images. Because the servers were not available, Library staff stored scanned images temporarily on RS6000 computers in the Madison Building computer room.
Library staff oriented IBM staff to issues of collection control and image naming conventions and standards being used, or under development, at the Library. Library staff were in the process of developing new naming standards for multiple aspects of digital collections, and used the Federal Theatre Project as one of the test areas for elimination of digital naming schemes based on file names.
5.4 Summer 1996
The Library began to develop the requirements for a WWW- based interface consistent with other National Digital Library projects. Library staff began working on a WWW "home page" and on a digital version of the collection's Finding Aid in the standard SGML language. Library staff and IBM began exploring requirements for image storage, archiving, and retrieval. IBM began working on custom programs to process and load the images from the temporary storage areas, and to load the data from the PC-based database management system developed by the Library. IBM began to configure two RS6000 machines for an AIX Library Server and for an AIX Object Server. IBM began to explore options for meeting the Library's requirements for a WWW-based retrieval interface.
5.5 Fall 1996
IBM Watson Lab provides software for processing the scanned images, and specifications for a process to create CD-ROMs for in-process image storage. The CD-ROMs could be used both to load the servers, and to store the archival versions of the images. This input workflow was refined over several months.
6. System As Built
6.1 Environment
In keeping with the Library's network strategy, the communications protocol utilized in the configuration was TCP/IP, with one exception, where a private LAN was isolated for high resolution scanning. IBM's RISC System/6000, running the AIX operating system was selected as the server(s) of choice for this solution. Internet users are viewed as the primary end-users of the designed solution and the system is geared toward their access of images via generic web browsers.
The infrastructure of the implemented system was IBM's Digital Library (DL), which is neither a product nor a single technology, but a group of technologies that together allow for the storage, management, and retrieval of digitized images over networks. Because of DL's modularity, comprised of a variety of existing IBM software and hardware products, customized development, consulting, and implementation services were applied from various IBM research, development, and service organizations to provide a solution based on the requirements of the Library.
The system, as implemented consists of three subsystems and several access workstations provided for various functions within the project. The three subsystems consist of:
Precision Scanning Subsystem,
Image Database Subsystem
Internet Gateway.
6.2 High Resolution Scanning
This subsystem consists of an IBM-Research-developed Pro/3000 Scanner and an IBM PS/2 workstation, equipped with the IBM-Research developed PISA95 scanning application. All Precision Scanning Subsystem software runs on the OS/2 operating systems. The PISA95 application supports a two-display configuration that allows the user to control the program on the system display, while presenting high-quality images on an image display.
Within the Precision Scanning Subsystem, the IBM PS/2 workstation and the Pro/3000 Scanner communicate through a private Local Area Network that uses a non-TCP/IP Token Ring communications protocol (IBM LAN Requester); this private LAN will be physically isolated from the Library's network.
6.3 Image Database Subsystem
The Image Database Subsystem (IDBS) provides the image management and storage infrastructure of the system. This subsystem is implemented on two IBM RISC System/6000 workstations running the AIX operating system. This subsystem consists of two of IBM Digital Library solution components:
VisualInfo Library Server, and
VisualInfo Object Server.
6.4 VisualInfo Library Server
The Library Server utilizes IBM relational database technology to manage the system's contents and provides data integrity by performing the following functions:
Manage library data
Maintain index information
Control access to images stored in the Object Server
Specifically, the Library Server receives indexing data from the Precision Scanning Subsystem (through a Loader Program) and directs requests to the appropriate server to perform the following functions:
Store and update images stored in the Object Server, and
Updates the indices and descriptive information stored in the Library catalog.
In addition, the Library Server can perform queries that locate and retrieve images from the Object Server.
6.5 VisualInfo Object Server
The VI Object Server works in cooperation with the Library Server to maintain the images stored in the Image Database Subsystem. The Object Server receives image requests from the Liberia Server and executes those requests. As the system was implemented, only direct access storage devices (DASD) was used.
6.6 Internet Gateway
A RISC System/6000 was used as a gateway between users and the Digital Library's VisualInfo components in the Image Database Subsystem. The Internet Gateway performs the following functions:
Receives a HTTP request for a document (or object),
Translates the HTTP request into VisualInfo-compatible request(s)
Extracts the desired objects from the VisualInfo Library Server and Object Server
Adds any HTML information required
Provides the document (or object) with appropriate HTTP to the requester.
The Internet Gateway used the AIX cliette code, supplied by IBM Research (Almaden) to communicate with the VisualInfo components in the IDBS; additional code was written to adapt this code for usage in the Library's system.
A detailed view of the individual system components are outlined in the following section.
When the project began, the Library had two basic sources of input: the physical containers with FTP materials and the Finding Aid in book format. There were no bibliographic catalog records, and no records or descriptive information for each item in the containers. Items were selected by the curator related to the three selected plays. Generally, these were grouped by item type and stored in box containers by type.
Items in the collection were digitized using the IBM Pro/3000, which was set up in special environment, with controlled lighting. were brought to a special room set up with the IBM Pro/3000 scanner. ITS and Music Division staff set up a scanning process, with a scan log using a Paradox database. Wherever possible, data elements and naming standards that were being established by the NDL program were incorporated.
6.8 Precision Scanning Subsystem (PSS)
The Pro/3000 scanner produced archival quality, high resolution color images from negatives and from reflective media in the collection. It is based on an IBM-proprietary charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging sensor chip that provides exceptional 12 bit dynamic range and superior noise performance. The CCD sensor moves across the image plane internally. This eliminates the need to move the camera or the media being scanned. The Pro/3000's digital camera is supported by a motorized column. A bellows is used to focus the digital cameras. Because of the limited height of the column, the largest original that can be scanned is 45 by 60 cm.
The PISA application works with the Pro/3000 to capture monochrome or color images. Its user interface displays both the proper digital camera height and the bellows position for proper focus for a number of sizes of originals, helping the scanner operator to more quickly position and focus the digital camera when the size of the original is changes. PISA also includes a utility that records the lighting pattern produced by the illumination. In the process of creating a scanned image PISA uses this information to correct the image, so that it appears as it would if the illumination were spatially uniform. PISA also includes a utility to analyze the scan of a color-calibrated test chart and determine the color characteristics of the scanner on the basis of that analysis. In the process of producing a scanned image, PISA uses this information to correct the colors of the scanned image so that they will appear correct.
6.9 Metadata
For the purposes of this project, the Library set up a simple input database (using Paradox), to capture information on each item as it was scanned. This database served to both track the items and to collect any information about the image that the scanner operator noted from the item itself, e.g., a notation on the back of a photograph or a brief physical description. This database evolved into a mechanism for providing the metadata associated with the images.
6.10 Loader Program
The role of the loader is to automatically enter text, and associated images, into the system repository. The loader consists of two major components:
Loader Image Processor
Loader Execution Manager
The Loader Image Processor contains the COMIT95 component that generates the derivative images. COMIT95 is a batch processing program that, for each TIFF image produced, performs the following functions:
Reads the scanned (TIFF) image file,
Generates its derivative images, and
Stores the derivative images on an interim basis, in preparation for loading into the repository.
The derivative images produced by COMIT95 are specified by parameters and the following four derivative images are computed for each scan:
Derivative image one - A scan-resolution image with a maximum resolution of 3072 by 4000 pixels, compressed by (extended, lossless) JPEG, but stored in the TIFF file format
Derivative image two - A scan-resolution image with a maximum resolution of 3072 by 4000 pixels, in the (baseline, lossy) JPEG format
Derivative image three - A screen-resolution image with a maximum resolution of 1000 by 750 pixels in the (baseline, lossy) JPEG format
Derivative image four - A thumbnail image with a maximum resolution of 150 by 150 pixels, in the GIF format.
The derivative images proved useful for various purposes; some were intended to provide faster access while others were intended to provide greater detail. The derivative images were compressed to enhance system performance, reduce storage, and to facilitate their retrieval over the Internet.
The Loader Execution Manager's primary function is to insert metadata into the database and to load images into the Digital Library repository. The architecture of IBM's Digital Library allows the metadata to be separate from the data; thus, the metadata is stored in a relational database on the Library Server, while the images are stored in the Object Server in a filesystem managed by a second relational database application. At the Library, images are scanned and annotated. The annotation information is stored in a single-table (Paradox) database,
The core of the IBM Digital Library storage and management infrastructure is the Library Server which manages catalog information and provides pointers to the objects held in the collection. The Object Server contains the actual digitized content files of a digital library. This technology as implemented by the VisualInfo application which sends the images to the BLOB (Binary Large Object) store and updates its internal DB2 tables with the metadata.
Although IBM Digital Library provides for hierarchical storage management (hsm), this technology was not implemented for this project for several reasons.
Early on in the project there were discussions and issues raised about which images should be kept on-line on DASD and if optical technology was a viable option for storing images to be accessed over the Internet, where performance continues to be an issue.
Subsequent to the above discussions and pursuant to the Library's objective of digitizing five million objects by the year 2000, along with the decreasing price of on-line storage, the Library made plans to procure large amounts of on-line DASD. With the advent of less expensive DASD, the hierarchical storage system initially envisioned for the Library's digital library system was dramatically flattened.
The minimal number of objects selected for this pilot project (approximately 2,000) did not provide an scenario that inherently dictated the experimentation with hsm, while other issues were more pressing. Independent of this project, the Library is implementing ADSM on a wide-scale basis, including on-line DASD, tape, and optical technologies. It is envisioned that ADSM will be applied this digitization effort in the future.
6.12 Finding Aid
Since about 1950, "registers" have been the basic finding aids prepared to facilitate use of manuscript collections at the Library. Finding aids are being reproduced in the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) format, via the World Wide Web (WWW) pages, for access to Library digitized collections. Because SGML requires that the user have an SGML browser, e.g., Panorama, a finding aid may also be made available in an indexed text format, using HTML.
The FTP "register" finding aid, prepared at George Mason University and published in a book format, has been the primary access tool to the collection. In outline format, it summarizes the items in the collection, organized by type of material, and then by physical container. This is being reproduced in SGML format by the Library Music Division staff, and is expected to be the key access tool to the digital FTP collection. The Library may also choose to make this Finding Aid available in HTML for simpler access.
6.13 Full-Text Search
The Library currently provides full-text search on documents in HTML format, via the Inquery search engine. The FTP collection does not have extensive text documents or descriptive database records appropriate for full-text search. Both the Finding Aid and the database records could be indexed for searching by a user, but these are of minimal value in this method because of the lack of unique terms.
6.14 Database Access
The Library has begun to pursue options to implement database management systems for storage and retrieval of text document, data elements, and digitized images. The FTP data and images were loaded into a VisualInfo DB2 database on an AIX platform. The data records provide the access to the images.
6.15 Bibliographic Catalog Links
The Library expects eventually to link the images to a collection-level bibliographic record, via the online finding aid.
6.16 DISTRIBUTION (World Wide Web Access)
The Library provides access to its digitized information via the Library's World Wide Web (WWW) home page. In its simplest form, the WWW pages, using the standard Hierarchical Text Markup Language (HTML) text format, provide text and inline graphics display. Links can be set up to other WWW pages, or to applications (such as databases) via programs.
Each digitized collection, such at FTP, has a WW home page linked from the Library's home page. The Music Division staff has produced a FTP home page, with introductory material, as well as a new text document that provides in-depth material about each of the plays. The FTP home page can link to either other HTML pages, or to any of several other options, such as Finding Aid, full-text search, or database access.
The Library is using and expanding its existing World Wide Web access tools for browsing, searching, and displaying data and images from its collections. The Library expects to integrate the FTP project with the storage and retrieval and display options that it uses for other digitized data, and is using the project to review and evaluate options.
7.1 Input Issues
7.1.1 Input sources must be integrated into the processing
IBM's VisualInfo component of Digital Library had limited image loading functionality and it is only loosely integrated into the system. Loading an item into the collection proved to be a complex transaction, with various components on two separate workstations, with two different operating systems. To enhance usability and to consider this solution as a viable infrastructure for future digital library projects within the Library, the loader program needs to be more tightly integrated into the system and the workflow more clearly defined.
7.1.2 Multiple Input Sources
Most collections at the Library are digitized by contractors, specializing in various types of originals. Recently, in-house scanning experiments have been conducted using various scanners which produce multiple file format types. In order for the implemented system to be a comprehensive infrastructure for future digital library projects, the requirement to allow for input from multiple sources must be addressed.
7.1.3 In-Process Image Management
A more comprehensive guide to the management of in-process images is required. The process to scan images and process them before storage in the final database requires multiple steps. Some of the steps are listed below:
Collection preparation
Digital capture
Entering of annotation data
Generation of metadata
Interim storage
Generation of derivative images
Quality review of images
Pressing of CD ROMs for image loading
The Library staff found it difficult to track images throughout this flow and to know precisely which images were in any step in the process at any given time. Streamlining of the process, consolidation of processes on individual pieces of hardware, and automation of the workflow could assist with making in-process image management more manageable.
7.1.4 Scanning of Oversized Documents
The IBM T. J. Watson Lab gained additional expertise in the technology of scanning and the Pro/3000 Scanner by watching the scanner operators at work and by listening to the requirements of the Library. Part of the FTP collection consisted of large posters or stage drawings, approximately 30" by 45". The posters had deteriorated and were extremely fragile. The Conservation Department had re-assembled them in Mylar folders and hoped that the Pro/3000 Scanner would be able to scan them through the Mylar. Due to the mechanical limitation on the table top of 36", the poster could not be scanned in landscape mode as preferred. Instead, IBM recommended scanning the oversized documents in quadrants. Once this was done and digitized images produced, IBM took the images back to Research for an experiment in stitching the images back together. Also, realizing that the best way to scan was in two passes (24" by 30" each), IBM Research designed a set of lamp arms that kept the lights in their present position, while extending the table top by 36" (18" on each side).
7.1.5 Book Easel Upgrade
The second work item was to upgrade the easel with a set of mechanical slides to provide approximately four inches front to back motion on the table top. This design change was incorporated into the scanner after observing how the scanner operators were struggling to scan smaller books with the camera up at its maximum position. By allowing the easel to move front to back, smaller books, like the ones in the Federal Theatre project, could be scanned with the camera at a lower, more comfortable height. Scanning at this lower optical position produced higher resolution and scanning across the valley of the bindings was possible, if needed, to capture notes close to the spine.
7.1.6 Photographic Negatives
Many of the negatives to be captured had deteriorated, with folds (channels). Often, the film and the cellophane cover were corroded. A viewer would see warped lines. These imperfections did not inhibit the scanning and usable images emerged from the process. The scanner has an invert function for negative and the resulting image is presented to researchers as a positive.
7.2 Storage Issues
7.2.1 Workflow Process
A complete workflow process should be set up from the beginning of a project, including a method to track and load images and data, and including quality review procedure as an integrated part of the workflow process. Appropriate software and hardware must be established and tested. Process must be documented well enough so that staff can easily be trained.
7.2.2 Flexible Image Processing Parameters
A system must provide flexibility in options and parameters for inputs from different sources, and with different physical characteristics , e.g., text vs. graphics images. Standards should be developed for keeping data about the source and processing, e.g., scanner type.
7.2.3 Expansion of Object Type
The Library has begun exploring the expansion of the types of objects kept in "image" databases or repositories. For example, it may be that images of text pages are treated very differently than pictorial images. In addition, it may be that text documents (complete with format codes and characteristics) may be stored as objects like images. A system must allow for defining these object types.
7.2.4 Storage Design and Management Guidance
A system needs to provide guidance on different database fields and storage rules that may be required for different types and sizes of images. Some of the issues include:
Which images need to be available for on-line viewing?
How does the on-line presentation of the image affect the database information and storage, e.g., a large group of text images, images that constitute "pages" of a large document, sequential images in a group, images that constitute a larger image (such as pieces of a map or poster).
What is the appropriate size and type image for archival and preservation purposes?
What database management tools are needed to manage images with different characteristics?
7.3 Data
7.3.1 Range of Descriptive Data
Collections vary in the amount of data available per item, or per group of items, and in the amount of data that will be entered initially. The system must allow for flexibility in both initial entry and later enhancement of data for each item and for groups of items. The Library is building a standard base of minimal data elements for items and aggregates, and any system implemented must be able to incorporate these as well as elements specific to a collection.
7.3.2 Links to Existing Data Sources
Some collections have MARC records or other descriptive data sources, and the system must be able to link to these without duplicating data entry. The Library has been working with Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI) and other organizations on global and local standards for digital library identifiers or handles, and any digital library project must be able to fit into these standards.
7.3.3 Intellectual Property Rights
Copyright and related terms and conditions need to be addressed as part of the basic data collected, possibly as low as the individual document level. The FTP collection has nuances that the Library's Copyright Office is working on related projects to protect rights, but in the meantime, digital library projects like FTP need to be able to start with base level assumptions that guide the projects at the most conservative level.
7.3.4 Links to Cooperative Standards
The system must accommodate data from ongoing standards efforts such as inter-institution committees on access methods, such as Z39.50.
7.3.5 Interoperability
Interoperability with existing or future database or repository products is required. The project's data and database must be flexible so that it can be loaded and/or converted to one of several database or repository products. In addition, the database or repository must be accessible to all retrieval methods in use. For example, the Library expects to use WWW access with standard retrieval tools, e.g., full-text search, browsing, and structured retrieval, across multiple database products such as Oracle, other SQL databases and planned repositories from CNRI and others.
7.4 Retrieval Issues
7.4.1 Links to Existing Retrieval Methods
The Library has existing retrieval and access methods - consisting of both engines and programming tools, as well as the "look and feel" of what is presented to the user. Any project must be able to fit into these methods as they exist today, and as they change and evolve. It is important to establish a team responsible for integrating such projects into the NDLP project process.
7.4.2 Data for Either Search or Browse
It is important that NDLP projects can proceed with a range of data for each digitized image: ranging from very minimal metadata to full MARC item-level record cataloging. It must be possible to browse a digital collection in a way as browsing a physical box of the same collection, simply using the equivalent of "next" and "previous".
7.4.3 Flexibility and Expansion
The data should be planned for obvious links to multiple and changing retrieval options.
8. System Strengths
The IBM Digital Library product provides the Library with a commercially-available, "shrink-wrapped" data and image management product based on standard DBMS (DB2 or Oracle), and on the Library's standard hardware platform (AIX).
The IBM expertise and support from the T. J. Watson Research Lab related to the IBM Pro/3000 Scanner has been excellent; they have been very helpful in assisting the Library in making the best use of the unique characteristics of the scanner. The Library expects to expand use of the scanner for other appropriate projects with fragile and special Library materials.
9. Model for NDL Projects
As the FTP digital library project evolved, it was envisioned that the experience and documentation gained and produced could be used as a model for other digital library projects within the Library. The project has indeed joined other Library of Congress developmental efforts in influencing planning for work in the Geography and Map and Music Divisions, and elsewhere.
10. FTP Components with Other NDL Projects
As much as possible, the Library plans to use components of the system for other projects. For example, the Library expects to use the IBM Pro/3000 scanner for the Treasures of the Library exhibit and in other situations where this type of high resolution scanner is required. If the input-loading process can be enhanced/streamlined, and more closely integrated into the overall system, the Library would also like to incorporate this into other NDLP projects.


text:
Watching an actor play a chef is like watching an actor play a pianist. You're not just watching a kitchen scene; you're closely scrutinizing the close-ups to see how much he fakes. Chef, the back-to-his-roots indie flick from Jon Favreau (Iron Man), is to modern foodie culture as his own Swingers is to '90s swing revival. Favreau's Carl Casper spends as much time in the film cooking as a porn starlet does on her back. He sautés with confidence, minces with skill, and artfully arranges a bowl of pasta even when serving it in bed to the hostess (Scarlett Johansson) he sleeps with on the sly.
Favreau's Casper is a culinary bad boy, barreling egotist, and divorced father with a chef's knife tattoo stretching down his right forearm and "El Jefe" across his knuckles. He is hungry to follow food trends: pork belly, kimchi, carne asada. (Roy Choi, of Los Angeles's famous Kogi truck, was Favreau's technical adviser.) But his nouveau-rustic passions have been tamed by a restaurant owner played by Dustin Hoffman, who only wants Casper to be a brand-name kitchen slave turning out snooze-worthy cruise-ship food.
Eventually, Casper and his former sous chef (John Leguizamo) are forced to launch a food truck that drives across the country serving up honest, simple Cuban fare. With its gags about Twitter and food truck-triggered flash mobs, in 10 years it'll feel as dated as the '80s nouvelle cuisine in American Psycho. But for today, the irony is Chef is so charmingly middlebrow that it's exactly the cinematic comfort food it mocks: Favreau has made not a game-changing meal to remember, but a perfect chocolate lava cake.