text:
The truth is that while Credit Suisse has been facing problems for long, the
SVG went bust partly because the US government bonds it held lost in value
when the Federal Reserve continued to raise interest rates to check inflation.
ZURICH (Switzerland), March 16: Following the crash of the Silicon Valley Bank
and New York-based Signature Bank, the investment and financial services behemoth
Credit Suisse lost 30 % in share value on Wednesday. The bank is claiming that
its cash reserves are "still very very strong."
However, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory
Authority made official statements that they will bail out Credit Suisse with
liquidity. They said the Swiss rules governing financial institutions are foolproof
and that will "ensure their stability."
The contagion is spreading to other countries. Banking shares across the world
have come under stress. In the UK, the FTSE 100 fell 3.5 %, France's CAC 40
index 3.5%, Germany's DAX 3% and Spain's IBEX 35 dropped 4% lower. The US exchanges
also fell.
It may be recalled that Credit Suisse, a leading financial services company
operating from Zurich, has been facing problems for long. It assets went down
37% to $574 billion in 2022 from $912 billion in 2020.
In India Credit Suisse provides a services like investment banking, brokerage
services and wealth management.
The Silicon Valley Bank, US' 16th-largest bank, and the New York-based Signature
Bank collapsed last week, triggering panic across US and Europe.
It is stated that partly the reason for SVG collapse lies in the US Federal
Reserve raising rates to check inflation, which resulted in a drop in the value
of government bonds that SVB held. The SVG felt the squeeze when it started
selling the bonds to raise money when the crisis began.
The new offer will enable H-1B speciality occupation visa holders in the US to
apply for a Canadian work permit, while also offering study and work permit
opportunities for their family members accompanying them.
The selected applicants will be granted an unrestricted work permit for a maximum period of three years. The IRCC will entertain 10,000 applications. The window is open
for one year.
However, drinking alcohol in the trains and metro premises is strictly prohibited.
Violators can be booked under the provisions of the Excise Act and the Indian
Penal Code.
Way back when on June 20 EST after searches were launched, India Travel
Times had, on an analysis of the data available, indicated the probability of
Titan undergoing a sudden and massive implosion (inward collapse) at great
depths. (SEE: Titanic expedition goes missing: A ray of hope from
sounds of bang)
Now videos taken by a Canadian robot that reached the floor on
Thursday evening, June 22, has confirmed it. The fragments are lying
scattered. Horizon Arctic's ROV robot found the debris 1600 ft from Titanic
The submersible imploded at 500 metres above sea bed, if we go by our
calculations. The water pressure it had to withstand at that point was 2,345 kg
per sq inch. The hull was not built to take that, as per the court cases fought by
concerned people at the time of building the sub and going by the details revealed
in the cancellation of booking by at least one ocean expert.
Sources said some people shifted places on the decks of the boat crammed
with over 500 migrants and that tilted the vessel, while others said engine failure. It sank about 75 km from Pylos peninsular jetty on the Greek coast in the Ionian Sea bay in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea on the intervening night of
ChatGPT has 'duped' a New York lawyer of a federal court. A first-time user,
Schwartz asked the bot to do the laborious research work on his behalf and
bring out cases similar to the suit he was filing against Avianca airline. About six
non-existing cases the chatbot "hallucinated" and Schwartz promptly submitted
them. The judge could not find these "legal gibberish" in records and the lawyer
stands thoroughly discredited and humiliated. What was all the excitement
about ChatGPT? When we approach ChatGPT does it introduce itself as what
it is and what it is not?
After reaching New York, the Cessna made a hairpin turn and flew back over
Washington DC for inexplicable reasons. But why was the pilot unresponsive to
air traffic controllers FAA for two hours in the air and the fighters' flares later? It
is said the plane, flying at 34,000 feet, likely lost cabin pressure, the pilot
slumping due to hypoxia that sets in in about 20 to 30 seconds! Did the auto
pilot take over till fuel lasted? Why did it make a 360 deg turn? The moot point
is, how secure is the White House!
ANALYSIS: The underlying crime that defendant ex-President
Donald Trump, is said to have concealed by falsification of business records -
which only will make the whole thing a felony and stand up in the court - is not
specified in the indictment which is sketchy: may be because prosecutors can withhold
details at this stage. Yet, the hush-money payment being federal election law
violations, it cannot come under the jurisdiction and scope of State prosecutors.
Deprived of substantial documentary evidence, how will the veteran District Attorney
Alwin Bragg navigate through this complexity and prove the intent is to be seen.
He will have an option to invoke State tax laws, where violation is serious crime.
But that is another case. The trial will drag on for years, anyway!
What next: His fingerprints and mugshot will be taken like any defendant in
criminal cases. Arrest is unlikely (Florida Governor can block any warrant,
complicating matters). Trump's attorney Tacopina said Trump will turn himself
Can Trump contest presidential election? Yes. There is no existing US
law to bar him. He can even serve as President from prison.
The loophole: The Grand Jury has no documentary evidence as the NDA
was not signed either by Trump or Cohen (Trump's attorney who turned hostile) on his behalf. It is depending on the testimony of Cohen and Daniels.
Where do Republicans stand: At any rate, the 'stormy petrel' has cooked
Donald Trump's presidential goose, although he thinks otherwise. The Republicans
are a divided lot.
In a related development, the USCIS issued a clarification that those who have
lost jobs in the ongoing layoffs in the tech sector can apply for a change of
non-immigrant status or for a "compelling circumstances" employment
authorization document and stay back. This followed an appeal to Biden by
thousands of Indians who have been affected by the layoffs.
"Enough!" - In a sheer lack of sense of proportion, President Biden had reacted
to yet another boy, just of 15 years, shooting dead five people in North
Carolina some time ago, besides sounding like he is going to put an end to
American gun violence instantly! After the latest LA episode, he is yet to react!
Biden presents a brilliant comparison to Indian Chief Ministers for their stupid
reactions in similar circumstances of recent months!
For sure, gun violence will continue as long as the gun is there! Primarily meant for self-defence, how many times - or what percentage of all firings - it has successfully defended the carriers and saved lives and how? Has there been a survey?
Cricketer Rishabh Pant had an attack of sleep at the wheel. The situation of a sudden attack of sleep during travel is not a sleep disorder like narcolepsy but a common occurrence when one does not get enough rest and, surely, is not preventable. Because no driver really knows the moment when sleep attack will come over, says a US study. The consequence can be disastrous, especially in long distance driving.
Darkness has descended on most of the US from the Great Lakes to Mexican
border and from the Appalachian mountains in the east to the Rockies
mountains in the west without power, and large swathes have gone under the
snow. Several thousands of flights have been cancelled due to the howling
blizzards and zero-visibility in the past few days and medical services are
unable to operate sans accessibility. A fast-moving Guv Kathy Hochul has
already declared emergency in New York and closed vulnerable airports.
Christmas is washed out.
The story is no different in Canada, coming nearer to the pole where the cold
vortex cycle has been blasted off (Arctic blast) by the hot winds from an
Atlantic, warmed up due to climate change.
The life-threatening situation will continue for several days more. Too taxing for
the hypothalamus!
A half-baked British media report has laid the 'blame' at the Indian High
Commission's door for the assumed losses of the British tourists, who have en
masse cancelled India trips for want of visas. In the first place, why one must
book tour package and then look for visa in a busy season? Because that has
been the practice with the tour operators and nothing new. They refund money if
visa is not comimg. However, the article is silent on this and implicates the
mission alleging it changed the visa rules, while that is contrary to the fact. The
UK report, duplicated in India mindlessly, has defamed the Indian High
Commission. However, there are some missing links!
A million visitors are queuing up to attend the longest-reigning Queen Elizabeth II
Lying-in-State, making history; while a galaxy of world leaders land in London for
the State funeral at Westminster Abbey at 11 am (3:30 pm IST) on Monday. It
will be a huge gathering of world leaders never seen before. King Charles III
hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for them on Sunday evening. There
were 500 dignitaries.
The queue from Southwark Park touches Tower bridge, London bridge,
Southwark bridge, Millennium bridge, Blackfriars bridge, Waterloo bridge and
Westminster bridge before crossing the Lambeth bridge to enter a zig-zag near
the entrance.
The BBC gave a calculation of the length of the queue. The distance from
Westminster to Southwark Park, the starting point of the queue, is 11 km. Then
there is the zig-zag section of nearly 5 km to rough in. So the queue is
meandering slowly up towards Westminster for a total of 16 km! (which in
theory becomes a constant). Although, 16 km is quite a lot for standing and
moving without any chance to cool your legs for a moment. "Very little
opportunity to sit down as the queue will be continuously moving" - the
Government itself cautioned a swelling stream of mourners pouring into London
from across the kingdom day and night. The time taken can easily be 14 hours!
Yet the determination keeps everyone fit as a fiddle.
The calculation doesn't take into account a queue to join the queue that has
come up and the last-minute doubling of the official queue into a double lane.
The masses in the queues looked extremely solemn and serious too and
displayed an amazing natural discipline that illustrated a national character
evolved partly from a thousand years of democratic tradition.
The spectacle was an engineering marvel that took India to the world club of
demolitions, even as in less than ten seconds it created a gap up in the sky
incomprehensible for the layman. Where has it gone!
WHAT TO DO, WHEN... : IndiaTravelTimes does not guarantee the
authenticity of the video (above) of the episode of the flight turbulence at
Durgapur airport on May 1, yet this is being put out with a view to
familiarising the ordinary fliers with such probabilities lest they are
caught unawares and fail to react rationally to handle such terrible
situations. The 'eternity' can last up to 15 minutes. Tighten your belts,
believe in your pilot and shift your thoughts to reduce disabling anxieties!
Rest assured, the aircraft can rock and fall but not more than a hundred
feet anyway.
Visit Indian Travel Sites
Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir
Neighbours Calling
Indian Tourist Offices Abroad
Tourist offices in India


text:
In this post I am going to present you the history and variations of the Starbucks logo. This includes formation of the genuine design and groups of logo designs as part of the Starbucks logo mania. I have compiled several publications on this topic and I have also included some of my own observations. Hope you enjoy it!
The first logo of Starbucks resembled a "cigar band" (#2) with a Melusine (#1 – the two tailed mermaid) inscribed in it. Sirens or otherwise known as mermaids were believed to be seducers. There is an obvious psychological association between the lure of the fresh roasted coffee, spices, or tea and that of the mythological enchanting creatures.
Michael Krakovskiy is giving some valuable and interesting information on the Starbucks logo creation in his web-post "How the Starbucks Siren Became Less Naughty" . The first logo (#2) was created in 1971 and in comparison to the Melusine (#1) one can "…[n]otice that the graphic designer removed the belly button, the unattractive shading around the bulging tummy of the 15th century siren and merged the tail-legs to remove the suggestion of naughty bits. The logo Siren also smiles a little while its 15th century doppelganger is looking rather grim. Other than that it's clear that this is exactly the image that he or she was using."
Later on, in 1985-86, Il Giornale (the first coffee drink concept store in Seattle) had its logo designed (#3 and #4) by Doug Fast (the designer of the green Starbucks logo – #5 and #6). In his book Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time, Howard Schultz shares about Il Giornale: "Our logo reflected the emphasis on speed. The Il Giornale name was inscribed in a green circle that surrounded a head of Mercury, the swift messenger god." [pg. 88] What is not wide-spread is that Howard Schultz was still an employee at Starbucks when he opened Il Giornale.
Soon after, in 1987, the owners of the Starbucks decided to sell the business and Schultz "[…] jumped at the chance to buy Starbucks and remake it into the espresso bar concept he had just begun at Il Giornale […]". As one can easily see, the 1987-1992 logo (#5) is partially based on the Il Giornale logo (#4). The siren is more stylized, the breast is hidden, but the belly button is still shown. As Doug Fast explains in a letter to Krakovskiy : "I did the green "full siren" logo with a stronger, simpler, read for reproduction. The SBUX type was HAND DRAWN and based on the typeface, Franklin Gothic (this was pre-computer, folks) and had to be drawn so it bent well, around the circle. We submitted the logo to Howard, one with a red color and one in a green color. He picked the green color option".
The current green logo (#6) is a cropped and zoomed version of the siren. There is only a hint of the tails – people not acquainted with the previous versions of the logo might be confused what exactly are those things next to the mermaid's head. Currently, Starbucks came up with a newer version of the old "cigar band" logo (#9), in which the lines are clearer, the belly button is removed, and the chest of the Melusine is hidden by her hair. The company have done this most probably to evade the possiblity of being accused of using an offensive image.
The #7 logo is a neon sign, variation of the logo, used only at certain locations worldwide. #8 is the logo of the Starbucks Workers Union – same concept, but as you can see the mermaid is replaced by the Workers Union logo. For further reference you might want to check out the article ["The Evolution of the Starbucks Logo"](http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/brandautopsy/2005/06/theevolutiono.html).
Similarly to most of the American brands that overwhelmed the world, Starbucks is also being associated with a negative brand image. The company has been accused of exploitation, low worker's wages and benefits, putting small coffee shops out of business (the so called mom and dad shops), and last but not least being unsustainable and not environmentally friendly.
As you can see above, there are many variations of the Starbucks logo, which are oriented towards sending a message to the consumer and increasing public awareness. Once you scratch couple of the Starbucks letters, you can come up with variations like Buck Off – [to cause, to fall off] (#10) or Fuck off (#11 and #12). #10 (found on Flickr.com) is a stylized and modified version of the original, while #11 and #12 are simply made by scratching certain letters and elements to arrive at the "Fuck Off" slogan, the middle finger in #11, and the horns in #12. Recently, a film called "Buck off" was released. Louis Louzou is narrating the tale of the campaign against the St James's Street Starbucks.
There is also a worldwide uproar against the high coffee prices that Starbucks maintains – see logos #13 to #19. It is well known that coffee is a high gross margin consumer product, meaning that the price mark-up is usually an extremely high % in the coffee industry. Thus, big corporations like Starbucks are charged with unethical behaviour – paying cents to crop producers and minimal wages to employees, while at the same time selling a cup of coffee for $5. Along those lines go all the logos I have compiled in the banner above.
In #23 Joder is in Spanish slang and means Fuck, so the connotation it bears is the similar to the other logos presented in this group. #24 to #26 are logos that contain religious elements, even a citation from the Bible in #25. You might wonder what is #27 doing in this image, but I guess that most probably this logo was created in reaction to the dubious practices (like "greedy expenses and large salaries") of BBC's senior managers.
The four logos in this third collective image are associations made between Starbucks and two other big companies – BMW and Apple. In the BMW case, apart of the simple geometrical identity, I see a positive **imaging of Starbucks – the idea behind seems to be that the coffee at **Starbucks is like the BMW among the cars. I will leave the judgment to you.
The Apple case is a little bit different. In 2007, Apple and Starbucks announced music partnership – Starbucks customers (in participating locations) will have a free access to iTunes online music stores onto their iPods or iPhones. It is obviously a marketing campaign aiming at allying the two big "modern and trendy" American brands that conquered the teenage world despite the widely accepted negative image (especially in Europe). It is more than cool to drink from a Starbucks cup, while listening to your iPod ;)
In this fourth collection the twist on the logo is different. Here I have compiled the so known rip-offs. Some of those logos can easily fall into the copycats' folder, but for others it is only certain elements that are taken. The former can be easily spotted and believe it or not, there are all existing brands. I will not dwell upon the corporate success of those coffee shops or stores that ripped off the Starbucks logo. More interesting to me are the common elements and the location of those places.
Obviously, the green colour, the font and bolding of the letters, the stars (both as graphic element or contained as a word somewhere in the naming) on both sides are present in the most blatant rip-offs. For example #34 is an online locator for independently owned stores, aiming towards people that prefer to drink their coffee in non-corporate owned cafes. #35 is a coffee shop based in San Diego, CA, #36 – Taiwan's largest coffee chain with more than 230 locations, #37 – South Korea, #38 – Mexico, #39 – Addis Ababa, #40 – Shanghai Xingbake (xing-'star' in Chinese, bake is the phonetic rendering of 'bucks'), #41 – China, #42 – Harbin, China, #43 – Japan, #44 – Taipei, #45 – Shanghai, #46 – Iran, #47 – Downtown Middleburg, #48 – Mt. Clemens, Michigan, #58 – Marina Del Rey, CA, and #59 – a hair-dressing studio that used the 'Siren' as a part of its name. As you can see for yourself those can be easily mistaken for a Starbucks logo, but some of them are not even in the coffee industry.
As for the other logos included in the same picture, it can be argued that some of them are not rip-offs, but are rather inspired by the seal stamp design approach, which is quite plausible. As for #52, the logo might imply that it is a brand owned/supported by the famous actor Al Pacino, but Pacino as the actor is spelled with one 'c', while the brand is with double 'c'. It is a common Italian name, but the silhouette resembles the famous actor as well. The slogan contains a movie starring Pacino. The overall design is following exactly that of Starbucks, but with different colours.
I still wonder, where lies the thin line between speculation with imitation and the use of established etalon like the seal stamp. Is it better in such an industry as the one of coffee concept shops to be unique or to mimic what is already created a hype and setted a trend?
I will conclude the Starbucks Logo Mania with this fifth gallery, which compiles the so called 'fun' variations. As you can see, the Starbucks permeated in conceptually different areas of our lives. #62-64 are simply versions of the original, featuring different elements. The marmaid is substituted by a fair dj lady in #62, while in #63-64, the siren is replaced by a dancer and a fire, respectively.
The Star Wars – Starbucks association is one that comes to mind easily. There is a graphic design diversity starring Lucas's personages – see #65-69.
70 is a Photoshop Challenge : Improve the Strabucks Logo. Most of those variations are straightforward.
76 I find interesting to look at – 'Queen Esther' (esther=star) – a Jewish Queen. There are speculations about Starbucks being of Jewish origin, but there are no proven ties.
The rest of the logos are simply cartoon modifications of different kind – #78 The Simpsons, #79 Southpark, #80 Manga, #81 a stylized Starbucks siren. The last logo in this collection is a blend between that of Grateful Dead and Starbucks. The former partnered with the coffee chain to create a new 2CD compilation – Eternally Grateful.
I bet there is much more to be said about Starbucks and their brand identity, but I will refrain from being too wordy or judgmental. What I wanted to do is just to compile a collection of Starbucks inspired logos that will prove by its mere display that the Seattle- based corporate giant had penetrated various levels in our everyday lives, motivated, annoyed, and provoked many throughout the world.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This week has been another busy one for our family. The kids have been busy with assessment and school commitments. They have also been counting down to their two week Spring Break which starts at approximately 3:05 today!!! We are heading off to the beach for a couple of days and then we will be catching up with family and friends for the rest of the break.
We are also enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather Down Under! The days are getting longer and warmer and Mr Attorney has even been swimming in our pool! It's so strange to think that as we are warming up my friends "up north" are celebrating the arrival of autumn and are cooling down! Isn't the world an amazing place!
So, since I have already celebrated the arrival of Spring, I thought it would be nice to celebrate the arrival of Fall.
Jessa Irene's site is full of great craft ideas, decorating posts and seasonal recipes. Last week she posted some gorgeous Fall pins and she also posted some excellent advice on preparing for the colder months and she even provided a check list! Jessa Irene really is a brilliant Pinning Blogger!
While you are looking at these gorgeous Fall pins, you might like to listen to Stacey Kent singing 'Tis Autumn. I just love listening to Stacey Kent and have been playing this song all week! She is so talented and her voice is beautiful but the thing I love about her most is that you can actually understand what she is singing!
Source: midwestliving.com
Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate from closetcooking.com
So, what have you been up to this week? this week? Maybe you have posted a song, created a new recipe, discovered a new idea or posted about your favourite crafts on your blog? I would love it if you could share your favourite post with me at this weekend's Say G'Day Saturday Linky Party!
If you would like to link up a post, old or new, just add the url of your particular blog post that you would like us to visit to the Linky tool below.
Feel free to grab the code for the Say G'Day Saturday button and add that to your post so that your readers might be able to find other bloggers who would like to also Say G'Day!
Thanks so much for joining in and linking up! Don't forget to come back later and visit some of the lovely bloggers who have linked up!
I just wanted to share some other "Pinteresting" news. If you haven't already heard, I have created a central list of Blogging Pinners so we can all find each other's Pinterest pages more easily. It is called....


text:
Green buyers more likely to lie, cheat and steal
Can green consumers be trusted? Maybe not.
A new study to be published in a forthcoming issue of Psychological Science has found that just being around green products can make consumers behave more altruistically. But buying those same products can have the opposite effect.
Researchers found that while consumers who were simply exposed to green products tended to act more altruistically, consumers who actually became green buyers were more likely to "cheat and steal" than those who purchased conventional products.
The research found buying products that claim to be made with low environmental impact can set up "moral credentials" in people's minds that give license to selfish or questionable behavior.
"This was not done to point the finger at consumers who buy green products. The message is bigger," says Nina Mazar, a marketing professor at University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and a self-admitted green consumer. "At the end of the day, if we do one moral thing, it doesn't necessarily mean we will be morally better in other things as well."
Because purchasing green products affirms individuals' values of social responsibility and ethical consciousness, the study predicts that "purchasing green products will establish moral credentials, ironically licensing selfish and morally questionable behavior."
What's next, a burgeoning black market for compact florescent light bulbs and low flow toilets?
Tom Kraeutler is the AOL'S Home Improvement Editor and co-author of "My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure." He delivers green home improvement tips each week as host of The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated home improvement radio program. He has never been known to so much as steal an organic carrot.


text:
What if he cleans off the condom?
Susie replies:What if your partner uses a condom, ejaculates in the condom and cleans it off with a cloth 5 minutes after he has sex with you. Can you still get pregnant?
If the condom does not tear, slip or fall off, then it has done its job of holding all the semen in, thus keeping it out of your vagina. If this is true, you should be protected against pregnancy.
However if he waits 5 minutes to withdraw his penis from your vagina and remove the condom and clean up, then his penis probably went flaccid, and the condom could have leaked out the ring or slipped off. If this is the case, then the condom failed and may not properly protect you against pregnancy (and STDs).
But if he pulled out while still erect, if it was 5 minutes after sex when he started to clean up, if he wasn't near your vagina, then you should be okay.
For future reference, you should both be very familiar with proper condom use. Read about proper condom use in Condom Basics: A User's Manual.


text:
Moving to England
England Awaits!
Whether you hope to see first-hand the royal pomp and circumstance at Buckingham Palace, or trace the path of literary greats like Shakespeare or Jane Austen – England is calling. Rich in history and flush with green meadows, mystical castles and scenic landscapes – England awaits!
Moving to the UK/England
Relocating to the UK/England or any international move is hard – no doubt about it. For Americans moving from the US to the UK, choosing Gateways to manage you move is the first step toward making the process as painless as possible,
But don't take our word for it – be sure to size up the competition before selecting a company to manage your move to the UK.
Simply complete the above overseas relocation quote and receive up to five free international moving price estimates that include details of origin as well as destination service information.
Why Choose Gateways for Your US to UK Move?
- International Moving experience. Gateways brings to the table more than 10 years of top-notch service, with staff committed to making sure your relocation to the UK is smooth.
- Repeat Customers. Our track record includes thousands of satisfied customers that choose Gateways again and again for subsequent international moves..
- One Stop Shopping. Everything you need to know about International Relocation, from shipping large boxes to small , is listed on one site.
- Connected. Your US to UK move is easy with Gateways' global connections cultivated over years of international moves.
- Reputation. Gateways is proud of its affiliation with Top Household Goods Moving Association.
- Expert Free Consultation. At Gateways we are happy to advise and share our international relocation expertise free of charge.
Tips for Americans Moving to England:
Moving to the UK does not have to be hard. The tips below can help Americans relocating to England, and Gateways makes it easy by handling all types of items – in all shapes and sizes!
Proper documentation is key to your international move. Customs authorities expect original bills of lading (C3 form in the UK), valid passports, packing lists and a duly-filled customs form.
US TO UK MOVING DO's
- Your paperwork is error free.
- You have made a comprehensive list of EVERY item you are moving.
- You have contacted an agent to take care of your US to England shipping needs.
These items will raise alarms and can make your relocation to England a headache. DON'T PACK:
- Narcotics
- Drugs
- Pornographic material
- Animal products from protected species
- Explosives
- Weapons
- Plants
- Unexposed camera film
- Weaponry without a firearm certificate issued by the appropriate authorities.
- Alcohol and tobacco comes with hefty fines to discourage your packing it.
- Electronics and vehicles also pack costly fees so weigh your decision carefully.
More about items not to ship internationally.
- Avoid public holidays as they can create unnecessary delays.
- Schedule your shipment for mid-month—month beginnings and ends can be extremely busy.
ü Make sure your arrival destination is approved, and that you've arranged for your household items to be moved from the US to the UK either by own container or by consolidation.
- Oversee (or do your own) packing.
- Carry important financial and identification documents on you, DON'T PLACE THEM WITH YOUR SHIPMENT
- Get insurance – it'll pay off should you goods end up waterlogged!
- Read about shipping a car to England to weigh the pros and cons of shipping a car from the US to the UK.
Getting a UK Visa
In order to move from the US to the UK, you must obtain one of the following Visas:
- Skilled Visa – 400 GBP allows you to arrive to the UK, search for a job, or set up a business. Expect a six-month process time
- Business Visa – for businessmen who travel to the UK and/or invest at least $1M GBP in the UK.
- Family Visa – for families with a relative legally residing in the UK.
- Short Term Visa – perfect for a short visit.
- Working Holiday Visa – allows up to a two-year stay…ideal for students.
Immigrating from the US to the UK
Thinking of making your relocation from the US to the UK permanent?
The British government has recently focused on increasing its cultural diversity, and its steady increase of immigrants into the UK is a testament to the fair and transparent processes adopted by Immigration Authorities (a.k.a. Home Office of the United Kingdom).
It's no wonder that more people move from the US to the UK than any other country!
View Larger Map
More Information on Moving to England
- Moving to Bedford, England
- Moving to Bristol, England
- Moving to Birmingham, England
- Moving to Brighton, England
- Moving Internationally to UK
- Moving to London, England
- Moving from US to London, England
- Relocating from USA to London
- Moving from US to UK
- Moving from US to England
- Relocating from US to England
- Shipping to England (large items or a large volume of small items)
Moving to England – Useful links:
General : www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/uk.html
Tourism : www.enjoyengland.com; www.visitbritain.com
Customs : www.dca.gov.uk/index.htm
Weather : www.metoffice.gov.uk
Individual Customs Information : www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/
C3 Form downloads : C3 Form
UK Ports : www.abports.co.uk
UK Airports : www.baa.com
UK Department for Communities and Local Government : www.communities.gov.uk/housing/
UK Department of Health : www.dh.gov.uk
Renew a Passport : http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/ips/
Considering moving internationally to another European country?
Read more on Gateways International Moving website about international relocation to other major European countries such as: France, Germany, Scotland, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Portugal and many more…


text:
"Petraeus-gate," some U.S. pundits are calling it. How significant is it that even the head of the CIA can have his emails read by an albeit friendly domestic intelligence agency, which can lead to his resignation and global, and very public humiliation? Here's how.
The U.S. government — and likely your own government, for that matter — is either watching your online activity every minute of the day through automated methods and non-human eavesdropping techniques, or has the ability to dip in as and when it deems necessary — sometimes with a warrant, sometimes without.
That tin-foil hat really isn't going to help. Take it off, you look silly.
Gen. David Petraeus, the former head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, resigned over the weekend after he was found to have engaged in an extra-marital affair. What caught Petraeus out was, of all things, his usage of Google's online email service, Gmail.
This has not only landed the former CIA chief in hot water but has ignited the debate over how, when, and why governments and law enforcement agencies are able to access ordinary citizens' email accounts, even if they are the head of the most powerful intelligence agency in the world.
If it makes you feel any better, the chances are small that your own or a foreign government will snoop on you. The odds are much greater — at least for the ordinary person (terrorists, hijackers et al: take note) — that your email account will be broken into by a stranger exploiting your weak password, or an ex-lover with a grudge (see "Fatal Attraction").
Forget ECHELON, or signals intelligence, or the interception of communications by black boxes installed covertly in data centers. Intelligence agencies and law enforcement bodies can access — thanks to the shift towards Web-based email services in the cloud — but it's not as exciting or as Jack Bauer-esque as one may think or hope for.
The easiest way to access almost anybody's email nowadays is still through the courts. (Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's true.)
The 'save as draft' trick
Petraeus set up a private account under a pseudonym and composed email messages but never sent them. Instead, they were saved in draft. His lover, Paula Broadwell, would log in under the same account, read the email and reply, all without sending anything. The traffic would not be sent across the networks through Google's data centers, making it nigh on impossible for the National Security Agency or any other electronic signals eavesdropping agency (such as Britain's elusive GCHQ) to 'read' the traffic while it is in transit.
Saving an email as a draft almost entirely eliminates network traffic, making it nigh on impossible for intelligence agencies to 'traffic sniff.'
And yes, terrorists and pedophiles have been known to use this 'trick', but also sophisticated criminals also use this technique. It eliminates a network trail to a greater or lesser extent, and makes it more difficult to trace.
But surely IP addresses are logged and noted? When emails are sent and received, yes. But the emails were saved in draft and therefore were not sent. However, Google may still have a record of the IP addresses of those who logged into the account.
However, most Internet or broadband providers offer dynamic IP addresses that change over time, and an IP address does not always point to the same computer, let alone the same region or state every time it is assigned to a user. Even then, recent U.S. court cases have found that IP addresses do not specifically point to a computer, meaning even if the authorities were sure that it was Petraeus, for instance — though IP addresses very rarely give the exact house number and street address — it would not stick in court.
As is often the case, human error can land someone in the legal spotlight. 37-year-old Florida resident Jill Kelley, a family friend to the Petraeus', allegedly received emails from an anonymous account warning Kelley to stay away from the CIA chief.
But when Broadwell sent these messages, it left behind little fragments of data attached to the email — every email you send has this data attached — which first led the FBI on a path that led up to the very door of Petraeus' office door in Langley, Virginia.
Get a warrant, serve it to Google?
There's no such thing as a truly 'anonymous' email account, and no matter how much you try to encrypt the contents of the email you are sending, little fragments of data are attached by email servers and messaging companies. It's how email works and it's entirely unavoidable.
Every email sent and received comes with 'communications data,' otherwise known as "metadata" — little fragments of information that carries the recipient and the sender's address, and routing data such as the IP addresses of the sender and the servers or data center that it's passed through. Extracting this metadata is not a mystery or difficult, in fact anyone can do it, but if you have the legal tools and law enforcement power to determine where the email was passed through — such as an IP address of one of Google's data center in the United States.
Email is surprisingly similar to the postal system, especially when it comes to the communication "metadata."
The system is remarkably similar to the postal system. You can seal the envelope and hide what's inside, but it contains a postmark of where it came from and where it's going. It may even have your fingerprints on it. All of this information outside the contents is "metadata."
That said, even if you use a disposable Gmail account — such as firstname.lastname@example.com, for instance — it's clearly a Gmail account, and Gmail is operated by Google. Sometimes it just takes a smidgen of common knowledge.
Ultimately, only Google had access to the emails. Because it's a private company, it does not fall under the scope of the Fourth Amendment. If the U.S. government or one of its law enforcement agencies wanted to access the private Petraeus email account, it would have to serve up a warrant.
In this case, however, the Foreign Intelligence Services Act (FISA) would not apply. Even the Patriot Act would not necessarily apply in this case, even though it does allow the FBI and other authorized agencies to search email. However, in this case, above all else, the Stored Communications Act does apply — part of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
The act allows for any electronic data to be read if it has been stored for less than 180 days. In this case, the law was specifically designed — albeit quite some time before email became a mainstream communications medium — to allow server- or computer-stored data to be accessed by law enforcement.
However, a court order must be issued after the 180 days, and in this case it was. Reporting from London, the BBC News' Mark Ward summed it up in a single sentence:
Once it knew Ms. Broadwell was the sender of the threatening messages, the FBI got a warrant that gave it covert access to the anonymous email account.
And that's how they do it. No matter which way you look at it, no matter how much the government or its law enforcement agencies want the data or the proof of wrongdoing, they must almost always get a court order.
And Petraeus is no different from any other U.S. citizen, U.K. citizen, or European citizen — and further afield for that matter. What it always boils down to is a court order, and it's as simple as that. It's not ECHELON or an episode of "24" using hacking or cracking techniques; it's an afternoon in a fusty courtroom with a semi-switched on (and preferably sober) judge.
That said, it doesn't grant unfettered or unrestricted access to a user's inbox or email account, but when an alleged crime has been committed or law enforcement starts digging around, it allows a fairly wide berth of powers to request access to electronically stored data.
Former assistant secretary to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Stewart Baker told the Associated Press:
The government can't just wander through your emails just because they'd like to know what you're thinking or doing. But if the government is investigating a crime, it has a lot of authority to review people's emails.
So there it is. A court order is all you need to access a person's inbox, but sufficient evidence is often required in order to do this — particularly through the Stored Communications Act, or the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
It sounds obvious, of course, that's because it is.
That said, if there is reasonable suspicion albeit lacking evidence, or a U.S. law enforcement agency is dealing with a foreign national outside of the United States, that normally requires a secret FISA court order to be granted in order to proceed with the interception of data or warranted access to an email account, for example.
Outside the U.S.: Is it still 'just' a court order?
A simple court order is all it takes and it can apply to anyone in public office or the man on the street holding a sign warning that "the end is nigh."
But it's OK; you're in Europe, or Australia, or Asia. The U.S. can't use their laws against you in a foreign country because, well, you're outside of its jurisdiction. Again, sorry to burst your privacy bubble but that excuse didn't wash with the European Parliament, it shouldn't with you either.
If you're a European citizen with a Microsoft, Google, Yahoo or Apple account — or any email offered in the cloud by a U.S. company — which is most consumer email services nowadays — it is accessible to the U.S. courts and other nations through various acts of law, such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) or the PATRIOT Act, in which the latter amended much of what the former had implemented in the first place.
("Oh great, he's talking about the Patriot Act again," says everybody.)
It's worth noting a common few misconceptions. Since first reporting this some years ago (and subsequently sparking a trans-Atlantic diplomatic row, whoops) analysts and experts alike, some who are under the thumb of the cloud companies themselves, claim that the Patriot Act — to use the umbrella, common term — does not allow the U.S. government or its law enforcement agencies the powers that others (*cough* including me) claim.
Let's just run through a few examples of false claims on top of false claims:
|The Patriot Act is the magic wand that allows the U.S. government unrestricted access to any data, anywhere, anytime.
|The Patriot Act gives the U.S. government unprecedented access to data hosted by U.S. companies anywhere in the world.
|All countries have similar legislation that gives the authorities a means to requisition data on cloud services, to investigate and prevent acts of terrorism.
|Unt… actually, quite true.
It doesn't give "unrestricted" or "unprecedented" access to date outside the U.S., because for the most part these warrants must go through a special FISA court. The trouble is even though there is some level of accountability via the FISA courts, these sessions are held in secret and there are no public minutes or record to go from, so swings and roundabouts.
Only in exceptional cases where warrants are not issued is when there is an immediate threat to life. But because these courts are secret, there's no definitive and ultimate way to know for an absolute fact that the U.S. authorities don't just bypass the FISA courts and skip ahead with their investigations anyway. (You only really have my word — and my sources in the U.S. government, such as legal counsels and spokespeople, to go on.)
Pretty much every country around the world has 'Patriot Act'-like legislation. It's just where to look for it.
On the third point, other countries do have similar laws and this should be noted. (I personally thought it was relatively common knowledge, forgive my naivety.) The U.K., for instance, has the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act that can be used to acquire data from a third-country via a U.K.-based firm, just as the Patriot Act can be used on a U.S. firm to access data in a third-country via a local subsidiary.
But in terms of where the major email and cloud providers are based — the United States, notably on the West Coast — it means that U.S. law must apply, in spite of foreign laws that attempt to or successfully counteract the provisions offered in U.S. law. Not many major cloud providers operate solely in the U.K., whereas Microsoft, Google, Apple and Amazon are all U.S. headquartered with a subsidiary in the U.K. and other countries.
The lesson here? We're all as bad as each other and no legally or financially reasonable place is safe to store data if you're a massive criminal or looking to stash a bunch of secret or uncouth documents away from the authorities.
As for Petraeus, he may have been careful but in spite of his counter-terrorism knowledge and clever tricks in going under the radar, ultimately there was a weak link in the security chain — and no matter how far you go to try and cover your tracks, often it always falls down to two things: human error, or sex.
Zack Whittaker writes for ZDNet.


text:
HONOLULU -- David Fales threw three touchdown passes and Austin Lopez kicked three field goals and San Jose State beat Hawaii, 37-27, at Aloha Stadium Saturday.
The Spartans (2-3, 1-1 Mountain West) rallied from a 14-3 first-quarter deficit with 31 straight points to snap a three-game losing streak.
Fales tossed touchdown passes of 61, 35 and 27 yards and completed 16 of 35 passes for 318 yards. Lopez converted on field goals of 44, 51 - a career-long - and 37 yards.
San Jose State posted 550 yards of total offense, including 232 rushing yards - both season-highs. Tim Crawley led the way with 21 rushes for 93 yards and Jarrod Lawson added 12 carries for 89 yards. Tyler Winston caught six passes for 159 yards.
Hawaii took a 14-3 lead with 3:18 left in the first quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Sean Schroeder to Vasquez Haynes. However, Fales threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Chandler Jones, followed by a 35-yard scoring strike to Billy Freeman to pull ahead 17-14 early in the second quarter.
Lopez drilled a career-long 51-yard field goal and Lawson scored before the half on a 39-yard run to give San Jose State held a 27-14 lead at intermission.
Fales found Winston for a 27-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to extend the Spartans' lead to 34-14.
Schroeder threw second-half touchdown passes of 28 yards to Billy Ray Stutzmann and 50 yards to Chris Gant, sandwiched around a 37-yard Lopez field goal.
Schroeder finished with 342 yards on 28-of-50 passing with three touchdowns, but was intercepted three times. Haynes caught six passes for 128 yards and a score to lead the Rainbow Warriors (0-5, 0-3 Mountain West).
San Jose State took a 3-0 lead just minutes into the game on Lopez' 44-yard field goal. It was the first time since a season-opening win - three losses ago - that the Spartans held a lead in a game.
It was the 36th meeting all-time between the teams since the series began in 1936. San Jose State has won 18 times, including 12 of 23 games in Honolulu. It marked the first time the teams faced off as members of the Mountain West. Both were previous members of the Western Athletic Conference.
HONOLULU -- David Fales threw three touchdown passes and Austin Lopez kicked three field goals and San Jose State beat Hawaii, 37-27, at Aloha Stadium Saturday.
There is no data to display.


text:
- The Lelo Insignia Soraya
- Made of the highest-quality materials
- A different kind of rabbit
The Lelo Soraya features everything you expect in a premium Lelo vibrator: easy-to-use push-button controls, variable vibration speeds and programs, body-safe FDA-approved silicone and fully rechargeable vibrations. With the Soraya, Lelo pushes the envelope of luxury to bring you unique pleasure features. The Soraya is fully waterproof. It recharges through a nearly invisible, resealable divot located in the base of the vibrator. The Soraya also features a beautiful, functional gold inset along its length. This inset works as a handle, giving you perfect control over your pleasure.
The Soraya features two vibrating pleasure points, both of which are unrelentingly powerful. One is located on the clitoral stimulator, and the other vibrates from the tip of the vibrator. Using the three control buttons located on base of the vibrator, you can cycle through eight stimulation modes, from the softest flutter to the most powerful pulse. The versatile Soraya allows you to focus vibration just on your clitoris, just on your g-spot, or on both together, without compromising strength.
One of our favorite Lelo Soraya features? The clitoral stimulator. This piece is completely flexible, meaning it will please you no matter what your body shape.
Traveling anytime soon? Bring your Soraya. The push-button controls boast a locking feature, so the Soraya won't turn on in your bag or cause any embarrassing moments.
8.6 inches long
5 inches of insertable length
1.3 inch diameter at widest point
Flexible 2 inch clitoral stimulator
The Lelo Soraya comes with a 1-year warranty booklet, a charger, an Insignia brooch, a user manual and a satin storage pouch. The Soraya from ShopInPrivate gives four hours of pleasure with every full charge.


text:
NEW YORK - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Friday it expects to hire more than 50,000 people this holiday season and will be offering more hours to its existing employees.
The world's largest retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., said that this year's seasonal hiring will be up slightly from last year, although it declined to give a precise figure for increase.
The discounter operates more than 4,000 stores in the U.S. and employs about 1.4 million people nationwide. It is the nation's largest private employer.
The news follows Kohl's announcement Tuesday that it will be hiring more than 52,700 people, up more than 10 percent from last year.
Kohl's Corp., based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., operates 1,146 stores in 49 states. It also expects to hire 5,700 people for jobs at its distribution centers and 30 people for seasonal positions in its credit operations business. As of January, Kohl's had about 30,000 full-time and 112,000 part-time associates.
Analysts study the holiday hiring figures from Wal-Mart and other merchants for clues about overall employment trends and sales expectations for the holiday season, the most important period of the year for retailers.
Stores typically begin to hire for the holidays in mid-September and ramp up hiring in mid-October.


text:
In the transportation business, you need to expect the unexpected
There is more than just cargo at stake in the transport business. You also need to protect your vehicles and your operations.
Insurance coverage to consider:
- Cargo
- Building
- Commercial Vehicles
- General Liability
Control, reduce and prevent your risks
Find trouble before it finds your business. We help business owners identify and prevent potential losses. See how


text:
Mushrooms and cheese are a pretty perfect pairing for me. I'm very fond of both. But, there was more than that to the pairing concept here. In the April issue of Food and Wine, Shea Gallante of Manhattan's Cru suggested wine pairings for several of his dishes. All of them were extremely tempting, especially the pizza with charred cherry tomatoes and pesto, but I chose to first try the mushrooms and leeks with pecorino fonduta. The wine pairing for this was a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo because its tannins would make this cream- and cheese-filled indulgence seem lighter.
The intro to the recipe states: "Gallante makes this dish at Cru with morels that are poached in butter then topped with pecorino fonduta, Italy's fondue." Well, knock me over with butter-poached morels. If only it was April and I was in Illinois where my uncle used to give us bags full of hand-harvested wild morels. They may be the most delicious mushroom there is, but I don't think I've met a mushroom I didn't like. Since it's September and the Austin Farmers' Market is the best I can do right now, I chose some locally grown, beautiful, oyster mushrooms. They were added to sauteed leeks and garlic and cooked until the liquid was evaporated, and chopped rosemary was added. I always thought thyme was my favorite herb with mushrooms, but I may change my mind because rosemary was just right on this occasion. The mushrooms and leeks received a tiny drizzle of balsamic vinegar and then a rich, luxurious bathing in pecorino and parmigiana cream fonduta.
Grilled bread, this delicious fonduta-covered melange, and a good Italian, tannic red wine. I don't think I even have to describe how good that was. The wine did cut the richness of the dish, and its earthiness was very nice with the mushrooms and the rosemary. The combinations here, oyster mushrooms, pecorino and parmigiana cheeses, rosemary, and the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, were well-matched all around. This will definitely appear on our table many times over in the coming months and beyond.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Mushrooms and Leeks with Pecorino Fonduta
Posted by lisa is cooking at Friday, September 05, 2008
Labels: montepulciano d'abruzzo, mushroom, parmigiana, pecorino
5 comments:
So, basically I'm going to lock you and Bill in the kitchen while you are here. I'll bring you ingredients.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 6, 2008 at 9:49 AM
That's a very reasonable incarceration. Can we provide lists, or this to be Iron Chef style?ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 8, 2008 at 8:58 AM
Mmm.... mushrooms and cheese and wine!! The ultimate indulgence :) Your pasta dish looks really delicious :)~ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 10, 2008 at 5:34 PM
i am absolutely dying over here looking at that dish. i also think i just had a minor heart attack looking at that picture!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 10, 2008 at 8:10 PM
It is a little rich, but deliciously so. Maybe the red wine has a second purpose here: cardiac health.ReplyDelete
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


text:
Which lead to a short continental detour in January:
Detour: Continents
The whole thing made me look for a world map by continents. it's a topic many books were written about, and you could probably create an own reading challenge about it. here's a summary: wiki/Continent. below, an image with the various ways to distinguish continents. (and here the whole post)
7 books later and continents by population
Last week, I completed book 7 of the challenge. So far I have "visited" the continents: Europe, Asia, North America, Africa. what's missing yet is: South America, Australasia, and a "seventh continent" (either Antarctica or an own seventh setting, f.e. the sea.)
I already have the books for the next continents waiting in the bookshelf. But the whole theme now made me go and and look at a world statistic: world population by contienents.
This isn't news: the world population is now in the range of 7 billion persons. and the continent with the largest population is Asia. what i didn't fully realize, though, is the proportions of the population in relation to continents. if you put Asia in one hand, and all the other continents in the other hand, Asia still would be largest:
Here's the same statistic, only in a different type of chart:
7 books
So looking at the world from this angle, if you want to read around the world in 7 books, you actually would have to go and look for 4 books from Asia and 1 book from Africa - and then for 2 anthologies that cover the rest of the world in their pages.
Update Summer 2012: World Population, Books, and Worlds Apart
+ here's a bit more on world population, via wiki: world population
And if you are interested in world books: these are the world books i read so far: virtual world bookshelf
+ My own new book is a world book, too - written with a friend from Asia: Worl(d)s Apart: 2 friends, 2 journeys, 10 life lessons - a true story.


text:
PERKINSTON — Pearl River Community College football suffered its first shutout loss since 2002 here Thursday in A.L. May Stadium.
Tenth-ranked host Mississippi Gulf Coast seemingly dominated the turnover-prone Wildcats from start to finish and took a lopsided 34-0 MACJC South Division victory to improve 5-1 overall and 2-1 in division play. PRCC, on the other hand, dropped to 2-4 and 1-2.
The Bulldogs limited the Wildcats to a meager 161 yards of total offense (93 pass, 68 rush) while generating 349 — 264 on the ground — and forced five River turnovers.
Eleventh-year PRCC head coach Tim Hatten lauded the Bulldogs' effort.
"They (MGCCC) just laid it on us," he said. "And we were obviously our own worst enemy. You can't beat anybody when you commit five turnovers to their zero.
"But, ironically, we're still in the post-season hunt. We've got three games left (all against division foes) and we can still make the playoffs," Hatten continued. "But we've got to win out and that's going to take lots of improvement on both sides of the ball."
The last time The River was held scoreless was in Hatten's first season with the Wildcats when eventual-state champ Holmes took a 3-0 victory in Poplarville in the first round of the 2002 MACJC state playoffs.
Next up, Pearl River hosts South Division power Copiah-Lincoln Saturday, Oct. 13, for its homecoming game, then hits the road for East Central in Decatur Thursday, Oct. 18, before wrapping the regular season at home against Hinds Thursday, Oct. 25.
Gulf Coast went up 3-0 on the very first possession of the night, marching 57 yards in 13 time-consuming plays with Stephen Brauchle capping the drive with a 35-yard field goal with 8:45 left in the first period. Eight of the Bulldogs' 13 snaps were on the ground.
After Jordan Woods of Oak Grove High returned the ensuing kickoff 17 yards to the 27, The River managed to drive to its own 47 before quarterback Dylan Favre, a Mississippi State transfer who prepped at St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, took a minus-11-yard sack on a third and nine and Brandon King of Florence High arrived to boom a 49-yard, unreturned punt to the Bulldog 15.
Three straight Gulf Coast runs for a combined 39 yards moved things to Wildcat 46, then quarterback Clint Hatten connected with Deadrian Terry with an 11-yard completion. Dhaquille Williams then ran for four, complimented by a 15-yard PRCC penalty to push things to the Pearl River 15 and Hatten then found Williams in the end zone for the game's first touchdown. Brauchle's extra point made it 10-0 with 2:38 left in the opening quarter.
Three series later, the Bulldogs padded their lead. Starting at its own 45, it took Gulf Coast only 11 plays to move to the Wildcat 14 and Brauchle booted his second field goal of the night — a 31-yarder — with 5:53 left in the half to make it 13-0. Earlier in the series, MGCCC converted a third and 15 at the PRCC 35 via a pass interference penalty on the Wildcats.
Three snaps into The River's ensuing possession, Brandon Keel picked off Favre's deflected pass and rambled 35 yards for a score. Brauchle converted and Gulf Coast led 20-0 with 4:56 left in the half.
Cheeto Johnson of Forrest County AHS returned the ensuing kickoff 11 yards to his own 21 before taking the first two hand offs for 11 yards. After PRCC was flagged for motion and an incomplete pass later, Johnson ran for seven before catching three straight Favre throws for a combined 36 yards to move things to the Bulldog 30. But Favre fumbled for a minus-nine and Gulf Coast recovered.
The Bulldogs went three and out, while Johnson's three-yard run was the last play of the first half.
Jeffery Dyson of Thomasville (Ga.) High returned the opening kickoff of the second half 15 yards to his own 22. Seven straight Wildcat rushing plays, including a 31-yarder by Shawn Jones of North Forrest High, pushed things to the Gulf Coast 20 where a muffed hand off on a fourth and one saw the Bulldogs recover.
On PRCC's next possession, King punted 37 yards from his own 23 to the Gulf Coast 41. Williams was dropped for a minus-four on first down before the Bulldogs were flagged for 15 to push things back to their own 45.
Hatten then passed to Terry for five to midfield before scrambling for 20 yards and a first down at the Pearl River 30. After Anton Thornton ran for five, Hatten kept for 14 to the 11 where Elijah Hughes ran it in on the next snap. Brauchle's PAT made it 27-0 with 3:47 left in the third period.
Jorrell Thurman of Florence High returned the ensuing kickoff 13 yards to his own 18 and Pearl River managed to drive to the Gulf Coast 26 in seven plays — thanks in part to two 15-yard penalties on the Bulldogs — but Favre fumbled for a minus-13 yards on a fourth and nine the MGCCC recovered.
Thornton's 18-yard, first-down run was the last play of the third. After Hatten's completion to Terry went for zero, Thornton ran for 11 before being dropped for a minus-two. An incompletion later, Pearl River was called for a 10-yard holding penalty to move things to the Wildcat 26, setting the stage for JoJo Snell's one-yard run and Hatten's 25-yard TD pass to Tyrone Williams with 12:04 left. Brauchle's extra point made it 34-0.
The Wildcats cranked up their last possession of the night at its own 33 and drove to the Gulf Coast nine in nine plays only to see Favre fumble on a sack for a minus-26-yards on a third and one to the PRCC 35 and the Bulldogs recovered. Favre had gone five for seven on the drive for a combined 37 yards.
Gulf Coast drove to the Wildcat 15 in six plays before a pass interference penalty gave the Bulldogs a first and goal at the five. Back up quarterback Donovan Smith then took two straight kneel-downs and the game ended.
Pearl River finished the game with 14 first downs to Gulf Coast's 22 and drew eight penalty flags for 60 yards to the Bulldogs' seven for 70
The Wildcats finished with 161 yards of total offense with Favre connecting on 10 of 21 pass attempts (one interception) for all The River's aerial yardage (93). Darius Holder of Lumberton High had one pass attempt.
Hatten went nine of 16 (no interceptions) for 85 yards, while Thornton accounted for 78 (11 carries) of the Bulldogs' 264 rushing yards to pace all rushers in the game.
Johnson led The River in rushing and receiving with 55 ground yards on 12 carries and 50 receiving on five catches.
King punted four times for the Wildcats, averaging 39.5 yards a boot.
Other MACJC Action This Week
In other Week 6 South Division action this week, Hinds (3-3, 1-3) smacked winless Southwest Mississippi (0-4, 0-3) 38-14 in Raymond, while in the North, Northeast Mississippi (2-4, 1-2) trimmed Coahoma (1-5, 0-3) in Clarksdale and fourth-ranked Northwest Mississippi (5-0, 4-0) demolished winless Mississippi Delta (0-5, 0-3) in Moorhead.
Fourteenth-ranked Copiah-Lincoln (5-1, 3-0) trimmed Itawamba (3-2, 1-2) 17-14 in Fulton in the only intra-divisional contest of the week.
Two homecoming games are set for Saturday. Jones County (3-2, 2-1) hosts East Central (1-3, 1-1) in Ellisville for a South Division match up, while in the North, fifth-ranked East Mississippi (5-0, 2-0) hosts Holmes (3-2, 3-0) in Scooba.
MACJC Action Set For Next Week
Next Thursday in the North, Itawamba hosts Coahoma in Fulton, Northeast Mississippi hosts East Mississippi in Booneville, and Northwest Mississippi hosts Holmes in Senatobia; while in the South, Hinds hosts Jones County in Raymond.
On Saturday, Oct. 13, two South Division homecoming games are set with Pearl River hosting Copiah-Lincoln in Poplarville and Southwest Mississippi hosting Mississippi Gulf Coast in Summit.
Also on Oct. 13, Mississippi Delta hosts East Central in Moorhead for the only intra-divisional game of the week.


text:
One of the things I miss most about not living in Indiana (besides the people I love) is the sky. If you never lived in a flat place where you could see forever you won't know what I mean. There is sky so big you can watch a storm roll toward you for an hour, or more. You can see clouds that are like living, breathing monuments to some fluffy white deity rolling and changing across the horizon. Clouds climb, they billow, they stretch into shapes and into themselves.
Where I live is dense with trees. I took that photo above and you can see the horizon cluttered with trees. It was a beautiful day, storms rolling in and the thunderheads were just beginning their dance. Grey clouds came sliding in beside white billowing beauties heralding the pounding storm that was just behind them.
My son and husband tease me about the clouds endlessly, about my love of them. I once said "We don't have clouds like this in Georgia" when we were in Indiana which they both thought was hysterical. After I got done flipping them both the bird I went back to my cloud worshiping ways in silence.
Maybe what I meant was, we can't SEE clouds like this in Georgia. Clouds are clouds are clouds. But I no longer have a wallflower's seat at their dance. My view is obscured by the southern belles known as Georgia Pine - their hoop skirts flinging needles and cones and blocking my view.
I'd like a day where I can sit on the edge of an Indiana field and watch the clouds. I'd be glad to snap some beans if you have them, or shell some peas. It's been a while, but I'm a pro.


text:
Content Count549
Last visited
Days Won5
About Ally
just figured out how to change my title
- Birthday 05/14/1990
Profile Information
Recent Profile Visitors
The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.
gdt ECQF Game 2 Post-GDT: at Tampa Bay 5, Red Wings 2
Ally replied to vladdy16's topic in GeneralI haven't posted here in a while in lieu of posting on Reddit but today I went against the hive mind and remembered why I love this place so much. This loss wasn't Jimmy's fault. Our D was humiliated and the reffing was so brutal. Why isn't Smith in the lineup? At this point, the only thing Ericsson does is handsome.
9 (NINE!) player trade involving Phanuef
Ally replied to FireCaptain's topic in GeneralThat Sens logo shop was posted on Reddit earlier so unless it's yours you should try to credit the original post.
James freakin' Neal is in the all star game now?
jimmyemeryhunter reacted to a post in a topic: And your NHL All-Star Division Captains are....
There's More to the Story
Ally replied to kickazz's topic in GeneralThe best thing about a lot of those goals is how many players he skated through for many of them. He's so impressive. It blows my mind how effortless he makes things look and it makes me so sad to know that I'll never see a player like him again.
Hockeytown0001 reacted to a post in a topic: Members photos
MrazekFanBoy reacted to a post in a topic: Kane case headed to grand jury
BottleOfSmoke reacted to a post in a topic: Kane case headed to grand jury
DatsyukianDekes reacted to a post in a topic: Kane case headed to grand jury
jimmyemeryhunter reacted to a post in a topic: Kane case headed to grand jury
kliq reacted to a post in a topic: Kane case headed to grand jury
Overall I've been impressed by the way that LGRW and has handled this but the one thing that has bothered me most has been the "why would a successful guy need to rape someone?!" posts. Here's the thing...in all the time I've spent with these kind of guys, the scary ones have been the most successful. They've rarely been told "no" and often see it as an insult. This has been bothering me because if you have been told that your talent means that women will always want you, it can be genuinely confusing to these guys to be told that someone doesn't want you. I don't know if Kane is guilty or what happeed that night but it's not inconceivable to me that he didn't understand WHY a woman would refuse him and therefore didn't accept it. This doesn't condemn the woman OR Kane but just that I believe that consent is a difficult issue (especially for people with status) and this is something that should be addressed with players.
kipwinger reacted to a post in a topic: Kane case headed to grand jury
Wow. A bartender mentioned that a woman he couldn't identify as the victim was hanging around Kane that night. Please don't change the story to support a bias.
2015 Draft
Ally replied to Richdg's topic in GeneralGood thing I have a while to learn how to pronounce his name.
krsmith17 reacted to a post in a topic: At What Point Does Holland Deserve Blame?
jimmyemeryhunter reacted to a post in a topic: At What Point Does Holland Deserve Blame?
At What Point Does Holland Deserve Blame?
Ally replied to wings7's topic in GeneralThis thread is a perfect example of the fact that you can't make everyone happy. We want him to spend more but also spend less. We want him to make big trades but not give anything of value away. We want him to get us a top 10 draft pick but we don't want to miss the playoffs. We also ask that he have a crystal ball that warns him if a player will be injured at any point. He deserves blame for his mistakes, of course but he also deserves a metric ton of credit. This thread has actually been way more positive than I expected and lots of great points being made which is really nice to see after a first round exit.
When it comes to being a fan, I think the ability to view your team critically is important but in the end, I think you should support them and hope for the best. This is what I used to see around here. Lately however...the hate for our goaltender is out of control, people complain about the GM in nearly every thread despite the fact that most experts believe him to be better than average, and people are calling to fire Babcock, who is arguably one of the best coaches ever. Being critical is one thing but some fans seem to think that we should win every game, every year, and collect Stanley cups easily. They also seem to believe that we should be able to sign every desirable player ever and trade nobodies for superstars. It's frustrating because I don't feel like I can discuss the issues the team is facing because it will only be met with replies of "duh, everybody on the Red Wings sucks" I guess people can be fans in many different ways and in the end, it's not for any of us to decide but imo a real fan is watching the games thinking "I love this team, win or lose, but I really hope they win"
I'll definitely chime in when/if the mods deem it appropriate
I feel like I'm being baited. Best steer clear.
Red Wings clinch 24th consecutive Playoff appearance
Ally replied to Hockeytown0001's topic in GeneralI'm very excited. The streak spans my whole life and I don't want my life to end,,,
Ally started following derblaueClaus
4/9/15 GDT Red Wings 3 @ Canadiens 4 *Warning post #888 & 906*
Ally replied to canadian wings fan's topic in GeneralThere are more positive things being said about the Wings in opposing teams' subreddits. I love this forum, I think there are a lot of intelligent people and the moderation is on point but lately, it's been so negative. Do you guys realize that we at currently complaining that we don't like the WAY that our team clinched for the 24th year in a row? That's ridiculous and entitled and spoiled. This team is not "average at best" they are better than average as proven by their record this year. I have not been alive long enough to see them miss the playoffs. Think about that and then put yourselves in the shoes of literally ever other team and try to imagine behaving the same way as you are now. It is 100% understandable to be critical of aspects of the team play, but to claim the sky is falling after every loss or bad goal is completely absurd. I'm sorry, I love you guys but it's disheartening to see so many "fans" express more hatred toward their own players than they do to the Hawks. We're better than this. /endrant


text:
International Conference on Mobile, Secure and Programmable Networking (MSPN'2017)
Conference CFP
|29 Jun 2017 through 30 Jun 2017
CFP Deadline:
|15 Apr 2017
|Paris, France
Website URL:
Sponsoring organization:
|Springer, Safran, CNAM, University of Limoges
|Engineering & Technology > Computer/Informatics
Cloud tags:
Event description:
The rapid deployment of new infrastructures based on network virtualization and Cloud computing triggers new applications and services that in turn generate new constraints such as security and/or mobility. The International Conference on Mobile, Secure and Programmable Networking aims at providing a top forum for researchers and practitioners to present and discuss new trends in networking infrastructures, security, services and applications while focusing on virtualization and Cloud computing, network programming, Software Defined Networks, Internet of things, and their security. Position papers are also welcome and should be clearly marked as such. Authors are invited to submit complete unpublished papers, which are not under review in any other conference or journal, including, but not limited to, the following topic areas: Software Defined Networks (tools, software, concepts) Virtualization and Cloud computing Networks and Cloud computing Mobile computing and Mobile Cloud computing Security, Privacy and Trust in Networks, Services and Applications Green computing and networking Ubiquitous Computing and Sensor Networks System design and testbeds Cross-Layer Design and Optimization Modeling and performance evaluation Social networks Cooperative networking and Self-Organizing networks Distributed sensing, actuation, and control in cyber-physical systems Internet of Things Vehicular networks and Connected Cars Crowdsourcing Datacenter networking Smart cities
Posting date:
05 March 2017
views | 1 subscribers | ★★★★★ (1)
Not-featured (How do I make my event featured?)


text:
What do Oracle's Larry Ellison, Microsoft's Bill Gates and Dell Computer's Michael Dell have in common? They are all college dropouts who are either ex-CEOs or current CEOs of major technology companies. Why is the number 11 important to the Ivy league education debate? Eleven is the percentage of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies who have Ivy league degrees.
Does an Ivy League education result in a higher salary and more money over time? The answer to this question may depend on whom you ask.
The research
Most of the time we can rely on quantitative research to find the true answer. In this case, the research is inconclusive, at least for now. A 1999 study by Rand, Cornell and Brigham Young University indicated that Ivy League graduates earned as much as 39 percent more than those who went to second-tier schools, but Princeton professor and economist Alan Krueger and his fellow researcher Stacy Berg Dale released a study the same year with seemingly opposite findings. They found that when a student performed high enough to enter an Ivy League school, but instead went to a second-tier school, they earned just as much money as their Ivy League counterparts. This study was released again in 2007 with updated data and it came to the same conclusion as the original study.
Also, data indicate that although students pay more for their Ivy League education, those schools invest substantially more into each student when compared to other schools. In fact, elite schools spend 7.75 times more on each student. That translates in to $92,000 per student at Ivy League schools versus only $12,000 at second-tier institutions.
Pro Ivy League
Since the data are inconclusive, let's look elsewhere. On one side of the debate are the people who believe that attending and graduating from an Ivy League school affords benefits that aren't easily gained from their second-tier school counterparts. Those with Ivy League schools on their resumes may get a second look, and if the person interviewing you happens to be a fellow Yale graduate, that would certainly give you some talking points according to Steve Menack, an Ivy League graduate and successful attorney after graduating from Columbia Law School. He goes on to say that potential clients definitely look at him differently because of his Ivy League education.
According to another popular argument, there are also networking benefits. Those who attend Ivy League schools are constantly in the presence of fellow high-performing students who already have prestigious contacts in large companies and those contacts may open the door to jobs not available to those who attend other schools.
Anti Ivy League
Jay Mathews, recruiter, Harvard graduate and author of the book "Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College That is Best for You" believes that Ivy League graduates do better than their second-tier counterparts, but like the one study indicated, it's not so much because of the school.
According to the New York Times, in 2010 Harvard only accepted 6.92 percent of applicants, Princeton accepted 8.18 percent and Yale accepted only 7.5 percent. Only the best, most promising students are getting into Ivy League schools. These are students who would be successful wherever they went, and that may account for the Ivy League influence according to Mathews.
He goes on to say that although education matters, how a person relates to customers, employees and others in the supply chain is more important than his or her school of choice. Performance is far more important than education.
Staggering cost difference
In 2011, the cost to attend Harvard was approximately $40,000 per year. Without taking in to account any tuition increases over four years, an undergraduate will pay $160,000 for his or her Ivy League education. Contrast that with a state school like Ohio State University where the tuition is a mere $9,711 for Ohio residents or $24,759 for out-of-state residents. This means that an Ohio resident attending The Ohio State University will pay $38,844 for a four year degree. These numbers do not include room and board, student loan interest and other associated costs.
Not all jobs are equal
It might be true that some careers pay more for top-tier graduates, but for some careers it may not pay off. Take the education field, for example. Most public school educators operate under a union negotiated contract where the rate of pay is tied to experience and the highest degree earned. The person with five years of experience with a master's degree is offered the same salary as the same person who earned his or her degree at an Ivy League school. Hiring managers have very little latitude on the salary offered. If you're a teacher or in another industry where salaries are non-negotiable, how long will it take to earn the $120,000 extra that you paid to go to Harvard?
The bottom line
Regardless of your opinion of the Ivy League debate, don't forget to use good economic sense when deciding on a school for your child or yourself. If you can't afford a luxury car, there's no shame in purchasing an economy car. They will both get you where you need to go. Don't think because a school is more expensive you will get that money back with a higher salary and if you do how long will it take to recoup the cost?
More from Investopedia


text:
by Ralph Peters [author, novelist]
With Afghanistan troubled, Pakistan aflame and Washington impa tient, Gen. David Petraeus faces even greater challenges today than he did in his rescue of Iraq. Currently heading the US Central Command, Petraeus is the American soldier responsible for the greater Middle East. It may be the toughest job of our time.
On Saturday, the general answered questions posed by The New York Post:
Post: With the summer combat season beginning, the Taliban in an aggressive stance and a surge of 21,000 more US troops into Afghanistan, what should the American people expect in the coming months?
Petraeus: Expect tough fighting. As we and our allies launch operations to improve security, the enemy will fight back. When we launched the "surge of offensives" in Iraq, al Qaeda-Iraq elements sought to retain their sanctuaries and safe havens. We experienced tough combat. We'll see the same in Afghanistan. In preparation, and in response to Gen. McKiernan's request for additional forces, we've been deploying "enabler" elements in addition to the ground combat units. This will ensure that our troopers have the support they need — attack and lift helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, various intelligence systems, route clearance units, MRAP [mine-resistant ambush-protected] vehicles, EOD [bomb-disposal] elements and logistics units.
Post: As the commander of the US Central Command, you're the big-picture "strategy guy." Could you give readers a clear statement of our mission in Afghanistan?
Petraeus: The mission is to ensure that Afghanistan does not again become a sanctuary for al Qaeda and other transnational extremists. That's what it had become before the operations conducted in the wake of 9/11. Al Qaeda wants to carry out further attacks on the US and our allies, and we need to deny them safe havens in which they can plan and train for such attacks.
Post: Can we get there from here?
Petraeus: We can, but it won't be easy. To accomplish our mission, we and our coalition and Afghan partners need to reverse the decline in security; develop Afghan forces that can shoulder the burden of security in their country over time; help establish governance that wins local support — which means incorporating some traditional structures, and support the improvement of basic services for the Afghan people. This will be hard, but the mission's critical. As we used to say about Iraq: Hard is not hopeless.
Post: With the Taliban and the Pashtun tribal network in which it's rooted sprawled across the Afghan and Pakistani borders, aren't we reliant on Pakistan for the success of our mission?
Petraeus: Certainly, what happens in Pakistan has a significant effect on what transpires in Afghanistan. That's one reason — among many — why we need to help Pakistan. But progress can be achieved in Afghanistan — even as Pakistani action against the extremists in the rugged border areas develops slowly, due in part to their present focus on the Taliban in Swat.
The Pakistani operation under way is a very significant effort. The Pakistani military has been concentrating a substantial force for this operation — one they're intent on fighting without our help, reflecting their view that this is their fight and demonstrating that they're not merely pursuing American interests. The magnitude is the result of a unique convergence of public rejection of the Taliban, political unity and military determination.
Post: In Iraq, you worked closely with our new commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stan MacChrystal, our top special operator. How will this team work in Afghanistan?
Petraeus: While careful not to presume Senate confirmation, I'm confident that this US team will work effectively with our NATO and Afghan partners, civilian as well as military. I've known Gen. MacChrystal since we were captains together at Fort Stewart, Ga., in the early 1980s. He later replaced me in two positions at Fort Bragg when we were both brigadier generals, and we worked together during our years in Iraq as well. He's exceptional in every respect, as are the new US ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, and Lt. Gen. Dave Rodriguez, who will be Gen. MacChrystal's US Forces deputy. And I'm privileged to have Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as my "diplomatic wingman." This must be a team effort, and the team's a strong one.
Post: You're famous for "doing your homework," for studying a problem well beyond the daily intelligence reports. What are you reading right now?
Petraeus: "The Pathans," by Olaf Caroe, the classic work on the Pashtu of Afghanistan and Pakistan, for its wonderfully rich history; and "Seven Deadly Scenarios," by Andrew Krepinevich, for its thought-provoking scenarios, many of which are in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
Post: Gen. Petraeus, thank you for taking the time to speak to our readers — and Godspeed! ExileStreet
courtesy NY Post / copyright 2009 NY Post
Ralph Peters is Fox News' strategic analyst. His latest book is "Looking For Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World."
Ralph Peters is a retired Army officer and the author of 19 books, as well as of hundreds of essays and articles, written both under his own name and as Owen Parry. He is a frequent columnist for the New York Post and other publications.


text:
This coming week's episode of Game of Thrones could be one of the most lavish, insane spectacles ever put on television, and we've got all the details here. Other reasons not to throw out your television set: Awake's finale features the meeting you never expected.
Plus a brand new TV movie about a "Super Shark" that evolves to walk on land... and fly. This shark can jump over you! But that's not all. Here are all the TV shows you can't afford to miss this week.
Top Gear (8:30 PM, BBC America):
Worth mentioning because there's almost nothing on TV tonight otherwise, and because the guest star is none other than Matt Smith, the Eleventh Doctor. Insert your own "I drive cars now. Cars are cool" joke here.
Eureka (9 PM, Syfy):
Here's what to expect from "Worst Case Scenario":
A disaster-preparedness drill for Global Dynamics goes awry and imperils the town. Meanwhile, Zane participates in a secret simulation for Fargo.
Teen Wolf: Origins (10 PM, MTV):
The second season of MTV's lacrosse-playing werewolf show starts in June, but for now you can get back up to speed with a one-hour recap of the first season.
Lost Girl (10 PM, Syfy):
Because Syfy refuses to send out episode synopses for this show, here's what we gleaned about this episode from the Lost Girl Wiki:
Bo is hired by The Morrigan to track down a graffiti artist who is painting murals showing Fae secrets. In exchange for Bo's help, the Morrigan offers to help Bo get Lauren out of the clutches of The Ash.
Also on TV tonight: a brand new Motorcity on Disney XD at 9 PM, and the series finale of House at 9 PM on Fox.
Sadly, it's a bit of a wasteland on TV Tuesday. Time to catch up on Netflix.
Also on TV tonight: At 9 PM, Travel's Mysteries at the Museum, and then a new United Stats of America on History at 10 PM.
Man-Eating Super Croc (8 PM, Animal Planet):
This is part of "Monster Week" on Animal Planet, which we thoroughly support. Including a lot of extra episodes of River Monsters and various other things. But Man Eating Super Croc sounds like the most exciting of all:
A man-eating crocodile terrorizes a village in the Philippines, taking the lives of a young girl and a fisherman. In this town so dependent on water for life, villagers are terrified to fish and travel. A team of brave hunters is determined to save the village and capture the beast. But not all of the men will make it back alive from the hunt. The ones that do capture a Super Croc bigger than any other before it ... over 20 feet long. But did they get the right crocodile? Is there another one in the swamp even bigger?
Awake (10 PM, NBC):
It's the series finale of one of the most memorable, powerful television shows we've seen in years. Let's hope they saw the writing on the wall far enough in advance to give the show some amount of closure. Here's what to expect:
THE CHOICE IS YOURS — KEVIN WEISMAN ('ALIAS') AND LAURA INNES ('ER,' 'THE EVENT') GUEST STAR — The entire police force is on a man hunt for Detective Britten (Jason Isaacs) who relentlessly works to bring down the conspirators who tore his family apart. Britten trusts no one and time is running out as he gets closer to the truth. Bird (Steve Harris) and Detective Vega (Wilmer Valderrama) decide to help their struggling partner. When Britten's worlds begin to clash, bringing together the dueling psychiatrists, Dr. Lee (BD Wong) and Dr. Evans (Cherry Jones) in an unlikely debate that forces him to choose his path. Meanwhile, Captain Harper (guest star Laura Innes) is forced to face her truth.
I like that the two therapists are finally going to meet each other.
Also on TV tonight: There's a new Dragon Ball GT on NickToons at 8 PM.
The Link (7 PM, National Geographic):
This new show looks at weird links between innovations, and the first episode is called "From Swords to Spy Planes":
In this episode, host Josh Klein takes a look at the military's high-tech Predator drone and discovers how ancient Chinese technology set the stage for its creation. It all started in the third century B.C., when Chinese leader Ying Zeng's bronze swords were instrumental in Chinese unification and prosperityresulting in the Silk Road trade route made possible by the development of the compass which European nations then used to dominate global sea trade.
Insane or Inspired? (10 PM, Syfy):
Given that there's nothing on tonight, we should just mention this new show from Syfy, which debuts with an episode called "25 Wildest Homebrewed Superheroes."
This new series features the most exciting videos from the Internet that celebrate the world of imagination, invention, and extreme experiences. Actors Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Samm Levine (Freaks & Geeks), Brooke Hogan, Ralph Garman, as well as television personality Josh Gates, host of Syfy's Destination Truth, join comedians Ben Gleib, Owen Benjamin, Jodi Miller, Elliot Chang, Jermaine Fowler, Adam Ray, Christiana Pazistky, KT Tatara and Janet Varney to provide their unique commentary on each of the clips. The result is a fast-paced hour-long countdown of hilarious viral videos.
Also on TV tonight: A brand new Ancient Aliens on H2 at 10 PM.
DC Nation (10 AM, Cartoon Network):
On Green Lantern, Atrocitus and the Red Lanterns attack Oa. On Young Justice, Jaime seeks a missing friend, while some of the others travel to Bialya to see what lies "Beneath." And before that at 9:30, Thundercats deals with the search for an elixir to defeat Mumm-Ra. Plus some totally insane shorts!
Super Shark (9 PM, Syfy):
Screw those boring disaster movies and alien invasion films — Syfy is back to its core competency: insane monsters.
An offshore drilling accident triggers the release of a giant prehistoric shark. When marine biologist Kat Carmichael (Sarah Lieving) arrives, she runs up against corporate front man Roger Wade (John Schneider, ''The Dukes of Hazzard'', ''Smallville'', ''Desperate Housewives''), who plots with Stewart (Jerry Lacy, ''Dark Shadows'') to disrupt her investigation. With the help of Skipper Chuck (Tim Abell, ''Soldier of Fortune, Inc.'') and disc jockey Dynamite Stevens (Jimmie ''JJ'' Walker, ''Good Times''), Kat tries to find a way to defeat the monster which has evolved to a state where it can walk on dry land and fly...it's the SUPER SHARK! The latest in retro-monster movie making from cult director Fred Olen Ray (Dino Wolf) and featuring a cameo by R & B music legend Harvey Scales.
Also on TV today: A new Transformers Prime on The Hub at 8:30 PM.
Game of Thrones (9 PM, HBO):
This is the episode we've all been waiting for. If you don't already own a huge-screen flat-panel TV and you've got a credit card you haven't maxed out yet, go buy one before Sunday. This is the budget-busting episode depicting the battle of the Blackwater, written by original series author George R.R. Martin and directed by Neil (Doomsday) Marshall.
The Lannisters' control of King's Landing is in peril when Stannis' fleet launches an all-out assault.
Also on TV tonight: There's a new Metalocalpyse on Adult Swim, just after midnight.
Sources: Futon Critic, MSN TV, TV Guide, and various TV studio press releases.