text:
I'm still posting them, though, because they're all wedding cakes. Served at people's actual weddings. And even if one was actually made by Aunt Mildred who calls herself a pro but really isn't, I think the world deserves to see this cautionary tale.
Plus, it's kinda funny.
Whew, thank goodness for fresh flowers! Too bad they didn't have enough to hide the fact that the cake is being served on a giant dry-erase board, though.
I also like the gentle placement of the topper. That took "finesse."
Apparently this was taken during The Great Icing Shortage of '73 - back when grooms were stayin' alive with their groovy butterfly collars and the bridesmaids wore Frigidaire green. Looks like they ran out of flowers here too, though, and raided the fruit bowl instead.
Hey, "Love to Highway", right? And getting married doesn't mean the groom has to give up his matchbox cars, right?
And now, a haiku for you, wedding cake:
And finally, before I show you this last Wreck, I feel I should reiterate that the bride herself *assured* me she paid actual money to an actual professional to make it. Honest. Really.
Well, um...
Oh! Imagine how hard it must've been to stack all those raw cake tiers! Eh? Yeah, I like to look on the sunny side of things. Which is good, because this cake is so sunny I think I can hear my retinas sizzling.
Hey, Grace C., Tony M., Anony M., Anony #2., & Anita R., "sizzling retinas" would be a terrible band name. Really. Just awful.


text:
about 18 pancakes
1 1/2lbs (2 medium) sweet potatoes, peeled, grated
1 large leek, white and light green parts only, sliced lengthwise into strings
1 medium onion, grated
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 cup panko
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh black pepper, to taste
2 large eggs, whisked
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Oil for brushing
Serve with apple sauce, sour cream, pear cardamon sauce or any sauce of your choice.
Cook's notes: You might wish to process sweet potatoes, onions and leek in a food processor for a rough or fine chop to save time. That will also make sure all ingredients cook at the same rate, as the leek, in strand form, might cook faster than the pancake itself. I personally like how the strands crisp up.
Related posts:
Baked Parsnip Pancakes

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I - Glossary
I - Glossary
British thermal unit (Btu): The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit (F) at or near 39.2 degrees F and 1 atmosphere of pressure.
Certificated airport: An airport holding an operating certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14, Chapter 1, Part 139 allowing it to serve scheduled or unscheduled air carrier aircraft designed for more than 30 passengers.
Commuter rail: Urban passenger train service for short-distance travel between a central city and adjacent suburb. Does not include rapid rail transit or light rail transit service.
Container: A box-like device used to store, protect, and handle a number of packages or items as a unit of transit that can be interchanged between trucks, trains, and ships without rehandling the contents.
Controlled right-of-way: Lanes restricted for at least a portion of the day for use by transit vehicles and other high occupancy vehicles (HOVs).
Demand responsive: Transit service provided without a fixed route and without a fixed schedule that operates in response to calls from passengers or their agents to the transit operator or dispatcher. Service is usually provided using cars, vans, or buses with fewer than 25 seats.
Directional route-miles: The mileage in each direction over which public transportation vehicles travel while in revenue service. Directional route-miles are a measure of the facility or roadway, not the service carried on the facility such as the number of routes or vehicle-miles. Directional route-miles are computed with regard to direction of service, but without regard to the number of traffic lanes or rail tracks existing in the right-of-way.
Dry-bulk carrier (water): A ship with specialized holds for carrying dry cargo such as coal, grain, and iron ore in unpackaged bulk form.
Enplanements: The total number of revenue passengers boarding aircraft.
Exclusive right-of-way: Lanes reserved at all times for transit use and other high occupancy vehicles (HOVs).
Ferryboat (transit): Vessels that carry passengers and/or vehicles over a body of water. Generally steam or diesel-powered, ferryboats may also be hovercraft, hydrofoil, and other high-speed vessels. The vessel is limited in its use to the carriage of deck passengers or vehicles or both, operates on a short run on a frequent schedule between two points over the most direct water routes other than in ocean or coastwise service, and is offered as a public service of a type normally attributed to a bridge or tunnel.
Full container ship: Ships equipped with permanent container cells, with little or no space for other types of cargo.
Heavy rail: An electric railway with the capacity to transport a heavy volume of passenger traffic and characterized by exclusive rights-of-way, multi-car trains, high speed, rapid acceleration, sophisticated signaling, and high-platform loading. Also known as subway, elevated (railway), or metropolitan railway (metro).
Light rail: A streetcar-type vehicle operated on city streets, semi-exclusive rights-of-way, or exclusive rights-of-way. Service may be provided by step-entry vehicles or by level boarding.
Major arterial highway: A major highway used primarily for through traffic.
Metric ton: 1,814 pounds (2,000 pounds multiplied by 0.907).
Minor arterial: In rural areas, roads linking cities and larger towns. In urban areas, roads distributing trips to small geographic area but not penetrating identifiable neighborhoods.
Minor collector highway: In rural areas, routes that serve intracounty rather than statewide travel. In urban areas, streets that provide direct access to neighborhoods and arterials.
Mixed right-of-way: Lanes used for general automobile traffic.
Motor bus: A rubber-tired, self-propelled, manually steered bus with fuel supply onboard the vehicle. Motor bus types include intercity, school, and transit.
Natural gas distribution pipeline: Smaller than transmission pipelines and maintained by companies that distribute natural gas locally (intrastate). Distribution pipeline systems are analogous to networks of lesser roads and residential streets that people travel after getting off the freeway.
Natural gas transmission pipeline: Analogous to a major freeway, it is the main interstate transportation route for moving large amounts of natural gas from the source of production to points of distribution. Transmission pipelines are designed to move large amounts of natural gas from areas where the gas is extracted and stored to the local distribution companies that provide natural gas to homes and businesses.
Principal arterial highway: Major streets or highways, many of multilane or freeway design, serving high-volume traffic corridor movements that connect major generators of travel.
Short ton: 2,000 pounds.
Tanker: An oceangoing ship designed to haul liquid bulk cargo in world trade.
Ton-mile: The movement of one ton of cargo the distance of one statute mile.
Trackage rights: The authority of one railroad to use the tracks of another railroad for a fee.
Trolley bus: Rubber-tired, electric transit vehicle, manually steered and propelled by a motor drawing current, normally through overhead wires, from a central power source.
Unlinked passenger trips: The number of passengers who board public transportation vehicles. A passenger is counted each time he or she boards a vehicle even if on the same journey from origin to destination.
Vanpool: Public-sponsored commuter service operating under prearranged schedules for previously formed groups of riders in 8- to 18-seat vehicles. Drivers are also commuters who receive little or no compensation besides the free ride.
Vehicle-miles traveled (highway): Miles of travel by all types of motor vehicles as determined by the states on the basis of actual traffic counts and established estimating procedures.


text:
Great Obscure Moments in Leafs History - An ongoing series to honor the greatest, completely meaningless moments in Toronto Maple Leaf history.
All human beings agree that Wendel Clark vs Marty McSorley is pretty much the greatest thing that has ever happened, anywhere, ever. OK, maybe you could make an argument for the invention of the concept of justice. You'd be wrong, but you could make the case.
But here's a thought experiment: what would be the exact opposite of Clark vs. McSorley? What hockey moment would be so awful, so cringe-worthy, so embarrassing, that it would have the potential to cancel out the greatness of Clark/McSorley if viewed side-by-side?
Older Leaf fans don't have to wonder, because they saw it on December 23, 1989. That was the night that the Leafs and Hawks squared off in one of the most memorable line brawls of a generation. And the main event, such as it was, featured a pair of franchise players: Gary Leeman and Denis Savard.
Let's identify the participants in this ten-man rumble. For the Leafs we have Leeman (#11), Tom Kurvers (#25), Brian Curran (#28), Johnny McIntyre (#44) and Dave Reid (#14). For the Hawks, it's Savard (#11), Cam Russell (#52), Dave Manson (#3), Dirk Graham (#33), and a guy wearing #14 who I think might be
As far as background, let's just say that the Leafs and Hawks were both in the Norris division, which means they hated each other and wanted to fight. The Hawks and Leafs had several memorable brawls over the years (like this one, and of course this one).
But this particular incident was different. What makes this among the most entertaining five minutes on all of Youtube? Let's walk through it in excruciatingly obsessive detail and find out!
Camouflage Coat Guy
Right off the bat, we get a classic Maple Leafs Garden moment: a fan blocking the camera. And not just any guy, but a guy who appears to have worn a camouflage coat to a hockey game. And also seems to be nine feet tall.
This forces the CBC to switch to the overhead camera view, which somehow always made whatever came next seem ten times more awesome.
Bob Cole
Right as things start to heat up, Bob Cole displays his excellent sense of timing by encouraging viewers to "listen to this!" and then going silent, just as the Hawks players start lobbing obscenities at Leeman.
And by the way, how is it possible that all the Hawks players are trash-talking Leeman and yet Al Iafrate's name never comes up?
The sucker punch
With Andy Van Hellemond yelling to "open the door up", Savard breaks away and lands a viscous sucker punch on Leeman, then scurries away like a rat. The only Leaf who sees it is under-rated tough guy Curran, who goes berserk. But he can't get at Savard, because he's being held back by...
Cam Russell
And since it's Cam Russell, and since it's the Leafs, Russell immediately winds up flat on his back. (Just like here and here and especially here.)
If there was a stat for most times getting destroyed by a Maple Leaf, Russell would be the Phil Mickelson to Jim Cummins' Tiger Woods.
Savard's "Hold Me Back" routine
I called Stu Grimson's performance against Wendel Clark "the all-time greatest 'hold me back while I pretend to want to fight' routine", but I think we may need a recount.
Savard pretends to desperately want to fight, right up until the linesmen call his bluff and simply skate away. We then get a full 75 seconds of Savard backing away from Leeman.
So how do you fill over a minute of dead air? With a big dose of...
Harry Neale
Neale is probably best known for his pre-prepared soundbites; if you like your color commentators to suddenly quote Edgar Allan Poe during an icing call, Harry is your guy. But here he shows that he's pretty good when going off-script too.
While Leeman and Savard stumble around, Neale starts firing off rapid one-liners like "This is the longest shadow-boxing match I've ever seen" and "If looks could kill they'd both be on their backs" and "They've been skating more on this shift than they have when the game was on".
But then he tops himself with this instant classic: "I've seen more hits when I take my kids to the petting zoo!"
What does that even mean? Who's getting hit when Harry Neale takes his kids to the petting zoo? Do his kids hit the animals? Does Harry hit his kids? What's he trying to tell us here?
Alain Chevrier
Chevrier is the Hawks goalie. And do you know what he does during this long line brawl, which features multiple sucker punches, mismatches and two-on-one situations? Nothing. Nothing! In fact, he does less than nothing. He never comes remotely close to getting involved.
I will never forgive him for that. Because do you know who was in net for the Leafs that night? Allan Bester. How great would it have been to see Allan Bester skate the length of the ice to join a brawl? Tell me that wouldn't have been an instant top-five highlight of the decade for Leaf fans.
And besides, if Felix Potvin could wipe the floor with Ron Hextall, I'm pretty sure Allan Bester could take Alain Chevrier.
In the middle of Leeman and Savard's dance of futility, the camera pans by a young hockey fan wearing a #8 Leafs jersey that reads "Durno". This begs two questions: how bad were the camera angles in Maple Leaf Gardens that a small child could block them, and what the heck is a "Durno"? Stay with me, I'm going somewhere with this.
Since nobody by that name ever played for the Leafs, I'm going to assume it's the kid's name. A few minutes of google research reveals a journeyman minor leaguer named Chris Durno, who at the age of 28 finally made his NHL debut this year by playing two games for the Avalanche. Chris Durno grew up in Scarborough, would have been nine years old when this game was played, and according to this interview he always wore #8 when he was growing up.
You know what? I'm going to go ahead and make the claim that that's future NHLer Chris Durno blocking the camera in the middle of this fight!
(Update: DGB commenter and Durno family friend "JDub" confirms that it is Chris Durno!)
And based on that, I'm establishing the Chris Durno Fan Club, and demanding that Brian Burke sign Chris Durno to play for the Marlies next year. Burke already knows Durno, having once acquired him when he was with the Ducks. And the Hockey News says Durno brings "plenty of physical toughness and intimidation". Just what we need in Toronto!
Who's with me? We want Durno! We want Durno!
No? Just me? OK, moving on...
Dave Manson
Manson had already been escorted off the ice earlier in the brawl, but he makes a dramatic return just in time to execute a sunset flip onto Leeman and Savard, wiping out linesman Ron Finn in the process.
That earned him the ultra-rare triple game misconduct on a single play: one for coming back onto the ice, one for abuse of officials, and one for being third man in. This inspired Paul Morris's infamous announcement of "Number three, Dave Manson, two minutes for instigating, five minutes for fighting, a game misconduct, a second game misconduct, a third game misconduct".
Paul Morris dones't care how many penalties you got, he's announcing them one at a time even if we all have to stay here all night.
Bob Cole again
"Uh oh. UH OH! Baby... this thing... has come apart... at the seams!"
I love Bob Cole.
Doug Carpenter
Carpenter doesn't actually do anything. I just like seeing him. Where does Carpenter rank on the list of great red-headed coaches in NHL history? I'm going to say behind Terry Crisp, but ahead of Dave Allison.
Wendel Clark almost coming off the bench
When Manson blindsides Leeman, Clark jumps off the bench before being grabbed by a teammate. If Clark had entered the fight, he would have been suspended for ten games, touched off a bench-clearing brawl, beaten Dave Manson to death with his bare hands, and then beaten Cam Russell to death with the corpse of Dave Manson.
But none of that happened, because Clark is grabbed from behind at the last moment by...
John Kordic
Think about that. John Kordic prevented a bench-clearing brawl.
Here's a rule of thumb: when you're relying on John Kordic to serve as a calming influence, you're dealing with a situation that is completely out of control. It may be time to call in the army. Or, failing that, hope that a jolly mythical character inexplicably makes an appearance.
Hey look, it's Santa Claus!
With the situation on the verge of complete implosion, the officials desperately try to usher the Blackhawks off the ice. What better time for Santa Claus to randomly make an appearance?
Seriously, what is happening here? When did David Lynch start directing NHL games? And why does "Santa" weigh about 140 pounds?
"I don't think Santa Claus has seen anything like this in a while," deadpans Cole. No, Bob, I suppose he hasn't.
The epilogue
Dave Manson was suspended for 13 games. More impressively, Savard managed to pick up two fighting majors on the same play even though he never fought anybody. As a side note, these were the first two fighting majors of Savard's career. He would later add two more, against Craig Janney and Dale Hawerchuk. Apparently, Denis Savard really hates marginally over-rated wimpy guys.
There were a total of eight fights in this game, including John Kordic delivering some payback by absolutely destroying Cam Russell in the second period. A young Damien Cox was so traumatized that all his hair fell out.
Leeman went on to score 50 goals this season, was traded for Doug Gilmour, and was never heard from again. Manson actually played for the Leafs for one year in 2000, although sadly he never tried to hurdle another linesman.
Chris Durno signed with the Leafs in the 2009 off-season, made the team out of training camp, scored the Stanley Cup winning goal during the Leafs' shocking playoff run, and dedicated the championship to this blog.


text:
The brownie recipe makes a large batch, so I cut the quantities in half and baked it in an eight inch square pan rather than a nine by thirteen inch pan. Still, the halved quantities included a half pound of semisweet chocolate, half a pound of butter, four eggs, and a cup and a half of sugar along with flour, ancho chile powder, chocolate chips, and pine nuts. These were kind of serious brownies. The batter was very easy to stir together without a mixer, and they went into 325 F oven for about 35-40 minutes. The recipe suggests a baking time of 20-25 minutes, but my brownies were nowhere near done at that point. The cinnamon ice cream was started by steeping broken cinnamon sticks in warm milk with sugar and a pinch of salt. Then, a custard was made with egg yolks and the warmed milk, it was strained, and cream was added. The custard was churned after being chilled.
The ancho chile powder in the brownies accented the chocolate in the same way espresso would. There was clearly something more than chocolate happening, but the chile flavor was just a supporting role and not obvious at all. The texture of these brownies was delightfully lighter than I expected and definitely not dense. The crackly top gave way to an almost cakey but near-fudgy interior. They were somehow the best of both worlds, and the pine nuts were a nice addition too. While I don't think cinnamon ice cream would be a bad choice to set atop any brownie, I was especially happy with it on top of these. I'm also convinced this dessert was a good distraction from our freakishly cold weather at least for a little while. And just for the record, it's 75 degrees (F) today, and that's my favorite kind of January weather.


text:
These popsicles are made with fresh watermelon, tequila and orange liqueur for a fun twist on everyone's favorite summer cocktail!
Newsflash! Popsicles are not just for kids anymore. In fact, these ones are not for kids at all. Nope, not one bit. But, by swapping out the tequila and orange liqueur for water and orange juice, they very well could be. And then everyone's happy, see? Especially mom and dad. Whee!
To create these crazy delicious, icy cold summer treats with a twist, just whirr up some fresh watermelon, lime juice, sugar and a healthy splash of good tequila and liqueur. Strain it through a sieve, then pour the fruity mixture into the molds if you can keep yourself from pouring yourself a glassful first!
After about an hour of freezing, poke in some popsicle sticks, then let them continue hardening overnight, or at least 6 hours. Once they're nice and solid, shimmy out your pretty watermelon margarita pops and slurp 'til your heart's content!
These freshly made, fruity and flavorful pops are a perfectly easy summer treat for the big kids, and perfectly easy to make alcohol-free, too. Try them as a fun experiment to help you beat the heat, or make them for a crowd of margarita-craving friends and family. They make for a cute, tasty twist on everyone's favorite cocktail!
Watermelon Margarita Popsicles
- 5 cups chopped seedless watermelon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, from 2 limes
- 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
- 1/4 cup clear tequila
- 6 1/2 cup capacity popsicle molds
- Combine all ingredients in a blender; puree until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup, pressing on and then discarding solids. Skim off any foam; pour mixture evenly into molds. Freeze 1 hour. Insert sticks and freeze until firm, about 24 hours.
- To make non-alcoholic: Replace 2 Tbsp. orange liqueur with orange juice and 1/4 cup tequila with water.
- Enjoy!


text:
From the May 19, 2008, Princeton Weekly Bulletin
Why do certain songs become hits while others flop? How can individuals be encouraged to consider the public good rather than act selfishly? Why are casual relationships sometimes as important as connections to friends and family?
Those are the kinds of wide-ranging questions that Assistant Professor of Sociology Matthew Salganik has been using the Internet to answer in an approach that is opening new avenues of social science research.
"The Internet has already changed the way we live and work, but it has only started to change the way we do social science," said Salganik, who came to Princeton this fall for his first professorial position.
Salganik often uses the Internet to collect data and conduct experiments. His recent study of social networks illuminates connections and behaviors in the real and virtual world.
Robert Wuthnow, chair of the Department of Sociology and the Gerhard R. Andlinger '52 Professor of Social Sciences, noted that Salganik is among several new assistant professors in the department who are using the Internet and other new technologies to tackle difficult social questions. "His research is especially innovative in combining the Internet and applied mathematics to test theories about the effects of social networks," Wuthnow said.
In his first class at Princeton -- an undergraduate course on social networks -- Salganik demonstrated how networking websites popular with students, such as Facebook, also can be a valuable research tool for collecting information on social structures and relationships.
Devah Pager, an associate professor of sociology, said Salganik has already become a "remarkable ambassador" for the department.
"His creative use of Web-based experiments has allowed him to make exciting contributions within the field of sociology, and at the same time has attracted attention across campus, from ecology, psychology, computer science and applied math, to name just a few," Pager said.
Leveraging Web research
Salganik's doctoral dissertation at Columbia University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 2007, set him on the road of Web-based research.
He conducted an online experiment to examine why cultural products succeed or fail -- essentially why a book such as "Harry Potter" became a huge success even though it was initially rejected by publishers.
Salganik developed a website where participants could download previously unknown songs. Users were randomly assigned to different virtual rooms where they listened to and downloaded songs with or without knowledge of other users' choices depending upon the room.
The data from more than 27,000 participants provided insight into the role of social influence in the creation of fads, and Salganik and co-authors published their findings in Science.
"When people knew what other people were doing the success of the songs became more unequal and unpredictable. The song that happened to be successful with the first users in one room, became more successful and that led to these kind of popularity snowballs," Salganik said. "Stars became megastars and flops became megaflops."
By setting up parallel worlds on the Internet, Salganik also could study the role that chance plays in success, proving how difficult it can be to predict the next big thing.
"We saw that as social influence increased, it became increasingly difficult to predict which particular song would be successful," Salganik said. "We had one song that was No. 1 in one room, and No. 40 out of 48 in another. It was the exact same song competing against the same set of songs, but in one room it got lucky and in the other room it didn't."
Salganik said the music experiment is a great example of the Internet's potential as a research tool.
"The scale of the Internet is massive. Think about filling up Madison Square Garden and having all of those people participating in your study. That's what's possible with Web-based experiments," he said.
The Web also allows researchers to study people in their natural environment, Salganik said.
"In the music experiment we had people do what they do anyway -- downloading music on computers," he said. "Experiments on the Web allow you to collect information on behavior that is less likely to be confounded by the artificial setting of a lab."
To further exploit the Web as a research tool, Salganik said he thinks it's key to develop new, attention-grabbing experiments that work within the Internet's unique dimensions, rather than simply duplicating lab experiments online.
"You have to recognize that people can just close their browser if they aren't interested," he said. "We have to think of new ways of collecting data on the Web that are open to the fact that people can leave at any time. If you just take existing lab experiments and put them on the Web, that's probably not going to work."
Salganik currently is working with ecology and evolutionary biology graduate student Adrian de Froment to develop an Internet experiment related to de Froment's research on promoting cooperation to solve environmental problems. De Froment was a student in Salganik's graduate seminar this spring, "Web-based Social Research."
They have teamed up with a professional video game designer to create a Web-based game that examines the conditions under which individuals are more likely to act for the good of a group. While the experiment's design is still being refined, it will explore the tension between the public good and private interest that arises in many contexts of environmental decision-making, such as issues of pollution or "overfishing," which results in the depletion of fish stocks.
While Salganik is extending a new frontier of social analysis through his innovative Web-based research, he also has a solid background in traditional methods.
Salganik earned an undergraduate degree in math from Emory University in 1998 and a master's degree in sociology from Cornell University in 2003. Before enrolling in graduate school, he worked at the U.S. Census Bureau as part of a project to check the accuracy of the 2000 census.
For his master's thesis at Cornell, he and adviser Douglas Heckathorn presented new findings on the effectiveness of respondent-driven sampling. The method is used to survey hidden populations who are key to understanding and controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS, such as intravenous drug users and sex workers. Salganik said he recently presented the findings at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is using the sampling method for a study of drug users in the 25 biggest U.S. cities.
Balancing classic and new lessons
In his undergraduate class, "Social Networks," Salganik taught students about classic sociological experiments and had them try to replicate the results through traditional data collection methods and through the Internet. Salganik initiated the course last fall and will teach it again this coming fall.
One exercise involved students using Facebook to collect information on social ties. The students could make sociological observations by being able to easily map their network of relationships -- such as how people's acquaintances can sometimes influence their lives as much as their close connections (such as the job opening passed along through a friend of a friend, or the apartment for rent where a co-worker's son lives).
"Professor Salganik often applied data that we had collected from Facebook to illustrate the concepts that we were discussing in class," said junior Matthew Prisco. "It was these applied approaches that made the material more relevant and easier to conceptualize."
Motivated by his experience in class, Prisco said he is using Facebook to perform a study of Princeton's undergraduate social networks -- residential colleges, eating clubs, athletic teams -- for his junior paper.
"Throughout the whole process, it has been very fulfilling for me to apply the practical knowledge and spirit of inquiry with which Professor Salganik equipped our class over the course of the semester," Prisco said.
Salganik said he has quickly embraced the various roles of Princeton professor, continuing his research while teaching classes and advising independent student work.
"My first year teaching at Princeton has been a lot of fun. The students here are engaged and interested," Salganik said.
Dhwani Shah said Salganik has been an invaluable adviser for her junior paper on Wikipedia, the free Internet encyclopedia that readers can edit. Shah is studying how people interact and establish their authority on Wikipedia's discussion pages, where users can debate entries and explain their edits.
"Professor Salganik is truly passionate about researching websites and social networks. His enthusiasm for the work is contagious and really inspires me to work my hardest to achieve success in my research," Shah said.
Salganik said one of the pleasures of his job is advising junior papers and senior theses.
"It was great to see the students struggling with not knowing what to do. Research can be really murky; you don't know what the question is exactly and you don't know what to do at first," he said. "Trying to digest a lot of information and finding the important question is part of the experience, and I think it's really great that undergraduates here go through that process."
Junior Kristen Young said Salganik has been a valuable mentor as she waded through the beginnings of her junior paper centered on the 3-D virtual community Second Life.
"Professor Salganik is interested in cutting-edge sociological research and greatly encourages his students to partake in all of the excitement," Young said. "I like the fact that Professor Salganik directed me to do something original and different."


text:
【nonnette Socks】NS329Y-88
Tax-included Shipping calculated Check-out
素材の上質さと特殊な編み技術で変化のある編地と遊び心をプラスした"made in Japan"オリジナルレッグアイテムと服飾雑貨。
日々研究を重ねた表情豊かな編み技術とクリエイティビティが融合したデザインワークは今しか出会えない『とっておき』を大切にするために進化を続けている。 "こころにドキッと響く"繊細なディテールワークとユーモアを大切にし、日々の暮らしを楽しく彩るアイテムを創造している。
NS329Y ::: Impact four leaf clover wool Socks :::
color: 88 / navy
material: ウール49%、ナイロン33%、アクリル16%、ポリウレタン2%
size: 23~25cm (one size)
The postage is 600 yen (tax included) uniformly nationwide.
◎ If the purchase amount is 5,000 yen or more, we will deliver it with free shipping.
* Additional shipping costs may be charged for remote islands and some areas.
Consumption tax for postage Other treatment remarks
This price includes consumption tax.
【Non-delivery area】
Delivery may not be possible in some areas such as Okinawa Prefecture and remote islands. In addition, orders placed in regions that are judged not to be deliverable by the shipping company may be canceled even after the sales contract has been concluded.
If there is a possibility that it is applicable, please contact us in advance.
[About shipment to overseas (OVERSEAS)]
For overseas shipments, one company can complete the delivery, and the international courier service (DHL) that is easy to control the quality)in principle, and other shipping methods are not supported.
All packages will be shipped by cargo.
As an exception, only products with a weight of up to 600 g for the Asian area can use international e-packets (small packages with writing and airmail).
It is shipped from a post office in Japan, and the purchased goods are delivered to the postal service in your country.
There are variations in the delivery quality of each country, so if you can trust the postal service in your home country, please use it.
If there is a problem with the delivery, we cannot guarantee it.
■Payment amount
Display amount including consumption tax + postage
■Supported areas
The target countries that can be specified as destinations are as follows: (As of March 31, 2021)
China、Hong Kong、Taiwan、South Korea、Macau、Malaysia、Indonesia、Philippines、Singapole、Thailand、Thailand
Austria、Belgium、Denmark、Spain、Finland、France、United Kingdom、Greece、Ireland、Italy、Luxembourg、Netherlands、Norway、Portugal、Sweden、Czech、Hungary、Bulgaria、Poland、Romania
North America
United states of America、Canada、Mexico
Australia、new Zealand
■Postage and delivery days
DHL Express
Shipping | Purchase amount | ||
Asia | 2,500 yen | Free shipping over 25,000 yen | 3~5 Working Days |
Europe | 3,000 yen | Free shipping over 30,000 yen | 5~7 Working Days |
North America | 3,000 yen | Free shipping over 30,000 yen | 5~7 Working Days |
Oceania | 3,000 yen | Free shipping over 30,000 yen | 5~7 Working Days |
Shipping | Purchase amount | ||
Asia | 1,000 yen | Free shipping over 20,000 yen ※Weight up to 600g (*About 10 socks only, 2 leggings only) |
10~14 Working Days |
■Address entry
As usual, please enter your address in English.
If the default input field does not meet the address standards or requires annotations, please fill in the address in the remarks field again.
We will not be liable for any trouble if there is a mis-entry or error in the address of the destination address.
Customs duties, import taxes, and customs fees may be imposed on the purchased products at the time of customs in the destination country.
At that time, it will be borne by the recipient, so please pay DHL directly at the time of delivery.
Please note that tax and access fee policies vary from country to country and cannot be undersed by us.
If you refuse to receive a parcel due to import taxes or duties, you are fully responsible for the transportation price, return costs, customs fees, and fees.
Please understand in advance that you will be responsible for.
■Check delivery status
Please check the DHL tracking number in the "Order confirmation email" and check the DHL page.


text:
Mashed avocado hand grenades, chopped baseball onions and hand-picked light bulb chili peppers can hardly be considered an authentic recipe, but that's not going to stop a Latina like me for rooting for Fresh Guacamolein the Oscars later this month.
The extremely short film – 1 minute 45 seconds, including credits – is up for an Academy Award in the Animated Short category on Feb. 24. It's a charming stop-motion take on the beloved Mexican dish, with a twist: Common toys and household tchotchke (poker "chips," anyone?) star in the role of the ingredients.
As The New York Times reports, "Despite its brevity and deceptively simple concept the short took four months, upward of $50,000 and a team of technical experts to create."
Was it worth all that effort? Grab a margarita and judge for yourself.
Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


text:
Old - Colly Dining Chair
Recently Viewed Products
Furniture Protection Plan
to The Products You ❤
ADD PROTECTION PLANto The Products You ❤
Shipping & Returns
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes, we offer free shipping on all orders to customers within the contiguous United States. We do not ship to AK, HI, PR, PO Boxes, or APO/FPO addresses.
Do you ship to an international address?
We only ship to customers within the contiguous United States. If you need any assistance, please get in touch with us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Do you have a shipping surcharge for remote areas?
In a rare case, we may have a shipping surcharge for delivering to remote areas. Our shipping specialist will contact you directly for such cases.
When will you ship my order?
If your order is in stock, typically, we will ship within three business days from the date of your order. Learn More
When will I receive my order?
Depending on your location, shipping typically takes 5-14 days. If a freight carrier delivers your order, the service provider may contact you directly to arrange the delivery time.
What kind of delivery do you provide?
All shipping is Curbside Delivery by default, and a signature is required for all deliveries. If you need White-Glove Delivery Service, please get in touch with us at firstname.lastname@example.com for a quote.
What is your Return Policy?
We offer 30-day returns for most items unless they are marked as "Non-Returnable" on the relevant product page. Learn More
What is your Refund Policy?
Once your return item is received and inspected, we will send you an email notification within 3-5 business days and notify you about the refund progress. Learn More


text:
Here we give a short overview of the stages a query has to pass in order to obtain a result.
A connection from an application program to the PostgreSQL server has to be established. The application program transmits a query to the server and waits to receive the results sent back by the server.
The parser stage checks the query transmitted by the application program for correct syntax and creates a query tree.
The rewrite system takes the query tree created by the parser stage and looks for any rules (stored in the system catalogs) to apply to the query tree. It performs the transformations given in the rule bodies.
One application of the rewrite system is in the realization of views. Whenever a query against a view (i.e., a virtual table) is made, the rewrite system rewrites the user's query to a query that accesses the base tables given in the view definition instead.
The planner/optimizer takes the (rewritten) query tree and creates a query plan that will be the input to the executor.
It does so by first creating all possible paths leading to the same result. For example if there is an index on a relation to be scanned, there are two paths for the scan. One possibility is a simple sequential scan and the other possibility is to use the index. Next the cost for the execution of each path is estimated and the cheapest path is chosen. The cheapest path is expanded into a complete plan that the executor can use.
The executor recursively steps through the plan tree and retrieves rows in the way represented by the plan. The executor makes use of the storage system while scanning relations, performs sorts and joins, evaluates qualifications and finally hands back the rows derived.
In the following sections we will cover each of the above listed items in more detail to give a better understanding of PostgreSQL's internal control and data structures.


text:
Saturday, August 15, 2009
India@62 - Delayed menopause....??
Nope. There are no puran polis at home this year. It is yet another dull, uninspiring and listless day. I'm sure my father would have disapproved of this article which was carried in Asian Age\Deccan Chronicle today. I am glad he isn't alive to read it.... but I am equally glad I wrote it.
As always, I'm looking forward to your comments and reactions.
Vande Mataram !!
Is India @62 ready to appear on 'Sach Ka Saamna'?
First things first – at the risk of enraging feminists – India at 62 is like a woman dealing with delayed menopause, trying strenuously to come to terms with drastic and dramatic changes she is not yet ready for. Think about it – sudden hot flashes ( Pakistan, China, Baluchistan), cold sweats, migraines, mood swings ( flirt with America? Court Russia? Ignore France?), hysteria ( the contoversial 1-2-3 treaty ), panic attacks ( 26\11),tantrums and more. That's the downside. But as we all know, menopause doesn't last forever. It is but a phase… and when it's over, it's over. And more often than not, women at this stage of their lives come into their own like never before. So it will be with India. Forget those fuddy duddy doomsday prophets making dire predictions about India's grim future, forget the worst case scenarios. Focus instead on what lies ahead… it isn't just swine flu, drought, starvation, corruption and more corruption. With some luck, it could be a 'Mera Bharat Mahaan' ending to this potential blockbuster. And with those words, I'm putting an end to the mandatory 'Independence Day' lecturebaazi.
In fact, there should be a media law that bans those boring Special Issues nobody actually reads or remembers. Why has it become mandatory to indulge in this meaningless annual exercise? Report cards are for school children. India is a senior citizen. Let's begin by showing a little respect. For me, that includes a ban on bumper editions carrying erudite, unreadable, analytical pieces on 'Where India Has Gone Wrong' written by pompous gas bags whose views are completely passé. If at all anybody wants to indulge in this foolish exercise, let us convert it into a time pass tv show that gives us vicarious cheap thrills. Hire a hottie as an anchor ( Rajeev Khandelwal has the looks and experience) and let the cameras roll. India getting candid will be so much more fun than all this intellectualized baloney from self-styled experts.
In any case, far too much is being made of the current tv series that invites middle class India to perform the full monty in public. 'Sach ka Saamna' is getting countless knickers in a knot because, I guess, this form of public catharsis is considered a bit too much for India to handle Hmmmm. But is it really too much? Going by the astonishingly high ratings, I'd say not! I believe all that moral outrage is just hot air. We love to mind other people's business. We are known for our obnoxious inquisitiveness. Come on, it's only in India that complete strangers seated next to you in a train can turn around and ask the most intrusive, the most intimate questions without blinking …. and actually expect a prompt response. Which person has not had to deal with , " Are you married? No?? Why not? Family problem or what?" Which young couple has been spared the embarrassment of responding to an inquisition that goes, " No children? Howcome? Medical problem? I know a very good doctor…" That's us.Nosey and tactless at all times. Which is why, I'm a little surprised by the howls of protest that have greeted the latest reality show which quizzes tv actresses on their sexual fantasies and asks about teenage abortions and school expulsions without mincing words. This is baby stuff compared to what we deal with in real life.
Similarly, Rakhi Sawant's Swayamwar eats into our own fears and foibles, as we watch the bold and brazen lead character reveal the nasty minutae of her miserable past , frequently bursting into a flood of tears before adjusting her cleavage and carrying on. If we are riveted by this spectacle, it only establishes our insatiable desire to play peek-a-boo – a perfectly understandable, acceptable emotion. Especially in a country where the notion of personal privacy and space remains very sketchy. We believe we have the absolute right to know every little dirty detail about our neighbour's 'lafdas'. We also believe we have the same right to offer instant advice. This is as 'desi' as pure ghee – and we can't get enough of either. When the canny tv channel hosting the show persuades Rakhi Sawant's estranged mother to come on the set and give her version of their crazy relationship, we are urged to take sides and offer unsolicited advice to both. We fall for it!! This stuff is irresistible. We can't get enough. We want more and more and more. Call that creative manipulation, if you wish. But are we putting up any resistance? Naaah.
The Rakhi Sawant phenomenon ( I use the phrase with care and after deliberation) has to be seen in the context of a rapidly changing India. I have been an early champion of this spunky woman, and hang on to her every bon mot. Her quotes are priceless and original – that's what makes her stand apart in an over crowded field of wannabes. When Rakhi declares earnestly ( tears threatening to run down those heavily painted cheeks and ruin her mascara) that she has done several things for money during her difficult teenage years, including dance at stag shows, but one thing she has NEVER done for cash is 'that', nobody needs to be briefed on what 'that' stands for. By making such a statement, Rakhi lets the cruel, mocking world know that even she - bad assed girl that she is - lives by her own moral code. Hurrah.Paisey ke liye kuch bhi karegi?? Na baba… aur sab, par 'woh' nahi… kabhi nahi.Rakhi has defined her limits. Can the rest of us define ours? Can India's politicians make a similar claim in public and spell out where they'd draw the line? Now that would be a scorcher of a 'samna'.
Rakhi had once famously boasted about her silicon implants declaring naughtily, " Joh dikhta hai who bikta hai." Perhaps, without realizing it herself, she had accurately placed her finger on the pulse of the nation and provided a catchy phrase for the prevailing philosophy dominating Jawan India's dreams.Do those out- of- touch- with- mass- reality men and women prowling the corridors of power in Delhi really get the message?? They'd better. For if they don't , all this big talk about harnessing the youth of the nation and pushing India forward will remain empty rhetoric. The surprising truth is that there are far more Rakhi Sawants in our midst than we'd like to acknowledge. She makes us uncomfortable. She makes us blush – hey bhagwan – such gaucherie.But she is here, and she isn't going anywhere. If India has to face the truth about itself, why not start with Rakhi Sawant and her brand of bindaas, in your face, outrageous and outré conduct that shies away from nothing, reveals everything, but is still clever enough to figure out the inbuilt commercial value of saying 'no' to 'that'!!
32 comments:
- Unknown said...
Excellent. Enjoyed your writing immensely.
- August 15, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Is India @62 ready to appear on 'Sach Ka Saamna'?
Confession for money ?
What a joke ?
Idea sells - They say.
Confession needs The person himself/herself Or, God Or with whom wrong is done. Not a platform to confess What Went Wrong while having money at the back of your mind.
Anyway, SRK was questioned at Airport - current news - but why he is answering media questions ? Celebrity marketing - He is aware or not or He is soooo innocent???
- another joke.
He has follow law of land - Story ends. Dont you think so. - August 15, 2009 at 2:31 PM
- Pooja Rathore said...
Dear SD,
Happy Independence Day!
About your article, sab kuch sach hai ( also well written ). - August 15, 2009 at 2:36 PM
- Anu...:) said...
Well written ma'am.
India is now breeding blind people-in the sense that other people don't see that the other person can see through the lies and fakes.
We think the politicians and etc think of the common people as fools and don't do anything about the miseries.The politicians think of the common people as fools because they think we believe in each and every word they say.
Would someone raise this curtain of pretension?(Theres a lot of thinking going on it seems!)
It doesn't apply only to the politicians..it also applies to higher-order celebs.They think we believe them,we think they are fools to think we believe them.
It goes on and on.
All India needs is a "sach ka saamna".
Happy Independence day! :) - August 15, 2009 at 2:51 PM
- rehaan said...
the situation that prevails in India after 65 years of independence was very well captured.
and using rakhi sawant as a metaphor it made it all the more better..
the political scenario is very dark as one can't see the limit..
happy independence day...!!! - August 15, 2009 at 3:50 PM
- T. Mukherjee said...
You have a gift. The metaphors you draw are refreshingly new. Be it that of India with a menopause, or politcians with celebrities. Oh, and by the way, thanks for appreciating Rakhi Sawant. I find very few people who have the capability of understanding the person Rakhi Sawant, beyond her nudity issues. She should be set as an example, her integrity should be envied.
- August 15, 2009 at 4:33 PM
- चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...
Independence Day.....but no puran polis only metropolis with many more like rakhi - jo paise ke liye kuch bhi karega..woh bhi:)
I confess that I have not seen any episode but I am surprised that even you give bhaav to the likes of rakhi!!!!! - August 15, 2009 at 5:01 PM
- Nandini Rao said...
Vande Mataram!
@ Shobhaa De
Everything you've mentioned is just a perfect.. bang-on.... illustration of what our country is at 62!
India at 62 is as pretentious as it was during the days of the freedom struggle,...200 years were spent in denial & compromise.
Not much has changed in these 60 years. We are supposedly free under a blanket of compromises.
So, when the likes of Rakhi Sawant & Urvashi Dholakia showcased Indian culture as an ever evolving whirpool of ruckus relationships, it was always going to be an alarm for our moral minders.
It is sad that they outline our society at 62.
Anyways, I can only salute our war heroes on a day like today.
I cannot think of anyone else worth mentioning.
JAI HIND. - August 15, 2009 at 8:50 PM
- Varsha Shrote said...
Hi SD,
I absolutely loved this post!
Indians are incorrigible----come what may! We'll never learn from our mistakes:(
Happy Independence day, anyway! - August 15, 2009 at 8:59 PM
- Rita Banerji said...
I am always glad to read your 'in your face' columns. You say it like it is. You are right about our inability to confront our own reality. On many levels actually. I address some of these issues in my book "Sex and Power: Defining History, Shaping Societies," which was published by Penguin in 2008. Here is are some of the reviews http://sex-and-power.blogspot.com/
If you would like a copy, I am sure Ravi Singh would be happy to send you one.
Rita Banerji - August 15, 2009 at 9:47 PM
- SHRIMI SINHA said...
Hi Shobha...
The article is an absolute piece of art.........enraged by Vir's comments on MJ , i switched to The Asian Age , delighted to read your article....words to my fragmented thoughts about the hypocrisy, my blood boiled hearing MPs protest during the session and talking about 'bhartiya sabhyata' almost pushed me to the brink of my tolerance..
Great job. - August 15, 2009 at 11:26 PM
- डॉ महेश सिन्हा said...
"We love to mind other people's business. We are known for our obnoxious inquisitiveness."
a true representation of our not so true psyche - August 15, 2009 at 11:48 PM
- Shrinath Vashishtha said...
Here's wishing Shobha and all of Shobha's friends and fans a mighty HAPPY & REJUVENATING 62nd INDEPENDENCE DAY from ANDAMAN & NICOBAR THE HISTORIC INDIAN CORAL ISLANDS.
This is where the Indian Tricolor was hoisted for the very first time by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at the Gymkhana ground, Port Blair on 30th December, 1943 (Yesss... Well before the 15th August, 1947)
And our ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS were the first Indian territory to be declared free from the shackles of the British imperialism by Netaji, the real Hero, heralding the complete Independence for the whole Indian nation.
As grateful citizens of Mother India, every Indian needs to be aware of this lesser-known historic fact of supreme importance. - August 16, 2009 at 12:58 AM
- डॉ महेश सिन्हा said...
shrinath you are welcome
- August 16, 2009 at 1:20 AM
- Theyoginme said...
India is at 62, Shah Rukh is harassed at Newark Airport..What irony! Reality check...this is what most common indians still experience world wide...all mahanta aside!
- August 16, 2009 at 1:51 AM
Hello!! Shobhaaji,
One Day Maar Dum!!
That should be the caption in today's times., U miss ur pop at the age of 61. Well!! As a daughter u must've had a bonding with him. Have u seen Narayama the Japanese movie?
Anyway, to talk of ur article, its not clear as to After the menopause how a woman feels? And do every woman has to feel the same way? Then we may discuss. As an honorable lady we need to be told that of instead of during It. Then...., - August 16, 2009 at 4:08 AM
- Kapil Kanungo said...
dear ma'am
its da frst tym i hav read ur blog nd as a mattr of fact, it has been a mesmerizing experience...aldou india@62 iz diffrent, ratder more complicated frm mah point of view, but da way ur article deals wid it iz commendable...but dere iz somthin dat makes it a lil awkward,
"Rakhi has defined her limits. Can the rest of us define ours? Can India's politicians make a similar claim in public and spell out where they'd draw the line?"
rakhi has maade dis confession in frnt of cameras nd not polygraph. our politicians r ready to do it- ANYTIME
may god give u gud health, viva, peace. - August 16, 2009 at 7:23 AM
- Unknown said...
Who is this Khan making hell of a noise?
He thinks he is a global star just because the foolish NRIs flock to his movies?
And so he frets and fumes as he was checked by the security?
He did not say his religion is the cause when his waxwork alike was unveiled at the Tussauds?
He did not say that his religion is the cause for that silly doctorate given to him by that silly UK university?
He did not say his religion is the cause for that silly French honour?
Now he cries like Emraan Hashmi.
What is his contribution? He entertained mindless Indians with his 2 penny acting in his forgettable movies.
And Priyanka Chopra, KJO. Farah Khan and others are shedding copious tears because he had been treated as any normal US visitor.
India is still a feudal country with feudal values inspite of all its boastings otherwise? Who says India got freedom? We are still the worst slaves meting out unwarranted courtesies to worthless celebrities.
Ambika Soni did not issue any statement when a number of Indians were brutalised in Australia and French Airlines.
Shame on India and Indians who breed this VIP culture. - August 16, 2009 at 7:44 AM
- Subashkumar said...
Hey! at 62 or 100 we Indians will not switch to another realm of not being obnoxiously inquisitive. LOVE vip's (especially movie stars) that is us Indians. Very inherent to us. We all have it. Even Shobha, though latent. The article is brilliant in all aspects. Loved it. I loved reading Kala's comment about SRK also and stand by her in totality.
- August 16, 2009 at 2:27 PM
- Prasun Kulshrestha said...
Shobhaji, a sweetpoem for your evening...
door khade tum itna..
kya gale lagana bhul gaye...
baitha hai aansu teri palak par..
kya usse bahana bhul gaye..
aaj mile hai itne saalo baad..
to kya haq jatana bhul gaye..
kal doori kitni jyada thi ; aaj do chaar kadam par thehre hai...
hoth hai chup ; saasein bhi chup ; bas dhadkan ko chup karana bhul gaye...
mein ro nahi rha bas khush hu tuje dekh kar..
aur issi khushi mein aansu chupana bhul gaye..
aa poch doo uss palak baithi boond ko...
jo teri nazaro ko sajana bhul gayi..
ab haq bhi nahi kya mera itna..ki ek nazar bhar kar dekh lun..
abhi hi to aaye the pal bhar pehle..aur aur der rukna bhul gaye..
ruk ja ; na jao ab ,bas muje satana na bhul gaye..
jo jaa rahe ho wapas ab tum..kya gale lagana bhul gaye..
kya gale lagana bhul gaye... - August 16, 2009 at 7:43 PM
- Unknown said...
when Rakhi says she wont do 'that' for money, she is the biggest liar of all...has everyone forgotten the sting operation that Star news did about 8-9 years back where she was caught prostituting herself for money?
- August 16, 2009 at 9:35 PM
- AaaDee said...
well..i agree when u said ur father wud never have liked to read such a article...
this article though is true but an embarrassment..specially when it comes as a reading on the Independence day.. - August 16, 2009 at 11:52 PM
I guess Kala said it all. Though Sharukh Khan is A STAR, he should abide by the rules of the land he is visiting, or forget leaving Indian shores. He should also give up all the credentials Kala's mentioned in comment, if he feels that he has been harrassed because of his Religion.
After 9/11 the American does not care who you are. They stick to their commitment; no more locals lives to be lost. Unlike India, where our Ministers/officials know we will produce another million in a few months.
I being a Christian was pulled up at the same Airport, as I had a tiny rare coin which was stuck in the corner of my pocket and the buzzer kept on and on, even though I thought that I had removed everything from my pocket. The guy kept asking me if I had anything, and I was happy that he was so capable (unlike in India, where the instruments never work even if you are carrying a knife)and was very cooperative, when he kept telling me that he would be putting the instrument closer to my private part. Then finally he said that he would have to take me to a room and that I would have to undress completly. I agreed, as I was not guilty of any misdeed. My papers likewise were in order. Then it struck me that I had a coin in my pocket, as it was not in the tray. I dug it out, and there was relief all around. The guy and gals wished me well and said to have a nice stay.
In Dubai the customs are animals and keep barking out orders in their language. In Australia many a time they have dogs to greet you. One has to put one's hand bags in the centre and the dog on a leash is taken to the bags and sniffs each and every bag. Each Country has it's own ways of tackling a situation. We should not go there if we feel offended.
Trust me I am not in awe of the Goras. In my field I give them good (pay them in their own coin)whenever the occassion arises. I feel safe while travelling when so much care is taken for my/our own good.
It is only in India where we stupids put all these rich folks and ministers on a pedestal, and that is why we still have terrorists taking our a..and we are still servants, instead of being served.
Take the Star Mall at Andheri (w)you see foreigners entering from the Exits and going directly to the Mall, while our security (there are police woman as well)personnel wave out to them, trying to greet them in English like long lost friends. (mudering the language). When I asked them how come these people are given such liberties. They replied that they come to the Mall every day. ????
We are so ignorant and dumb that we will never change, as can be seen by Ambika Soni's statement about giving them tit for tat, Priyanka (supposed to be educated)almost calling him (SRK) God. Guess she wants more movies with him in future.
We Indians should wake up to the world and not expect them to do as we are accustomed to.
Norman - August 17, 2009 at 12:32 AM
- डॉ महेश सिन्हा said...
Its not a question of being SRK . can ordinary americans ready to face such consequences in & out of their country .
Indians have been a tolerant a lot , how long do you want ? they talk of globalisation ? where it is . paupers still dictating rest of the world ? - August 17, 2009 at 12:55 AM
- Sidhusaaheb said...
Television shows like 'Sach Ka Saamna' work, I suppose, because these appeal to the baser instincts of human beings.
Just as some enjoyed watching gladiators fight each other to the death in ancient Rome, others enjoy watching the 'contestants' on the show put their personal/professional relationships at stake on account of greed (induced by the prize-money).
I agree that the concept of privacy and personal space is rather alien to India, but how many strangers or even acquaintances ask questions designed specifically to create fissures in personal/professional relationships?
For example:
- A man/woman is asked whether he/she would cheat on his/her spouse if the spouse was unlikely to find out.
- A member of 'The Band of Boys' is asked whether he believes that he is the most talented band-member i.e. more talented than all other band-members.
- Vinod Kambli is asked whether he believes that his childhood friend Sachin Tendulkar did not do enough to help him while Kambli faced tough times. - August 17, 2009 at 3:01 AM
- P said...
WOW! you linked up quite a few things in this one! I agree about the "inquisitive" facade of an Indian's personality! And having to improvise on that in order to fit in the US was much more difficult than I imagined! I prided myself of being discreet and private! But this civilization introduced me to a new concept of 'personal space'! Consequently I find this naked display of personal lives far too crass!
My grandmother too talks about pre independence era and I think only those who lived in those times can TRULY appreciate the gift of "independence"! I have seen something indescribable in her eyes that conveys more meaning than her words. Somehow she has more tolerance (perhaps her age helps) and expectations! :)
There is one glaring discrepancy in her thoughts and yours.. she says India is still a baby and only teething! All the other developed giants of today are far older than her and She is catching up fast!! I dont know if this is pride but I kinda like to believe her cause she is anything but ignorant! :) - August 17, 2009 at 10:39 AM
- Harish said...
De I believe We are voyeurs. Lets face it. The "other" gives us more pleasure than whats idhar . And Sach ka Saamna, we love it "tadka maarke" . We dont like plain truth. We might not be dhokebaaz, but definitely are dramebaaz .Yes Yes, Rakhi said it very candidly... though that was her love for silicon, it had such a deep meaning. We are embroiled in takaluff and sharam ... But She believes in Karam. She thought, Channels Bought, and here we have the bride of the nation, who is still a spinster. Why a spinster? because woh "WOH" nahi karegi. Rakhi is definitely a brand... and everyone else will be measured taking her as a yardstick.
And will "woh" be shown on TV or film. Oh! then the film "Pati Patni aur Woh" will turn too graphic na??
India is still in denial of the word SEX. I read in Mirror today that the maker of (Triangle.. no Quadrangle... no no... pentagonal... OKAY>..) polygonal love stories - Ekta Kapoor's choice of a film title for her new flick had to be changed as the censor bhau's had an issue with the word "Sex" inthe title... (yes yes Reshma Ki JAwaani was extremely decent)
Speaking of another reality show besides, the swayamvars and truths... is Janta Ki Adalat with Rajat Sharma, from the blessed channel - India Tv. U have really missed something if you havent seen the show where he puts our much loved "Baba Ramdevji" on the witness box... and sambhavna seth and kashmira shah on the other... Sambhavana Seth told baba, "Aap Mujhe Yoga Sikhao, Main Aapko Dance Sikhati Hu... Saari Taaliyaan Na bhajaa daali toh dekhlena. " It was damn hilarious. Poor baba, he cleanses with yoga the moral standards of "supposedly" charitraheen girls.. but he cant cure his winking eye. Hai Hai.. Baba... we love you. Get well soon.
What a wonderful read this one is De. Ekdam jhakaaz article... - August 17, 2009 at 12:04 PM
- Anil Kumar said...
Baba RamDev is not a typical baba who will do his yoga and go away. He is a class act. We do need people like him to beat the shit out of media and bollywood who are bent on bring down the morality to new lows in this country.
He is the first yog guru who has helped millions with yoga and breathing exercises and at the same time has the guts to call modern herioines as sluts. Be it Aishwarya Rai or Rakhi Sawant. Because that's the definition of SLUT.
By the way Aishwarya has chest infection and it's a news. If tomorrow she farts it will be a BREAKING news. And there is nothing wrong in it...kyun Shobhaji. - August 17, 2009 at 9:33 PM
- Anil Kumar said...
Shobha Ji,
I was amazed to see your post and the justification for programs like "sach ka saamana" and "Randi ka swayamwar".
You sounded like a cheap agent of these two programs.
I have a simple question to ask you. In one of the episode of "such ka Saamana" a women was asked if she would like to have an affair if her husband doesn't know about it and she said "NO". The anchor did the lie detector test and said to that lady that you are lying. In that program there was her 9 year old son also and her neighbours were probably watching this as well.
Could you please enlighten us as what would the friends of that 9 year old kids will think of her mother. Also the neighbours of that lady will look for an opportunity to have an affair with her because the anchor of "sach ka Saamana" has scientific evidence for it.
Before you take the side of a Raand like Rakhi Sawant or some "haraam ki Aullaad" who produced and copied this program and threw it to the immature Indian society and Napunsak system...spend some time to understand the real HARM and INJUSTICE being caused to some greedy and/or vulnerable people who fall victim to the corporate money and creating a society where there is not much of a difference between a human and animal.
Remember a bitch get fucked up on the streets with a pack of 7-8 dogs following her. The kind of irresponsible media you guys defend, without any guilt or shame will make human relationship in India similar to that bitch's. - August 17, 2009 at 9:46 PM
- krish said...
Hey ......
Excellent , Enjoyed reading it immensely. hum to aap ke dewane hai.........the more i read the more i luv you
Kris - August 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM
- Unknown said...
enjoying this blog yar.. thanks for the posting...
Work from home India - November 7, 2009 at 10:05 AM
- aldrin james said...
I agree that this post is really great. I had a great time reading it and it has great information about menopause.
menopause symptoms - April 20, 2011 at 8:34 AM


text:
Submitted by lars.brandle on Fri, 2013-03-22 05:00
By Associated Press | March 22, 2013 5:00 AM EDT
Tony Bennett doesn't think Amy Winehouse's life was tragic. He believes the singer who died at age 27 lived a complete life because she was able to achieve her goal: becoming a respected musician.
"Her dream was to become famous and a beautiful singer and she accomplished that," he said Thursday night at the first annual Amy Winehouse Foundation Inspiration Awards and Gala, where he received the lifetime achievement award.
"Even though she had a short life, she had a great life because she ended up praying for the success that she wanted and it happened. This is what this night's about."
Bennett, 86, was honored at New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where attendees included Winehouse's father, mother and brother, her ex-boyfriend Reg Traviss, Harry Belafonte, Jennifer Hudson, Sean Lennon and producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, who was also honored.
Winehouse died in 2011 from accidental alcohol poisoning. Though troubled, she was a critical darling and earned five Grammy Awards for her sophomore album, "Back to Black." The foundation established in her name assists disadvantaged youth. It was launched in Europe in 2011, and last year in the United States.
Winehouse and Bennett won a Grammy Award last year for the duet "Body & Soul." Belafonte presented the award to Bennett, and even said Bennett introduced him to Winehouse's music. He brought on the laughs before he invited Bennett to the stage. Seconds after a loud thump was heard – Belafonte's cane fell to the floor – the 86-year-old said: "Excuse me, I just dropped my teeth."
Jennifer Hudson performed three songs at the event, earning a standing ovation from the crowd of a few hundred. Bennett and Belafonte – who sat together – even curled up with their wives as the Oscar and Grammy winner belted songs like "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face."
Hudson called the event "beautiful" and said Winehouse was "such a talent, such a gift." "Call me anytime for positivity," she said.
But she wasn't the only one who set the crowd on fire: Bennett also wowed with memorable performances of "Maybe This Time" and "Watch What Happens."
Rapper Nas, who was nominated for a Grammy with Winehouse this year for the jam "Cherry Wine," also earned an award, accepting in a video.
Article Source:Billboard.com


text:
I meant what I said, and I said what I meant; a tablet is faithful 100 percent. A mainstay in the world of picture books is going digital. Almost all of Dr. Seuss's best-selling children's books will be released as e-books this year, starting with 15 titles near the end of this month.
Digital picture books make up only a marginal portion of total e-book sales, a number that could increase with the help of Dr. Seuss titles. Yes, you too can curl up with your 2-year-old and your tablet. The first books to be released include "The Cat in the Hat," "Green Eggs and Ham," and "There's a Wocket in My Pocket!"
The president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises says the e-books will stay faithful to the classic print versions. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


text:
First Financial Bankshares: Small Bank, Big Innovation
Conventional wisdom states that community banks can't offer cutting-edge, innovative technology products as the big banks do, but they make up for that with more personal customer relationships. According to Jeff Casey, it doesn't have to be a case of sacrificing one for the other.
"We are a community bank and we pride ourselves on being involved in the community and being that local bank, but when it comes to technology we feel we are competing with the big banks," says Casey, senior VP of alternate delivery channels for First Financial Bankshares (Abilene, Texas; $4.9 billion in assets).
Casey says small banks can -- and indeed, must -- offer the same technology products to customers that large banks do, especially when it comes to mobile. Accordingly, Casey and his team of around 30 professionals have helped roll out an impressive array of mobile services for a community bank. First Financial operates 66 branches, primarily in Texas.
As 2012 dawned, First Financial didn't even have a mobile app, although it was in the works. Initially First Financial looked at mobile as an extension of online banking, Casey says, but quickly realized "that we needed to look at mobile as a strategic channel that's separate from online." After issuing an RFP, First Financial chose a mobile product from Austin, Texas-based Malauzai Software and rolled out its first mobile offering in March 2012. Mobile adoption soon skyrocketed, and Casey knew he had to add even more of the innovative mobile functionality that his customers desired. In November 2012, First Financial added a mobile remote deposit capture capability. And in January of this year, the bank partnered with Allied Payment Network, which leverages Mitek's Mobile Photo Bill Pay technology, on a mobile bill payment application that enables customers to pay bills using the camera on their mobile devices. First Financial was the first bank in the country to roll out this photo bill pay system, according to Casey.
More than 2,000 payments have been made via mobile bill pay so far, and Casey believes it to be an extremely important product. "Bill pay is a sticky product," he says. "If a new customer already has bill pay set up at another bank, they don't have to re-create everything inside our bill pay system, just snap a picture one time."
Which Way For Mobile Payments?
Though it has offered mobile banking for less than two years, First Financial has around 30,000 registered mobile banking users, about 30% of its online base. Additionally, Casey notes that between 5,000 and 7,000 of those are mobile-only customers, including not just new customers, but existing ones who switched to the mobile channel completely. Mobile also has produced a cost savings for the bank. Casey examined dollar amounts associated with customer transactions in each channel -- call center, branch, ATM and online banking -- and estimated that shifting some transactions to lower-cost channels, such as mobile, saved the bank $300,000.
But the mobile revolution at First Financial is only just beginning. Casey says he is exploring a mobile payment solution. "Right now we're in talks with vendors and figuring out which directions we want to go in," he adds.
Bryan Yurcan is associate editor for Bank Systems and Technology. He has worked in various editorial capacities for newspapers and magazines for the past 8 years. After beginning his career as a municipal and courts reporter for daily newspapers in upstate New York, Bryan has ... View Full Bio


text:
sat - 1.12.08 - Okay Mountain - Austin, TX.
Featuring: Michelle Blade, Kelsey Brookes, Alika Cooper, Jeremy Fish, Tara Foley, Matt Furie, Jay Howell, Josh Keyes, Anthony Lister, Hilary Pecis, Kyle Ranson, Andrew Schoultz, and Aiyana Udesen
32 - SF.CA - punksgitcut.blogspot.com
Pops bar and grill/ running for my life.
Somethings right about all that.
I like Austin so much, I've been there a bunch. I hope i can go to the show. I'm gonna tell everyone i'm going then not show up. You should have YELLOW FEVER play, that's my fav austin band right now besides VOXTROT. I heard BILL CALLAHAN lives there....get him to play and I'll be soooo happy. I also wanna get wasted with Sieben again. so good.
More work than i think is possible.
After party @Scoot Inn with bands Steak Fingaz and Total Abuse. 10-4am
< Prev | Next > |


text:
Editing File:Turning.jpg (section)
Your changes will be displayed to readers once an authorized user accepts them. (help) |
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.


text:
My Hero Academia Shinsou Hitoshi Short Purple Cosplay Wigs
Brand: Rolecos
Anime:My Hero Academia
Character: Shinsou Hitoshi
Material: Synthetic High Temp Fiber
Length: 30cm/11.81 inches
Color: Purple
Style: Wavy
Category: Cosplay Wig
Package: 1pc wig +1pc free wig cap
Cap Size: Average,suit for head circumference 58cm-62cm
Features: This cosplay wig is an hot anime wig and wavy designed. It is one of the characters featured in anime and suit for the halloween party.
Care Instructions: It is recommended to fluff and run fingers through wig to get out loose fibers before wearing. Teasing it can create a cute fluffy style. Bangs may need to be trimmed to suit your own face. Wig net has two elastic belts built in to shorten the circumference if necessary. Fibers are heat resistant, but we don't recommend heat styling unless you have previous experience or professional help. Temperature range is 250-300°F (120-150°C) for hot irons, 160-175°F (70-80°C) for hot water.
1.The size is adjustable and no pins or tape should be required. It should be fit on most people. All you should need to do is adjust the hooks inside the cap to the correct size to suit your head.
2.Please be aware that colors might look slightly different in person due to camera quality and monitor settings. Stock photos are taken in natural light with no flash.
There are no reviews yet.
Be the first to review "My Hero Academia Shinsou Hitoshi Short Purple Cosplay Wigs" Cancel reply
Related products
Beyond the Boundary Mirai Kuriyama 30cm Short Cosplay Wig Pink Women Anime Straight Party Full Hair


text:
French Moderns, featuring 60 works drawn from the collection of the Brooklyn Museum, chronicles one of the most dynamic, and beloved eras in the history of art. Divided by subject into four themes, Landscape--Still Life, Portraits and Figures, and the Nude--the exhibition shows how the basic conception of artmaking changed over the course of a century. It begins with the academic painters, such as Gerome and Bouguereau, whose meticulous realism and traditional subjects conformed to the artistic canons of the 19th century. It includes the generation of painters such as Millet and Boudin, who used looser brushwork to depict less conventional subjects, such as the beaches of Normandy and peasants and their flocks in the environs of Paris. The Impressionists, led by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas and Manet, exploded the conventions of both subject matter and style, depicting everyday scenes with bright color and expressive brush strokes. While their work was initially met with hostility and scorn, they are now among the best-known artists of all time.
The generation that followed the Impressionists pushed the boundaries of art even further, allowing color, form and brushstroke to take precedence over subject matter as the focus of their art. With works by Matisse, Bonnard, Chagall and many others who were drawn to Paris in the early 20th century, the exhibition shows how expressionist and non-objective art evolved from the experiments of the 19th century. In addition, works by Rodin, Degas, and other artists show how the freeing of form in painting extended into sculpture as well.
The presentation of this exhibition at the Figge is made possible by the donors to the Major Exhibitions Endowment, and by the following:
- The Hunt and Diane Harris Family Foundation
- Genesis Health System
- Arconic Foundation
- John Deere Foundation
- Twin Shores
- BITCO Insurance Companies
Organized by the Brooklyn Museum.
For a complete list of French Moderns programming, download our guide.
Claude Monet (French, 1840-1926). Rising Tide at Pourville, 1882. Oil on canvas, 26 x 32 in. (66 x 81.3cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Horace O. Havemeyer, 41.1260. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Partnerships and Collaborations:
Augustana Teaching Museum of Art
Augustana College
Ballet Quad Cities
Bereskin Fine Art Gallery and Studio
Bettendorf Public Library
Butterworth Center &
Deere-Wiman House
Creative Arts Academy
Davenport Public Library
Davenport Schools
Isabel Bloom
Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities
Living Proof Exhibit
Moline Public Library
Muscatine Arts Center
Nahant Marsh
Putnam Museum
Quad City Arts
Quad City Botanical Center
Quad Cities CVB
Quad City Symphony Orchestra
Quad-City Times
River Music Experience
Rock Island Public Library
St. Ambrose University Catich & Morrissey Galleries
St. Ambrose University
Western Illinois University-Quad Cities
Donors to the Major Exhibitions Endowment:
Marsha and Sam Allen
John Anderson
Bill Barnes
Andy and Debi Butler
Community Foundation of the Great River Bend
Don and Connie Decker
The Eirinberg Family
The Family of John H. Danico
Lynda and Jeff Eirinberg
Frances Emerson and
Robert McClurg
Jacki and Max Guinn
Perry and Elise Hansen
Marty and Sue Katz
Mary Lou Kotecki
J. Randolf and Linda Lewis
Brian and Diana Lovett
Mary Lujack
Pat and John Lujack
Ann and Frank McCarthy
The Henry Parkhurst Family
Vickie Palmer
Bill Prichard
Quad City Bank & Trust
Sue Quail
Julie and Alan Renken
Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors
Kay K. Runge
Debra and Randy Sergesketter
John and Diane Slover
Glenn and Ruth Gaines Thomas
Deann Thoms
Beth and Scott Tinsman
In Memory of R. Hovey Tinsman Jr.
Susan and Richard Vermeer
Jane and George Vieth
Charles and Nancy von Maur
Susan and Richard von Maur
Kim and Bob Waterman
Cathy Weideman and John Gardner
Our Sponsors
Mark and Rita Bawden, Debby and Hugh Stafford, Kay and John Hall, Cynthia Carlson and Scott and Raelene Pullen
Media sponsors are KWQC TV6, Quad-City Times and WQPT-TV


text:
Yet another loss of a giant in the world of law and economics. On December 19, it was Robert Bork. Today, we lost economist James M. Buchanan, Nobel laureate, George Mason professor, and one of the fathers of Public Choice economics. Regular readers of TOTM will know that several of us–including yours truly–have been heavily influenced by the insights of Public Choice (see, e.g., here and here).
I was alerted to Buchanan's passing by my friend and collaborator, Virginia Law's Charles Goetz, co-author of the Goetz & McChesney (now Goetz, McChesney & Lambert) antitrust casebook. I asked Charlie if he'd pen a few words in honor of Buchanan, his dissertation director and mentor, and he heartily agreed to do so. Here they are:
Nobel Laureate James McGill Buchanan has passed away and one less giant now walks the pathways of Economics, pathways that he extended and widened. Jim was my dissertation director, my mentor, my sometime colleague and coauthor—and my friend. There is an old compliment that denotes a man "a gentleman and a scholar." Jim was certainly both, to the quintessential degree.
I often reflect on how fortunate I've been with many things, but certainly among the luckiest of things was to be an Economics graduate student at the University of Virginia in the early 1960's. It was a golden time when Jim and a handful of others were midwifing the birth of what came to be known as Public Choice economics. I got to watch and listen as great men did great things.
I remember what an eye-opening experience it was for me to take Buchanan's year-long course in Public Finance. He was an incredibly effective teacher. He was far from a classroom showman, but had the genius of asking such devilishly interesting and revelatory questions. I have acknowledged publicly on a number of occasions that, if he could charge me for the intellectual value-added that he created in me, he would be owed a very large sum indeed. But I am profoundly in his debt, even if not in a pecuniary sense.
In the days and weeks to come, others will write many highly complimentary things about James M. Buchanan as a scholar. Deservedly so. I would have little new to add to that outpouring. Still, there is a revealing anecdote about Jim as a man that can come only from me, the sole witness and participant.
Buchanan generally had a very formal relationship with students and I understandably regarded him with awe and no little bit of fear. But, one day, he gave me a great big smile and told me a story that made me appreciate, for the first time, the lurking, devilish sense of humor that went with this proper Tennessee Gentleman.
"Goetz," he said, "you're a New Yorker, aren't you? But, . . . you're a pretty good fellow anyway."
"I often dislike New Yorkers because they act like obnoxious know-it-alls. There was a New Yorker like that in my class at Navy Officer Candidate school during World War II. This fellow didn't have much use for a simple Tennessee boy like me and tried to lord it over us country boys. But I fixed him."
"At the end of our OCS course, the Navy gave us a battery of tests that it used in allocating new ensigns to their first duty assignment. I started a rumor that this NY fellow had come out second in the whole class. At first, he denied it since, of course, he had no basis to believe it. Gradually, though, he began to accept congratulations and to puff up more and more about the compliments."
"Then I started the second rumor, about our further training to battle the Japanese: the first three men in the class were being sent to One-man Submarine School."
Somehow, I saw Jim with different eyes after that story. Maybe you will as well.
Requiescat in pace, J. M. Buchanan, the little-known joker and man of honed wit, wit in more ways than the scholarly. In the midst of our sadness, maybe a chuckle is good medicine.
Well-said, Charlie.


text:
I was drowning in debt.
I managed to finally get my head on straight and start to really take care of my finances. This after I already dug a hole with thousands in credit card debt.
I tried to do the right thing and pay off more than my minimum balance and tried to pay my cards (yes, more than one) on time every month.
I was living paycheck-to-paycheck in NYC in a small studio apartment. Even though the place was small it took up a nice chunk of my monthly income. I remember writing out those checks to the different credit card companies (this was before paying online was so easily available).
The beginning of the month would come and I'd pay my rent. Then I'd get to the card bills. I paid what I could over the minimum, with enough to still eat some kind of food, but it was killing me. I was paying so much every month to my credit card bills but I was barely, if at all, putting a dent in my debt (my debt was earning some nice interest against me for the card companies).
Keep in mind I take full responsibility for my debt. I made the purchases and dug the hole all by myself.
So I kept at it. As my credit improved I started to see offers in the mail for credit cards. One of them had a 0% balance transfer interest rate. I applied and transferred over a balance.
I quickly saw that I was able to pay off much more of my debt when I wasn't also paying off interest on thousands of dollars.
Balance transfer offers, especially ones with intro 0% APR's, were a big part of my getting out of debt!
Do you have a balance on your credit cards?
A balance transfer credit card can help you pay off your debt faster, just like it did for me.
How Does a Balance Transfer Credit Card Work?
With a balance transfer credit card offer the idea is to move one lump sum of debt from a high interest rate creditor (like a credit card) to another creditor at a lower rate (usually another credit card company).
For example, let's say you have a credit card with a $10,000 balance at 17% with Credit Card Company A. You get an offer in the mail from Credit Card Company B for "0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months" and quickly decide that 0% is a lot less than 17%.
You call in, complete the application, and are granted a $10,000 line of credit. Your new credit card company (Company B) sends your old credit card company (Company A) a check for the $10,000 balance and you now owe the new credit card company (Company B) the money instead.
Your new card doesn't charge you interest on the balance transfer for the introductory period, so whatever you pay goes right to your balance. Where before, part of your payment went to interest it's now paying off your debt faster. Of course, make sure you pay more than the minimum to really take advantage.
When Does a Balance Transfer Make Financial Sense?
Moving money from one card to the next does you no good if you can never pay off the balance.
A balance transfer only makes sense if:
- you'll be paying your card on time every month.
- you can be approved for the new line of credit needed to complete the transfer (you usually need to have at least good credit, if not better, to get approved)
- you can afford to pay off the debt during the balance transfer offer (or at least make significant progress against it)
- you won't rack up new debt on the credit card you just transferred the balance off of
If you can't handle these four things, a balance transfer isn't for you.
If you miss a payment during the introductory period, your low rate could immediately disappear to be replaced with a higher interest rate that could cost you even more in the long run. One late payment may be all it takes to ruin your offer. Make sure you have some system in place to make sure you pay your credit card on time.
And you're going to need a good credit history, maybe even an excellent one. This makes sense when you think about it. Why should a card company offer you a low rate if you're a risky borrower? Getting rejected for a card will look bad in your credit history. If you received a pre-approved offer then they should already know about you but if you are the one looking then you want to make sure your credit is good before you apply.
A balance transfer that you can just barely afford does help, but you won't make any significant progress on your debt and will have to hope you can get yet another balance transfer in the future. If you don't stop overspending on your other lines of credit you will just end up with two big balances to pay off rather than one.
How Do I Know the Best Balance Transfer Card Offers?
Here are five significant factors you need to look at before taking on a balance transfer offer.
1. What is the rate?
The first factor to know is what the new interest rate will be on the balance transferred to the new credit card.
Most offers are for 0% for a certain period of time, but there are some banks and credit unions that offer flat rate at 4% to 9% based on your credit history. (Obviously 0% seems better than 4% or 9% but make sure you are looking at the other factors below as well.)
The rate you receive is one of the largest factors in your decision to do a balance transfer. If you can drop a 17% debt down to 0% or 4% you are going to save a ton of money on interest payments.
2. What will the new monthly payment be?
This is key in determining how much of a dent you will be able to make in the debt.
For example, if your $10,000 debt at 17% is constantly making you spend $300 more than you earn — you're going deeper into debt — and the balance transfer drops your payment to $295 per month you really aren't improving your situation all that much. Yes, you aren't going further into debt. But when the balance transfer offer runs out you will either need to find a new balance transfer offer or be stuck paying the higher rate that comes after the intro. period ends.
That kind of balance transfer helps you stop taking on water, but you're still stranded at sea. You'll need to find other ways to cut back, earn more income, or both in order to work on actually paying off the debt.
The best situation is where you have a little extra money left over each month and a balance transfer (with a significant interest rate reduction) gives you enough breathing room to actually pay the debt off during the balance transfer period. (Or if not completely paid off, a huge portion of it wiped out by your extra payments.)
3. What is the length of the offer?
Some balance transfers promo rates are for 12 months. Others 15 months. And yet others 18 months. I've even seen up to 24 months, or two years of introductory APR.
The length of the offer significantly changes how much of an impact you can make on the balance. If you knew you could choose between 12 months at 0% and 18 months at 0%, you would choose 18 months every single time.
Yet sometimes the offer that is mailed to you is just for 12 months. Sometimes the market is such that you only see shorter offers while other times you get longer ones. You can't control that. But getting an offer with 3 or 6 extra months might result in you completely paying the debt instead of just paying off a portion of it.
4. What are the balance transfer fees?
This is the unfortunate part where you learn that performing a balance transfer will cost you money 99.9% of the time.
Most major companies now charge a balance transfer fee of $10 (or some other nominal amount) or 3% of the balance that you transfer over, whichever is higher.
That means transferring that $10,000 balance at 17% to a new offer for 0% for 12 months (to keep using our example) is really costing you 3% instead of 0%. You'll pay the $300 in balance transfer fees just to get started.
However, even with that kind of fee in place if you can drop 10%, 14%, or 20% off of your rate you are still coming out ahead as long as you actually pay the balance off.
Sometimes you get lucky and find an offer that has no balance transfer fee. They aren't always out there but it can sweeten the deal to move to a particular card if all other factors are good for you.
5. Is there an annual fee?
Most cards these days have a basic version without an annual fee. You usually bump up to an annual fee card in exchange for more perks like an increased cash back or a bigger miles bonus.
But you still want to be aware of any annual fees. If the card you're considering has an annual fee and you aren't getting some perk that's truly useful to you then you're reducing how effective your balance transfer rate it.
Some Great 0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Credit Card Offers
You've read this far so you're obviously interested in a balance transfer card offer (and you are intelligent too 😉 ).
Here are some great offers to consider. Make sure to read all of the details from the card issuer before you sign up to make sure the card fits your needs.
Discover it® Card
This card from Discover offers up a generous 18 months of 0% APR on balance transfers* (variable APR of 10.99%-22.99% after). You also get the benefit of 6 months of 0% APR on purchases* (variable APR of 10.99%-22.99% after). Note that there is a 3% fee on balance transfers.
Discover recently revamped their credit card lines to change how people think about their cards. Their aim is to give consumers a fair card with no annual fee, no over limit fee, no foreign transactions fee and no pay-by-phone fee. And get this, no late fee on your first late payment (but hey, aim to not pay late anyway)! And if you do happen to pay late, hey it happens, they won't increase your APR*.
And then there's their Cashback Bonus® program. Get 5% cash back for online shopping and department store purchases through Decmeber 2014 on up to $1,500 in purchases (make sure to sign up for the extra bonus). Get 1% on everything else (the 1% is unlimited).
Here's a compelling new feature — you get a free FICO® credit score on your monthly statement! This is a pretty great perk. Every month you get to see where your credit stands and if your spending has affected your score.
The new Discover it™ looks like a great card for balance transfers as well as an overall credit card.
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
You're getting 15 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers with this card. The intro rate also applies to purchases as well. When the intro APR rate ends you'll have a variable APR which is currently 12.99%-21.99%.
This isn't just APR goodness here, you're also getting a cash rewards card. You earn 3% on grocery purchases (up to $6,000 spent per year), 2% at U.S. gas stations and select dept. stores, and 1% on everything else. (Terms and restrictions apply.) You get your cash back in the form of Rewards Dollars that you can redeem as a statement credit.
Speaking of rewards, there's a bonus of 50 Reward Dollars when you use your card to make $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of having your card. And if you meet that bonus requirement you can also get Amazon Prime free for a year! Getting 2-day shipping on most items at Amazon is a nice thing to have.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card is a great card whose reward structure is easy to understand. You're also getting a nice 15 months of 0% intro APR on your balance transfers and purchases, all with no annual fee. See our Blue Cash Everyday review.
Citi Simplicity® Card
A nice 18 month 0% balance transfer card from Citi. You also get 0% APR on purchases for 18 months as well.
If the long duration 0% balance transfer wasn't enough, the Citi Simplicity is special in that there are no late fees, annual fees or penalty rate hikes if you make a payment late.
The balance transfer fee is 3% of the transfer or $5, whichever is greater.
This is great for someone who has a large balance to transfer that will take a while to pay off and they are still working on a good system to pay their bills on time. (Citi Simplicity Review)
Final Word on 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card Offers
All of these cards can help you save money on high interest credit card debt.
But you have to carefully consider your options and needs before you apply. If you have a low to moderate amount of credit card debt, one of the cards with a shorter intro period and rewards might better serve your purposes.
If you have a higher balance, though, you might be better served by choosing a card with fewer frills — but with a longer period in which to pay off your debt.
You can make great strides in tackling your debt using a balance transfer credit card. But you are only helping yourself if you don't dig yourself deeper into debt and you actually take that low- or zero-percent interest period and pay more towards your credit card balance.
*This content is not provided by Bank of America. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, however this site may be compensated by Bank of America.
* See the online credit card application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button, you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the issuer's website. Discover is a paid advertiser of this site.


text:
In case you missed it, much is being made of what happened Thursday at the White House when a 10-year-old girl stepped forward at a take-your-children-to-work event with first lady Michelle Obama to say:
"My dad's been out of a job for three years and I wanted to give you his résumé."
The moment comes at the 17:25 mark of the video the White House has posted. You can jump to that point by clicking here.
The Associated Press writes that "the first lady seemed a little taken aback but then explained to the other children, who might not have heard the girl's comment, that the matter was 'a little private, but she's doing something for her dad.' " Obama said "got it" after she took the résumé.
According to the AP, the girl is named Charlotte Bell. Her family, the wire service says, "had joked over the weekend about making a job pitch to the first lady, but her parents didn't know she would give it a try, according to her mother, an executive branch employee who did not want to be identified."
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


text:
The Greenhouse Gallery exhibits the works of up-and-coming and established artists who work with culinary themes. Providing artists with a space to show their work not only enhances the overall ambience of the room during events, it's also in keeping with the Foundation's mission to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America's culinary heritage and diversity. Past exhibits have featured mouthwatering food photography, romantic watercolors of mealtime still lifes, and exuberant mixed-media collages.
Here are some of the crumby titles I came up with: