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* Prices may differ from that shown
I bought this as a pocket camera for when I don't want to lug my SLR around. The main feature that attracted me was the huge 12x zoom lens, which at the time was unsurpassed.
There are a LOT of scene modes on this camera, in fact, it can become confusing to decide which to use, particularly as they all have slightly different features and amount of 'adjustability'. In a lot of ways, it would actually be less confusing just to have a manual mode, but one is not provided. There is a mode where you can adjust a myriad of settings without a specified 'scene', but the picture taking is still automatic.
The picures are good, but can be a little noisy and over sharpened. They are sometimes over exposed, and not all modes can have exposure compensation. The bracketing is also only plus or minus one stop, which is not enough.
However, the zoom is amazing, and the picture and video quality great for normal use, so all in all I have been very pleased.
The TZ7 is a good all-rounder. With a splendid 12x Optical Zoom, a variety of picture modes, and two formats for High Definition Video, this is the perfect camera for your travels. It's very easy to use. Stereo mics give excellent sound reproduction, and although there's no viewfinder, the clarity of the screen and contrast more than compensates. The only thing I did struggle with photographing was a volcano erupting by night - but we were fairly distant on a ship at the time - you'd have needed a physically huge camera to have captured glowing lava on the side of a mountain anyway.
For videoing, I tend to favour using the AVCHD Lite, but beware; not all photo/video software on computers supports this format - if in doubt, use the other format Motion JPEG. Fortunately, iPhoto on the mac has recently begun support AVCHD Lite.
To get the most out of this camera, add a fast high capacity SD card.
I have had this camera for 18-months now, and I must say, I love it!! It was a present from my father who has been obsessed with photography for many years and really did his research. I'm not a photographer, I just like taking photos, without needing to adjust too many settings - yes I like to just point and press! The beauty of this camera, is that you can make it as technical and accurate as you want it to be. If I have time, I adjust the settings, but even without changing size, exposure, using macro etc I have captured some fabulous pictures which I will treasure forever. The buttons are a good size, the menu is reasonably simple, the pictures are very quick to download and the sound quality is impressive on videos. It also has a face recognition feature which will memorise facial features once programmed to pick out a person ie, your child in a school carol service, using that as the focus point - genius! The battery life is good, but if you are turning it on and off a lot, it uses it quicker, you are better letting it go to standby. Also, if you are holding it a long time, it gets quite warm and that reduces the battery life, but if you are aware of that, it is fine. I only really have a couple of negatives really. The screen is very sharp, but in bright sunlight, it can be difficult to see and with no viewfinder, it can be rather tricky to see what you are taking! Also, at night, getting the settings can be hard work, I either end up with an over exposed image or a big blur! This could be user error though! The price has come down a little since I got it, so I also feel it is really good value, but would suggest screen protectors, a case and a spare battery!
The TZ7 is a compact camera which I can take with me when I can't be bothered lugging around the SLR. It is small enough to fit into your pocket, or to hang from your belt.
The pictures come out looking good for a digital camera, as long as you aren't shooting in the dark. The flash tends to over brighten the object closest to you. The lens is good, the zoom is amazing, it goes all the way up to 12x. This also does 720p video, which look quite good on a HDTV but its a shame it doesn't do 1080p.
The great thing is that you can use the optical zoom while taking video, which is not the case with some other cameras. The noise that the lens makes when zooming isn't picked up by the microphone either so you don't have to run the videos through a filter on the PC to remove any unwanted sound.
Talking of sound, this camera comes with stereo microphones which with the microphones being so close together you would think it wouldn't work so well but you'd be pleasantly surprised, the quality of the sound is pretty good. The LCD Screen on this is a 3 incher and looks fantastic. It has adaptive brightness so it dims automatically depending on the light.
If you know what you're doing you can manually go through each of the settings to get what you want, at the moment I let the camera do all the thinking, but in order to take better pictures it would be beneficial to learn about all the different settings and what they do. If you know what you are doing you can adjust exposure compensation, white balance, bracketing, ISO, colour temperate etc.
When the camera is in automatic mode it detects what settings to use depending on what you point the camera at. If for example you are taking a picture of a plant, the camera will go into macro mode and show the icon of a flower, or if your shooting some scenery. It has modes for snow scenes, portrait pictures, beach scenes, party scenes, scenic photos etc. The camera can also detect the faces of people that are stored in the camera and will focus more on them, whilst displaying their names near them, which is a very handy feature. You would have to program the faces of your family or friends into the camera first though, but that is not too difficult.
Connectivity wise, it is very easy to get the pictures of the camera, you just plug it into your PC and the media is right their to print/view/email/copy. You do not get a carry case with the camera and only get one battery but the battery does last quite some time, i can normally get a days full shoot out of one battery, it would be an idea to get a spare battery just in case though.
Overall I would recommend the TZ7 even though it does not give you the best results when shooting in low lighting but not many digital cameras do. And the rest of the features more than make up for it. These can now be picked up for about £200, which is a bargain.
I have owned this camera for almost a year now, and I can say it's easily one of the greatest and most worthwhile gifts I have recieved. The quality of the images on the camera are exceptional down to the very last detail, the colours are vibrant and hold a fine sharp quality, especially when uploaded onto a computer and blown up into full size.
The optical super zoom feature of the camera is simply quite amazing, I personally found it very useful for taking images of concerts from a distance without losing any of the image quality, but I'm sure it could be utilized in many other interesting ways I have yet to experience. The digital zoom feature is also great, providing an even further, yet still clearly zoomed image for the earlier stages of zooming using the camera's default features.
I was also stunned by the HD video quality produced by the camera, which is actually better than my standard video camera in terms of quality, the only issues with this I have found are when you are zooming in while recording the zoom focus can blur and sometimes take longer than expected to focus in on the desired place.
In summary it's an excelent camera for professional picture quality in your pocket, for those who want a portable camera but also an acceptable standard of image clarency I highly recommend this camera.
I've had this camera, the Lumix TZ7 for about 10 Months now. It has to be probably the best amateur digital camera available at the moment. Certainly I find myself grabbing this when Im off out more than any other camera I own.
At first glance, it would be fair to say that it doesn't exactly have the highest technical spec of any camera out there. Its modest 10megapixels are nothing to shout about compared to others in its price range which can have upto 14MP's. HOWEVER.... it makes up for this lack of megapixels in sooooo many other ways.
(On a side note, you REALLY don;t need even 10MP's....... I rarely take pictures at more than 6/7. Why? You ask.... well... pictures at 10MP's have huge file sizes. and with the amount of pictures I take it would be an expensive task buying storage to keep pictures that can be upto 20megabites each. ALSO its worth noting that a 7MP file will happily be blown up to A4 size with no visible loss in quality if you get it printed professionally...)
Anyway, back to what makes this camera stand out :
*THE ZOOM: many of the camerras i've bought over the years have a frankly, PATHETIC optical zoom. That is, real zoom caused by the movement of the lenses, as opposed to digital zoom which is a software way of getting closer to the image by cropping the edges off. The 12x optical soom means you can get up close to the thing you're taking pictures of with no loss in quality. This is especially useful when taking pictures of animals and landscapes. Where you cant always get as close as you might like
*WIDE ANGLE LENSE: in the past, if you wanted to take a scenic shot, you had the option of taking several photos then using Photoshop to combine them into one image, if you were lucky, the camera combined them for you. With the Lumix.... the lense is wider than most cameras meaning you can get alot more in.... Not only is this useful for landscapes, but also for photos of groups of people.... you can get closer to the action
*INTELLIGENT AUTO... THIS REALLY IS SOMETHING TO TAKE NOTE OF : every camera has some sort of auto photo mode. However the Lumix cameras really have refined this. It can detect faces, turn the flash on and off... EVERYTHING basically that helps you get the perfect photo first time. That said, there are also plenty of manual modes for those wanting to be creative. Compared to most other point and shoot cameras, this one has the functionality to let you be creative, if you so choose.
I have been using this camera for well over a year now and can still say it's exceeds all expectations. Whilst the User Interface is simple to use (Simple set to IA Intelligent Auto) it still allows more experienced users to adjust numerous factors. On a shopping trip to New York my girlfriend was even able to use the camera! Set to IA the images it records are sharp, clear and balanced.
Battery life is more than sufficient for a days photography, infact I only recharged the camera once during a 4 day trip to New York.
Build quality is as strong as you would expect from a Panasonic Camera. The rugged body hasn't dented, scratched or dulled in months of day to day use.
When considering the ease of use, build quality and features of this camera it is easy to see why it's best seller. Optical zoom, red eye reduction, Intelligent Auto and scene adjustment make it a perfect choice for beginners or more experienced camera users alike.
I bought this camera a few weeks after it came out to replace my very old camera. I researched this for a while checking out lots of good reviews. I was very impressed and mainly drawn to this model by the big Leica lens with a massive 12x optical zoom. Leica is one of the best camera makers out there as they make cameras which cost thousands. This is basically the little sister of the 'Leica V-Lux 20'. They almost look identical except Leica's costs around £500. This makes the TZ7 very good value for money as you get the same camera and lens just with Panasonic's circuitry inside.
The camera comes with all the manual features you can think of in a compact camera and the intelligent auto is very good. For point and shoot with a bit more control, there are several scene modes (time-lapse is under starry sky mode). This sorts out all the settings for a particular scene.
I have taken great pictures of far away subjects at 12x zoom and as its 10mpx resolution, you can zoom in even closer on your PC to small details. However the camera shake is magnified as well so I would recommend a tripod for far away shots. Even though the camera has very good shake detection, it doesn't work as well when zoomed in.
I would also recommend buying a case like I did with this camera as you can buy ones made for different sizes of camera. It's useful for me to have as little bulk as possible when carrying it out and about so getting the right sized case is the best way to reduce bulk and protect your camera properly. For anyone wondering, i bought the 'Lowepro Apex 30AW' case for £15 off amazon. It comes with a velcro belt attachment, a shoulder strap and a waterproof cover as well. I got this one as there were plently of reviews saying it was like a 'made to measure' case for the TZ cameras.
I hope my review persuades you into buying this camera like other reviews have for me! It's a fantastic camera overall and I use it all the time. I'm even starting to use the HD video a lot more than I used to as it's amazing quality and you can zoom while recording. The 2 dolby digital microphones also make the audio fantastic. Overall, an amazing compact camera for the price.
I bought this camera somewhat on a whim with the new version being released and the reduction in price. I was already aware from some friends (one of which used to work in a camera shop) that this camera is a great piece of kit.
With the additional memory requirements and a case the cost neared £200, but that's still good value for money. The camera comes with a small amount of memory but it's not nearly enough to make good use of the full 10 mega pixels on a day out.
Unlike some competitors it supports a standard memory format in SD or SDHC (meaning high capacity), this makes upgrading the memory quite cheap.
Personally I would recommend getting a case, my friend broke his by treating it to a drop in sand and sea. This to me was a worry as the first use for mine was the Bournemouth air festival which turned out to be a rainy few days. Despite the conditions, the camera not only survived but it provided both crystal clear images and video at full zoom.
As a camera it offers a large array of settings for novices, amateurs and experts alike. It's most basic setting does almost all of the work for you and from there you can change it to allow you to do almost anything you can think of for a camera to do. I have made use of the tracking system to keep fast moving aircraft in focus for a sharp picture and the feature surpassed my expectations. Other nifty features I had not come across include the facial recognition system allowing you to register faces on the device so that it recognises them in photos.
The 12x optical zoom is a massive selling point, it does further that with a considerable digital zoom made possible by the high pixel quality. The screen on the back is crisp and large. It fits snuggly in your hand and the controls are intuitive yet precise. I can safely say this is my proudest purchase of recent years and I look forward to snap shotting memories with it.
It's only marked down on reliability and quality because I have yet to test the battery capacity, my friend's broke when he dropped it at the beach and the body is made of plastic where metal would have maybe better.
My boyfriend bought me this camera at christmas and it is fantastic. It gives a high quality of picture with a number of different scene settings from landscape to portrait to beach to fireworks and so on! The zoom is fantastic, even when zoomed in, it gives an excellent quality picture. It has been used out in the snow and a little bit of water caused no damage - pictures again were a good quality. It has been to Amsterdam and Italy and has taken some absolutely amazing sunset pictures. It is easy to alter the shutter speed to take some fantastic night pictures.
There is an auto function for those that are less competent with cameras and there is also facial recognition and auto focus. You are able to look at the pictures by date and add titles and place names to them to make it clear where they are taken (excellent facility if travelling and you don't want to forget names of places!)
Best camera I have ever had, shame the boyfriend keeps trying to steal it to use himself!! Maybe we'll end up getting another!
I bought the Lumix TZ7 just under a year ago now and must say it is one of the best cameras I have bought. The picture quality is crisp, the camera is packed with features and it is easy to use even for me!
There is a useful AI mode that automates the focus, lighting and speed so all you need to do is point and shoot. It also has a manual mode where you can adjust the settings yourself.
The video is the main reason I bought this camera. It shoots high definition at 1080p and responds well to shudders and movement. The sound is clear but I faced a problem of sound distortion when I placed my finger over the mic - which is inconveniently placed at the top of the camera. I shot a some footage only to realise when I played it back that the sound juddering - not pleased..!
Other than that I would say this is a great camera and would highly recommend it.
Wanting a small compact but high quality small camera for taking out and about as opposed to my canon slr I invested in this camera. I was drawn to the HD video capabilities and have not been disappointed - the video quality is excellent and the sound quality impressive compared to other small cameras with this capability. The colour tone on the still pictures is less good than the slr but the large monitor is clear even in bright sunlight and makes good shots easy to obtain. On the downside I dislike the need to use a switch to go into playback mode - it makes reviewing shots a slow and clunky process. The scene modes are fun and in particular I like the black and white and pinhole camera settings. Overall as a good camera to have "in your pocket" this camera is a great buy and the zoom lens is excellent especially if you like to take pictures whilst out walking.
This camera clearly demonstrates that Panasonic can manufacture excellent quality compact digital cameras. In fact, if you want a step up from this model, my suggestion would be a digital SLR, although of course they are also a step up in size.
I had not really associated Panasonic with making high-quality cameras as my previous experience with them had been the Exilim range, which is good, but there the design focus was clearly on creating a slim, easy-to-use camera.
The all-important picture quality
This is superb. There are a range of simple, easy-to-use features which allow you to adjust the camera settings so that it takes gorgeous pictures in even low-light conditions without flash. The best is the white balance auto-adjust. Through this, you point the camera at a white object and it "learns" what should be white, just as your mind automatically colour-corrects in low light conditions. So, if you are taking a shot in yellowish indoor lighting or simply in low light conditions, the camera will compensate so that the colours come out looking the same as you see them with the naked eye.
Styling and build quality
This is no disappointment. The camera's build feels like a cross between a large Ixus and a nice pre-digital compact Olympus cameras which my brother was a fan of. Certainly, in terms of size, it is bigger than an Ixus but it also houses an excellent lens and its pictures pack more of a punch. The brushed metal gives the camera a sturdy, solid feel. Best of all is the very generous-sized LCD display, which is extremely crisp. The menu system is also easy to navigate, although not quite intuitive.
I love taking photos for web design, and about a year ago I decided I needed to upgrade my camera. I wasn't after anything fancy, just a simple point and shoot, but I wanted one of the best available so it would last a few years.
After hours of reading reviews and trawling the web, I narrowed it down to a Panasonic Lumix TZ7 and an LX3. Unfortunately the LX3 was out of stock pretty much everywhere at the time, so I opted for the TZ7.
Lumix cameras are well-known for their great lenses, and indeed it does have a big lens as you can see from the picture. This camera doesn't have the tiny form factor that make others popular and attractive, but the quality of the pictures is much more important to me.
Over the past year I've used this camera in a lot of different settings, and I've found that whilst it does produce very good photos in bright light, darker conditions and underwater conditions produce very noisy (grainy) and sometimes blurry photos. This is annoying because the camera's screen always shows previews of the photos that are much better than the actual result, which I feel is misleading. However, if you're intending to use this camera in the daytime, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I have taken lots of photos of interiors and people inside with this camera, and whilst the photos do benefit from forcing the flash on rather than leaving the camera to decide, they aren't that bad. So it's not completely unusable in darker settings.
The camera can shoot high definition video, which looks good but is a bit ruined by the noise of the lens zooming in and out. You can see an example of an underwater video with the Lumix TZ7 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWv90s9dSSo (please note that the camera on its own isn't waterproof and you're looking at £200-£300 for underwater casing).
If you're willing to spend time doing post-production editing of both videos and photos, then this camera is probably a good choice. However, I do feel somewhat let down by the quality of the photos in general as they are nowhere near as amazing as people had made out in reviews. Incidentally, the two later releases of this camera, the TZ9 and TZ10, both have much poorer reviews on Amazon and don't seem to rectify the problems of the TZ7.
I have played around with the many settings on this camera. Many of them are quite non-technical, so you can select from scenery, sunset and a range of others. Others, such as the size of the picture and ISO are more technical, but a novice wouldn't find them too difficult to switch between. I would say that this camera does require a bit of fiddling to get the right settings - I tend to stick to default and then change the settings based on the resulting screen preview. Obviously this isn't ideal because the screen preview is often so different from the actual finished image, but it helps to take the same picture with a few different settings where possible.
As the camera is 10.1 megapixels, it's good for those who want to print large photos. As I use my photos for webdesign this isn't really as important to me, and smaller photos often do yield better results overall and have the advantage of taking up less space on my memory card.
The camera also has an impressive 12x optical zoom, which basically means that the camera can 'see' much further than a human and take photos with more detail at a distance.
I've only got really old 128MB memory cards, but photos aren't massively slow, which surprised me. I am going to invest in higher capacity SDHC cards though - class 6 is recommended if you're shooting HD video.
The camera comes with a Panasonic battery and wall charger. Please do read the charging instructions carefully before using so you get the most out of the battery. I find a full charge of the battery usually lasts about 8 hours or so, so it may be worth investing in a spare. These are quite expensive at about £30-35 for a genuine Panasonic battery; however I think it's worth it because you're assured of the compatibility, quality and safety. It's also worth noting that replacement batteries are compatible with other cameras in the TZ7 range if you have an older version or are thinking of upgrading to the latest.
There's also a USB cable to connect to your computer and transfer photos. The accompanying CD also includes an in-depth Photo Studio with a lot of features for editing and organising your photos. I do find that this is a bit slow and I prefer to use a combination of Windows folders and Photoshop for organising and editing.
This camera doesn't come with a case so you'll need to buy one to keep it safe. You also might want to buy something to clean the lens as it does seem to attract dust, though this hasn't affected the photo quality in my experience.
I bought mine from Currys, but you can also buy it on Amazon for about £180; it's come down in price a lot since the newer releases.
Overall, I have quite mixed feelings about this camera - it does take great photos in daylight, and well-detailed photos of people and scenery, but if you're looking for a very versatile camera or take lots of shots with little light then this probably isn't for you.
If you'd like to see some examples of photos I've taken with the Lumix TZ7, you can check out my photo gallery here: http://www.blossom.nu/photo-gallery/main.php (please note that not all photos were taken with my TZ7; going into a photo's details will tell you whether it was or not).
Technical details:
25 mm ultra wide-angle 12x optical zoom LEICA DC lens in compact body
HD movie recording in AVCHD lite with Dolby stereo digital creator
Advanced intelligent auto mode with face recognition and movie iA mode
3.0 inch, 460,000-dot high-resolution intelligent LCD with wide-viewing angle
Venus Engine HD with HDMI Compatibility and VIERA Link
(More information on the tech specs can be found at Amazon).
Thanks for reading.
Having needing to buy a new compact digital camera, I had an ask around friends and family as to their recommendations or personal preferences. My Dad told me he had bought the Panasonic TZ7 whilst in Singapore and that I should check it out as he'd had nothing but photos and video since getting one.
I decided to research into the camera a little, visiting sites such as Trusted Reviews who gave a full video demonstration, example images and technical details. I found it has 10 mega pixels, a 12x optical zoom and a lovely big 3" viewing screen which showed the pictures and video with brilliant vivid colours.
The layout is incredibly easy to use and the menus are very simple and straight forward. There are a few special setting which aren't so necessary, with 23 in total! The one touch HD video recording is also very quick and simple with videos recording in 720 HD quality.
I'm so impressed with this camera that I recently recommended it to my father in law who was after replacing his aging Fuji. He tested ours for an hour or so and was so impressed that he bought one straight away from Amazon.co.uk.


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Just an octopus, happy, at play
Then we zoom out (we know that we may)
And it seems that the odds
Say that cephalopods
Are involved in the Last Judgment Day
(Took these pics today. Can you guess?)
It's out of this world! And so very nice,
In the barrens of Mars, to have dug up some ice!
My prediction today? That intrepid explorers
Will soon find the signs of some Naked Ice Borers!
This is not the only country on my trip, but I am certainly glad it is one of them! I have wanted to go to Greece since… I think my first presentation on the Parthenon in 4th grade, or maybe earlier, reading the children's versions of Greek mythology. Of course, ignorance being what it is, I have had quite a learning experience here. As someone (Between Mark Twain, Ben Franklin, and Will Rogers, there is a 99% chance of one of them having said just about anything) is alleged to have once said, "it's not what you don't know that gets you in trouble, it's what you do know, that ain't so". I have such vast quantities of both categories here that it would be tough to say which wins out.
But anyway, it is Friday the 13th and I have had a wonderful day. So the Friday Limerick topic is Greece–broadly defined.
There once was a lady from Hellas
Quite a favorite with all of the fellas
From them all, she chose one,
But was having such fun
With the rest, that she just wouldn't tellas
There once was a Byzantine Monk
In a bit of a Byzantine funk
So he took his small flock
To the top of a rock
Where he thunk, and he thunk, and he thunk
[imagine a photo of a Meteora monastery here. I will edit it in when I have bandwidth to load it.]
It's slimy, yet furry and squeaky;
I think you'll agree that it's freaky;
But beyond all dispute
Is the fact that it's cute–
And I found it in Thessaloniki!
(this one is worth clicking on–it's just so cute!)
It should make you worry when you
Find your cousin on the menu
At a pleasant Greek Taverna at the Galaxidi shore
It was Greece–so I was fated
Once I'd eaten, and was sated,
To be punished by Poseidon like I never was before
We were looking at the ocean
When there came a funny motion
Just a little instability I felt beneath my feet
Then the sidewalk started moving
Like the gods themselves were proving
We were just a little early when we called them obsolete
We had traveled through the epicenter town about 2-3 hours before the earthquake hit. The photo above is indeed from the Taverna in Galaxidi where we had just eaten when the sidewalks started imitating the ocean.
I am wand'ring the earth, to its ends
But I feel that I must make amends
While I've traveled, I fear
I've neglected you here–
So a picture, or two, of some friends!
(I took these just a couple of days ago…)
Thank you all for your wishes and greetings; I have a bit of forced downtime today on a bus ride, so I may have time to compose something… or maybe to sleep, perchance to dream…

subset: commoncrawl


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When Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins used the 1993 Academy Awards ceremony as a soapbox to speak out against Haitians being detained in Guantanamo Bay for having HIV, they got themselves barred from ever attending the Oscars again. Two years later, they attended together -- and Sarandon won for Dead Man Walking .
Years before that, Jane Fonda was labeled a traitor to her country for her vocal opposition to the Vietnam War. Now, though some still question her tactics, Fonda is considered a pioneer and a hero by liberal antiwar activists.
There's nothing new about celebrities going out on a limb to shine the light on inequality and injustice -- but it doesn't change the fact that when they do, rest assured, they get attacked.
Take Rob Thomas -- smart, talented, certainly good-looking. As front man for the band Matchbox Twenty, he racked up a slew of hits. Partnering with Carlos Santana for the smash hit "Smooth" paved the way for a successful solo career, which has so far yielded the hits "Lonely No More" and the current chart-topper "Her Diamonds."
Up until recently, you'd have been hard-pressed to find much of anyone who has anything particularly negative to say about Thomas. Then he called Pat Robertson the devil.
He did it on Twitter ("If I believed in the devil, Pat Robertson might be him," were his exact words), and the hate mail started to flood in.
But that was just the beginning. The reference to Robertson was part of a bigger "Twitter-versy," as Thomas calls it. Thomas's big issue of the hour? "Why two people of the same sex shouldn't be able to make the same lifelong commitment and (more importantly) under the same god as straight people."
He followed it up with an excellent column for The Huffington Post . Titled "The Big Gay Chip on My Shoulder," the article, which Thomas wrote days before the California supreme court's decision to uphold Prop. 8, references McCarthyism, questions the motives of a "misdirected" Christian right, and suggests that straight people have an obligation to stand with their gay brothers and sisters for basic civil rights.
It's one of the most passionate pleas written on behalf of marriage equality, and it's written by a straight man who simply recognizes the need for "acceptance."
As he prepares for the release of his new album Cradlesong (in stores June 30), Thomas talked to Advocate.com about his passion for equal rights, his night with George Michael, and those "fucking great" rumors that his wife caught him in bed with Tom Cruise.
Advocate.com:It's been four years since your last album, (2005's Something to Be) -- did you finally take a break between projects or were you working the entire time?Rob Thomas: Mostly working, because when we put out the last solo record -- [ laughs ] we… I have a problem with my pronouns, because I'm so used to being in a band. I put out the solo record and then, there was like a year of touring that record. And then, as soon as we were off the road, we took maybe a month or so and started with a Matchbox record -- recording that, promoting that, and touring that. Understand, I've had a real job -- this is better. [ Laughs ] But it just constantly keeps going. Because I chose to have the two jobs of Matchbox and the solo stuff -- this would normally be the break between Matchbox records.
So you're a workaholic, then?Well, you know -- when you love your job, it's easy to not look at it that way. But my wife has to remind me sometimes to take a break.
The album is getting comparisons to all sorts of artists -- INXS, Tom Petty, Willie Nelson. Do you consciously try to channel certain artists when you're writing?Sometimes you do that in the production stage. But for the songwriting I really try to have as little pretense about any of it as I possibly can. I just go into it with a melody in my mind and I follow that melody until it's a song. Then, later on, I worry about, sonically, how it's going to come along.
You snagged Alicia Silverstone for the "Her Diamonds" video -- it's very different from the stuff she used to do for Aerosmith.Well, and I'm sure that's what she wanted to do. Dave Meyers, who directed the video, and who is just one of the best video directors... he's friends with her. We got out the look books of all the people that people had in mind when we were casting, and it was all of these models, these kind of Maxim girls. Because this song is a metaphor for this girl who has been crying so long, she's literally frozen by her fear and her pain, and because it's an acting job that's all in the face, we needed to have someone who we felt, her face and her eyes could tell the story. Alicia just has one of the most interesting faces, and her eyes are kind of dark, but haunting at the same time. Her idea was the wig, it wasn't mine, but I love the way she came across -- I think she looked amazing.
Well, and congrats, the video looks great.Thank you -- I'm really proud of it.
Another thing you should be proud of, and this is not so much a question as a comment -- your Huffington Post article on marriage equality is truly superb and is getting so much attention.Thank you -- I'm so glad that it has had the resonance that it's had. The Huffington Post is amazing in the sense that they let you write about whatever you want to write about. I could have written about pancakes. But I have a lot of gay friends, and I have a lot of friends who are in long-term relationships. A lot of people, when we talk about these social issues and civil rights issues… because the economy is in such a bad place and we're worried about nuclear war, some people say, maybe this isn't the time to worry about these issues. But if we're not worried about the inner sanctum of our quality of life, then the other stuff doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense to save the earth if you're not saving it for some sort of a purpose. So the idea of how people are allowed to live the days of their lives is more important than ever.
Do you remember when you first became passionate about this topic… I know this isn't the first time you've talked about it. Is there a moment you can pinpoint?I think even in high school -- I was the kid in high school who a lot of the kids stopped hanging out with because they thought I was gay because I had gay friends. But I was never put off by it. If you need to put me down and you think that being gay is a put-down, then you're probably an asshole. I always had that thing where I thought, Really? You think I'm gay? OK, cool. Now, more than ever, with Prop. 8, it's a much more timely issue. And I wrote it a couple of days before the last verdict.
You have a lot of conflicting messages as well -- you have a vice president with a lesbian daughter who, the whole time he was in the White House didn't support gay marriage, but now, all of a sudden, he supports gay marriage. And you have a president who, obviously, I support… but I'm really disappointed in his lack of a stance on the issue as well. The best thing that he's done is try and push it off on the states, which I don't think is a great idea, but it's the only recourse that there is right now, the idea that maybe you can systematically get the states to do it and then it will fall into place. But that's not going to help people in some really red states. It's not going to help people in Tennessee.
One of the things people are accusing Obama of right now is that he's seeming very out of the times on this issue. What's your take on that?I think so. He's a politician. He won the lottery of being the main politician in the world. You can't expect a straight answer. I don't think that now, in this time, this is any more of a relevant issue than it was 10 years ago. I think this was a relevant issue 20 years ago too. I think now, luckily, it's just becoming an issue that more people are passionate about. And the more you see it, the more people realize this isn't an isolated issue, this is all over the world. This is my neighbor, this is my friend, this is my teacher.
Something people seem to have a hard time grasping.Well, if you think about the absurdness and the arbitrariness of the argument... I have friends who are conservative and, when they started talking about the idea of teachers being able to say that they're gay… being able to be openly gay teachers, there was an uproar. They're scared of some sort of gay osmosis happening to them -- they don't want a gay teacher teaching their kids because their kids will be gay. But they don't realize that the teacher's already gay. They're just talking about being able to be openly gay. So it's not some sort of a gay osmosis. If your kid is gay, it's already happened -- it's done.
I always think, "don't ask, don't tell" doesn't just apply to the military -- it applies everywhere. And it's even in our language. We have this idea of tolerance in our community. That's the wrong message to teach. Tolerating something means that in spite of the fact that something is wrong, you'll tolerate it. I'll tolerate that you're gay. I'll tolerate that you're black. I'll tolerate that you're latino. I think we need to teach acceptance and the difference between loving someone for who they are and tolerating them. Even in our vernacular, we teach that. "I'm OK that you're gay." Well, "Fuck you. Of course you are. Why wouldn't you be?" "I'm OK that you're black." "Well good for you, you've validated me. I'm so happy for you." [ Laughs ] It's so embedded in our culture, unfortunately, we still have a lot further to go with people.
Like many celebrities, you've been the subject of gay rumors -- there was, of course, the Tom Cruise rumor. Were you shocked when you read that?Oh come on, that was fucking great.
It was pretty brilliant.Are you kidding me? It could have been me and Screech from Saved by the Bell . But Tom Cruise is a pretty big star. I ran into him a couple of years ago at some NASCAR event and, after everything, it was so surreal. I said, "Hey, hey, come here. You're my boyfriend."
So if the tabloids gave you the opportunity to hook yourself up with someone, who would it be?OK, hold on, let me think. It wouldn't be Tom Cruise -- no offense to him, but… Maybe Snatch -era Brad Pitt. My wife has a crazy crush on Michael Pitt, and I get that one -- he's a cute guy. My wife and I are pretty good at going back and forth on her girl crushes and my guy crushes.
Do you each have a list?Yeah, it's always when you're watching the movies. She's like, "Well, I think he's hot," and I'll say, "Well, I don't get it." We were actually talking about this, certain guys -- remember Val Kilmer during Top Gun . He was this gorgeous guy and then, something happened to him. Not just getting older, but completely becoming this different human being. Same thing happened with Jason Patric -- like in Lost Boys , who was better looking than Jason Patric? And then, boom -- this crazy switch over.
We're starting to notice it happening with Brad Pitt -- he's arguably one of the best-looking men on the face of the earth and, little by little he's starting to make this transformation.
Yeah, well, doesn't he have something like eight kids now? That'll do it to you.[ Laughs ] Yeah, you're right -- God, eight kids.
What do you make of the celebrities who seem to get deeply offended by the gay rumors?I think you definitely have resentment in your heart if those kinds of things bother you. It's telling of their point of view. It would mean when they meet a person who is gay, they think there's something wrong with it -- wrong enough that they don't want it to be them. I'd understand it if somebody said, "Hey, you're a child molester." But if you're Pat Robertson, you don't know the difference. Gay and bestiality and child molestation is all the same, which is why I think he's the devil. But I think it does say something about you, and I think it means you have a certain amount of intolerance, even if you keep it down low and you don't talk about it. You're definitely saying there's something wrong with being gay.
I'm half gay on my mother's side, Ross… I don't know if you know that about me.
Oh, are you?[ Laughs ]
So you've got to tell me the story about you smoking George Michael while you're talking about Pink Floyd's The Wall .Well it started with… I just couldn't believe how much he hated The Wall, and I find that a lot of guys of that age that are English can't stand The Wall because they liked Pink Floyd before and considered that the jumping-off point, whereas me, at 37, that's when I first was introduced to Pink Floyd and then I started listening to the earlier stuff later.
But the smoking -- I know George, he's a friend, we have the same manager, and we hang out when we get a chance… I do this thing where I pretend to smoke celebrities, like a bong. I know that it's the most childish thing you could ever do. That's the reason I do it. When you meet people, and you have a few drinks and talk to them, it's fun seeing who's up for it -- who has the sense of humor where they don't take themselves too seriously, they're up for it. George, of course, was up for it because George doesn't care. So I actually got a great pic of George where he was smoking a spliff and I was smoking his toe.
Not many people can say that.Yeah, George is a good guy. He is, in my opinion, a true gentleman. He even handles his misgivings in a great way. I've never seen someone so eloquently speak up for himself and own up.
So now that the solo album is done and you're ready to hit the road and start promoting it, what are the chances of getting another Matchbox Twenty album sometime soon?Hopefully. We're going to start doing some writing right around the time we start hitting the road for the solo, and then hopefully after I'm done touring, we'll have some stuff ready to get started on. We're so spread out now -- I'm in New York, Paul's in L.A., Kyle's in Nashville, and Pookie's in Florida. We're so spread out we have to be equally inconvenienced now when we make a record.


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February 26 1932
Mr. William G. Morgan
Lockport, N.Y.
Dear Mr. Morgan:
It was very nice of you to give our Historical Library the pictures and copies of the first set of rules. I wonder if we may not secure from you a description of the development of the origination of the game? We would like to use same together with a cut in one of the issues of the College at Springfield. Any interesting human incidents in connection with the early history of the game would be appreciated I am sure by all of our Alumni.
Thanking you for giving the material to the college I am,
Very Cordially,
Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.


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Batting in second spot not first choice for Rizzo
After 'uncomfortable' time at No. 2, Cubs slugger back in three-hole
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
LOS ANGELES -- Anthony Rizzo was back where he feels he belongs in the lineup, batting third for the Cubs, and hopes he is never inserted into the No. 2 spot again.
Rizzo batted second for five games for the Cubs, and was 7-for-24, hitting two home runs in his first game there last Wednesday against the Nationals. Did it make a difference?
"No, it didn't," Rizzo said Monday. "It really didn't, in my opinion. I was very uncomfortable there in the two-hole but it was what it was and, hopefully, I never go back."
What made it uncomfortable?
"It's more an ego thing," he said. "I've never hit second in my life. If you're the second hitter, you're someone who gets guys over and bunts and slaps and what not. I think our lineup doesn't call for me hitting second. You see the Cardinals and [Carlos] Beltran hitting second, but that's because he has nowhere else to hit. I was there and I tried to make the best of it. Dale [Sveum] says it best, it's just a spot in the lineup. I just didn't like it much."
When Sveum, the Cubs manager, made the switch, he said the change was not going to be long term.
"Who knows if any of that stuff works," Sveum said. "Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't."
Rizzo was batting .177 with runners in scoring position, and part of the reason the move was made was to give him more at-bats without having to try to think about driving men in.
In December 2010, the Red Sox dealt Rizzo to the Padres as part of the Adrian Gonzalez deal. Rizzo was asked if he ever talked to Gonzalez about dealing with the ups and downs of the game.
"You can't expect everyone to be Superman every day," Rizzo said. "[Gonzalez] had a good year last year, just not an Adrian Gonzalez year. ... You look at everyone's career and they've had monster years and a down year."
Does Rizzo feel he has to be Superman?
"I expect myself to be," he said. "When the time is there, I'll be where I need to be."
Just as long as he doesn't have bat second again.
"I hope it's the last time I'm ever in the two-hole, unless we have a power, monster lineup," Rizzo said. "I made the best of it there. I thought I'd have the bunt sign a couple more times and I didn't."
Cubs almost called on outfielder Bogusevic to pitch
LOS ANGELES -- If Sunday's game hadn't ended when it did, outfielder Brian Bogusevic would've switched from left field to the pitcher's mound to finish things up because the Cubs had run out of relievers.
Bogusevic was a pitcher early in his pro career, then converted to the outfield. He did fill in June 7, 2012, in an emergency situation for the Astros, pitching one inning in relief against the Cardinals.
"We were getting blown out and they knew it was coming," Bogusevic said Monday of the 14-2 loss. "They told me at the end of the seventh, beginning of the eighth that I would throw the ninth, so I knew it was coming."
The Cubs and Padres played 12 scoreless innings before both teams exchanged two runs in the 13th. The Padres eventually won, 3-2, in 15 innings.
"Yesterday was different because we weren't getting blown out," Bogusevic said. "If we would've gotten to that point [that he needed to pitch], it would've been a tie game. I don't think I'd need much time to warm up, being loose for five hours."
Does he want to pitch again in a big league game?
"I hope never," he said.
Extra bases
• Despite having a ball glance off his face, twisting his back and ankle during an at-bat Sunday, Nate Schierholtz was in the Cubs' lineup on Monday.
Schierholtz hurt himself on a swing in the 13th inning against the Padres. The bases were loaded, and as he was running out of the batter's box, first baseman Jesus Guzman fielded the ball and threw home, but the ball deflected off the left side of Schierholtz's batting helmet and brushed his face.
"He got pretty lucky on that one," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said.
Schierholtz was unlikely to start Tuesday against Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw.
• Sunday's game, a 3-2, 15-inning loss to the Padres, marked the second time the Cubs have lost a game in which they led by two or more runs in the 13th inning or later. The other was a 13-inning loss to the Reds on April 22. The Cubs lost only one other game in that fashion over the last 50 years (1964 to date) and that was a 6-5, 15-inning loss to the Phillies on Sept. 29, 1980.
Sunday's contest also was the Cubs' 99th in franchise history that lasted at least 15 innings. They now are 47-42-10 in those 99 games.
The Cubs and Padres played to a 0-0 tie through the 12th before each team scored twice in the 13th. It's the first time the Cubs played in a scoreless game through at least 12 innings since defeating the Astros, 1-0, in 16 innings at Wrigley Field on May 31, 2003.
Even more amazing is that the Cubs played to a 0-0 tie through 12 innings on the road for the first time in more than 100 years. They last did so on the road on June 17, 1910, when the Cubs and Brooklyn were 0-0 through 12, and the Cubs tallied in the 13th for a 1-0 win.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: I have been curious about the reason the previous owner put three large-head screws in the end of the muffler on my 94 K75, but I never have asked anyone. It looks like he used whatever he could find (mismatched screws). Does anyone know of a good reason for the insertion of the screws? See photo.


text:
Holiday Rental Homes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
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2 Bedroom Character Cottage in Shakespeare Country / Cotswolds borders
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is the name given to a range of hills in central England, sometimes called the "Heart of England", a hilly area reaching over 300 m or 1000 feet. The area has been designated as the
Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
. The highest point in the Cotswolds is Cleeve Hill at 330m/1083ft.
The Cotswolds lie within the current ceremonial counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. The county of Gloucestershire forms the largest area of the Cotswolds.
The spine of the Cotswolds runs southwest to northeast through six counties (see note above), particularly Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and southern Warwickshire. The northern and western edges of the Cotswolds are marked by steep escarpments down to the Severn valley and the Avon. This escarpment or scarp feature (sometimes called the
Cotswold Edge
) is a result of the uplifting (tilting) of the limestone layer, exposing its broken edge. The dip slope is to the southeast. On the eastern boundary lies the city of Oxford and on the west is Stroud. To the south the middle reaches of the Thames Valley and towns such as Cirencester, Lechlade and Fairford are often considered to mark the limit of this region. However, key features of the area, especially the characteristic uplift of the Cotswold Edge, can be clearly seen as far south as Bath, and towns such as Chipping Sodbury and Marshfield retain elements of Cotswold character.
The area is characterised by attractive small towns and villages built of the underlying
Cotswold stone
(a yellow oolitic limestone). This limestone is rich in fossils, in particular fossilised sea urchins. In the Middle Ages, the wool trade made the Cotswolds prosperous. Some of this money was put into the building of churches so the area has a number of large, handsome Cotswold stone "wool churches". The area remains affluent and has attracted wealthy people who own second homes in the area or have chosen to retire to the Cotswolds. Jeremy Clarkson of the BBC motoring programme Top Gear lives close to Chipping Norton
Typical Cotswold towns are Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway, Burford, Chipping Norton, Cirencester, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Winchcombe. The village of Chipping Campden is notable for being the home of the Arts and Crafts movement, founded by William Morris at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. William Morris lived occasionally in Broadway Tower a folly now part of a country park. Chipping Campden is also known for the annual Cotswold Games, a celebration of sports and games dating back to the early 17th century.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Cotswolds were designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1966, with an expansion on 21 December 1990 to 1,990 square kilometres. In 1991 all AONBs were measured again using modern methods. The official area of the Cotswolds AONB increased to 2,038 square kilometres. In 2000 the government confirmed that AONBs had the same landscape quality and status as National Parks. 2006 is the 40th anniversary of The AONB.
The largest of 40 AONBs in England and Wales, the Cotswolds AONB stretches from the border regions of South Warwickshire and Worcestershire, through West Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire and takes in parts of West Wiltshire and Bath and North East Somerset in the South.
The Cotswold Way is a long-distance footpath (approx 103 miles) running the length of the AONB.
The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens Service was established in 1968 to help conserve and enhance the area. There are now over 300 Wardens. In 2005 they gave over 36,000 hours of their time.
The M5 motorway and Cross Country rail line run north - south close to the western boundary of the area. The M4 motorway and Great Western Main Line cross the area in the south as do the A40 road and Cotswold Line in the north. Cheltenham is a hub for National Express coach services.
Note on counties
Between 1974 and 1995 parts of the AONB fell within the newly formed administrative and ceremonial County of Avon. After 1995 Avon was divided between four administrative unitary authorities with 'shadow county' status, the relevant ones for the AONB being South Gloucestershire and Bath and North-East Somerset. For ceremonial purposes these counties are returned to their pre-1974 lord lieutenancies.
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1. Would you have been as reluctant as Bella was to accept the gift of a new car, even one as extravagant as the Mercedes, from someone like Edward?
-hmm... i dont think so... i like bella, but in many situations, she can be soooo anoing... come on, girl, he loves you and wanna protect you, why do you have to be sucha pain in the neck??
2. Did you feel Charlie was justified in putting up the various posters of Jacob around town or should he have left that up to Billy? Remember, even as the police chief, Charlie doesn't have jurisdiction over the reservation.
-charlie loves jacob, for shure, but i dont think he was the one who has rights to make that call (about posters). he should'ov leave that to billy.
3. What were your thoughts about the way Charlie reacted to the engagement? About how Renee reacted?
- i think charlie could react much worse... kinda hoped he will... and renee... its funny on a not-so-funny way... come on, she has bad experiences and now shes just triled to see that here 18-years-old doughter is gonna do some?? come on... how real that could be??
4. Were you nervous for the wedding at the end of this chapter? Did you think Jacob would show up?
-in some older books i like jacob alot... but now?? omg, hes soooooooo stupid... he likes reneesme??? LITTLE GIRL!!! kinky!!!! no, nvm... what did i wont to say?? hmm... jea... so... i hoped that he will show up and that he wont do somethink stupid like he olmost did... so, he showed up, olmost did something stupid and he was anoing me rest of the book


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See what happens when The Lady Risks All
The passionate new love story from number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae, Stephanie Laurens...
Neville Roscoe, notorious and enigmatic, lives resolutely outside society, bound only by his own code of honor - until challenged by his desire for the one woman he cannot have.
Miranda Clifford is a lady imprisoned by rigid respectability - until tempted by a passion beyond her power to deny.
Flung together in peril, through danger and intrigue, they discover a love impossible to ignore...or keep.
©2012 Savdek Management Proprietary Ltd. (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers
Well up to Stephanie Lauren's usual standard. There was an interesting twist to the story. Very easy listening
"Good entertaining story but disappointing narrator"
S.L. is an automatic download for me, so I was surprised when I started listening to this book that the narrator wasn't the usual S.L. narrator Simon Prebble, however I thought I would give him a chance. I didn't like his voice and had to put it on double speed in order to listen to the book so if you can do that or just persevere with the narration then the story should not dissappoint. (play 'Sample' to listen for yourself and decide).
Great characters are involved in a dangerous plot of greed and, as Roscoe and Miranda set out to rescue her brother, they become more and more attracted to each other even tho they know their romance is doomed and cannot go anywhere, they just can't say no. It's a detective/romance as they both try to unravel the mystery of who, what and why.
Worth a credit? Despite the narration I would say Yes but please find another narrator for the next book.
"Another excellent rendering by this author"
Excellent story line and masterful reading
tough to describe only one as the mystery surrounding Roscoe is finally unveiled
Good delineation of moods and characteristics of various characters
the sadness of Roscoe's perception of self as hopeless to move on to a morre satisfying way of life
"Narration is so bad I can't listen to the book"
Bring back Simon Prebble
I love Stephanie Laurens but couldn't listen to the naration
Maybe reading the book would be better
"Spectacular Story"
All aspects of the book was very well done. Great storyline. Mr Brenher one of best.
"Classic Laurens!!"
There is a couple of reviws who don't like Matthew Brenher's narration. Obviously they are new listeners to Stephanies books as he narrates a few of her books. I have listened to better but I would not say he is on the worst scale by any means.
Awesome to have a wee crossover to the Black Cobra Quartet books, albeit a small one. I do love her books and anyone who has read them will as well.
This is a must have to any Laurens fan library.
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text:
It's pretty cool to get to 40 home runs because there are a lot of guys who haven't done it. Considering there's a few weeks left, if I keep being consistent, maybe I can end up a few homers north of 40.
I'm also just the second Diamondback to ever reach that mark. Being in the record book along side Luis Gonzalez is humbling. He's done a lot of great things for this organization and I hope to follow in his footsteps. That includes a World Series as we go about making this a winning franchise again.
It's a little surreal to see my name up there among the leaders in the category. I grew up watching Albert Pujols and all of these other great sluggers. To be among the league leaders in a category like home runs is really cool. At the same time, there's still a lot of baseball left and I'm going to keep playing and keep trying to do my thing.
Most hitters don't go up to the plate thinking they're going to hit a home run. I do think along those lines in certain situations. Maybe it's late in a game, or it's a tied ballgame, its on your mind. Other times I'm just trying to put a good at-bat on the pitcher. Every now and again I get one.
This is my second full season in the big leagues, and while I had a nice year last year, I think the big difference for me this season has been my ability to be more consistent. Last year I was up and down at times. Yeah, I hit homers and drove in some runs, but this year I haven't had as many bad streaks as I had in '08.
This year I've had days where I don't feel very good but I've been able to get a blooper to fall in or do something else to help the club. The main difference has been that consistency.
Cutting down on my strikeouts is also something I've been working on. I worked on it in Spring Training a lot but at times I felt like I was sacrificing a lot to just not strikeout. I've obviously struck out a lot this year but I've been able to pick myself up in other areas.
From a mental standpoint, I've been better about not taking my bad at-bats out to the field with me. I've also been able to block out what people write or say about me striking out. I've really taken that approach about myself on the whole. I just don't care. I don't read it. I just go out and play.
As long as I have a jersey hanging in my locker, I'll keep plugging along.
Mark Reynolds slugged his 40th home run of the season on August 29, capping a month in which the 26-year-old Diamondbacks third baseman hit 11 of them. Currently, Reynolds' 41 homers are second in the majors to Albert Pujols' 47.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Jenny's Raw Recipe Blog
I'm excited to share my latest easy raw recipes, tips, and techniques with you in this raw recipe blog. Whether you're new to raw foods, interested in easy raw meals, or need a popular question answered, I want to help you learn the secrets of delicious, easy raw food preparation. Drop me a comment, and we can start a conversation. Never miss a post by signing up for my blog either by email or by RSS feed.
Raw Kid-Friendly Foods
Raw Food Child's Play: Salad Spinning
Posted on June 01 2014 | (2) Comments
Category:Raw Kid-Friendly Foods
So many parents I know are understandably worried about what their children are putting into their bodies. A terrific way to turn young eaters into healthy eaters for life is to turn them into masters of the art of salad-making.
Salads are an ideal gateway for introducing kids to a raw food kitchen because salad-making is so simple. Salads are fun, too, because kids can be super-creative mixing fruits, nuts, colors, textures, and more.
Turn your kids into raw food fanatics with my easy-to-prepare Taco Salad.
3 Easy Steps To Get Kids To Eat Raw Foods
Posted on March 01 2013 | (0) Comments
Category:Raw Kid-Friendly Foods
Here's help to turn kids on to eating healthy fresh fruits and vegetables with 3 easy steps. The trick is to let them prepare their own raw food recipes.
Family Not on Board with Raw Foods?
Posted on February 25 2013 | (3) Comments
Category:Raw Kid-Friendly Foods
Top Kid-Friendly Raw Foods
Posted on February 19 2013 | (1) Comments
Category:Raw Kid-Friendly Foods
I don't have kids myself, but based on the experiences of my students who do, here are my top kid-friendly raw recipe recommendations!
Help Kids Stay Slim with Raw Food Dessert Recipes
Posted on October 03 2011 | (0) Comments
Category:Raw Kid-Friendly Foods
Kids need lots of energy to run, jump, play, and do their schoolwork. And just like adults, it's important for them to keep their body fueled with small meals and snacks throughout the day. The problem: too many snacks can mean too many calories.
Kids and calories are the reason my September newsletter includes a story on nutritious snacks like raw nut butter spread on apple slices and 'ants on a log'...which is nut butter spread on celery with dotted with 'ants' that are actually raisins.


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The Skatepark Off Broadway
Poteau, OK 74953
The Skatepark Off Broadway is a 12,000 sq. ft. concrete jungle for those who enjoy the thrill of a fast-moving...Learn More
The Skatepark Off Broadway is a 12,000 sq. ft. concrete jungle for those who enjoy the thrill of a fast-moving...Learn More
Park your car in downtown Poteau, and prepare to explore the largest shop in the...Learn More
The Tower Drive-In Theatre in Poteau is the largest drive-in screen in southeast Oklahoma. This fully digital movie...Learn More
Venture inside Triple H Army Surplus in Poteau to find army surplus items up for grabs. Visitors will come across...Learn More
Vickie's Beauty Boutique is a lady's paradise, filled with a variety of goods sure to brighten any woman's...Learn More
The LeFlore County Museum is located inside Hotel Lowrey at the corner of Dewey Avenue and Witte Street in Poteau, but...Learn More
Poteau's Town Square hosts a myriad of events throughout the year, bringing community members together for special...Learn More
Patrick Lynch Public Library in Poteau contains a genealogy section with many resources. Many early Le Flore...Learn More
Sidewinder's retail shop in Poteau specializes in custom graphic t-shirts with a unique flair, as well as...Learn More
MJ's Treasures & Butterfly Kisses in Poteau is a unique store in downtown Poteau. Stop by to browse a mix of...Learn More
9 hole course with putting green, pro shop, snack bar, swimming pool and tennis court. Average greens fee $15-21. This...Learn More
Cavanal Hill is boasted as the world's highest hill at 1,999 ft above the surrounding terrain. Cavanal Hill derives its...Learn More
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The Peppercorn Antique Mall, located in historic downtown Poteau, offers a variety of antiques and collectibles for all...Learn More
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Take a self-guided walking tour of Historic downtown Poteau to see charming buildings, street facades and surviving...Learn More
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO: CA-07-0833 COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS PLAINTIFF VS. DUSTIN D. HART; STEPHANIE L. HART; ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN PARTIES CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER, AND AGAINST THE HEREIN NAMED INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANT(S) WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE DEAD OR ALIVE, WHETHER SAID UNKNOWN PARTIES MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST AS SPOUSES, HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES OR OTHER CLAIMANTS; SEVILLA AT WORLD COMMERCE HOME- OWNERS' ASSOCIATION, INC.; MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC.; JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE AS UNKNOWN TENANTS IN POSSESSION DEFENDANT(S) RE-NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to an Order Granting the Motion to Reset Foreclosure Sale dated October 14, 2008 entered in Civil Case No. CA-07-0833 of the Circuit Court of the 7TH Judicial Circuit in and for ST. JOHNS County, ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida, I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash at the FRONT DOOR OF THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER of the ST. JOHNS County Courthouse, 4010 LEWIS SPEEDWAY, ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida, at 12:00 Noon on the 25th day of November 2008 the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to-wit: LOT 82, OF SEVILLA AT WORLD COMMERCE PHASE ONE, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 53, PAGE(S) 46-54, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA. Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens, must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. Dated this 20th day of October, 2008. Cheryl Strickland Clerk of the Circuit Court By Linda G. Barton Deputy Clerk In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), if you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Court Administration Office at (904) 827-5617, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, Florida 32084. If you are voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8770. L3144-8 Oct. 24, 31, 2008
Posted from 24-Oct-08 to 31-Oct-08
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The Oregon Court of Appeals has ordered the state to hold up on enforcing new gillnet fishing rules in response to a challenge from commercial fishermen.
The court's order came Monday in response to a request from two Oregon gillnet fishing leaders who argue that the state Fish and Wildlife Commission's decision last December violated several state laws.
The commission voted to ban the use of gillnets to catch fish on the main stem of the Columbia River, relegating the primary commercial-fishing tool to side channels and tributaries.
The court order noted that neither the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife nor anti-gillnet groups opposed the stay request. The stay will remain in effect while the legal petition proceeds.
The gillnet ban was pushed by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, who hoped to mediate a longstanding conflict between commercial and recreational fishermen while moving to new methods of commercial fishing.
The Washington state Fish and Wildlife Commission voted in January to phase out gillnet fishing on the main stem of the Columbia River by 2017.


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July 1, 2009
Peter Facinelli Introduces Rob DeFranco's Bikini Dance
Thanks, Souson!
10 comments:
he's got to be a good sport to do that. Omg..it was hilarious.ReplyDelete
Wow...I watched like five seconds. Too embarassing, but at least he has a good body.ReplyDelete
That was just as funny as joe jonas dancing to it.. but more eye candy lolReplyDelete
What a trooper, good choice of music!! Must be a very good friend of Peter's to do this for him. Reminded me of a Frat initiation.ReplyDelete
Oh my is rightReplyDelete
apart from the fact that I was laughing it was sooooo wired @_@ wow lolz
"Thank you, sir. May I have another!"ReplyDelete
OMG!THAT'S SO FUNNY , LMAO WHILE WATCHING THE VIDEO.FUNNY & WERID!SO WRONG , BUT FUNNY!HAHA!ReplyDelete
He owned it - what a sport!ReplyDelete
Can someone email me and tell why my laptop will not show me the videos on this website? email@example.com
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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A poll can be added, but it might be cleaner to close this thread and start a new one, to allow the discussion to focus on the poll results.
I voted Jonas and Demar. Two nice pieces to build around.
none of them. i would like to say lowry,ross, derozan,davis, and val because i like the guys but there is no elite talent there and that core isnt going to amount to anything. the enitre thing needs to be blown up if we have any chance at being relevant
I voted for Valanciunas. He's the only player I would 100% want to keep.
- probably the next closest to 'untouchable', given his contract, age and potential
- hasn't shown enough to wow me, so he'd definitely be on the block for the right offer
- until/unless he gets extended, there's always a risk that he simply walks after his contract, which automatically makes him a tradeable asset
- why would you shell out huge money to a guy who's going to be 27 in March, if the team is starting over and won't be ready to contend for playoffs for at least 2-3 seasons?
- I've been getting frustrated with him and I am starting to see him as little more than a more skilled Bayless (too much hero ball, poor shot selection, not good facilitator for teammates, overrated defender)
- I love the improvement he's shown this year, especially after arguing to keep him over Amir each of the past two offseasons
- solid backup PF, but easily replaced
- despite offensive improvement, he's still a defensive liability and he has no outside shot
- if Toronto does decide to start a complete 3-5 year rebuild, I would think that if a team offered a top-10 pick in a loaded draft class (ie: 2014) and allowed the franchise to get out from under DeRozan's huge new contract, you'd have to strongly consider it
- also, if Ross is kept, I don't see the point of keeping 2 SG (and no, I don't think either is big enough to be full time SF)
I don't think anybody else is even worth mentioning... which really speaks to the overall talent level of this current Raptors team, despite what BC says!
Last edited by CalgaryRapsFan; Wed Dec 12th, 2012 at 06:16 PM.
Demar, Val and Davis.
I like Lowry, but I'm starting to wonder if he's not the best fit as our PG long-term.
Didn't vote for Ross. I hope he makes me look like an idiot for not doing so. For what it's worth I think he can become a solid player that comes off the bench to give a team an offensive boost. I think he will be a pretty streaky player.
Last edited by Ed Davis; Wed Dec 12th, 2012 at 06:17 PM.
I selected JV and Ross.. only because they are our new bloods and can turn into Marc Gasol 2.0 and Ray Allen 2.0. Still not convinced DeMar is good enough to keep long term, and I have soured on Lowry. Lowry reminds me of Deron Williams. Looks like a great player, but when he plays/played for a bad team he becomes awful.
Lowry is our best asset. If we blow this up then he could net us a nice pick or could be used in a package to help remove some of our dead weight for a decent return.
So I assume everyone voted for JV, Davis, DeRozan, Ross and Lowry right? lol seriously thats our core right there. This off season we can probably sign Pietrus for longer and shed Klieza and Anderson or just Klieza, Anderson and Pietrus have personality and IQ will work hard in the minutes given plus they are vets Klieza is well... Klieza.
I voted for Val and Davis. Val because I think he can be a very solid center for years to come. I voted Ed not because he had a great game last night and that I think he is the answer at the 4 spot, but I think we can sign him to an affordable deal and have him in the big-man rotaion....could turn into a nice glue guy.
Didn't vote for anyone. Love some of the guys, but if the right trade came along for a franchise talent then I'd say anyone on the roster if fair game. JV is the one guy that may turn into something resembling a franchise talent at some point, but he isn't having a Blake Griffin type rookie season either.
Demar, Ross, JV, Davis. We have 3-4 positions filled for the future, and in my opinion, we should try to go in the direction Cleveland is going in. 5 young players, all positions filled, surrounding them with more young players for future role positions, and veterans like Varejao.
Derozan has easily been our best player this year, most consistent as well. Davis has been the biggest expectation liver-upper (made that term up! ) Jonas and Ross have shown their potential, and definitely with their work ethic, and how hard they do everything, they will get better.
I love Lowry, but, unless he starts to realize this is a team game, and starts using his aggressiveness for something other than throwing random shit at the basket, he's a trade chip. When he came back from the injury, he was playing like a back-up point guard trying to prove something.... Sound similar to anyone? *cough* Bayless *cough*.
Twitter: @ReubenJRD NBA, Raptors writer for Daily Hive Vancouver, Toronto.
And he hasn't since .. he was a Rookie. Haha
Griffins Points, Rebounds and Assists numbers have all fallen year-over-year since his Rookie season.
As a rookie, he averaged 22 and 12. Last year, it was 20 and 10. This year? 18 and 9.
Still great numbers, but I don't care what kind of rookie season a guy has if he can't maintain it.
On top of that, Griffin was ranked in Sports Illustrated "Top 15 Rookies of All-Time".
Thats a pretty lofty comparison for our boy JV. Haha
Last edited by Joey; Thu Dec 13th, 2012 at 12:48 PM.
But ya, I see what you're saying.
And I guess, as a Center, I have to assume its just the steeper learning curve involved.
If he can finish the season with similar numbers to what Greg Monroe posted as a rookie (9.5pts, 7.5rpg, 1.2blk), then I will be satisfied.
He's already almost there in terms of scoring (8.5ppg) and blocks (1.3) just needs to be more consistent with his rebounding (5.5).
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Hurricane updates with a social media component? There's an app for that.
Ahead of what's called "the busy season" of severe Atlantic coast weather, The American Red Cross released a new app for iPhone and Android users that gives real-time alerts and allows you to stay connected with loved ones within harm's way.
"Building on the Red Cross' leadership in the social media space, the app also includes a number of features that allow people to monitor personalized weather alerts in locations where family and friends reside and share information with others in their social networks who might also need it," the organization wrote in a news release.
Why not? Though, to be honest, if I'm trying to stay connected with friends or family besieged by a tropical cyclone and they still have cell phone capability, I'll probably just call them. Or shoot them a text. But doesn't that seem a bit too impersonal for such an occasion?
Regardless, below you'll find the features as they appear in the Red Cross' announcement. Those of you who like to arm yourselves against calamity with every option available, check out an app store at a mobile device near you. Probably in your pocket. Or gripped in your right hand as you read this.
Features include:
· One touch "I'm safe" messaging that allows users to broadcast reassurance to family and friends via social media outlets that they are out of harm's way;
· Location-based NOAA weather alerts for the United States and its territories users can share on social networks;
· Remote monitoring of personalized weather alerts where family and friends reside
· Locations of open Red Cross shelters;
· Simple steps and checklists people can use to create a family emergency plan;
· Preloaded content that gives users instant access to critical action steps, even without mobile connectivity;
· Toolkit with flashlight, strobe light and audible alarm; and
· Badges users can earn through interactive quizzes and share on social networks.


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In September — the most recent data available — 7,893 people in Pope County received SNAP, Amy Webb, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), said.
Webb said DHS sent out letters to recipients earlier this year informing them of the reduction.
Before the reduction, a household of one could receive between $16 and $200 per month. Beginning Friday, a household of one can receive between $15 and $189 per month.
"The single-person household isn't affected quite as much as a family household," Webb said.
A household of four before the reduction could receive between $70 and $668, and after it could receive between $43 and $632, about a 5 percent cut.
"Most people fall somewhere in the middle," Webb said. "On average, recipients will get about $10 less per month."
In 2009, the federal stimulus pumped $45.2 billion into SNAP, but that stimulus ends today.
"This cut is required by federal law," Webb said. "The benefits were increased temporarily in 2009 to address the dire state of the economy."
Local food banks such as Main Street Mission and the First United Methodist Church's (FUMC) Manna House said they are preparing for an increased need.
Manna House Director Jan Williams said the group has seen a "huge increase" in the people they're feeding.
"On Monday, we saw 53 people in two hours, representing 53 households," Williams said. "We're open four days a week and have been bombarded with people needing food."
Williams said Manna House currently spends $10,000 per month on food.
"All of that money comes from donations," she said.
To volunteer at Manna House or send a donation, go to FUMC at 304 S. Commerce Ave. in Russellville. For donations, specify it is for the Manna House.
Main Street Mission staff member Gail Backer said on Wednesday the rush had already started.
"Today we had to turn people away," she said. "We didn't have enough food. It's going to get tough."
Backer said Main Street Mission feeds 125 people on an average day for breakfast and lunch. The food bank has fed more than 200 people in a single day.
Backer said they have a great need for canned goods and dry food.
"They can bring them in or unload them on the dock and we will give them a tax receipt," Backer said.
Main Street Mission is located at 1110 E. 2nd St. in Russellville.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.


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Let me say right off the top that we are creating videos for profit, so using copyright-protected music for our event productions is illegal.
That said, if I were to take the law into my own hands, hypothetically speaking, this is how I would come up with some creative music for the "Timeshift" video concept introduced in the April installment of The Main Event.
For those of you who did not read that column, here's a quick review: I developed the Timeshift to juxtapose short, loosely connected scenes, so as to give the impression of freshness or spontaneity. My hope was to introduce a fresh, vital, staccato presentation of visual material as a direct reflection of changes in our perception of the passage of time. Using a rotating scenario, it jumps around from one short scene to the next. Each scene, however, is thoughtfully placed, with the intention of provoking, rather than confusing, the viewer.
Choosing the music to accompany Timeshift videos is extremely important in relation to pacing, mood, and emotional impact.
Now, if I were legally allowed to use copyright-protected music, I would avoid the typical music choice clichés from artists such as Enya, Bryan Adams, Melissa Manchester, Bette Midler, Harry Connick Jr., the Carpenters, Aerosmith, Louis Armstrong, Jim Brickman, James Horner, Mariah Carey, everyone from American Idol, Marc Cohn, etc. These artists have great talent and a huge fan base, but I find the music bland, banal, formulaic, agitating, and painful to listen to.
I'm sure many of you will disagree wholeheartedly, but let me explain some of my musical upbringing that hopefully will explain where my music choices today are derived from.
I started seriously listening to music at age 13. Before that, growing up in London, I was subjected to all the top 100 hits of the time. Pop and glam acts were huge, like Gary Glitter, T. Rex, Sweet, Mud, Suzi Quatro, and Status Quo. I loved this music and watched Top Of The Pops religiously.
Things started to change, however, when I started listening to more complex and fulfilling pop music such as David Bowie and Queen. Then around 1973 my older brother started listening to progressive rock bands such as King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Yes, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The house was filled with this complex music as well as the Sinatra and jazz that my parents were obsessed with. I loved it all.
At this time I also started earnestly playing drums. Needless to say, music was a huge part of my life.
In 1975 I saw John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, and everything changed. Here we had a band that melded jazz and rock and took it to a new level of blistering aggressiveness that, quite frankly, got my juices flowing. I had found the music that still today inspires and fulfills me.
Now I certainly don't think that the Mahavishnu Orchestra's music would work very well as a pre-ceremony soundtrack (although it would be really interesting). In fact it would probably send the bride, her mother, and every aunt into an angry frenzy.
Be that as it may, listening to a broader palette of challenging music growing up has influenced my choices in today's productions. I look for more interesting choices that create my desired emotional response, pacing, and impact, and at the same time make my work stand out from the many productions still using music by Enya.
Inspiration also comes from TV commercials and forward-thinking movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Jon Brion rules!), to name but one.
To keep on the pulse of what is hip and cool in today's culture, it is imperative to keep up with all aspects of popular culture. Whether it's an episode of the OC, a reality TV show, music videos on MTV, a Michael Bay movie, or a low-budget foreign film, I really try to keep an open mind and try new things that on first listen do not seem to fit, but when matched with certain visuals and editing, take on a new life.
In the context of the Timeshift I try to cram in as much additional music as possible. Of course, I always use original sound when it makes sense to do so. I do not like it when all the material is edited to recorded music. I try to create a balance.
With wedding video, I have a list of segments that generally have music added. Each segment can have more than one tune. The more I use, the better the program seems to flow. That list includes Pre-Ceremony, Ceremony (instrumental music under the vows and ring exchange to heighten dramatic impact), Cocktail Hour, Table Montage, Candid Montage, Dance Segment, and Flashback Sequence.
This list is written in chronological order. However, with the Timeshift the segments are sliced up and jumbled, as previously mentioned. My goal here is not to tell you what music to use, any more than the goal of the previous column was to tell you how to re-sequence your videos. Rather, I'd merely like to see—and hear—you think beyond the mainstream and seek out more obscure choices that will ultimately give your work the edge you just might be looking for.


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The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter at Sandy Creek High wrapped up its inaugural year by bringing home high honors from the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Nashville.
The team of Saridh Galvan, Carlisle Vidourek, and Tamara Lopez won sixth place in Digital Design and Promotion. Ellie Klarl, Jamarcus Mathis, and Rosie Jamison placed eighth in Hospitality Management.
Sandy Creek's FBLA adviser, Melanie Duncan, said the awards were especially meaningful because 2013–2014 was the first year for the school's FBLA chapter. "As a first-year chapter, we were optimistic, but we really didn't know what to expect at Nationals. The students studied and prepared for the tests and presentations, and their hard work was rewarded. They were a great group to work with, and I am very proud of their performance."
More than 10,000 students from across the United States and several other countries attended the conference to sharpen their core business skills, expand their networks, and participate in more than 60 business-related competitive events. Participants were invited to attend after qualifying at state-level FBLA conferences. In Nashville, students took a written test, with the 15 top-scoring teams in each event advancing to the final segment of the competition. During the final portion, students collaborated in a sequestered, timed event to analyze a business-related challenge and present a solution to a panel of judges. Prizes were awarded to the top 10 teams in each event.
The conference, which recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas, awarded more than $165,000 in cash awards. In addition to participating in the competitions, students attended educational workshops, visited an information-packed exhibit hall, and listened to motivational keynote lectures on a broad range of business topics.


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To me, it happens if the CPU has been extremely busy for more than a few minutes. I believe that this may be a selfprotection mechanism, that kicks in when the CPU is getting too hot. Every time it did happen so far, there was hot air coming out of the ventilation grid holes.
Now I know a PC and an iBook are not related at all, but it could be something similar, no?
Oh gosh, I don't even want to think about it...


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Real snare drum samples layered and processed. These "RSD" snares were created for a band who decided not to go ahead with their recording session. They are intended to be mixed 50/50 with the real snare track using Drumagog / Sound Replacer. Example 4 of 5.
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Someone starts the game by counting off "1....2....3....GUZZLE!!". When they yell GUZZLE, the first players try to bounce the quarter into their cup. Once they make it, they drink the beer, pass the quarter to the next person, then try to flip the cup. The next person cannot start bouncing until the previous cup is flipped. Once every player has successfully flipped their cup, the quarter goes back to the first person, who tries to bounce the quarter into the pitcher. Each person gets one attempt at a time. Whichever team makes the quarter into the pitcher first wins, and the other team has to drink the pitcher's contents between them.
Additional rules:
The person starting the game with the countdown can yell something different to try and trick the teams into starting. If someone starts prematurely, they must drink their cup and refill before the game begins.
If both teams are shooting for the pitcher, and someone makes it, the other team as one shot for redemption. If they make it, there is OT. Each team alternates taking a shot at the pitcher. First team to make it without the other matching it wins.
Remember: if you're not guzzling, you're not really drinking!Submitted by dupkalam3


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Beyond PR
Nov 11, 2011
It's Fryday! (Lessons learned from #frenchfries)
Social media monitoring is something we all know we should be doing, but winnowing out the signals from the noise can be difficult, and beyond that, figuring out what to do with the resulting data can also be a challenge. To be successful, an organization needs to be agile – its business processes need to be able to ingest the data and recalibrate communications on the fly.
That last sentence in can sound pretty daunting. Business processes, ingesting data, recalibrating communications … at this point many folks are inclined to think "that's for other companies, we simply can't do that…" and turn quietly away. Fact is, listening isn't so hard, it can be done by any organization for little to no money, the changes can be incremental, and in order to be successfull, all you really need to do is pay attention, and use what you learn.
I heard a great example of this from Heather Oldani of McDonald's earlier this week at PR Newswire's Social Content Leadership Forum in Chicago. McDonald's has real traction in social networks, and they're paying attention to online conversations and building relationships with different communities and constituents. Conversations encompass everything from environmental, parenting and nutritional topics to tracking national availability of the McRib to discussions around menu innovations, such as Fruit & Maple Oatmeal and apple slices in Happy Meals. Conversations ebb and flow, but the McD's team has noticed a constant.
"French fries are social," Heather noted. Topics and issues may come and go, but people love McDonald's fries, and they talk about that devotion online.
Now, in the grand scheme of McDonald's menus, the fries are certainly a lynchpin, but they aren't the headliner. New sandwiches, salads and coffee drinks steal the headlines and are the focus of the company's menu-oriented promotions.
But because McDonald's was paying attention, they realized that there was more lasting, ongoing enthusiasm for fries than for pretty much any other menu item, unless you're this guy:
But I digress.
McDonald's realized it had a unique opportunity with the approach of Friday, 11/11/11 – an aesthetically very French-fry appropriate date. Using the palindrome as a hook , McDonald's developed the Fryday promotion, offering fries for $.50 today.
In the Chicago area, McDonald's is using billboards to promote Fryday, but true to the roots of the promotion, a lot of activity is happening on social networks, too. The company's Twitter team (follow them @McDonalds) is chatting up the deal online, and several franchisors are also getting into the game. The Twitter hashtag #fryday is busy and the McDonalds New York Tri-State Area Restaurants have created a check in for the promotion on Four Square. Is the suggestion of hot, crispy, salty fries powerful enough to get people in the door?
My guess is the answer is yes. Not bad for a little promotion derived from simply paying attention to what people are talking about online.
Author Sarah Skerik is PR Newswire's vice president of social media, and is the author of the free ebook Unlocking Social Media for PR.
1 Comments on Blog Post Title
It never surprises me what they will do to get your attention. They keep coming up with different ways to keep you mind on them, even thou when anyone thinks fast food McDonalds is the first thing people think about
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Crack Criminals Eligible For Early Release
The U.S. Sentencing Commission has passed a new law that could reduce the length of sentences for the approximately 12,000 people in federal prisons for crack-related crimes. That's 1 in 17 inmates, 85 percent of whom are African-American, doing hard time for crack possession and trafficking.
Sentences for new cases had already been reduced last year, but this new legislation would apply to people already behind bars. The harsh, outdated, and system-clogging laws they replace date back to the swinging, 1980s heyday of crack.
The old law was enacted in 1986, when crack was a new and terrifying phenomenon blamed for a wave of inner-city violence.
Under that law, a person convicted of crack possession got the same mandatory prison term as someone with 100 times the amount of powdered cocaine. Five grams of crack, about the weight of five packets of Sweet N'Low, brought a mandatory five years behind bars; it took 500 grams of powdered cocaine to get the same sentence.
That's whack. The new laws allow you to carry way more crack. Just don't carry a full ounce — that gets you five years. As for the sentence reductions, they're considered on a petition-by-petition basis, and will likely reduce jail time by an average of three years. [AP, photo via Shutterstock]