text:
ORLANDO, Fla. - An Orlando man was arrested late Wednesday after leading police on a five-county chase into St. Johns County.
[PHOTOS: Car overturns during 5-county chase through Central Florida]
Thomas J. Loncala, 47, was arrested on charges of aggravated fleeing and eluding, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and trafficking methamphetamine with a firearm.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, a chase started in Orlando but entered Flagler County around 10:50 p.m. Loncala drove north on U.S. 1, and deputies used Stop Sticks in an attempt to stop his car, officials said.
Deputies said three tires were deflated, but Loncala drove on the car's rims into St. Johns County.
A deputy then used a pit maneuver, causing Loncala's vehicle to roll onto its roof in a ditch, Flagler County officials said.
Loncala suffered minor injuries and will be booked into the St. Johns County Jail after being released from a hospital. A woman was a passenger in the car, but she does not face charges.
Deputies said they confiscated nearly $3,400 in cash, a handgun, 5 ounces of crystal meth and 5.8 grams of marijuana.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Discussions about eggcorns and related topics
You are not logged in.
Registrations were closed for a long time because of forum spam, but I have re-opened them on a trial basis.
The forum administrator (chris dot waigl at gmail dot com) reserves the right to request users to plausibly demonstrate that they are real people with an interest in the topic of eggcorns. Otherwise they may be removed with no further justification. Likewise, accounts that have not been used for posting may be removed.
Thanks for your understanding.
Chris -- 2015-05-30
I'm just new here, and am not entirely sure I know what differentiates an eggcorn from other errors. Two that I see repeated on our local news (Regina, SK, Canada), are:
meridian for median: "The car ended up in the meridian after striking the truck."
rendering for rending: "It was a heart rendering experience for the couple."
I think the latter is probably an eggcorn, but I'm less sure about the former.
I think they're both eggcorns, and good ones. As I understand it, an eggcorn involves folk etymology—the process that turned the "Purgatoire" River in Texas into the "Picketwire." Something ill-understood is changed into something more familiar, that seems to make sense. "Heartrendering" is a natural substitute for "heartrending." The "rend" in "heartrending" is a linguistic fossil, because the word "rend" for "tear" in English has gone clean out of use. "Rendering" is a more everyday substitute. I've often heard this one, and it always makes me laugh, because to me as a small child, "rendering" was something my mother did to chicken fat.
"Meridian" for "median" is odd, because "meridian" is certainly the rarer word. I suspect that relatively few people could tell you that "a.m." is short for ante-meridian, for example. Maybe the announcer has a vague idea that a "meridian" is a line and a "median" is a number?
More likely this is an example of the opposite of folk etymology—hypercorrection. That's what happens when a grammatical principle or rule, which probably makes no sense in the first place, is half-assimilated. If "you and me went to the store" is wrong, then "between you and me" must be wrong too. If "You did good" is wrong, then so is "you went slow." On the level of vocabulary, there's an uneasy feeling that plain language is inelegant. The cure is usually to add syllables, which may account for "meridian." Cf. "on a daily basis," brought to us by people who think that "every day" is too everyday.
I wonder if meridian is really rarer. In Saskatchewan, every land location ends with something like W2, usually spoken as "West of the second", which in turn stands for "West of the 2nd meridian".I'm not at all sure where the 2nd meridian is, but my land location tells me I'm west of it.
I would add that even fewer people know that AM is "ante-meridiem" :-)
Thanks for the comments.
"Non carpe meridiem"—don't carp at my mistakes'1
A perfect illustration of a well-known law—pontificate about language issues, and you (that is, me) will show yourself up with an embarrassing error.
A special case of the rule: if you pontificate about eggcorns, you will commit one. "Ante-meridian" is definitely an eggcorn-
a semantic reshaping based on a false etymology (isn't that a better definition? I'm getting there.) Unfortunately, it's not a funny eggcorn. As the offender, though, I do know exactly how I came to commit it-no speculation needed. For an astronomer (and astronomy is my other obsession), "the meridian," without qualification, is the north-south line in the sky. The sun arrives at the meridian at noon. The morning is therefore "before the meridian. . . "
David F
The making of a mistake you are pointing out in someone else's posting is known as "Skitt's Law" over on alt.usage.english, a delightful newsgroup where I am constantly learning something new.
I too, am an amateur astronomer. I am a member of the RASC (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada), and have a 10" Dobsonian. I am blessed with VERY dark skies and low traffic volume on the road in front of my farm.

subset: commoncrawl


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DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis and the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners held a special "Olympic Tribute & Celebration," honoring DeKalb County's two Olympic Medalists DeeDee Trotter and Angelo Taylor. The County-wide tribute and celebration was held Thursday, Sept., 20, at the Decatur Square in Decatur.
Trotter, a graduate of Cedar Grove High School, won both gold and bronze track & field medals in the 4x400m and 400m events respectively; and Taylor, formerly of Southwest DeKalb High School, won a silver track & field Medal in the 4x400m during the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London.
"They are truly the world's and DeKalb County's Olympic champions," stated Ellis prior to the event. "We are very pleased to have this opportunity to invite everyone in DeKalb County to meet and greet our Olympic champions."
Ellis also proclaimed: "With the support of our DeKalb County School Board, we are placing a special focus on our youth to attend. In addition to inspiring future Olympic stars, we are encouraging them and their parents to come see two world champions who attended school in DeKalb County just as the students are doing now.
"Because we know, active participation in youth athletic programs is a way to help curb youth violence." he continued.


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As we did last season, we will utilize our NFL simulation technology, statistical research capabilities, up-to-the minute roster and depth chart information and our Beyond the Boxscore feature to preview the upcoming NFL season. Beginning Tuesday, June 10th, BtB will preview a division each day for eight days, before presenting final standings, stats, fantasy and statistical leaders, award winners and playoff game boxscores. This analysis is just part of a broader endeavor in which WhatIfSports.com provides weekly fantasy projections for FOXSports.com's Fantasy Football. For this analysis, each regular season game is simulated 1,000 times and the average of those games becomes the projected result for the week. This allows us to account for every player and stat as well as assign probabilities of winning for each team for every game. For 2008, to go along with comprehensive individual player statistics and fantasy rankings, we will be showing projected scores and winning percentages from the simulations of all 267 regular and post season games. Also, we will be running our first installment of the NFL Power Rankings after the playoff results article is posted. Rosters and depth charts are up-to-date and as accurate as possible as of June 8, 2008. A schedule of upcoming NFL preview content is below. Previews should be posted by noon ET. Check Beyond the Boxscore each day for updates.
- Tuesday, June 10 - AFC East
- Wednesday, June 11 - AFC North
- Thursday, June 12 - AFC West
- Friday, June 13 - AFC South
- Monday, June 16 - NFC East
- Tuesday, June 17 - NFC North
- Wednesday, June 18 - NFC West
- Thursday, June 19 - NFC South
- Friday, June 20 - Final Standings and Playoffs
- Monday, June 23 - Power and Fantasy Rankings
We hope that you enjoy our Beyond the Boxscore feature. As with all of our free features, games and content we are willing to listen to feedback and improve this page and content to make it as interesting and user-friendly as possible. With any comments, questions or topic suggestions, please contact Customer Support. Thanks!


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BID NO. 05-98 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be accepted until 3:00 P.M. on April 27, 2005, by Leigh Daniels, Buyer II, St. Johns County Purchasing Department, 2740 Industry Center Road, St. Augustine, Florida 32084, FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE (1) 400KW DIESEL GENERATOR, ONE (1) 300KW DIESEL GENERATOR, AND ONE (1) 100KW DIESEL GENERATOR. Bids will be opened promptly after the 3:00 p.m. deadline. Package request forms are available by calling the DemandStar.com at 800-711-1712 and requesting Document # 05-98. Many packages can be downloaded from the Internet. Check the agency s site for download availability and any applicable fees. Vendors registered with DemandStar.com, Inc. can download packages at no cost from their website - www.demandstar.com . The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive minor formalities or to award the bid whose bid best serves the interest of the County. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FLORIDA CHERYL STRICKLAND, CLERK BY: Yvonne King, Deputy Clerk L816-5 Apr 6, 13, 2005
Posted from 6-Apr-05 to 13-Apr-05
© 2018. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us


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Weiss says Pomeranz will start Sunday
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com
DENVER -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss announced officially that left-hander Drew Pomeranz will be called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs to start Sunday afternoon against the Giants.
Pomeranz will take the rotation spot of Juan Nicasio (4-4, 5.31 ERA), who was sent down to Colorado Springs on Friday. Nicasio was replaced on the active roster by closer Rafael Betancourt, who is returning from a right groin strain, so the Rockies will have to make another move Sunday.
Pomeranz is 8-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 15 starts for the Sky Sox, but the last two starts have earned him the promotion. After having his effectiveness muted by high pitch counts early in the year, Pomeranz held Las Vegas to no runs and three hits with 11 ground-ball outs in 6 2/3 innings on June 16, then held Tacoma to two runs and five hits in seven innings on June 21.
It represents another chance for Pomeranz, 24, to meet the high expectations that came with being acquired from the Indians for former Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez in 2011. Pomeranz went 2-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 22 big league starts last year. He also had nine starts at Colorado Springs.
"He's put together a nice year down there and the last couple of times out have been real good," Weiss said. "Looks like he's been efficient. He's got a good arm. There's deception, some finish to his stuff. He's done a nice job ironing some things out the first months down there."
Cuddyer extends hit streak to 25 with homer
DENVER -- Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer extended his hit streak to 25 games with power -- a two-run homer in the third inning of Friday night's game with the Giants at Coors Field.
Cuddyer gave the Rockies a 3-0 lead by knocking a 2-0 cutter from Giants starter Barry Zito into the right-field seats. It was Cuddyer's 14th homer of the season, and his sixth during his streak. Wilin Rosario, the next hitter, made it 4-0 with a homer to left field.
Cuddyer's streak is longest in the Majors since Jose Reyes, then with the Marlins, delivered hits in 26 consecutive games from July 13 to Aug. 8, last season. Cuddyer earned the club record on Thursday, when he went 3-for-4 to surpass a 23-game streak by current Rockies hitting coach Dante Bichette in 1995.
Manager Walt Weiss has approached the streak with the same day-by-day, low-key approach that Cuddyer has displayed.
"He's still going, so I'll congratulate him when it's all over," Weiss said before Friday night's game. "I'll congratulate him on 57."
The reference, of course, was to Joe DiMaggio's record 56-game hit streak in 1941. The record is considered one of the toughest to break in baseball. The National League record belongs to Pete Rose, who hit in 44 straight games with the Reds in 1978.
Cuddyer also owns the club record for consecutive games having reached base safely, 44. It is the longest such streak in the Majors this season.
Going into Friday, Cuddyer was batting .351, second in the National League to the Cardinals' Yadier Molina (.357).
Overall, Cuddyer has hit safely in 50 of his 56 starts this season.
In his second year with the Rockies after spending the first 11 seasons of his career with the Twins, Cuddyer has become an important player to the team, but has not registered nationally in popularity, at least when measured by All-Star voting. He is nowhere near the top among NL outfielders.
"His numbers probably speak louder than anything else, and his value to our club, specifically," Weiss said. "The way he's performed probably speaks volumes. Everybody knows 'Cuddy' that's been around him and has played against him, what a true pro he is, how he shows up every day.
"This year he's been extremely productive. It's a pretty easy case to make, him being in the All-Star Game."
Belisle hoping a clear mind is key to snapping skid
DENVER -- If Rockies slumping right-handed reliever Matt Belisle goes back to the drawing board, it's with an eraser, not chalk.
Belisle gave up Marlon Byrd's game-winning home run in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Mets and has been touched for 12 earned runs, 14 hits, a home run and four walks in his last 6 2/3 innings, covering seven appearances. The slide is out of character for Belisle, who went into Friday's game with the Giants with the most appearances of any Major League reliever over the last three seasons (267).
In figuring out a solution, Belisle is not going to dissect his own pitch strategy or mechanics. He's trying to clear his mind, not fill it with more information or analysis.
"To try to break this down is going to make things a lot more complicated," Belisle said. "There's nothing wrong with me physically. There's nothing wrong with me mentally. You go back to why some pitches are not being executed consistently, that's for me to figure out on my own.
"In some of the cases, they're some of the same pitches I've gotten away with in the past. So I look at this just as a trough that I'm climbing out of. When I get out of that, here we go."
For much of his time with the Rockies, Belisle has been used in the seventh inning with a lead, but the whole bullpen had to be slightly adjusted for the last 25 games with closer Rafael Betancourt out with a right groin strain. The Rockies activated Betancourt before Friday night's game, so Rex Brothers can go back to his setup role.
But don't expect manager Walt Weiss to move Belisle to a non-pressure role. They've already had to do that with righty Wilton Lopez, whose ability to force ground balls has taken a hiatus.
"With Raffy back, it changes things a little, but Matty is still going to be pitching in meaningful times of the game," Weiss said. "Matty is always willing to take the ball, whenever that is over the course of the game. I don't think it affects him too much. I think he's going to be fine."
There has been a 2-mph drop in his fastball velocity over the past two seasons according to FanGraphs and the Rockies-dedicated Purple Row blog reported that he is using it more often than in the past -- 67.2 percent as opposed to 60.1 percent last season. Belisle insists he is not dealing with an injury, and said he has been experimenting with different patterns, especially against National League West hitters.
He's had fastballs and sliders hit hard when they've been located poorly. Belisle said he has watched video of him executing properly and is trying to repeat that, but he is leaving the deep analysis to others.
"I can throw a ball where I want to," Belisle said. "I can get anybody out at any time. That unwavering belief never wanes with me. My confidence won't be shattered at all. Let's get the schematics right and get that attitude that I know is there.
"I have the confidence that I will get on a great run, have a good season and get to the playoffs and be ready. That's the thing. There's no time to over-analyze. We've got a good club and the division right in front of us with these next games."
Nicasio optioned to make room for Betancourt
DENVER -- When the Rockies reached a crossroads with right-hander Juan Nicasio, they decided to maintain the path of developing him as a starting pitcher. For Nicasio, that means he must hit the road to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The Rockies optioned Nicasio on Friday to make room for closer Rafael Betancourt, and will have to make another decision Sunday afternoon, when left-hander Drew Pomeranz is called up from Colorado Springs to start against the Giants.
The Rockies briefly discussed moving the hard-throwing Nicasio (4-4, 5.31 ERA) to the bullpen, where he won't have to face hitters as often and his secondary pitches aren't in play as often. But the Rockies have little starting pitching depth.
"For his development, it's important that he's making starts and maintaining his arm strength," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It's tough to develop starters. It's more beneficial to him and us if he's down there making starts."
Until his last two starts, when he gave up runs early, he displayed a pattern of bordering on domination in early innings, but faltering in the fifth or sixth. He did not throw a pitch in the seventh in any of his 16 starts. Throughout the season, the Rockies have noted that he skipped Triple-A before debuting in 2011 and missed large blocks of 2011 and 2012 because of injuries. Now they've decided to give him the Triple-A experience he missed.
Can the remedial education work? Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood would be tripped up at various points of games last season because of command issues and was sent to Colorado Springs to start this season. Now he is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA. Although Nicasio is bigger than Chatwood, both are considered power pitchers.
Last season, Chatwood wanted to throw harder and faster when in trouble. Nicasio has been going the opposite way. Either way was a path to trouble, pitching coach Jim Wright said.
"His [Nicasio's] pitches are in order, his speed differences are in order, now it's a matter of competing with them," Wright said. "He was trying to do too much with them. Instead of taking the slider he's learned, the harder slider, he was trying to make three or four pitches out of it. Just that one slider where it's supposed to go is going to be good enough.
"He's a power pitcher, and he needs to pitch like that, instead of trying to finesse his way through the lineup. You end up on that emotional rollercoaster, worrying about things you can't control. You're over-conscious. You try to get tricky. You give the hitters too much credit."
Wright said Nicasio, 26, will benefit from completing his assignment in a less-pressured atmosphere. He'll be removed from games if they're going especially bad, but most of the time he'll get 100 pitches to work on his consistency. Wright thinks Nicasio is not far from being ready to pitch again in the Majors.
Rox scratch Fowler from lineup due to hand injury
DENVER -- The Rockies aborted an attempt to return switch-hitting outfielder Dexter Fowler to the lineup Friday night against Giants left-hander Barry Zito. The belief was batting from the right side would be easier on Fowler's ailing right hand and wrist, but the Rockies scratched him just before first pitch.
Fowler was hit on the right ring finger by a pitch from the Nationals' Ross Detwiler on June 13, and was in and out of the lineup throughout the Rockies' nine-game road trip. He went 0-for-4 Monday, reported pain in the right wrist, and hasn't played since. He went 3-for-19 while playing five games during a road trip that saw the Rockies go 2-7.
Two X-rays on his finger and an MRI this week on his wrist have not revealed structural damage.
LeMahieu proves to be strong option at second
DENVER -- The year began with DJ LeMahieu playing shortstop at Triple-A Colorado Springs with the assignment of proving to the Rockies that he could fill in at shortstop if something happened to Troy Tulowitzki. But LeMahieu has played himself into being the first option at second base.
The year started with Josh Rutledge at second base. But before Tulowitzki suffered a broken rib on his right side on June 13, the Rockies called up LeMahieu and installed him at second. His initial games were dazzling, then he slumped, but now he is displaying a consistent bat.
LeMahieu went into Friday's start against the Giants hitting .287 with one home run and nine RBIs.
"DJ has played well," Weiss said. "His swing is in a good place. He swung the bat very well down at Colorado Springs and it looks like he's found that stroke, especially recently. He's strung a lot of good at-bats together."
Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Hardball in the Rockies, and follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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I have looked all around the filing cabinet and reference desk and haven't found anything about this so i hope im not doubling up.
In my fic my MC parents die suddenly in an accident while she is still at school. So my questions are
1) Would the Headmaster/Headmistress at the time tell them what had happened or would someone else? Would they get a letter sent to them?
2) As magical healing is in many ways more advanced than human medicine what sort of accident would be severe enough to kill someone? Also, the mother and father in question wouldn't be in any kind of muggle contraption so i can't use say airplane crash, but they do both have to be there
Any help would be great thanks.


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text:
is no stranger to allegations that it wields too much power in the
search and advertising market online. However, one of the most
controversial of the programs Google operates has been its book
scanning project.
fear that by allowing Google to scan books and put them online, the
company will have a monopoly and a competitive edge in the digital
book market that other providers can't match. Among the major tech
firms that have spoken out against the Google Books deal are
Microsoft and Amazon. Google fired
back against the two companies in February 2010 stating that
its scanning service would not harm libraries, which was one of the
claims cited by opponents to the book scanning program.
the deadline for the Google Books deal to move
forward this summer draws near, opponents to the program are
still fighting to stop the digitization of orphan works by Google.
The latest attempt to stop the book deal comes from the Open Book
Alliance (OBA) to convince the judge presiding over the case that the
deal – reached between Google, the American Association of
Publishers, and the Authors Guild -- violates
provisions of the Berne Convention for the Protection of
Literary and Artistic Works.
provision being cited by the OBA states that no copyrighted works can
be used without express permission of its author. The OBA has hired
the legal firm Macht, Shapiro, Arato, and Isserles to represent them
on the matter. Cynthia Arato, one of the partners at the firm, issued
a memo concerning the case that read in part, "If approved, the
settlement would (1) grant Google automatic rights to exploit
digitally millions of books without requiring Google to obtain any
authorization from any foreign copyright owner or author; and (2)
require these foreign rights holders to jump through burdensome hoops
simply to exercise a watered-down contractual right—that the
settlement creates—to halt such use."
states that it has not yet fully reviewed the document, but it is
sure that its deal with the publishers and authors unions meets all
U.S. and international copyright laws. A Google spokesperson stated,
"The settlement offers an extraordinary opportunity to unlock
access to millions of books for students, readers, and researchers
across the U.S. It exposes readers to information they might not
otherwise see, and it provides authors and publishers with a new way
to be found."
maintains that the settlement infringes on the Trade-Related Aspects
of Intellectual Property rights rule that states any deal granted by
a World Trade organization member to the nationals of one member
country should be granted to all WTO members. So far, the Google
settlement deal only applies to certain WTO member countries.
said, "If the settlement is approved, it may give rise to legal
action against the U.S. before an international tribunal and will
certainly expose the U.S. to diplomatic stress."


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Shungaboy has been drawing and painting since childhood. After a career as an architect, he started focusing on his art about 10 years ago. He volunteered as an archivist at the Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation (now the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art) in NYC to see firsthand the work of other male figurative artists. At the same time, he started attending the erotic male drawing group at Leslie-Lohman. He has attended the Tom of Finland Life Drawing Workshop, the Colorado Gay Men's Drawing Group, and Pines Nude Drawing in Fire Island Pines, N.Y. More recently, he has been attending the Sketch Sessions at the Vitruvian Gallery in Washington D.C. He works mostly in drawing groups and enjoys the camaraderie they provide. He lives in New York City. For more information visit shungaboy.com.
"I often feel oppressed, restricted, even persecuted by society just for who I am, a gay man and an Asian one at that," Shungaboy states. "Why are male nudes so taboo? I want people to see that the male body is beautiful and not scary or something to be ashamed of; I use bright colors because that's how I want to see the world and so people who look at my paintings can begin to see beyond the nudity."
SHUNGABOY, the DC Paintings and Other Works
Exhibition dates: October 26 – November 16, 2013
Opening reception: October 26, 6-9 pm
Vitruvian Gallery, 734 7th Street 2nd floor, SE, Washington DC 20003
About the Vitruvian Gallery
The Vitruvian Gallery is the first art space in Washington D.C. dedicated solely to male figurative art. Established in 2011, it has exhibited the work of nationally known as well as emerging local artists. It hosts the Vitruvian Drawing Group and Naked Drawing Group, both figure drawing sketch sessions exclusively featuring male models.


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Key Moments in Rahul Gandhi's Career
India's ruling Congress party elevated Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, to the post of vice president at a high-profile meeting in the desert city of Jaipur on Saturday. The 42-year-old politician, widely tipped as a future prime ministerial candidate, embraced his appointment with an emotional address.
Mr. Gandhi's long-awaited appointment comes at a time when the party is battling claims of poor governance and is in dire need of an image makeover. It remains to be seen whether the politician can change its fortunes. Here are some of the highlights from Mr. Gandhi's political career:
Entry to politics: Mr. Gandhi entered India's lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, in the 2004 federal elections after winning in Amethi, a district in Uttar Pradesh state previously held by his mother, Congress President Sonia Gandhi. The seat has been held by various Nehru-Gandhi family members and is viewed as one of the safest Congress seats in the country.
Reelection: In 2009, Mr. Gandhi won reelection in Amethi, more than doubling his margin of victory over the candidate from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. He addressed over 100 rallies during the campaign and was credited with helping lift Congress's vote tally in Uttar Pradesh. In those elections, Congress bagged 21 Lok Sabha seats out of a possible 80 in the state during the 2009 federal polls, up 12 seats from 2004.
State Poll Failure: Mr. Gandhi's attempts to build on this during state-level polls in Uttar Pradesh last year fell flat. Congress was hoping to dislodge two local parties that have governed Uttar Pradesh for two decades. Mr. Gandhi led a number of rallies. But his campaign failed to change the party's fortunes, with the Congress winning a total of 28 out of 403 state assembly seats, a marginal increase from the 22 seats it won during state elections in 2007.
Mr. Gandhi later issued a public apology, claiming he takes "full responsibility" for the party's dismal performance and calling for introspection within the party on what went wrong.
Grass Roots Fiasco: Mr. Gandhi, in the run-up to those state polls, supported villagers from near Noida in Uttar Pradesh who were protesting land acquisition in the area. Two policemen and two farmers had died in clashes over land. Seven women from the villages allege police raped them in May 2011 in reprisals for the protests.
Mr. Gandhi visited the areas. Shortly after he was arrested by local police for allegedly disturbing public order after taking part in protests alongside the villagers. He was released the same day without charges. The next day, he urged local authorities to look into the allegations of rape. A court in Noida over a year ago ordered charges to be filed against 30 police officers in the case. The officers involved deny wrongdoing. The trial has yet to begin.
Criticism in Congress: Mr. Gandhi has failed to take strident positions on major issues, earning him some criticism, even from within Congress. Last year, then-Law Minister Salman Khurshid blamed Mr. Gandhi's lack of "ideological direction" for the poor showing in the Uttar Pradesh state elections. "Until now… we have only seen cameos of his thoughts and ideas," said Mr. Khurshid, who is now foreign minister.
Silence over Delhi Rape: Mr. Gandhi, dubbed India's "youth icon" by local media, drew flak from protesters for his silence over the gang rape and death last month of a young woman in the capital, an incident which unleashed a wave of protests calling for stronger law enforcement and strict anti-rape laws. Mr. Gandhi condemned the attack in a brief statement last month, but was far from leading the agitation, a fact which didn't go unnoticed by youths. "Where is Rahul G. youth leader. We are here," a banner read at a recent protest in the capital.
Follow India Real Time on Twitter @indiarealtime.


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Bartlett ends hitless spring with RBI single
By Andrew Simon / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Before Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire insisted he wasn't worried about infielder Jason Bartlett's hitless spring.
"The numbers in Spring Training never affect me if you're having quality at-bats," Gardenhire said.
Minnesota's skipper finally saw a quality at-bat by Bartlett produce a hit on Wednesday, when he lined an RBI single into right-center field in the sixth inning off the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez. That snapped Bartlett's 0-for-26 start to Grapefruit League play, including his first two plate appearances on Wednesday.
"Barty got one finally," said Gardenhire, who joked that the Twins kept the ball. "He's been pushing for it. Nice swing by him."
Bartlett, who played for Minnesota from 2004-07, is competing for a utility job after signing a Minor League contract in November. The 34-year-old started at third base on Wednesday, and he also has played second base, shortstop, center field and right field this spring.
After Bartlett played only 29 games in 2012 and sat out all of last season, Gardenhire is more concerned with his physical condition than his offensive numbers.
"I just want to make sure his legs are underneath him, that he can move around," Gardenhire said. "And then we'll see how it breaks down here at the end. I like the kid an awful lot. He's a winner."
Minors options factor into Twins' roster decisions
JUPITER, Fla. -- Major League front offices have many factors to take into account when deciding on Opening Day roster spots, and the result isn't always a strict meritocracy.
One such factor weighing on the Twins this spring is the option system. Several Minnesota players battling for jobs -- including three (Samuel Deduno, Vance Worley and Scott Diamond) of the four candidates for the fifth-starter spot -- are out of options, meaning they can't be sent to the Minor Leagues without first passing through waivers and giving every other organization a chance to claim them.
This can create differences of opinion between a front office trying to protect assets and a manager who wants the best 25 players right now. Twins skipper Ron Gardenhire is in that category, although he said Wednesday that he does understand the other factors involved.
"Yeah, but do I have to agree with it? No," Gardenhire said.
"Sometimes when you run out of options, you've had plenty of chances here to figure the thing out. So they're deceiving. Don't let them deceive you. They don't deceive me. They are in my way."
Assistant general manager Rob Antony pointed out that many good players use up their three option years because it takes them that long to adjust and get settled at the Major League level. Some players get rushed or have their development delayed by injuries or other issues.
"You have to deal with what makes sense," Antony said. "The manager's job is to win ballgames every day, and their vision is, 'What can I do? How can I have the best team right now?'
"It's our job to balance and look down the road a little bit, not just tomorrow. As we've talked about a lot this spring, who you break with is not necessarily what you have two weeks or a month into the season. Things can change, but sometimes you make decisions for the best of the organization. We're going to try to give [Gardenhire] the best team possible and the team he's most comfortable with."
Has Gardenhire, entering his 13th season at the helm in Minnesota, ever started a year with the exact 25-man roster he wanted?
"In this lifetime?" he quipped.
On the other hand, Gardenhire said he has a "good relationship" with the entire front office.
"They see what I see," he said. "They know."
Antony disappointed in roster competition
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Twins were hoping that competition would bring out the best in some of their players this Spring Training, but according to assistant general manager Rob Antony, that hasn't happened. With less than two weeks to go until the regular season begins, several players fighting for starting positions or roster spots are scuffling.
"I wish somebody would step up and earn a job," Antony said before Wednesday's 3-1 loss against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. "Nobody's really doing that."
Among those Antony mentioned were some of the candidates for the fifth-starter job. While Kyle Gibson was strong over 4 1/3 innings during his start on Wednesday, and Samuel Deduno has a 2.19 ERA even after giving up two runs in 2 2/3 innings later in Wednesday's game, the others have endured more trouble. Scott Diamond will enter Thursday's start having allowed 20 baserunners in 9 2/3 innings, and Vance Worley sports a 13.50 ERA after giving up seven runs to the Rays on Tuesday night.
Antony said center-field competitors Aaron Hicks and Alex Presley haven't "been anything special," although Hicks went 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base on Wednesday. Potential designated hitter Jason Kubel has gone 2-for-25. Among the utility infield candidates, Jason Bartlett broke an 0-for-26 skid with his RBI single in Wednesday's sixth inning, while Eduardo Escobar has hit well, but according to Antony, had "defensive lapses."
It all adds up to one of the more difficult springs Antony has experienced.
"Nobody's really stepped up to try to earn the spots, and that's a bad feeling when you're looking at giving spots away," he said.
Worth noting
• After making his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday, shortstop Pedro Florimon was back in the lineup on Wednesday. He played five innings in the field -- making a highlight-reel play on a grounder up the middle -- and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout. Florimon, who had his appendix removed on Feb. 17, will play almost every day for the rest of the spring, according to Gardenhire.
"Every day, I put his name at shortstop right now, and then I'll see how he looks," said Gardenhire, who plans to give Florimon another five or six innings on Thursday night against the Rays. "When he seems like he's dragging a little bit, then I'll take him out. But I'm going to put him in there. He needs at-bats, and more, he needs time on his legs. He needs his legs underneath him."
Andrew Simon is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewSimonMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Dear Members,
Kamanita And Vasitthi
[By KARL GJELLERUP]
THERE CAME A DAY when a feeling of discomfort,
the consciousness of a void, arose in Kāmanīta.
And involuntarily his thoughts turned to the Hun‐
dred‐thousandfold Brahmā as the source of all fullness.
But the feeling of lack was not removed by that. On the
contrary, it increased almost perceptibly with the passing
of the years, from one decade of thousands to another.
For from that newly arisen feeling the tranquil
stream of time, which had hitherto flowed imperceptibly
by, encountered resistance as from an island suddenly
risen in its midst, on whose rocky cliffs it began to break
in foam as it flowed past. And at once there arose a 'be‐
fore' and an 'after' the rapids.
And it seemed to Kāmanīta as though the Hundred‐
thousandfold Brahmā did not now shine quite as brightly
as formerly.
After he had observed the Brahmā, however, for
five millions of years, it seemed to Kāmanīta as though he
had now observed him for a long time without reaching
any certainty.
And he turned his attention to Vāsitthī.
Upon which he became aware that she also was
observing the Brahmā attentively.
Which filled him with dismay; with dismay came
feeling; with feeling came thought; with thought, the
speech for its utterance.
And he spoke:
"Vāsitthī, do you also see it? What is happening to
the Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā?"
After a hundred‐thousand years, Vāsitthī answered:
"What is happening to the Hundred‐thousandfold
Brahmā is that his brightness is diminishing."
"It seems so to me also," said Kāmanīta, after the
passage of a similar period of time. "True, that can only be
a passing phenomenon. And yet I must confess that I am
astonished at the possibility of any change whatsoever in
the Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā."
After a considerable time — after several millions
of years — Kāmanīta spoke again:
"I do not know if I am not perhaps dazzled by the
light. Do you, Vāsitthī, notice that the brightness of the
Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā is increasing again?"
After five‐hundred‐thousand years, Vāsitthī ans‐
wered: "The brightness of the Hundred‐thousandfold
Brahmā does not increase, but steadily decreases."
As a piece of iron that, taken white‐hot from the
blacksmith's fire, very soon after becomes red‐hot, so the
brightness of the Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā had now
taken on a red shimmer.
"I wonder what that may signify..."
"That signifies, my friend, that the brightness of the
Hundred‐thousandfold Brahmā is in the process of being
"Impossible, Vāsitthī, impossible! What would then
become of all the brightness and the splendour of this
whole brahmā world?"
"He had that in mind when He said:
"'Upward to heaven's sublimest light, life presses —
then decays.
Know, that the future will even quench the glow of
Brahmā's rays.'"
After the short space of but a few thousand years
came Kāmanīta's anxious and breathless question:
"Who ever uttered that terrible world‐crushing
"Who other than He, the Master, the Knower of the
Worlds, the Blessèd One — the Buddha."
Then Kāmanīta became thoughtful. For a consider‐
able length of time he pondered upon these words, and
recalled many things. Then he spoke:
"Once already, Vāsitthī, in Sukhavatī, in the Para‐
dise of the West, you repeated a saying of the Buddha
which was fulfilled before our eyes. And I remember that
you then faithfully reported to me a whole discourse of
the Master's in which that saying occurred. This world‐
crushing utterance was not, however, contained in it. So
have you then, Vāsitthī, heard yet other words of the
"Many, my friend, for I saw him daily for more than
half a year; yes, I even heard the last words he uttered."
Kāmanīta gazed upon her with wonder and rever‐
ence. Then he said:
"Then, because of that, I believe you must be the
wisest being in the whole brahmā‐world. For all these
star‐gods round about us are aghast; they shine with a
wavering light; they flicker and blink and even the Hun‐
dred‐thousandfold Brahmā himself has become restless,
and from his dulled radiance from time to time there dart
forth what seem to me to be flashes of anger. But you give
a steady light like a lamp in a sheltered spot. And it is also
a sign of disturbance that the movement of these heavenly
bodies has now become audible — we now hear on all
sides the thundering crashes and mighty groans which are
proceeding from this brahmā‐world, like the distant ringing
of great bells which once reached us on the shores of
the Heavenly Gangā, far from here in Paradise. This all
indicates that the harmony of motion is disturbed, that dis‐
union and separation of the world‐forces is taking place.
For it has been well said that — 'Where want is, there
noise is; but abundance is tranquil.' And so I do not doubt
that you are right.
"Please, belovèd Vāsitthī, while round about us this
brahmā‐world expires and becomes a prey to destruction,
relate to me your memories of the Buddha, so that I may
become as calm and bright as you are. Tell me all of your
last human life, for it may well be that we are united for
the last time in a place where it will be possible for spirit
to commune with spirit and tell of things that have hap‐
pened — and it still remains a mystery how Angulimāla
appeared in Ujjenī, although his becoming a monk has
been fully explained to me. But his appearance at that time
gave the impulse for my going forth into the homeless life,
and was the reason why I did not take to downward paths
but instead rose again in the Paradise of the West — there
to climb by your help to this highest of heavens, where
throughout immeasurable ages we have enjoyed the lives
of gods. I have an idea, however, that the impulse which
led to my becoming a seeker came from you. I would like
to learn the truth about this; but also, and before every‐
thing else, how did it come about that you, for my benefit,
entered again into existence in the Paradise of the West
and not in some far higher place of bliss?"
And while from one hundred thousand years to
another, the growing dimness of the brahmā‐light became
ever more apparent and the gods of the stars grew ever
While these flickered and spluttered with more and
more irregularity, and from the duller‐growing circle of fire
around the Great Brahmā vast fingers of flame shot forth
and swept hither and thither throughout the whole of
space, as if the God with a hundred giant arms were seek‐
ing the invisible foe who was besetting him;
While, owing to the disturbed movements of the
heavenly bodies, stellar whirlwinds arose which rent
whole systems of suns out of the kingdom of the Brahmā
and into their places rushed waves of darkness from the
mighty void, as the sea dashes in where a ship has sprung
a leak;
And while, at other points, systems crashed into
one another and a universal conflagration broke out, with
explosions which hurled sheaves of shooting‐stars down
into the fiery throat of the Brahmā;
While the death‐rattle of the music of the spheres
was heard and felt all around — and the thunder of the
harmonies as they broke down and crashed into one
another rolled and re‐echoed with ever‐increasing fearful‐
ness from one quarter of the heavens to another —
Vāsitthī, untroubled, and speaking in measured tones,
related to Kāmanīta the last of her earthly experiences.
***********to be continued************
Edited by yawares
Kamanita 18 : THE DUSK OF THE WORLDS
Post sayings and stories you find interesting or useful.
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Re: Kamanita 18 : THE DUSK OF THE WORLDS
I just, really appreciate this. Thank you.
A seed sleeps in soil.
It's cold and alone, hopeless.
Until it blooms above.
It's cold and alone, hopeless.
Until it blooms above.
Re: Kamanita 18 : THE DUSK OF THE WORLDS
Son wrote:I just, really appreciate this. Thank you.
Dear "Son",
Thank you very much for reading my favorite love story!
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I have a 1994 K75RT and just recently acquired a Reynolds trailer hitch for it. Does anyone have installation instructions for the hitch?
I need to know specifically how it mounts and also how to hook up the wiring. Is there some sort of adapter to hook up the electrical connection to a USA spec trailer?
Any help is appreciated!


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Marine Products
How To and DIY
The Middens of Galiano Island
By Catherine Dook
We motored our way into Montague Harbour along a twisted channel with our engine muffled by the leaning trees.
"This is peaceful," I told my husband, John.
"Look," I pointed to an eagle sitting on the top of a tree overlooking the channel entrance like a sentinel giving permission for us to pass. Dignified, unruffled, his impassioned gaze noted and then dismissed us, as uninteresting and perhaps unworthy. I was tired. We'd pulled up anchor at Portland Island that morning, and the grind of the diesel engine had worn me down.
Read More of the Middens of Galiano Island.....
Gimli Yacht Club
As I scanned the race committee boats being used for the Canada Summer Games, I found it quite curious that the mark and pin boats were actually fishing boats. Wondering why this was began my adventure of delving into the history of Gimli, Manitoba, its yacht club, and the Icelandic culture.
Although Icelanders actually knew about the existence of Canada in the late tenth century, there was no large-scale emigration until the late 19th century. Conditions in Iceland had become rather horrific at that time due to a series of bad winters and the eruption of a number of active volcanoes.
Read more about Gimli Yacht Club....
Cruisers Yachts Cantius 50
By: John Armstrong and Andy Adams
Photos: Cruisers Yachts Inc.
Almost a decade ago, Cruisers Yachts Inc., launched an entire line of express cruisers called "Cantius" (named after company owner KC Stock's grandfather) that began with the 48Cantius then came the 54, the 60 and now the Cantius 50. In the fall of 2017, we will be at the debut of the 42 Cantius at the Fort Lauderdale International boat show.
These designs have a strong family resemblance withhandsome and distinctive linesand with a design philosophy that you could say, pioneered the new version of the express cruiser.
Read more of new Cruisers Yachts Cantius 50.....
Going Virtual with Sailing Simulators and Full VR
As I sit looking out my window at the snow that is slowly piling up it is easy to be downtrodden by the prospect that the winter season is yet to fully hit. It will be months before the time of boating is again upon us.
Of course, you could spend the winter somewhere warm on your boat, but ….. And what if you are a regular Regatta racer that must now face the long drought until the spring when your club begins a new season?
Read more about Going Virtual.....


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1. Were you rooting for Bella to make it to LaPush or were you hoping that Alice would stop her? Why?
-Both--I'm not a Jaccob fan; however, I really hate it when boyfriends act jealous and don't want girls to have male friends. Girls and guys can be friends. Bella only thought of Jaccob as a friend, and she had proved that Edward could trust her multiple times. But, I expected Alice to make it more difficult for her since Alice really seemed to think the werewolves posed a danger. I know she can't show her strength and speed in front of everyone, but I did think she would follow and try to catch up once they were off school grounds.
2. Do you think it was right for Bella to dart off to LaPush to see Jacob? Could she do more harm than good?
-Again, I think Bella has a right to see her male friends. And, if my boyfriend was trying to prevent me from seeing a friend, it would probably make me a little rebellious, too. But, I think she probably should have ended her friendship with Jaccob since he liked her as more than a friend and she was only hurting him.
3. Who do you think would win in a real, full out fight between the werewolves and vampires? Why?
-There would be losses on both sides. Esme is never described as a strong fighter so I imagine she might be one of the vampire losses. The really young and inexperienced werewolves and the smaller werewolves probably wouldn't stand a chance. In the end, more vampires would be left standing because they are more experienced fighters.
4. Do you think Jacob was right in assuming that everything would be fine had Edward not come back into Bella's life? Why?
-No I don't. She may have decided to get involved with Jacob, but Edward was her soul mate and she never would have gotten over him. She would always have been unhappy and only half there. She would continue to do dangerous things in order to hallucinate Edward's voice. And I don't think the werewolves could have protected Bella from Victoria and her army without the vampires help.
5. Do you consider Jacob "human" in the sense that he means he is human? Or does his phasing negate his humanity?
-I don't think he is any more human than Edward. Both appear to be human but with differences-Edward's skin is paler and sparkles in the sun and his eyes change, while Jacob grew ridiculously big and would not look like a normal kid his age. Edward's always cold, whereas Jacob's always hot. At the time, they think Edward is unable to reproduce while Jacob can have kids, but BD negates this. They are both somewhat dangerous-Edward is venomous, whereas Jacob could lose his temper and hurt Bella. They are both really strong. If they had kids with Bella, neither would have a normal human-we see what happens with Edward and Jacob's child would eventually become a werewolf.


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Play Our 2009 Teen Choice Awards Faceoff!
The Teen Choice Awards are over, but we were on the case before it even aired. Now that we've seen all the stars walk the grass carpet, it's time to decide who's more Fab with our 2009 Teen Choice Awards Faceoff. What are you waiting for? Oh, and remember, those who play get a chance to win $1,000.


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A new approach to calm potential EV battery worries
While the Nissan Leaf is perhaps the best known EV in the mass market today there have still been issues with regards to the journey capacity and battery technology. Even though battery technology continues to catch up with EV technology there is something of a vacuum while this process is completed. As a consequence, like competitors such as Tesla, Nissan is now launching a new service to put EV driver's minds at rest.
In simple terms Nissan will offer Nissan Leaf drivers in the US the opportunity to replace their battery for whatever reason while part of the battery replacement program (cost $100 a month). When you bear in mind that the cost of the battery pack in an EV is the single most expensive piece of equipment this will certainly help.
The current Nissan Leaf standard battery warranty covers 60,000 mile coverage against battery capacity loss and eight-year coverage against defects during the first 100,000 miles. The new battery replacement program will offer similar terms to the current warranty in addition to at least 70% capacity per battery pack and the opportunity to replace the battery pack because of defects while in the battery replacement program.
This is certainly an interesting option for Nissan Leaf motorists in the US and shows that EV companies are now starting to wake up to the major concerns amongst motorists. As the battery pack is at this moment in time the most expensive single component of an EV, the ability to replace this piece of kit at any time is obviously very helpful. In simple terms, you have your own insurance policy against reduced capacity and defects.
Nissan Leaf being charged. Image via Shutterstock.
Read more at ENN Affiliate, ElectricForum.


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Beerman, originally from Mount Ida, has lived in Russellville for more than 10 years. She graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in hospitality administration and management.
Prior to being hired by the Chamber, Beerman worked for the Schumacher Group at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville.
"We are very excited and lucky to have Stephanie join our team here at the Chamber," Chamber President Jeff Pipkin said. "Her positive attitude, business and hospitality experience, personality and enthusiasm make her a perfect fit for this position and an asset to our organization."
As executive vice president, Beerman will manage Chamber programs and committees, including the Business Expo, Leadership Russellville, Business After Hours, the Redcoat Committee, Sunset Cinema and other projects.
"The mission of the Chamber of Commerce is to promote progress for our community," Beerman said. "I consider it both a privilege and an honor to join this great team and to work for the people and businesses in the Russellville area. I will work diligently to support our members and their businesses and am glad to be able to serve in what I consider to be my hometown."
Pipkin said the Chamber encourages people to get acquainted with the new hire.
"We invite all of our Chamber members and friends to stop by the Chamber and meet Stephanie," he said.
The Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce is located at 708 W. Main St. in Russellville.
For more information about the Chamber, call Pipkin at (479) 968-2530.


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© 2011 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.
Twins send first baseman Cuddyer to mound
By Louie Horvath / MLB.com
ARLINGTON -- With Monday's series opener against the Rangers out of hand at Rangers Ballpark, the Twins brought in first baseman Michael Cuddyer to pitch in the eighth inning of a 20-6 blowout. Amazingly, he fared better than most of the Twins' full-time pitchers. Cuddyer pitched a scoreless frame, loading the bases but wiggling out of danger by getting two fly balls to end the inning. Of the other five pitchers to take the mound for the Twins, only Phil Dumatrait could claim to have held the Rangers scoreless. "Cuddyer out there is a nightmare, but we had to put somebody out there, and he would have killed me if I put anyone else out there," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That was the one goal of his career was to pitch, so he pitched. I was scared to death to watch the guy do it, but he threw it, he had a big smile on his face, and we just had to get through it somehow." Cuddyer became the first Twins position player to pitch since first baseman John Moses, who took the mound in two games during the 1990 season, the last coming on July 31 against the California Angels. "For years I've been lobbying, and Gardy came up to me in the sixth and said, 'How mad would you be right now if I put [center fielder Trevor] Plouffe in to pitch?'" Cuddyer said. "I was like, 'It's your team, but I'd be hot.' It worked out. [Jason] Kubel hit the home run when I was on base, so I got to come in and actually run down to the bullpen real quick to get some throws in." Cuddyer touched 88 mph with his fastball, but he was a little wild, missing the strike zone by multiple feet on several occasions. Now that Cuddyer has pitched, there are only two positions on the diamond that Cuddyer has not played in the Major Leagues. He has not played catcher or shortstop. Cuddyer is quick to point out, however, that he came through the Minors as a shortstop, so the only position he hasn't played professionally is catcher. "I take pride in being a baseball player, and giving Gardy flexibility in the lineup," Cuddyer said. "This is probably going to be the last time I get on the mound, so it was fun." Rangers manager Ron Washington said it was admirable how he stepped up to save the bullpen in a game that was all but over after the first five innings. "I know from throwing batting practice his legs took a beating," Washington said. "But Mike is a team player. He went out there and fought and got the three outs they needed. He had bases loaded with one out and didn't give up a run." Gardenhire reaffirmed that, saying that only three bullpen members would be available for Tuesday's game against the Rangers. "It's not a situation you want to get yourself into, but we've used all of our pitchers," Gardenhire said. "We have three guys left for tomorrow's ballgame. [Matt] Capps, [Joe] Nathan and [Glen] Perkins. Hopefully we'll be able to use them in the right situation at the end of the game. That's a horrible performance." Cuddyer danced out of danger, stranding the bases loaded with one out in the eighth. Mike Napoli led off with a double, but had to hold up on Mitch Moreland's single. Both moved up a base on Endy Chavez's groundout. Ian Kinsler walked to load the bases. From there, Cuddyer got Elvis Andrus to fly out to left, and David Murphy to pop up to shortstop to end the Rangers' threat. "I got some luck," Cuddyer said. "I got a ball to shallow left that Plouffe made a good throw and they couldn't tag on. Joe made a good play at first, and I ended the inning on a popup. It was fun. I had a good time, and fortunately I kept the ball in the ballpark."
Louie Horvath is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Toys R Us, the largest toy retailer in the world, wants to assure parents through Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube videos that they can count on it.
Last month, the company launched a series of ads and online videos in which kids serve as "anchors" of a toy-centric news network aimed at cluing parents in to the big kid trends.
"This is really a way for us to communicate our unique strength as a toy authority," says Adrienne O'Hara, the retailer's public relations manager.
Along with a huge Facebook push for its Toys for Tots campaign and a sweepstakes that will bring one lucky Black Friday shopper to Toys R Us one hour early, the brand is establishing a prominent online presence as the holidays approach.
TRU news
The Toys R Us PR team worked with advertising agency Escape Pod to develop the TV ads and videos that they call the TRU News Network, which feature two child "anchors" discussing the big kid news of the holiday season. Escape Pod pitched the idea to Toys R Us and the company agreed, because "it really speaks to a lot of our key strengths as a company," O'Hara says.
It's a pretty big departure from the brand's previous holiday campaigns, she says. In previous years, they were about deals and promotions. This time, Toys R Us wanted to articulate the idea that "we have the broadest assortment of toys of any retailer," O'Hara says.
Many of the videos are being used as TV ads, but some are social-media-exclusive, she says. For instance, one announcing the top entries on this year's "hot toys" list is only on Facebook and at ToysRUs.com. The Facebook post with the video of the hot toys list is nearing 250 "likes."
"We do work hard throughout the year to identify what the hot toys are going to be," O'Hara says. "We shop the world and look at all the new toy introductions for the year to determine what toys are going to pique kids' interest."
That process includes testing products in Toys R Us stores each spring and summer, as well as interviewing kids about the toys that are most exciting to them. Having the message come from kid news anchors makes it a lot more fun, O'Hara says, and it may have a greater pull for kids. But parents want to get their info from the brand itself.
"Parents do rely on Toys R Us as a company to have those key insights about what kids will be interested in, even before they might hear it from a child," she says.
To keep the discussion about the year's hot toys going, Toys R Us started the #HotToys hashtag on Twitter, which O'Hara says has become a way for parents to talk amongst themselves, as well as with brand representatives.
"When we were discussing what hashtag we wanted to use, one of the things we were looking at was, what's part of normal conversation when people are talking about the holiday season?" she says. "It seemed like a pretty organic hashtag for us to be using."
[Related: Are brands ruining Thanksgiving by opening their doors?]
Toys for Tots
Facebook is playing a big role in the retailer's Toys for Tots campaign this year, O'Hara says. This is the fourth year Toys R Us has worked with retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, a.k.a. Shaq-a Claus, to promote the charitable campaign. The company's Facebook page is loaded with videos of O'Neal and kids doing a fun take on "The 12 Days of Christmas."
"Through these videos we're able to communicate to customers, here are some of the toys you might want to donate to kids in need through the Toys for Tots program at Toys R Us," O'Hara says.
Each post with one of those videos links to a page where folks can buy toys online to donate to the program. This year, "Shaq's Santa Sack" is focusing on victims of Hurricane Sandy. So far, that effort has raised more than $1 million worth of toys.
Also on Facebook, Toys R Us has been posting images of what it calls the "Give Back Tracker." Any time someone steps up and pays off the layaway balance of a family in need, Toys R Us donates $200 to Toys for Tots. The latest Give Back Tracker post has racked up nearly 6,000 "likes."
For the second year in a row, Toys R Us is running a Facebook sweepstakes offering customers a chance to do their Black Friday shopping an hour earlier than everyone else in a $1,000 shopping spree. The company is also offering daily prizes of $100 gift cards.
The sweepstakes is a way to raise the brand's "like" count-entrants have to "like" the page to enter-but it also serves as a way to inform.
"It was another way for us to communicate with our fans on Facebook about our [Black Friday] plans," O'Hara says.
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On XP pro and home:
I currently have v7.0.483 of ZASS, but this problem has existed for the past 1 or more revisions as well.
In the past, I have found ZA priceless for network diagnostics due to the ability to log activity through the firewall. However, I have not been able to use this for some time now because ZA refuses to sort the log entrys properly. You can click on the date column and it appears to resort (ascending or descending), but it never quite works right. So it is impossible to find out what happened 2 minutes ago on a busy log.
I have installed ZASS on MANY PCs and they all appear to have the same problem.
Has anyone found a fix for this? Is CheckPoint even working on the problem?
Operating System:Windows XP Pro
Software Version:7.0
Product Name:ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite


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Basic Information
Name : Minato Namikaze 波風ミナト
Nickname : Child of the Prophecy 予言の子 | Konoha's Yellow Flash 木ノ葉の黄色い閃光
Gender : Male
Age : 20's
Clan : n/a
✘ Appearance :
Minato was a fairly tall, fair-skinned man who on more than one occasion has been compared with Naruto in terms of physical appearance; both have bright blue-eyes and spiky blond hair. Unlike Naruto, Minato had jaw-length bangs framing either side of his face. According to Jiraiya, Minato was considered to be very handsome, as many women were infatuated with him. His normal attire consisted of a standard Konoha-nin uniform with two bands each on both of his sleeves, a flak jacket and a forehead protector; after becoming Hokage, he started wearing a short-sleeved long white coat over his normal attire, decorated by flames-like motifs on the edges, with the kanji for "Fourth Hokage" (四代目火影, Yondaime Hokage) written vertically down the back, and closed on the front by a thin orange rope. In his youth, he wore a tracksuit with three stripes on the sleeves, mesh undershirt, dark trousers and dark calf-length sandals.
✘ Personality :
Jiraiya and Tsunade pointed out that, while Naruto physically bears great resemblance to Minato, his personality is almost identical to his mother. While Naruto is boisterous and relatively thick, Minato was calm, collected, and highly perceptive. He also seemed well aware of the terror his reputation inspired in his foes. He appeared to be respectful of those around him; he didn't like freely speaking about others' pasts, and was said to be a very nice person. He deeply cared for and loved his wife and child, becoming very nervous because of Kushina's pain during labour and even shedding tears of joy at his son's birth. He also enjoyed reading, and took a special liking to reading Jiraiya's work in particular.
Jiraiya said that Minato was a shrewd person, and was not a man who would do something without reason. He was very knowledgeable of the ninja world, concluding that only Madara Uchiha would have the power or the reason to have the Nine-Tails attack Konoha during their fight. Minato was known for his unbeatable determination and unbelievable drive, which he passed on to his son. In his youth, Minato also had a desire to be acknowledged by everyone in the village and to become a great Hokage, again, a trait passed onto his son. His devotion to the village and his love for his friends inspired all those around him, and, as a result, he became well-liked by the villagers.
Village Information
Village of Birth : Konohagakure 木ノ葉隠れの里
Village of Alliance : Konohagakure 木ノ葉隠れの里
Group Affiliation : The Makaosu 混沌
Rank | Chakra Information
Ninja Rank : Kage 影
✘ Specialty :
Space-Time Ninjutsu : Minato was famous for his unique space–time technique, the Flying Thunder God Technique, which essentially allowed him to teleport to any location with the use of special seals. The technique earned him the moniker of Konoha's "Yellow Flash", due to the untraceable movements Minato had when using this technique. By throwing kunai that had the seal attached to them behind enemy lines, Minato could wipe out an entire platoon in the blink of an eye. Minato could teleport to his special kunai even as it travelled through the air. He was also capable of applying the seal to solid surfaces with his bare hand, allowing him to tag opponents and give himself an easy way to track and reach them. He also incorporated this seal formula into Kushina's seal so he could always come to her aid.
For defensive use, Minato was capable of implementing space–time barriers to counter large attacks such as a Tailed Beast Ball, sending the blast to a distant area away from the village. He was even able to teleport the Nine-Tails, albeit at the cost of a large portion of his chakra due to the beast's immense size.
Rasengan : Minato spent three years creating the Rasengan by observing the Tailed Beast Ball. It is the highest level of shape transformation and does not require hand signs to be performed. Instead using a concentration of spinning chakra in the form of a sphere in the user's palm, which inflicts immense damage to its target on contact. As its creator, Minato had great mastery over the Rasengan, able to form it with one hand and his standard version being slightly larger than the Rasengan used by other characters. The lack of elaborate preparations needed for the Rasengan gave Minato an advantage over other technique users in battle; in his fight with Tobi, he is able to form a Rasengan right after throwing a marked kunai at his opponent, allowing him to land a devastating blow at Tobi immediately after performing the Flying Thunder God Technique. He had intended to combine the Rasengan with his own nature transformation, but the task was too difficult to complete
Futon : With Minato's mastery of the Wind Release, he's able to perform any Wind Release technique with the usage of a single handseal, even the most complex Wind Release techniques.
✘ Elements :
土 Doton → Mastered
風 Futon → Mastered
火 Katon → Mastered
雷 Raiton → Mastered
水 Suiton → Mastered
✘ Techniques :
Genjutsu → In Progress
Kenjutsu → In Progress
Ninjutsu → In Progress
Taijutsu → In Progress
Medical Training → In Progress
Space-Time Ninjutsu → Mastered
(Ninpō: Ichi ni Jutsu) – Ninja Art: Tracking Technique
Rank: C
Type: Supplementary
Range: Short – Long
Chakra cost: 15
Damage points: N/A
Description: The user will concentrate their chakra and by placing two of their fingers on a surface they can then track and locate their target. This technique is even capable of telling the user exactly how many targets there are and if they are very skilled also.
Note: User must remain stationary and can only be used by Tobirama Senju and Minato Namikaze biograhies.
(Kuchiyose no Jutsu) – Summoning Technique
Rank: C
Type: Defense/Attack/Suplementary
Range: Short – Long
Chakra Cost: 15
Damage points: N/A
Hand Seals: Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram, Palm On Ground
Description:To summon the creature the ninja will wipe blood on the hand, perform the necessary handseals and then touch their hand to the ground or another object. Though it appears that as long as significant pressure is placed against the blood in some form, the summon will be complete. There can be variations to the summoning steps, some ninja like Temari will wipe blood on her fan, then by swinging the fan the animal is summoned. Other ninja like Orochimaru wipe the blood across a snake tattoo on their arm first, then touch the ground.
Is the boss of the toads that are summoned. He is huge (about 100 meters high) and is summoned for battles with the biggest of enemies. His sons are Gamakichi and Gamatatsu. Naruto can only summon him with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's chakra. Without it,
Naruto can only call upon some of Gamabunta's smallest children. Gamabunta was first seen in the premiere of the series, where he and the Fourth Hokage face off against the demon fox.
Gamahiro-Demolisher Toad
This gigantic toad is one of the summons of Jiraiya.
is the most skilled of the second most powerful toad, and wielding two large katanas, he is known mostly as "Watch Tower Destroyer" and "Yataikusushi". He can wield some powerful skills, but his true talent is in swordplay. He speaks but only when not in combat, when he does fight, he typically doesn't say a word. Gamasushi is most known for battling alongside his summoner, with great skill and execution.
(Kuchiyose: Yatai Kuzushi no Jutsu) – Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer Technique
Rank: B
Type: Offensive
Range: Short – Long
Chakra cost: 20
Damage points: 40
Description: The user summons Gamahiro above the target, crushing whatever is beneath him when he falls to the ground.
Note: Must know Toad Summoning contract.
(Kiiroi Senkō Chō Rasen) – Yellow Flash Super Spiral
Rank: A
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 30
Damage points: 60
Description: Minato dashes toward his enemy and kicks them on the knee. He then slides behind them and kicks the same knee again in such a way that they fly into the air.
Note: Can only be used by Minato Namikaze
(Kiiroi Senkō Haya Bāsuto) – Yellow Flash Speed Burst
Rank: A
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 30
Damage points: 60
Description: Minato dashes toward his enemy with such high speed that he looks like a blur and hits them as he passes them. Then, he stops behind them and slashes them on the back with a kunai.
Note: Can only be used by Minato Namikaze
(Rasengan) – Spiral Sphere
Rank: A
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra Cost: 30
Damage Points: 60
Description: Rasengan was a Ninjutsu technique developed over the span of three years by the Fourth Hokage. The technique was taught to his sensei Jiraiya, who then passed it on to the young ninja Naruto years later. The technique is unlike many other jutsu in that it does not require any hand seals. It just relied on the ninja's ability to mold chakra. The ninja concentrates a contained, fast, rotating sphere of chakra in the palm of their hand, which can create a destructive impact. Limit: None.
(Ōdama Rasengan) – Big Ball Spiral Sphere
Rank: S
Type: Attack
Range: Short
Chakra Cost: 40
Damage Points: 80
Description: Oodama Rasengan is an advanced Ninjutsu technique that creates a very large Rasengan ball.
Note: Must already know Rasengan.
(Kiiroi Senkō Rasengan) – Yellow Flash Spiralling Sphere
Rank: S
Type: Offensive
Range: Short – Long
Chakra cost: 40
Damage points: 80
Description: Minato kicks the opponent in the air throws his Flying Thunder God Kunai, repeats the pattern and uses Rasengan on the opponent when on the ground.
Note: Can only be used Twice by Minato Namikaze.
(Jikūkan: Rasenrengan) - Space Time: Spiralling Serial Spheres
Rank: S
Type: Offensive
Range: Short - Long
Chakra cost: 40
Damage points: 80
Description: Minato teleports towards the opponent in a zig-zag manner by continuously throwing his space time kunai, and hits the target with a Rasengan in each hand.
(Kiiroi Senkō) – The Yellow Flash
Rank: S
Type: Offensive
Range: Short
Chakra cost: 40
Damage points: 80
Description: Minato will blast the target into the air with a rasengan and then proceeds to throw one of his space-time kunai behind them. As he teleports behind them, he strikes them in the back with another rasengan that expands to a bigger size before exploding the target into the ground.
Note: Can only be used once with a Minato bio.
(Hiraishin no Jutsu) – Flying Thunder God Technique
Rank: S
Type: Attack
Range: Short – Long
Chakra Cost: 40
Damage Points: 80 (if used with a kunai slash as the finisher)
Description: This is a space/time ninjutsu.This jutsu can only work if the user throws a kunai with the special shiki-jutsu(seal jutsu)or has tagged the item or person by touch.The user can instantly teleport to the tags location.
Note: Only Yondaime/Fourth hokage can use this jutsu,And is unavoidable unless with space/time ninjutsu and can only be used 4 times per battle
(Jikūkan Kekkai) – Space-Time Barrier
Rank: S
Type: Supplementary
Range: Long
Chakra cost: 40
Damage points: N/A
Description: Minato will perform the following hand seal Ram, with the use of his space-time kunai, to form a barrier that will teleport away incoming attacks that sent at it. He is capable of diverting away an attack as large and powerful as a chakra blast from the nine-tailed demon fox. Once the technique is warped away Minato has to direct it to another location.
Note: Can only be used 4 times and can only be used by a Minato character.
Background Information
✘ History :
When Minato was in the Academy, his class-mate and future wife Kushina Uzumaki thought he looked "flaky" and even "girly". He dreamed of being acknowledged by the Konoha villagers by becoming Hokage, which Kushina considered to be an impossible dream for someone like him. Years later however, when Kushina was kidnapped by Kumogakure ninja, Minato was the only one to pick up on the fact that she was leaving behind strands of her red hair to mark their path. After rescuing her, Minato explained that he had always admired her hair. No longer seeing him as "flaky", she fell in love with him.
According to those who knew him, Minato was a very talented ninja prodigy - a rare genius that appeared only once a generation. He graduated from the Academy at the age of ten, and was added to a genin team under the tutelage of Jiraiya. Jiraiya took a special interest in Minato, and accepted him as an apprentice, amongst other things teaching him the Summoning Technique. Jiraiya even believed Minato might be the Child of the Prophecy, someone who would someday save the world.
In time, Minato was put in charge of a genin team of his own, consisting of Rin, Obito Uchiha, and Kakashi Hatake. During the Third Shinobi World War, Minato led his team on a mission into Kusagakure to destroy the Kannabi Bridge. Because Kakashi had recently become a jōnin, Minato gave leadership of the mission to Kakashi while he went to help Konoha's forces on the front lines. After meeting up with the surviving and out-numbered Konoha ninja, Minato used his Flying Thunder God Technique to destroy the opposing Iwagakure ninja. He then returned to his team, just in time to save Kakashi and Rin from another group of Iwa forces; he was too late to save Obito. When Kakashi and Rin recovered from the ordeal, Minato helped them complete the mission.
At some point, he clashed with A multiple times. At their first meeting he recognised A's brother Killer B as the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. Upon receiving the signal that Konoha was retreating, he declared that they would later face each other to put the title of Kage on the line and also offered A the advice of making sure his brother knew who he was before he became neither human nor jinchūriki.
When the war ended, Minato, not yet thirty years of age, was chosen to become the Fourth Hokage. At some point during his reign he read Jiraiya's first book. He liked the main character's determination, believing he was just like Jiraiya. Since Kushina was pregnant with their son, Minato informed Jiraiya that they planned to name their son "Naruto" in the hopes that he would be just like the main character and, in turn, Jiraiya. Jiraiya warned them that this would make him Naruto's godfather, but they insisted that this was a good thing.
Because Kushina was the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, special arrangements had to be made for Naruto's birth. Since the seal keeping the Nine-Tails within her would weaken during childbirth, Naruto would secretly be delivered in a remote location outside Konoha. ANBU would guard the area and Minato would maintain the seal while Kushina went into labour. Soon after Naruto was born they were found by Tobi. Tobi killed all of the ANBU and took Naruto hostage, threatening to do the same to him. Minato was able to take Naruto back, but this gave Tobi the chance to escape with Kushina. Minato found a safe place to put Naruto and then teleported to Kushina. He arrived in time to stop the Nine-Tails, having been removed from her body, from killing her, and teleported back to Naruto. Minato reunited mother and son and then went to help defend Konoha from the Nine-Tails.
Minato arrived in the early stages of the Nine-Tails' attack. After protecting the village from its Tailed Beast Ball, Minato tried to reach the Third Hokage to inform him of what had happened. He was stopped by Tobi, who tried to send him away. Minato escaped but was followed by Tobi. When the two began fighting, Minato struggled to hit Tobi, Tobi being intangible whenever he was not currently attacking. By carefully timing his Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato was able to strike him during one of these rare moments and apply a seal for the Flying Thunder God Technique to him, allowing him to teleport to Tobi whenever he wanted. He placed a Contract Seal on Tobi to remove the Nine-Tails from his control, forcing Tobi to flee.
Other Information
✘ Will of Fire :
Minato has a really strong willpower, and carries the will of fire inside from his very proud village of Konohagakure. Having such strong will means that in a fight, small injuries are not enough to stop him. His will to live for and protect the village is a very great deal, it has helped him many times in fights.
Battle Information
✘ Won : -
✘ Lost : -
✘ Testing : Required
✘ Dropping if passed : Toshiro Hitsugaya
✘ Special Thanks to : Norman | Tybone


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ST. PAUL, Minn. — As he sat on the bench at Xcel Energy Center wearing an official Ducks sweater with his name on it, Zach Sikich secretly hoped for any way that his brief gig as an NHL goalie would be stretched out.
The national anthem was sung, and the Ducks began their game against the Minnesota Wild. It wasn't hard to notice Sikich, who was wearing his baby blue pads.
Summoned by the Ducks because the Viktor Fasth was injured during the morning skate and they couldn't get Jeff Deslauriers to the arena until right at game time, the 32-year-old Sikich was having the time of his life.
"Coach (Bruce) Boudreau just wanted to give me a heads-up that there's a chance that I possibly may not be there the whole game," Sikich said. "He told me that. So I was like, 'Man, I'd like for the puck to drop at least.'
"Once the puck dropped, I'm like, 'All right'. Then I got the nod from the equipment guy once the goal was under review. That's when I scooted my way off the bench. I was hoping I could stay the whole game. The first period was good."
Just like that, Sikich's NHL career was over. For his trouble, the Minneapolis resident and native of suburban Eveleth was paid $500 and received his very slightly used game sweater with his name on the back — and an experience to last a lifetime.
"That's the coolest part," he said. "Having an NHL jersey with Sikich on the back. More than anything, that's all I wanted. That's the cool thing.
"It's really cool to have that jersey. I'll frame it and put it in my office. I'll be able to tell a story."
David McNab, the Ducks' senior vice president of hockey operations, reached out to Sikich on Tuesday afternoon after it was apparent that Fasth could not go. He knew of him after bringing Sikich to practice last season to give an overworked Jonas Hiller a day off.
Sikich played for the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede and then in college at the University of St. Thomas before a nomadic pro career with these teams: the Motor City Mechanics, Danbury Trashers, Fort Wayne Komets, Jacksonville Barracudas, Quad City Mallards and Elmira Jackals.
There were also two games spent in the ECHL with the Long Beach Ice Dogs and five with the Phoenix Roadrunners back in 2005-06, his high-water mark as a pro.
"Last year, I got a call from the team and the guys, they wanted me to practice," Sikich said. "It was the night before, so I had a little time to prep. Today, I think I got a call about noon to 12:30. (McNab) said there might be a chance so just hang tight.
"I told them I'd clear my schedule and make sure it happened. I got the call about 1:30 and got the contract sent over. There was some urgency in that I had to get the contract back."
And so suddenly the former player put aside his day job running his ProHybrid Training system (prohybridtraining.com) for young goalie hopefuls. Sikich has been involved in that as well as instructional camps in and outside of Minnesota since his junior year in college.
Every moment was savored, and each one brought back memories.
"I remember just coming to the rink with a suit and tie on," he said. "I got down here and got in the locker room. From being a pro athlete and playing college hockey, the preparation is really the cool part. The routine.
"Once the puck drops, everything happens so fast. You won't think about that stuff. But what I do remember is the preparation, the routines. Taping the stick and looking at the rink. That was the real cool part."
Boudreau joked afterward that his plan was to get him in, but a close 2-1 win over Minnesota ruined that.
"My dream was to have a 5-0 lead and play him for the last 20 seconds to give him the thrill of his life," Boudreau said. "I didn't think that was going to happen."
Right now, Sikick mostly works with pee wee and bantam-level players but also serves as a part-time coach with his old Stampede team. He excitedly talks about prospect Charlie Lindgren, a 19-year-old whom he believes will be drafted in June, and hopes to become a goalie coach in the NHL.
But there will be nothing that can duplicate the best part of his 15 minutes of fame.
"Everyone was really awesome," he said. "Teemu (Selanne) and some of the veterans and Jonas remembered me. They said, 'Hey it's good to have you back.' That means a lot. There was a lot of positive energy with this team. I wish them the best as well."


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Photographer's Note
An old women in the backyard of the Temple
Nobody has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
Tayon (1995) 2012-03-03 8:01
Hi Ferenc
What a portrait !
great lines on the face and the use of the B&W was a good choice..
the photo could be greater
good work
No_One (4) 2012-03-05 7:59
hi Ferenc,
This is indeed a great portrait shot. That face has so much charcter, and could tell a thousand stories. Great choice also in Black and white.
Best regards
Photo Information
- Copyright: Ferenc Gordan (gordanf) (22)
- Genre: People
- Medium: Black & White
- Date Taken: 2007-08-06
- Categories: Daily Life
- Exposure: f/4, 1/200 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2012-03-03 6:37
Viewed: 2724
Points: 4


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After a long, hot, hard day fighting traffic, scrambling to complete tasks, and grinning through a mid-afternoon slump only to return to a now kiln-like vehicle to fight my way back home, nothing calms my nerves better than watching the fledglings on the front porch as they negotiate their tiny nest, loading up an old episode of Planet Earth, or searching the Internet for adorable puppy videos. These are the dog days of summer after all.
There's just something about watching animals that is so relaxing. Children know. Their books are about them, their favorite toys resemble them, their first words often mimic them. This is no secret to pet owners either. Whether you live with a dog, cat, chicken, or llama, you know that gentle and comforting feeling they provide. Animals provide us with strength and guide us from our own awkward existence. Animals: Forces of Nature, an exhibition at Frank Gallery in Chapel Hill on view now through September 8, 2013, taps into this very special relationship we share with animals and will have you sweetly smiling at the sight of shy, grazing deer or a proud, pink pig.
Animals is co-curated by Frank Gallery artists Sudie Rakusin and Nerys Levy and showcases their work, the work of several gallery members, and six invited artists from the community. Louise Franke appropriates images from art history in a delightful way as in her piece Manet's Golden, a nod to the French painter's 1882 painting, A Bar at the Folies-Bergere. Replacing the barmaid in Manet's masterpiece with a beautiful golden retriever, corseted and jeweled no less, Franke playfully draws upon our tendency to innocently anthropomorphize the animals in our lives.
Murray Handler takes a surprising approach to the depiction of our furry friends in his piece, Silent Winter. Placed among an abstracted forest, the vertical lines first expressed at random, the scene determined afterward, stands a family of deer searching the frozen ground. By combining his continued exploration of Abstract Expressionism with his new interest in Realism Handler reveals how our subconscious is filled with images of the natural world.
The programming in conjunction with Animals: Forces of Nature is also inspired and fun for the whole family. The Opening Reception earlier in July was catered with vegetarian foods and a photographic session with Frank Gallery photographers Barbara Tyroler and Bill McAllister, Dogs and their People, offered those registered the opportunity to sit for their own canine-friendly, family portraits. You won't want to miss their next exhibition salon supporting Paws4Ever, the only guaranteed- adoption shelter in Orange County, on Thursday, July 25. And on Thursday, August 1, 4:00 to 5:30 pm, Frank Gallery teams up with Kidzu Museum for the "Have a Heart" workshop to share through art, craft, and stories how animals touch our hearts. Jenn Merritt with K9Kindness will also be there to demonstrate pet responsibility, teaching us how love for our pets extends to respect for people and all living beings. For more information on upcoming events at Frank Gallery visit their website, frankisart.com/events/.
Image captions:
Animals: Forces of Nature, an art exhibition at Frank Gallery
Louise Franks, Manet's Golden, acrylic on canvas


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middle column hall in Luxor Temple .. this Hall contains 32 columns , 16 on each side divided into 4 rows with a closed louts flower shaped crowns which is the symbol of Upper (southern) Egypt ..
this pano is taken in the middle of the 16 left group of columns in you are going into the inside of the temple.
Part of the Holy Land, Egypt offers a fascinating mixture of ancient pyramids, temples and other religious monuments. There are numerous possibilities to explore Egypt from desert treks to trips down the Nile or scuba diving in the Red Sea and along the Sinai coast. Cairo, which means "The Triumphant", is home to the pyramids, sphinx and over 17 million residents within its metropolitan area. Luxor is often described as the world's largest open air museum, built on the ancient city of Thebes. The Karnak temple complex, located near Luxor, is a collection of ancient temples, chapels and various other buildings.


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A man with a black cloak on walking in the rain.
So he wants to meet me at the hide out. I hope he is there.
The man eyes turn red with black dots. The man continues on walking through the rain.
Hours apart
The man shows up at a huge building. The sighs and walks in.
Official battle
Rei R&R
Mid range
Rping type of battle.
Uchiha Hideout
All out
Stealing and killing allowed


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Notice of Meeting Tolomato Community Development District The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the Tolomato Community Development District is scheduled to be held Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Beach Library, 101 Library Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082. The meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at the meeting. The meeting is open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida Law for Community Development Districts. A copy of the agenda for this meeting may be obtained from the office of the District Manager, 14785 Old St. Augustine Road, Suite 4, Jacksonville, Florida 32258 (and phone (904) 288-9130). There may be occasions when one or more Supervisors will participate by telephone. Any person requiring special accommodations at this meeting because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Office at (904)288-9130 at least two calendar days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8770, for aid in contacting the District Office. Each person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the meeting is advised that person will need a record of the proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based. James A. Perry District Manager L652-8 Mar 6, 2008
Posted from 6-Mar-08 to 6-Mar-08
© 2018. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us


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Rail labor is engaged in a modern-day sabots-throwing exercise to preserve conductor jobs likely unnecessary for safe-train operation as collision-avoidance technology named Positive Train Control (PTC) is installed.
Troublingly, rail labor has recruited the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as a compliant time traveler to decades past when redundant train crews of up to seven sent the industry tumbling into a financial abyss. Job security could have been—but wasn't—softened by interest-based bargaining where each side works to meet the other's concerns. Welcome to déjà vu.
PTC is a more-than $12 billion investment to eliminate human-factor-caused train accidents. Rail labor long has advocated its development and implementation. But as with previous technological advancements—semi-automatic couplers, air brakes, diesel-electric locomotives, end-of-train devices, and remote-control beltpacks—some jobs become redundant. Rather than acknowledge technology's merit in improving safety, rail labor has recruited the FRA to assert, without data-determined scientific evidence, that safe train operation requires a minimum of two crew members.
Well, not on all trains, and here is where arguments of the labor/FRA cabal become dodgy.
A former president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) predicted in 1985 that technology would permit engineer-only operations. On the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak's high-speed Acela Express trains operate with a lone engineer in the cab, as do Amtrak and commuter trains virtually everywhere else—and most under collectively bargained labor contracts. Some 80 smaller railroads operate engineer-only. The safety records are outstanding.
In 2001, the BLET negotiated engineer-only on Indiana Rail Road (INRD), and more recently stated willingness for engineer-only on a division of Class I BNSF. INRD President Tom Hoback traveled to the U.K. and New Zealand where one-person unionized crews are common. "Engineers said they had fewer distractions working alone," Hoback says. "It has never been a contentious issue in INRD contract talks."
In 2009, the FRA said it had "no factual evidence to support [a] prohibition against one-person crew operations." The California Public Utilities Commission concluded a two-person crew "could aggravate engineer distraction," while the National Transportation Safety Board does not oppose phasing out two-person crews as other safety enhancements, such as PTC, are implemented.
Yet in April, the FRA, at the urging of labor, said it would promulgate a rule requiring two-person crews. Privately, some at FRA disparage the agency's effort as "the Book of Mormon," saying FRA lacks data, and its arguments are ubiquitous with the term, "we believe."
Despite carrier assurances they would not attempt to expand engineer-only operations prior to implementation of PTC—allowing time to examine post-PTC-implementation safety data—the FRA says recent crude oil by rail (CBR) accidents require prompt regulatory action to prohibit engineer-only operation. Seriously?
Of 15 CBR accidents in the United States, all resulted from rail flaws. And while the horrific July 2013 Lac-Megantic, Que., accident allegedly resulted from failure to apply sufficient hand brakes to hold a train following loss of air brakes—not then required under Canadian regulations—such a regulatory requirement has long been in force in the U.S.
With U.S. CBR accidents traceable entirely to rail flaws, the data-phobic FRA's motive in requiring two-person crews is highly suspect, and diverts scarce resources that should be focused elsewhere.
Regulatory actions should be data driven. Yet when a carrier official suggested a data-driven approach, an FRA official responded—according to FRA-prepared meeting minutes—"What would be the objective of this exercise?" That the FRA administrator is a former union officer legitimately adds to anxieties.
Congressional oversight may soon probe what really is going on, and surely if the FRA proceeds, a federal court challenge, accompanied by extensive pre-trial discovery, will focus sunlight. Clearly not the FRA's finest hour, this may well be its nadir.
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