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E-Vam Buddhist Institute presents
Khenpo Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche
March 28 and 29 in Manhattan
March 30-April 1 in Chatham
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to study with an extremely learned and inspiring Dzogchen master. Although still a young man, Khenpo Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche was trained in old Tibet and attained his Khenpo degree with Jigmed Phuntsok Rinpoche, who is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the 20th century. It is becoming increasingly rare to meet with teachers who studied in the traditional way, with lamas who have remained uncorrupted by the modern world. Khenpo Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche is such a teacher. His great learning and realization are matched by a very personable and relaxed teaching style that blends a profound understanding of the nature of the mind with insight and humor about the modern condition. Traleg Kyabgon Rinpoche has urged all of his students to take advantage of this opportunity to study these profound texts with someone who has a pure and unbroken connection to the lineage of these teachings.
Awakening the Happiness and Enlightenment Within: Discovering Your Own Buddha Nature
Evening Teaching: $25
Wednesday March 28 (7.00-9.00 pm)
1455 Lexington Avenue #2B, (at 94th St) New York, NY 10128
How to Connect with Enlightenment Mentally, Emotionally, and Spiritually
Evening Teaching: $25
Thursday March 29 (7.00-9.00 pm)
1455 Lexington Avenue #2B, (at 94th St) New York, NY 10128
Mipham Rinpoche's Spacious Path of Bliss
Weekend Program: Fri 7.00-9.00pm, Sat & Sun 10.00-12.00 & 3.00-5.00pm
$175 for the weekend and $35 for single sessions
March 30-April 1
171 Water Street, Chatham, NY 12037
Contact E-Vam Institute for further details: 518-392-6900 or firstname.lastname@example.com | http://www.evam.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Khenpo Orgyen Chowang Rinpoche, March 28 & 29, NYC & Chatham
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text:
The B.A.T. Mobile Challenge consists of two parts–design judging and a double elimination race.
Each team must submit their BAT Mobile to FSEC the day of the event. The car will remain impounded until the scheduled time when the racing begins. During impoundment, selected judges will review each car for its quality, precision, durability, design concept, and safety.
Each team must provide a Design Document for their car before being allowed to compete. The Design Document is not a daily journal. it is an engineering schematic.
The Design Document must include:
The Design Document might include:
The Design Document must be printed or written; no electronic copies will be accepted or printed out the day of the event. These documents will not be returned.
The competition is a time trial followed by an 8-car double elimination. The racetrack is 20 meters long and set up on a hard, flat, smooth surface such as a tennis court and a non-slick vinyl surface is used for the track lanes.
During the time trial phase of the race, teams have the opportunity to attempt to have their vehicle drive down the track (a run) up to three times. After each run, the vehicle's time will be recorded. A 'DNF' or 'Did Not Finish' will be recorded for vehicles that lose their salt canister, drive off the track, cross into another lane, do not cross the finish line, or are otherwise disqualified.
Time trials will be offered every 30 seconds for a given period of time. It is a team's responsibility to line up and run their vehicle (up to three times) within the time allotted. Any teams in line when the end of the time trial event is called by the judges will not be allowed to run. When 'Go' is called, vehicles that do not start moving before the other vehicle reaches the finish will be given a DNF and must be removed from the track immediately. If neither vehicle moves, the teams will be given 20 seconds after 'Go' is called before DNF's are given to both vehicles. Vehicles are then to be promptly removed.
The eight teams with the fasted individual run times will move to the head-to-head competition.
The head-to-head competition is an eight-team, double elimination event. This means that a team must lose twice before being eliminated from the competition. Teams will race against other teams to determine the first, second, and third place winners.
Modified 11/14/2013

subset: commoncrawl


text:
She was born Sept. 4, 1921, at Havana to Joseph Warren Turner and Dena Lokey. She was a 1939 graduate of Havana High School and a graduate of University of Jonesboro. She furthered her education at Arkansas Tech University, the University of Central Arkansas and Memphis State University.
She was a teacher for 46 years and taught at Havana, Waldron, Forrest City and California schools out of Los Angeles districts. She was also a member of Retired Teachers Association of Yell County and the Havana E. H. Club of Havana. She was a member of Upper Spring Creek Free Will Baptist Church in Belleville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Myrle Frazier, and husband Ray Pearce.
Survivors include her children, Gary and Jenny Alford of Olive Branch, Miss., Alan and Judy Alford of Cabot, Scott and Libby Alford of Bryant; stepsons, Clint Pearce of Little Rock and Doug Pearce of Conway; grandchildren, Tiffany Bozoudes (Paul), Kristen Agee (Cody), Matt Alford, Hunter Alford, Leigh Clary (Danny); and great-grandchildren Madison Fullington, Hagan Alford and Paisley Agee. Funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, at Upper Spring Creek Freewill Baptist Church. Burial will be at Havana Cemetery. Visitation will be conducted from 1-2 p.m. before service at the church.
Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home Danville.
Online guestbook and condolence at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.


text:
Cold Hand In Mine
Written by: Robert Aickman
Published by:Tartarus Press
Page Count: 296
Limited to 350 copies!
Where to buy:
Tartarus Press
Publisher's Comments:
As Phil Baker writes in his Introduction to this new edition of Cold Hand in Mine: 'Robert Aickman (1914-1981) is increasingly esteemed as the most subtle and distinctive practitioner of the modern ghost story, or what he preferred to call the "strange story": he edited eight collections of ghost stories for the publisher Fontana, but most of his own stories have no obvious ghost. Instead the "ghost story"—or strange story, or uncanny story—was for Aickman essentially "the story of rare sensations": a genre "allied to poetry".'
Contents: 'Introduction' by Phil Baker, 'The Swords', 'The Real Road to the Church', 'Niemandswasser', 'Pages from a Young Girl's Journal', 'The Hospice', 'The Same Dog', 'Meeting Mr Millar' and 'The Clock Watcher'.
Hello Ghouls and Boils,
Today I am going to talk to you about a Robert Aickman book published by Tartarus Press. As usual, it is a lovely book. It reminds me why I prefer a real book in my hands over an eBook any day. I will spare you my usual enthusiastic speech and simply say that Tartarus books are the finest I have ever had the privilege of holding in my hands…. now on to the review. Enjoy, my fiends!
Sarah L. Covert
This was my first experience reading anything by Robert Aickman. Let me simply say – WOW, my socks were knocked off! This book is filled with wonderful gems.
Our regular readers know how much I hate spoilers. It is quite difficult to talk about short stories without giving something away. Today I will talk about my two favorites, but don't worry I won't spoil it for you.
The first story in the book, "The Swords", haunts me still. It was one of the most strange and horrifying tales I have ever read. The story begins with a young gentleman who stops at a carnival. He is drawn to a strange tent where he sees an act that seems impossible to him – a woman who is run through with swords and does not call out in pain. After that part of the show the barker offers the men in the audience the opportunity to kiss the woman. The young man leaves, he is later offered a private show with the woman by the man who ran the tent show. The young man accepts not knowing that he is in for the surprise of his life.
My second favorite story is the last one in the book, "The Clock Watcher". A woman is obsessed with her clocks. She has a house full. Her husband patiently deals with her obsession, Though the neighbors were tiring of all the loud din on the hour. Then one day when he is told a strange tale by a strange man, and everything changes.
Final Thoughts:
Though my two favorite stories are at the beginning and end of the book, but it is chocked full of great tales. I am glad I had the opportunity to read some Aickman. Now I will have to hunt down more of his stories. Tartarus has done it again! I give this book an ardent 5 out of 5 tentacles!
Sarah L. Covert – Creator/Editor/Reviewer/Columnist/Reporter
SNS Interviews M.R. Gott (Archived)
Hello fellow followers of the dark and weird,
Join us for our live interview with author M.R. Gott at 5PM Eastern, 2PM Pacific on Saturday the 5th. Lines will be open to call-in with questions. Enjoy, my fiends!
Listen to internet radio with SheNeverSlept on Blog Talk Radio


text:
Hi folks, I just purchased an LED Helmet Brake Light kit from Whitehorse Press. This is the kit that comes with a #1157 LED bulb with transmitter and a LED light strip with batteries that attaches to a helmet with included adhesive pads. Operates by replacing standard taillight bulb with the above mentioned LED bulb. When brake light is activated it sends a signal to the LED light bar.
The fine print on the package says "when installing a 1157 wireless transmittter brake light on motorcycles equipped with ECS(Electric Computer System) install a LR-6-50 resister( not included) as well, for interference free transmission to your wireless LED helmet brake light receiver."
My question is, does my 98 R1100 RT have an Electric Computer System that will require the use of the LR-6-50 resister,(what ever that is)?


text:
Kardashians to be Less Obvious About Stealing Children's Money
Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe pull the plug on their predatory credit card. Lindsay Lohan wants a restraining order against paparazzi. Tom Brady battles male pattern baldness. Brad Pitt's plague of poor fashion choices returns. Tuesday gossip is a lost cause.
- The Kardashian sisters have backed off their latest
pyramid schemecapitalist endeavor, the Kardashian Prepaid MasterCard, which is marketed to children and has hidden fees so unconscionable, even elected officials are denouncing it. (Right after they have a staffer write a briefing paper on "What the hell is a Kardashian, anyway?") The Connecticut Attorney General opened an investigation to figure out if the Kardashian Prepaid MasterCard was illegal or just tasteless, causing the sisters K to return the money MasterCard gave them and demand to have their faces removed from the card. Will they refund current users' fees? Unknown. Moral of the Story, Part I: When your crass greed actively impoverishes others, it has gone too far. Moral of the Story, Part II: The credit card business is a shell game that even the most superficial of hollowed-out Hollywood shells cannot master. [P6, TMZ, Time, image via Bauer-Griffin]
- Speaking of the Kardashians, Khloe said on The View that she lost her virginity at age 14 to an 18-year-old. (That's statutory rape in California, no?) She urges young women everywhere, "Don't let anyone pressure you." Unless it's pressure to give all your money to the Kardashians! Then you're golden. (Prepaid Platinum?) [The View via JJ]
- Lindsay Lohan is seeking a restraining order against the paparazzi. Apparently her probation officer and the Betty Ford Clinic thought she was sober enough (Sober Shiny enough?) to drive again, but they're so afraid she'll die in a paparazzi accident, they changed their minds. [TMZ]
Brad Pitt wore baggy leather pants on the red carpet and—is that a hint of chin scraggle I see? Returning to terrorize us again, just when we finally thought we'd gotten hot Brad Pitt back? Forget it, this guy is officially a lost cause. [E!, image via Getty]
- Ben Affleck always ends up doing last-minute Christmas shopping at CVS. Celebrities, they're just like us: Cheap and lazy. [JJ]
- Anne Hathaway on hosting the Oscars: "intimidating," "cool," "exhilarating," "challenge." [Us, ET, NYPost]
- For Black Swan Natalie Portman lost 20 lbs., which is a pretty significant weight loss for a lady who's only 5'3". She did it "with discipline." [Us]
- Patriots quarterback and Gisele Bundchen lover Tom Brady has been consulting hair transplant specialists because he is balding! Very sad. I always imagine the slow-moving menace that is male-pattern baldness as the worst kind of sinking feeling—gradual, inevitable, hopeless. All the transplants in the world will not defeat this follicular war of attrition, Tom. Work on cultivating your personality, maybe. [NYDN]
- Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz is at New York Presbyterian Hospital, taking up the entire luxury treatment wing. He booked every single room to make sure nobody would bug (read: try to kill) him. His convoy required 40 vehicles, "including 20 for luggage alone." [P6]
- The NYPD is subpoenaing Charlie Sheen's medical records to prove that he used cocaine on the night he locked his hooker in the bathroom and went on a drunken rampage that ended in the ER. If you're joining this story late, just insert the cocaine- and hooker-related drama from any old week in the last two decades of Charlie Sheen's existence. It's all but interchangeable at this point. [Radar]
- Madonna's Mexican mega-gym is open for business, so you can slog away at the elliptical while staring at walls papered with Madonna's heavily made-up face. Mixed feelings on this. On one hand, Madonna is known to provide the best work-out music. (Kylie's a little too self-consciously work-out-y.) But, come on, the decor at this place verges on America's Next Top Model Tyra shrine narcissism. [Popeater]
- After a domestic violence inquiry, Teen Mom Amber Portwood has been reunited with her two-year-old offspring. Look, I understand why the Kardashians are famous (even if I strenuously and somewhat hypocritically disagree with the system that makes them famous) but Amber's fame eludes me completely. Her greatest accomplishment is convincing Child Services that she hasn't beat her daughter, yet. For this, she gets to be on the covers of magazines. [Us]
- In happier maternal news, Stella McCartney had her fourth baby, a girl named Reiley. Mazel tov! [E!]


text: "It is a testimony to [Yau's] careful prose (and no doubt to the skills of co-author Steve Nadis) that this book so compellingly captures the essence of what pushes string theorists forward in the face of formidable obstacles. It gives us a rare glimpse into a world as alien as the moons of Jupiter, and just as fascinating.... Yau and Nadis have produced a strangely mesmerizing account of geometry's role in the universe."New Scientist


text:
John Tuomy, a former Palo Alto teacher who served for eight years on the Palo Alto Board of Education, died Nov. 30 after suffering fatal injuries from a fall off a ladder on Nov. 28. He was 66.
He was born in Spokane, Wash., and moved to Palo Alto with his family in 1949. He went to Besse Bolton's Nursery School and Elizabeth Van Auken Elementary School. He attended Jordan Junior High and then Palo Alto High School.
After briefly attending Foothill College and the University of Oregon, he transferred to San Jose State University, where he studied political science. In 1968 he became on intern for former U.S. Rep. Don Edwards and worked with the Mexican-American Political Association and the residents of east San Jose.
After 18 months at Golden Gate University Law School, he decided to stop studying law and discovered an interest in teaching through tutoring at his wife's school.
"I'd go home and think about it, and think about different ways to get through to the kids," he told the Palo Alto Weekly in 1998. "It was one of the first jobs I'd ever done that I really enjoyed doing, and I couldn't believe people got paid to do it."
He attained his teaching credential in the early 1970s and student-taught in east San Jose and then at the Barron Park Elementary School in Palo Alto during a time when teaching jobs were scarce. He was then hired at Palo Verde Elementary School, and after five years he was offered a position at the district's gifted program and eventually a spot as its computer coordinator.
"It was before Apple, even," he said. "We were timesharing on the district's HP 2008. I'd finish teaching, and I'd spend hours at the computer."
In 1977 he administered a $250,000 federal grant to teach children how to tutor each other on computers. In 1979 he left the district for the private sector to better support his family. After a series of jobs in the tech industry, he became vice president of sales and marketing for Leemah Datacom Security Corp. in 1988 and became CEO in 1990.
But he didn't leave education behind. He fought against the proposed closure of Gunn High School in 1988 and served as co-chair, along with Carolyn Tucher, of the committee that put helped pass the "Building for Excellence" school bond in 1995. After the bond passed, he reluctantly ran for school board. He served two terms, ending in 2003.
"He knew what he was signing up for," said Tucher, referring to his already busy schedule as a father and businessman. "He wanted to make sure he followed through on the commitments we made for the bond, and he really cared about education from making a career in it for as long as he did."
Tucher said his background as a teacher, his knowledge of technology and his deep love for the community made him uniquely qualified for the job of school board member.
"Often his test for decisions would be 'What would my father think of this? How would this sound to a longtime Palo Altan, and how would it affect them?'" Tucher said.
On the board he built a reputation as someone with strong opinions who always spoke his mind.
"There was nothing wimpy about John, but he was good-hearted," she said. "I think being straightforward was a good quality, and when all was said and done he would play with the team."
Tucher said Tuomy, who lived for years in the Greenmeadow neighborhood of Palo Alto, also ran for the school board to represent the place he lived.
"South Palo Alto has half the kids in the district, but there aren't many board members from those parts," Tucher said. "He felt that his neighborhoods weren't as well-represented for no other reason than that they didn't run for the board."
School Board President Camille Townsend expressed in a press release the impact of his death on the school district.
"John Tuomy loved this school district and he wanted the best for its students. His boisterous advocacy came with a thoughtful analysis and a willingness to put his shoulder into the work ahead. He focused on the future. We will miss him as a friend and as a leader," she stated.
Tucher spoke highly of Tuomy's dedication to his family. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, a technology trainer for the Palo Alto Unified School District; his daughter, Erin Mershon, and son-in-law, Geoffrey Mershon, of Palo Alto; his son, Brian Tuomy, a teacher at Gunn High School, and daughter-in-law, Ariane Tuomy, of Redwood City; sister, Elizabeth Rundell of Palo Alto; sister-in-law, Susan Custer of Mountain View; nephews, Doyle Rundell of Menlo Park, Travis and Jordan Rundell of San Francisco; and granddaughters, Amanda and Leah Mershon.
Services will be held Friday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 670 E. Meadow Drive, Palo Alto. It will be public, Brian Tuomy said.
Anabelle Markoff
Annabelle Most Markoff, an innovator in the field of early childhood education, died Dec. 2 in Davis, Calif. She was 91.
An elementary school teacher before and during the early years of her marriage, she raised three children and then attended graduate school in special education during the late 1960s in a newly created joint program between San Francisco State University and the University of California at Berkeley.
She had initially returned to work in the field of education in 1963 when, as a Palo Alto housewife married to pianist Mortimer Markoff, she was invited by the local school district to teach in a new federally funded program aimed at teaching children with average IQs who were failing in school. Although she was part of a broader movement of women returning to the workforce during the '60s, initially she did so without a political agenda and with a good deal of trepidation.
"I hadn't yet joined the group of women who saw work outside the home as liberating," she wrote. "Although I was very excited by the challenge of the new task, I was troubled not only by my inadequacy, but by the loss of close contact with my children in this so important early part of their lives."
Entering graduate school on two campuses that were then wracked by student unrest, she would go on to become an educator who was instrumental in helping foster an educational movement that redefined the focus of "learning disabilities" from the individual student to include the teacher, classroom, family and community.
She joined the faculty at San Francisco State University in 1972 as an assistant professor in the Special Education Department. In 1976 she became an assistant professor in the San Jose State University Department of Special Education. Throughout her career she consulted both inside the U.S. and internationally and in 1979, with several of her colleagues, she founded the Annabelle Markoff School in Belmont, Calif., to apply her teaching ideas to children with learning disabilities.
She authored a number of diagnostic tests to inventory children's reading skills and published two books: "Teaching low-achieving children reading, spelling, and handwriting: Developing perceptual skills with the graphic symbols of language" (1976) and "Within Reach: Academic Achievement Through Parent-Teacher Communication" (1992). In 1988 financial industry executive Charles Schwab and his wife Helen financed the creation of the Parents Educational Resource Center, and Markoff became the founding director. She retired in 1993.
She was born in Los Angeles on Sept. 1, 1921, the third child of Bernard Most and Bertha Salzman. Her father owned a small hat business, which failed during the Great Depression and her mother died when Markoff was 12. In high school her classmates included Jack Webb, the movie actor.
She attended college at the University of California at Los Angeles. During college and afterwards she was active in a variety of politically progressive organizations. In Palo Alto she served on the boards of both the Coop Market and the Jewish Community Center.
She is survived by a son, John, and daughter, Ellen, both of San Francisco, Calif.; a daughter, Joan, of Sacramento; and two grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew.
Lucy Smith
Lucy Smith, a longtime Palo Alto resident, died Nov. 1.
She was born in San Francisco on May 10, 1923, to Arthur and Elizabeth Allen. She attended Commodore Sloat Elementary School, Aptos Junior High School and George Washington High School. Her college years were spent at Pomona, where she earned a bachelor's degree, and Smith College for a master's degree in education and child study.
While at Pomona she met and married her first husband, Arthur Mallette. He did not return from the war, so she was left a young widow.
Her first job was at Stanford Village Nursery School. A 1947 Stanford Daily article describes her as having "a gay and festive mood." She replied, "Maybe it's because I love to be with children — to help them.... You can learn a lot from children just by watching them and listening to what they say."
During her time at Stanford she met Hawley Smith and they were married in March of 1948. They had three children together. She spent many years raising them before returning to work outside her home.
She worked at the Preschool Family Program (Palo Alto High School Adult Education) from 1961 to 1982. After retiring she continued substitute teaching until 1992.
She was active in the Palo Alto Garden Club and especially Gamble Garden. She loved working with the Roots and Shoots Program for Walter Hays 3rd graders.
She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Calbreath; and her sons, Dan and Stevo Smith. She also had three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Ave., Palo Alto. Although she adored flowers, she requested that donations please be contributed to St. Mark's or Gamble Garden.
Virginia Hall Stalder
Virginia Hall Stalder, a longtime former resident of Palo Alto, died Nov. 25 near her English holly farm in Beavercreek, Ore., at the age of 87.
Born Jan. 20, 1925, in Salisbury, N.C., to Hallie Shaver and John Floyd Hall, she grew up in Salisbury and Woodleaf, attending Salisbury and Woodleaf public schools and Catawba College, where she graduated with a degree in physics.
Upon graduation from Catawba she was employed by NACA, the predecessor of NASA, at Langley Field, Va. Shortly thereafter, seeking adventure, she transferred to Ames Research Lab at Moffett Field. She advanced to the position of "head computer" before the advent of calculators and mainframe computers.
At Ames she met and married Jackson R. Stalder, an aeronautical research engineer. She continued to work for various firms on the San Francisco Peninsula while raising three children, an unusual achievement for women in the 1950s.
In 1964 the two purchased an English holly farm in Beavercreek, Ore. Jackson passed away in 1968 and Virginia managed and developed Beavercreek Farms — purveyors of fine English holly seasonal gifts — for 48 years. When asked why she was once again making the annual trek to Beavercreek at the age of 87, she replied "to make a few people happy." She appreciated her holly customers and treasured providing jobs for her loyal and talented seasonal workers.
She is survived by her children, Suellen Stalder (James Corrie) of Berkeley, Barbara Allen (Judson Allen, deceased) of Palo Alto and Kenneth R. Stalder (Patricia Nassos) of Redwood City; three grandchildren, two nieces and numerous cousins. Private services were held at Beavercreek Farms in November.
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text: Hi all! In case you're wondering why I'm starting at episode 8, all the previous episodes are available in the original DS9 Season 10 thread, here: http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=143895 The thread features links to downloadable PDFs. The direct links to all the PDFs so far are as follows: 10x01 - "Emancipation" 10x02 - "Brave New World" 10x03 - "Steppin' Out" 10x04 - "Easy Come, Easy Go" 10x05 - "Deep Down" 10x06 - "The Dream Box" 10x07 - "Instinct" I am also in the process of uploading the stories as on-screen text to the Ad Astra forums, where the link to my series is: http://www.adastrafanfic.com/viewseries.php?seriesid=83 So now I've decided to upload the text of the stories here in the same fashion. You can still download the PDf if you choose. The link for episode 8 is here: 10x08 - "Property Values" Enjoy! And please continue to let me know what you think. I do appreciate the feedback. .


text:
Jobless rate climbs as companies cut staff
The jobless rate rose in December as companies unexpectedly cut staff, narrowing the odds of another interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank.
The number of people employed fell by 5500 after a revised 17,100 gain in November, while the unemplyment rate rose to 5.4 per cent from an upwardly revised 5.3 per cent, the Bureau of Statistics said today.
Economists had tipped a jobless rate of 5.4 per cent, but had expected the economy to add another 4000 jobs for the month.
Full-time employment decreased by 13,800 people to 8.1 million. Part-time employment lifted by 8300 people to 3.4 million, driven by an increase in male part-time workers. There was a total of 656,400 unemployed people in December, an increase of 16,600 people.
The participation rate - the percentage of people either in work or looking for work - remained steady at 65.1 per cent.
Rate cut tipped - but not in February
The dollar fell about a quarter of a cent to $US1.0532 on the news as expectations rose of another rate cut by the Reserve Bank.
The market is pricing in at least one more easing in interest rates following the Reserve Bank's cut to a record-matching low of 3 per cent back in December.
Interbank futures show a one-in-three chance of a move at the RBA's next policy meeting on February 5, though swap rates imply an eventual move to 2.5 per cent this year.
But ANZ senior economist Riki Polygenis said while employment numbers had fallen more than expected, the Reserve Bank would need more evidence of a weakening economy before cutting interest rates again in February.
"In general, we have been expecting the labour market to slow given relative softness in labour-intensive areas of the economy," Ms Polygenis said. "So we do this that this labour market report is consistent with our view that further monetary policy support is needed from the RBA over 2013 to ensure a rebalancing of growth towards non-mining areas of the economy.
"[But] although employment did fall more than expected, it would not have been a large surprise to the RBA, given the sharp falls that we've seen in job advertisements in recent months."
A core CPI below 0.5 per cent and I think the RBA will cut in February.Matthew Johnson, UBS
However, UBS economist Matthew Johnson said a February rate cut was a possibility if inflation data, due next week, was benign.
''A core CPI (consumer price index) below 0.5 per cent and I think the RBA will cut in February.''
More jobs in NSW, fewer in Qld
Across the states, the December jobs data was mixed. In Victoria, 14,000 jobs were added as participation rate rose to 65.2 per cent while the unemployment rate inched higher to 5.6 per cent.
In NSW, 8000 jobs were added as the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 5.1 per cent. The participation rate lifted slightly to 63.3 per cent.
- Queensland - 22,900 jobs cut, unemployment rate up 0.1 per cent to 6.2 per cent, participation rate drops to 66 per cent
- Western Australia - jobs and participation rate (69.3 per cent) remains flat, unemployment rate rises slightly to 4.3 per cent
- Tasmania - unemployment rate rises from 6.7 to 7.3 per cent
- South Australia - unemployment rate lifts by by 0.5 per cent to 5.8 per cent
- ACT - participation rate remains level at 72.5 per cent, the unemployment up slightly to 4.2 per cent
- Northern Territory - unemployment rate slides from 3.9 to 3.8 per cent
Mr Workman said there was still very strong growth in WA in relation to public sector infrastructure spending.
The oil and gas sector, especially when it comes to LNG projects, was still growing, he added.
"In WA and Queensland, we are still well off the peak in their employment numbers," he said.
Companies cutting staff
NAB economist David de Garis called the jobs data ''a reality check''.
''Most of the leading indicators of labor demand suggest the market is softening and there's been corporate anecdotes backing that up,'' Mr de Garis said.
Weaker commodity prices, a sluggish domestic economy and an elevated currency have prompted companies to put off projects and cut jobs.
More than 1000 jobs were axed in the past week alone. Yesterday, building products maker Boral said it would cut 700 office jobs, while BlueScope Steel outlined plans to sack 170 workers as part of a reconfiguration of its Hastings plant in Victoria.
Vodafone also said yesterday that it was set to close or rebrand Crazy John's chain of mobile phone stores by February 20, putting at risk about 300 jobs across Australia.
On Monday, economic data released by ANZ showed job advertisements dropping by 3.8 per cent in November, a fall for the 10th-straight month.
More seekers than jobs
Commonwealth Bank senior economist Michael Workman said the fall in employment was expected, as the number of people entering the jobs market exceeding the number of positions created.
"Over the past year, jobs were up about 148,000, on average of about 12,000 a month, and that's just not enough to meet the next entrants to the jobs market, which are about 15,000 to 16,000 [people] a month," Mr Workman said.
But the level of unemployment would have been anticipated by the Reserve Bank, and was what sparked the current easing cycle.
"We don't think these are the kinds of numbers that would induce a rate cut from the RBA soon," Mr Workman said.
"We believe that they've been indicating for six to nine months while they cut rates that these were the kinds of outcomes they were expecting on the jobs market. So we've ended up with a 3 per cent cash rate because of the expectation that this was going to happen."
Unemployment rate (per cent, seasonally adjusted)
December: 5.4 per cent
November: 5.3
October: 5.4
September: 5.4
August: 5.1
July: 5.2
New jobs added
December: -5500
November: 13,900
October 10,700
September 14,500
August -8800
with wires
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Notes: Recovery slow for Freel
Outfielder still feeling effects of horrific collision with Hopper
By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
The 31-year-old, who is on the 15-day disabled list, was examined again on Friday by team medical director Dr. Tim Kremchek. The club reported that though Freel was "slowly showing improvement, he has not been cleared to participate in any physical activity.""I'm still getting headaches," Freel said. "I can't read a whole bunch. Remembering stuff is still not where I need to be." Freel said that he struggled to get through some recent tests. One was on an exercise bike, and he had to stop when the headaches became overwhelming. "The first five days, I didn't even get out of bed," he said. "I had pretty bad headaches and nausea and dizziness. I tried driving a couple of times before maybe I was supposed to. I had some pretty bad headaches by driving, a lot of discomfort and pressure. That's gotten better." As for the scary play that knocked him out, Freel has no recollection of it. "I don't remember what happened," he said. "I saw the play [on video]. I just talked to Hop for the first time, and he told me I hit his elbow. I don't know what happened after that." While Hopper was trying to rouse his unconscious teammate on the warning track in the game against the Pirates, he subtly slipped the ball into Freel's glove, and the umpire called Pittsburgh's Humberto Cota out on the play. "That was good. At least we can say we got an out of it," joked Freel.
Coffey demoted again: To make room for Homer Bailey on the 25-man roster on Friday, the Reds optioned reliever Todd Coffey back to Triple-A Louisville. Coffey, who is 1-1 with a 4.81 ERA in 28 games, had just been recalled from Louisville on Tuesday, and he threw two-thirds of an inning over two games at St. Louis, with one hit allowed.During his previous two-week stint at Louisville, Coffey made six scoreless appearances over 5 2/3 innings. "I'm sure with our situation, he'll be back some time before the year is over," manager Jerry Narron said. Sending Coffey down was a bit of a surprise. Rookie Marcus McBeth originally seemed a likely candidate, but his perfect eighth inning against the Cardinals on Wednesday helped his cause. "McBeth pitched well the other night, looked good," Narron said. "He did a good job at the end of games in Triple-A, and deserves a chance to pitch here." If right-hander Jared Burton wasn't a Rule 5 player, Coffey would have likely remained. Burton has been inconsistent, and Narron tries to pick his spots in which to use the rookie. If Burton isn't on the 25-man roster all season, he'd have to clear waivers and be offered back to his original organization -- Oakland. "We're going to find a spot where we can pitch Burton as much as possible," Narron said. "Hopefully, the more he pitches, the better he'll pitch." Top Hopper: Playing center field, Hopper was back in the leadoff spot on Friday. With three left-handers pitching for the Indians this weekend (Cliff Lee, Jeremy Sowers and C.C. Sabathia), Narron planned on using the right-handed-hitting Hopper in the lineup for all three games vs. Cleveland and will likely have him face lefties in the top spot until Freel returns. Big cleanup effort: All was clean and dry in the Reds clubhouse when the players returned on Friday from a 10-day road trip. That wasn't taken for granted, as a water main break flooded the room with two inches of water earlier this week. "There was a lot of water," said Declan Mullin, vice president of ballpark operations. "We were just glad it didn't get up into the guys' lockers." The damage to items in the clubhouse was considered minimal, though a few computers and a supply of baseballs were destroyed. An assortment of high-powered fans and dehumidifiers were brought in to dry the carpeted floors. Flooding was more serious in the Diamond Club area, and walls had to be replaced. Numerology: For his Major League debut on Friday, Bailey wore No. 34, but he didn't request it. Equipment manager Rick Stowe had lofty thoughts in mind when assigning it. "Nolan Ryan, my man. A Texas hero," Stowe said. "No. 21 for Roger Clemens was taken [by Scott Hatteberg]." Ryan wore No. 34 for the Astros and Rangers. A Texan like Ryan and Clemens, Bailey hails from La Grange. Coming up: Matt Belisle (5-4, 4.48) will start for the Reds against Sowers (1-6, 6.63) and the Indians on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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We want a Ikea on the North Side of Brisbane
Do you like shopping at Ikea?
Wouldn't it be great to just go down the road and shop at local branch instead of travelling all the way down to Logan which is approximately 72 km and would take an 1 hr 20 mins to get there from Caboolture.
If we put an Ikea on the Northside of Brisbane near Caboolture, then all the Sunshine Coast people could travel down as well. If you want to see Ikea come to the Northside of Brisbane, sign this petition and see if we can persuade them to build a store. http://www.ikea.com/
Come on show your support and sign this petition. Tell all of your friends about it. We need signatures.
No signatures yet. Be the first one!


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30 Minutes with Lindsey Buckingham
Under the Skin is so aptly titled - it's very personal, very naked, and very raw, which was clearly your intent. For sure. I just wanted to scale it down by taking the bass and the drums off for the most part and keep it very guitar-oriented by having one or two guitars doing all the work. And I wanted to keep it fairly "present" so it sounded like a record with some production value to it, not just of someone sitting in their living room.
How did you record the music for this album? In various manners. There are two songs on there - "Down on Rodeo" and "Someone's Gotta Change Your Mind" - that actually go back a few years when I was working with Mick Fleetwood and Rob Cavallo [who's also produced My Chemical Romance and Green Day], so those were done in a studio. Some songs were done on an old 48-track machine I had at home, but mainly, the bulk of them were done on the road when I was touring with Fleetwood Mac [in 2003-04]. I had a Korg 16-track portable digital recorder and a Roland guitar delay that I used on my vocals, so it was all done in an orderly, overdubbed manner, but with just the limitations that I wanted to impose on the tracks.
Skin is the kind of record you put on for people to hear how an album can sound good with just a voice, a guitar, and some overdubs. Actually, all of your solo albums have quite the reputation in sound-quality circles. How come? I think a lot of what I find interesting works very well with less. There's a tendency to make things too dense when I'm in a Fleetwood Mac situation - where we're talking about John McVie, a bass player who has a very melodic style, and Mick Fleetwood, a drummer who has a very fat sound. It was kind of freeing to be able to overdo the vocal effects and processed guitars yet have the sound be so transparent. I just went for what excited me.
There's a sense of atmosphere and space to this disc, and a lot of guitar/vocal records just don't sound like that. That's right. You do get records that have a pared-down idea, but not that many go this far with the production. That was the hook, the twist of the whole thing.
One of your most classic recordings with Fleetwood Mac, 1977's Rumours, was remixed in surround sound for DVD-Audio. What was your reaction to that? What's cool is, not only are you revisiting something that you wouldn't normally have a tendency to listen to again, you're also reexamining the work itself in a nonconventional manner. It was pretty exciting to open up that mix and have it be so spatial. It's almost like a different album, because things now play differently off one another. You forget how subtle some of the parts were that you put down in the original mix, and then you find they can be used in a more obvious way. After I heard the new mix, I thought, "Oh, gee, did I do that?" [chuckles]


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2010 Greatest Pop and Movie HitsVarious Artists - Alfred Music Publishing
The biggest movies and the greatest artists of 2010 are encompassed in this easy piano collection. Titles include: 21 Guns (American Idiot); Baby (Justin Bieber); Believe (Winter Olympics 2010) (Howard Shore); California Gurls (Katy Perry); Discombobulate (Sherlock Holmes); Love Is Your Color (Sex and the City 2); Need You Now (Lady Antebellum); Party in the U.S.A. (Miley Cyrus); Teenage Dream (Katy Perry); The Only Exception (Paramore); This Is It (Michael Jackson) and When I Look at You (Miley Cyrus).
Select a Product
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Full Song List
- 21 GUNS by AMERICAN IDIOT
- BABY by JUSTIN BIEBER
- BELIEVE by WINTER OLYMPICS 2010
- CALIFORNIA GURLS by KATY PERRY
- DISCOMBOBULATE by SHERLOCK HOLMES
- LOVE IS YOUR COLOR by SEX AND THE CITY 2
- NEED YOU NOW by LADY ANTEBELLUM
- THE ONLY EXCEPTION by PARAMORE
- PARTY IN THE USA by MILEY CYRUS
- TEENAGE DREAM by KATY PERRY
- WHEN I LOOK AT YOU by MILEY CYRUS
- WILD HORSES by SUSAN BOYLE
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" Whilst it may be slightly fragile and lacking in battery life, you're unlikely to care. Sleek design, intuitive user experience, high reliability, endless features and unlimited apps make this a difficult phone to beat. "
* Prices may differ from that shown
I have always been very pleased with this phone - nearly all apps that I want are available from Apple, and it has served me well in a multitude of ways. I have used it for texting, calls, video calls (skype and FaceTime), messaging apps, games, calender functionality, emails, social networking etc etc etc. It has coped admirably with all of this. However it has recently developed a problem where it switches off before the battery is empty and will only turn back on when plugged into the charger - even if it still has 80 per cent battery left. The phone looks stylish, as you would expect from an Apple product and being such a common product there are thousands of options for customisation - phone cases etc. I would thoroughly recommend a rubbery-type case as many people I know have dropped one without it on and it has come to a bad end. By no means do I think this is a negative point, it is just what one would expect from a delicate piece of electronic equipment. Screen protectors are also recommended, but this is a tiny investment which is worth the few pence it costs to keep your phone underneath looking shiny and new! In conclusion, this phone does everything I want it to quickly and efficiently. It barely ever crashes and then only reason I feel unable to give it 5 stars is the problem it has developed under two years after I bought it, when I really planned to use it for a minimum of 2 years.
I've had this handset for coming up-to 3 years. I can honestly say that I have been happy with it throughout.
The handset itself is a sleek basic design. With a front and back camera, excellent for taking selfies and then other people. There's a silence button on the side for if you want to quickly and simply to sounds off. At the bottom is the charger input and a speaker and a microphone.
When I first went for this handset I was a bit sceptical, unsure of what to expect.
It's been really easy to use and not really had any problem with it at all. There's an App Store for you to download tools, whether it be for work or play. There's a book store and a music store for you to download music and books. The good thing also is that not all books, apps etc are paid for there are free ones too.
Apple are constantly updating their software which makes the phone better to use and up to date.
The only proble I have is the phone has got a slight bit of weight to it, so it can make you're rust ache after holding it a while.
The battery life is good, it lasts a while even after constant use.
It's easy to make calls, send texts and also it has face time which means you can video call other apple users from the wifi for free.
I would recommend a screen protector as mine has some slight signs of general wear and tear on the screen, but I guess for three years I can't complain.
I really would recommend this phone. Once you get the hang of it and how it works I'm sure you'll be happy with it.
The iPhone 4 is a great leap forward in terms of technology from the iPhone 3GS. Whilst the interface is familiar to users of other iOS Products (iPhones, iPod Touch etc), the phone reacts snappier, takes better photos, multitasks better than previous products. Now, in 2013, my phone is almost 3 years old, and is still working beautifully. Like all iPhones, sometimes I wish the battery could last a little longer, but to be honest, this is something you work around, having a charger at work etc. With iOS 6, Apple continue to add features to this phone, which is not something you can say for many manufacturers. More than anything though, and the 3 years I have had it is testament to this, the build quality is excellent. I work my phone hard, often working outside, sometimes dropping the phone etc. The iPhone 4 is rock solid, and continues to be my most valued electronic device, years later !
I have had the iPhone 4 32 GB for some months and i must admit i haven't been disappointed. The prior phone i had was the iPhone 2 ( the first one) and of course there have been made huge upgrades.
The resolution of the phone is very good and clear. I have seen that it has become even better in 4S generation but you can't complain, it is still much better than i have ever seen in and other kind of phone.
Easy to use:
The iPhone 4 is very easy to use, and with the amount of 32 GB the iPhone has almost no limitations when it comes to its capacities. The phone is very easy to use and is recommended for people in all ages because of how easy it is to use. Whether you are a businessman that speaks a lot in phone or you are a teenager who likes to play games and so on, the iPhone is ideal. It really has huge possibilities.
With its APP store which contains thousands, maybe even almost millions of apps, it is so easy to receive help or find games that suit YOU!
The quality is the best when it comes to both the screen and sound. And it also contains the iPod App, so you don't need to buy an iPod that takes up a lot of space extra in your pocket. This is like the ultimate swiss knife.... Just in phones :)
I upgraded by iphone 3 to this model and have not been dissapointed. I love this do it all phone, as well as making calls and texts as you would expect from any mobile. I can access my emails and have sinced it to my ipad so they both have the same great features. The internet connection is good and size of screen makes it easy to navigate web pages. One notable improvement over the iphone 3 is the camera with its ability to film - I have so many photo's of my children I would not have were it not for this handy piece of kit thats fits easily into my pocket or bag and lets me carry on with my life wherever I am. This is a must item for any busy person on the go and the apps are great for occupying the young and old alike.
A lot of people wonder why Apple phones and other products are so expensive. Those people do not understand that any product that is to be successful has to be made of high quality, but before that, has to be designed and researched on. The comparison between iOS and Android will go on for many years to come, and although Android may hit the target first time round, they cannot build on that as quickly as Apple, and Apple keep on providing updates to the iOS, and all of this updates make a big difference to the product.
The iPhone 4 was the big seller that Apple fans wanted. It provided everything and still does over 2 years on. The people who know Apple products know the iPhone 4 is the real deal, and the iPhone 4S is a Christmas phone. Although I hate to admit it about Apple, the leap wasn't very far hardware wise from the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S, although it is still a great phone.
If you want to buy an iPhone, buy the iPhone 4, or wait for the new iPhone to be released. If you really want the iPhone 4S, then get it but you won't find a big difference between that and the iPhone 4. the only major difference is Siri, and lets face it, that hasn't had enough development at this point in time for proper use.
Now the 'old' iPhone of apples series the iPhone 4 is a fantastic piece of technology. Since the 4S release the 4 has reduced in price, making it more affordable and a much better option to the 4S. iPhone's are designed to do almost anything, have the Internet on your phone play games etc, so why do you need to ask the phone what the weather is like in London? Can you google it, or use the phones built in app? The 4S is definitely not worth the extra money. Also I would recommend the 32GB over 16GB, equipped with a5 megapixel camera you will want to capture lots of moments - using lots of memory. The 16 GB can be used up easily, when you think of the games, music etc.
The spead of the phone itself is great and it's multitasking capabilities are great too. This phone is much faster than any if it's rivals, even when many apps are open, however, this will reduce battery massively, and this is a problem with this phone.
The entire battery life could be used up in one day and if not and you keep charging it from 30-40 % every night the battery can be damaged and reduced in capacity. I would recommend charging it when it's is under 10% battery, this is better for th battery, also do not overcharge.
The clarity of the screen is also fantastic, reading documents, browsing the we'd or viewing photos, the retina display is a great feature and much appreciated.
Another downfall is the ease of scratching / chipping, I would recommend a case for the phone and possibk a screen protector, however this will reduc the effectiveness of the touch interface.
Apple has amazing products, good quality, they look good basically the whole package but is the iphone any different.
First off I got this iphone off my Dad because he didn't want it anymore an he gets free phones from his company so cost wasn't an issue for me. Since this is a review and I should help you consider the good and the bad that doesn't really matter. Cost will definitely put you back a bit but I think it's worth because once you have it, it becomes a necessity.
There are so many good applications to get for the iphone. From useful one to turning everything you take a picture of green. I have nine pages of apps most of them have no use and are fun to mess around with, with a friend or when your bored. I do have a few useful ones like wattpad. Wattpad is a place where unknown artist publish their work chapter by chapter just to be read. You search for new stories for free and it's a great time waster. There are some amazing writers on there but waiting for an update is almost painful.
It has a good camera with 8 pixels. The application for the camera is pretty basic. There's a button to take the picture, change from front to the back camera, a button to change from camera to video, flash and hdr. Although the camera application itself basic there are free and paid apps to add different colours to the picture and special which are really fun to mess around with.
The voice control on the iphone 4 isn't that good. I wouldn't rely on it. Apple realised their mistake and made it a lot better in the new iphone 4s.
The music application is very well done. You can shuffle and use genius. Genius is meant to show you songs like the ones you listen to but it never really worked for me. It would always say there isn't enough songs like it which is okay with me. You can make playlists and it keeps track of recently played song, recently added songs and top 25 most played.
A mail application comes with the phone where you can intergrate two email accounts together instead of constantly logging in and out between the two. There is also a weather app where you add places all over the world and it saves the places so you can easily check the weather and flick between the places.
There are many cool things on the iphone. It has an app for almost everything. I definitely recommend this to you.
The thing with the iPhone range - at any stage of their evolution, there were other phones that on paper were higher spec. Better camera, longer battery life, larger memory, sometimes a bigger screen.
What Apple do best is take complex features, and make them accessible to the ordinary man or woman in the street, in a smooth, glitch free way.
As someone who travels a lot, the iPhone 4 is a wonderful device that keeps me entertained through music, video and books, keeps me in touch via Skype (no more lugging the laptop round web cafes), keeps me from getting lost in strange cities via Maps, serves as my alarm clock, my diary and my computer.
It has quite simply become indispensible to my way of living.
Yes, other companies also offer these features now - but nobody does it to such quality, with such a smooth intuitive user interface as apple.
Thoroughly recommended.
--What you get--
A top of the range smartphone featuring all the Apple store applications, an intuitive interface and arguably the best phone on the market. Dangerously addictive!
--Value for money--
At full price, the handset is ridiculously expensive, and I wouldn't personally splash out this much cash on a phone unless I set up a payment plan. I got this phone as my 18th birthday present complete with a contract from my Dad, so this was a great deal on my part, seeing as I needed an upgrade anyway. A note to potential buyers of iPhones and other smartphones is that it is so much cheaper to buy the handset separately from a contract unless you are already on a contract, as you are effectively signing up to pay £30-£60 for 18-24 months, whereas by spending once you are paying approximately £500 less overall! This is only applicable if you are on pay as you go and don't currently use a contract, but if you do, then it's a great deal!
--How to use--
I find Apple gadgets fun to use and easy to use, so much that you could straight away pick one up without having touched one before and know what to do. The clearly labelled icons on the desktop menu show what's what. My Nan is a complete technophobe and she managed to navigate through my phone, send a text and browse my photographs without too much guidance! I fully recommend Apple touchscreen gadgets for people who find it difficult to understand modern technology and believe that with just a bit of help they can be taught to use the features. My Nan needs an iPhone and maybe she would no longer be scared of computers!!
--My Personal Opinion--
This phone has been a joy to use, so much to the extent that I miss being without it now I've passed it on for my Mum to use. The internet is speedy and the best quality of browser that I have seen on a smartphone to date. In comparison to all older phones, the iPhone has really set the benchmark for a number of features: internet, screen quality, variety of uses including the app store, use as a music device, quality cameraphone and fast SMSing. One of my favourite things is Google Maps as I have a poor sense of direction in new places, and it is just brilliant for when you're not quite sure where you're going. This app is very fast, even on 3G and one of the defining features of brilliance on this device!
The iPhone has revolutionised SMSing, making it super speedy to send a text, as quick as typing on a computer! Even my Dad has worked out okay with his iPhone for texting and he often complains about touchscreen keyboards being too small and fiddly for his big hands. It was such a step up from my old phone with its standard keypad that I could no longer imagine going back, and it makes my Xpress Music appear slow to type with! This on -screen keypad also features in all other text applications including the browser and the notes application.
--The camera--
The camera is a-m-a-z-i-n-g on iPhone and supports Skype easily, with a nice clear image from anywhere in the world. I took my iPhone to Italy when I worked abroad as an au pair and used this phone as my main camera and music centre to save space on packing. It took excellent shots of the scenery and the quality of the shot was enough to load up to a computer and view as a full screen.
I also understand that this 5MP camera was an improvement on previous iPhone models.
Absolute benchmark which all cameraphones made from now on should aim for. My friend is a photographer and she has an iPhone now and thinks it is brilliant.
--Features I love--
I really appreciate having a virtual notepad to make notes to myself whenever I like and to keep a mini journal on. A small additional feature, yet infinitely useful, I often made notes to myself in these mini text documents. The iPhone recognises when you write down a date or day as well and theres an option to add this to the calendar.
I appreciate the phone as an extra alarm clock too. After a bit of fiddling around with modifying the format and length of audio tracks, I managed to get a favourite song to be my morning wake up call instead of the rather clanging default tone.
This features essentially the same as the iPod touch in terms of the music interface: clear lists which are easy to navigate and large pictures of album covers make this music library aesthetically pleasing.
--Which size of memory to go for--
It really depends how many music tracks, photos and videos you will end up having on there. It is easy to sync with a computer (especially if you have an Apple one with iPhoto and iTunes) and so there is no need to store ALL your pics on the phone at all times. I found the 32GB size ideal as I didn't have to worry about deleting files until I reached about 600 photos and a full music library!
The iPhone features ALL the Apple store applications, featuring many free useful applications including translators, Skype, Google Maps for when you get horrendously lost and the infamous Angry Birds for boredom busting on a delayed train!
--Best features--
Skype capability, fresh looking musical library, oh-so-easy texting, Google Maps, fantastic camera, speedy internet and wealth of applications.
--The Only Bad Points--
How expensive it is and how easy it is to smash the screen! Obviously, being such an iconic brand, there is high risk of theft too. (I've smashed the screen three times now, and at £100 replacement, you don't want to be doing this too often. My advice would be that for a drunken night out you take your little old phone with you to minimise risk of a) smashing the screen and b) getting your phone nicked!) Note that if you aren't under warranty or if the damage is done by dropping the phone, Apple are ruthless with lack of insurance cover or cost of repairs - can come veeeery expensive - careful here!
I'd say one of the things I really don't like about the iPhone is that they are addictive to use - since my little brother got one, it is literally all he does in his spare time! I don't like that they discourage social occasions due to it being easy to get your phone out and access anything on the web or text quickly.
It is for this reason I prefer my little old Nokia, as it doesn't encourage me to be anti social!
Get one if you can and have the finances to do so - a nigh unbeatable top of the range smartphone!
I got this phone 2 weeks after it came out in 2010 and have had it since then. I have been absolutely thrilled with it and am now an avid fan of all Apple products who is eagerly awaiting the iPhone 5.
I bought this phone as I wanted a new iPod as well as a smartphone. This is one of the best things about the iPhone as while many of its features can be found in other products at a cheaper price, most people have all their music in an iTunes account and they can make a saving by only buying one product rather than a Blackberry or HTC and an iPod. It's also easier to carry one product than two.
I had been worried about the screen smashing but this has not been a problem. I have dropped it onto hard surfaces at least twenty times with no ill effects. Of course it is not bulletproof and I know a number of people who have smashed the screen but as long as you use common sense you won't have a problem.
The apps are fantastic and there literally is something for everything. I use it for Facebook an awful lot and this is always improving.
The user interface is great and totally intuitive. I have struggled to get my head around Blackberry's and HTC's but anyone could use an iPhone.
Of course it isn't perfect and I have found the iMessage facility to be pretty awful at times with messages not being sent without me knowing and left wondering why I haven't received a reply. This one area where the Blackberry wins. Battery life can leave something to be desired although by reducing the screen brightness, turning off WiFi and GPS, you can get a few days out of it. For most people this won't be a problem and there are many products available to supplement the internal battery.
I have used the iPhone 4s and would say don't bother paying the extra and get this 4 or wait for the 5. Siri is a fad and rarely works.
Admittedly, I was given this phone from work and probably wouldn't ever have been able to afford to buy one for myself (I don't believe in doing mobile phone contracts any more as they're a rip off in my opinion!), however, having said that, I wouldn't be without it now!
I know understand all the hype about Apple phones, they're incredible! The touch screen is really simple to use and understand and lay out as you want it. The icons look good and it's immediately obvious what's what. The keypad is great, yes, occasionally I will mis-hit a key with my overly large thumbs, but I don't mind, and if you turn the phone landscape it's much easier hit the keys correctly. The predictive text is great, and right more times than not.
It's much thinner and less bulky than the iPhone 3, I also have the white version, which looks really smart.
IMessage is a brilliant feature and so clever - if the recipient of your text is connected to WiFi then the iphone will automatically send an iMessage (which is free) rather than an SMS.
FaceTime is another fantastic feature, we bearly use our housephone now and will call family members with FaceTime, somehow, it's much better than Skype (don't ask me why, it just is!).
I love all the crazy apps you can get, and could spend hours each day scrolling through them or playing Angry Birds or Cut the Rope!
I have had this iPhone for a little while,m after having blackberrys for the last three years I was a little apprehensive about the change but I can not believe I even thought about not having one of these little beauties! Blackberries are now a thing of the past and my husband can not now wait for his upgrade.
The iPhone 4 is not particularly small (neither was the Blackberry) but that doesn't bother me as I tend to keep it in my bag, it does however fit in a pocket just a little bulky. It is light weight and easy to handle. The iPhone has been thrown around and dropped a little bit and appears to still be in one piece, although the screen is glass so I do try not to drop it too often.
The iPhone itself has got hundreds of features and it caan be as complex or as easy as you want it to be. I love the fact I can play all my music on it, I can download films on to it and with its HD screen can watch them with a clear piture. I can catch up TV programs easily with iPlayer and 4OD which is amazing (what did i do before). My little girl has worked out how to use this and on long journeys enjoys watching Peppa Pig which I have downloaded. You can have as many apps as you need, most of these are fairly priced and quickly downloaded. I have apps for everything and i love all of them and if you do not want them anymore they are easy to delete but you can redownload them for free if you want them back.
The iPhone if by far superior in its technology and no other mobile will catch up. I am able to read emails and respond with ease, text call, facetime - Skype, and much more with this phone. Abroad I can link it up to wifi and continue to use a lot of itrs feature for free.
The iCloud feature on this apple iPhone is a must as I lost mine a few weeks ago and when I recieved my new one all my photos and contacts were streamed to the new Phone! probably one of the best features as I had over 1000 photos I had not backed up! opps!
-easy to use
-HD screen
-can download find my phone - a brilliant app for if it gets lost.
-can charge it on the computer in the car or with the plug adapter, one lead needed with two adapters.
-iPod is clear quality
-thousands of apps for everything!
-short battery life - a problem if you can not get anywhere to charge it.I tend to cahrge mine every night when I go to bed. if you do not use a lot of apps then the battery will last a few days.
Most definately would purchase another one of these if I lost it as it is a necessity for my life now. I have given it 5* as it is simply incredible and the thought that has gone into it is amazing.
despite being replaced with an upgraded model, the iPhone 4 is truly a beautiful, successful, and enjoyable phone. It is extremely simple to use, especially since the introduction of iOS 5 which allows users to set up and start using the phone straight out of the box. Once you being using the phone you start to fall in love with it, a very simple and attractive screen layout makes using this phone a charm. The touchscreen also works flawlessly, however there is a risk of it cracking if you drop the phone, which is quite easy to do. The iPhone 4 integrates all the features of the ipod touch, while adding the functions of a telephone and brilliant camera. With thousands of applications available through the built in app store, the iPhone is fun and addictive. Despite the price being at the high end of the mobile phone market, it is truly justified when you begin to use the phone.
This is my first Iphone. I am really very amazed as how apple has made such wonderful device. I have my Ipod 3gs and I can really compare the performance of Iphone 4 as the latest predecessor of Iphone 4s. I got this phone for a postpaid plan, and eventually, I really appreciate this as it adepts perfectly for my lifestyle. Iphone 4 is really very fast. I can say because in instant swipe, i can through directly to the page and in a click, applications load immediately. Moreover, this phone is really great, I have a white version of this phone which makes it very neat and chic to look at.
Another thing that amazes me with Iphone 4 is its loud speakers. It can really play loud music and videos which is just easy to share and watch a video with a number of friends. The screen is also very crisp and clear. One more thing, the photo captures very clear but it has red eye problems when flash is activated. Moreover, shooting a video with Iphone 4 is really great since it captures clearly and the flash can be the light when taking video is at dark areas. I love it!!!


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I received my iPhone bumper case when Apple were being besieged by complaints about antenna issues. The case was supposed to eliminate this problem whilst adding protection for your phone.
The case fits snugly around the phone with all the needed gaps to access the volume buttons, on/off button and headphone socket. It is a very elegant and simple design that will protect the edge of your phone from abrasions and scratches. It will also stop it sliding off slippery surfaces or keeping it safe if loose in a car. It is very easy to put on or take off of your iPhone. However there is no extra protection for the screen or the back of the phone.
I have found the case to be very good looking and fits well but after using it for a couple of months it stretched and therefore does not fit so well around the phone. This not only takes away form its looks but also means it comes off very easily, especially when taking it out of my pocket.
Was a very welcome freebie to help with the antenna problems and to give some protection but would have been disappointed if I had to pay for it.
iPhone 4, or 4s bumper - currently £26 at Apple stores
The Bumper is a band that goes around the edge of the Apple iPhone 4 or the iPhone 4s covering the metal edge of the phone. The bumper is available in six colours -- white, black, blue, green, orange or pink.
It slips around the edge of the phone with a rubber overhang that overlaps on both the front and back of the phone (only by a very small amount so it will not affect your viewing pleasure). The bumper has buttons integrated into it, to ensure that you can press the relevant buttons on the edge of the phone.
When I first got the bumper I had a black iPhone, and a black bumper which for me wasn't the greatest combination, as it made my phone that much harder to find in my handbags.
It did however offer a degree of protection when it was dropped so the concept is a good one. I negated the issue of the totally black phone by getting a brightly coloured bumper. Although I personally feel thay are not the most attractive of phone accessories, I am very clumsy so it was worth it's weight in gold to me, to ensure that my phone stayed in one piece.
I would recommend the bumpers to people, but I would also say no need to buy the original from the Apple store, I have bought a perfectly good coloured rubber cover for much less than the £26 that these cost. They not only do the same job, but some of them look better than the originals, and with the cost being so much less I can have one in every colour to go with different outfits.
I received a black iPhone 4 bumper with my purchase of the phone and didn't expect great things, but it has exceeded my expectations. The case fits snugly around the outer edge of the iPhone 4 only, with holes for the charger and 'silent mode' switch. There are silver buttons over the 'sleep/wake' button and +/- volume buttons on the side of the phone. Therefore, all functions are still easily accessed. Since the case obviously doesn't cover the front and back of the phone, you should probably consider using scratch resistant plastic covers/skins on the iphone body to ensure scratches don't ruin your new phone! The bumper seemed to stay in place throughout its use. One minor issue was that if I used one of Apple's old style charger connection leads (mine was from my iPod Nano first generation) instead of the charger connection lead meant for the iPhone 4, it wouldn't fit into the hole unless the bumper was removed. However, it is fine with the correct lead. If you decide to purchase, be aware that my bumper's silver casing that overlay volume and sleep buttons fell off, making access more difficult and the edge started to show wear and tear after about 4 months. I have dropped my phone on concrete before and the bumper spread the shock very effectively - no cracks or scratches on my phone surface - just on the bumper!
I fundamentally disagree with a number of recent reviewers who have put up significantly negative reviews of this bumper for a variety of reasons.
Apple were hit by a barrage of rather vague connectivity issue claims when the iPhone 4 was released which no matter how hard I intentionally tried I failed to replicate having purchased the iPhone myself. Regardless of where or by whom this rumour was started, Apple went above and beyond their call of duty and offered all iPhone users a free bumper as well as including it with all future iPhone purchases completely free of charge. Given that this response was so far beyond anyone's expectations and the fact that all this was done absolutely for free, I fail to see how people can be negative about the gesture.
The bumper itself is a very well made piece of kit. It is a mixture of rubber on the outside, some stronger materials in various places and a much harder plastic in the corners to protect the phone from damage. The bumper fits nicely around the perimeter of the phone and does a good job in protecting it when falling on flat surfaces as regardless of the fall angle, the bumper absorbs the impact.
All buttons and holes are appropriately catered for and the bumper looks to be a very good quality product which does not detract from the design of the iPhone and is inconspicuous. The one minor drawback which stops be rating this 5 stars is that the volume buttons on the side are allowed to protrude beyond the extent of the bumper. It is fair to say that it is hard to imagine what the case would need to look like in order to protect these buttons, but I have managed to scratch and chip mine already where the rest of the phone is very well protected.
I've spotted a trend with Apple product releases recently, not only do the company draw you in with their impressive can't-be-without gadgets, but also a range of clever accessories which are seemingly necessary to get maximum enjoyment out of the product. The iPhone is fragile, you have to have a cover. The iPad's screen needs protecting, so there's the magnetic cover for that too. I'm sure all future releases will come with an optional array of rainbow coloured, Apple branded accessories as well.
I bought the iPhone on the day it came out last year. I reserved it and queued up patiently at their Westfield store. At the time I decided I didn't need a cover. My previous iPhone didn't have a cover and only had a few scratches, so I didn't think it was worth the £26 for what is essentially a small bit of black plastic, which is all it is.
Soon after, "antennegate" happened, where some users complained that the signal strength fell when holding the phone at the bottom left hand side, so that your hand connected the spot where the phone's two antennas joined, causing dropped calls in areas where the signal which was weak. This personally wasn't an issue for me and I think this was probably over hyped by the media. Still when Apple offered customers a free case to resolve this issue, I chose the official Apple bumper.
The bumper is basically a small ring of rubber measuring 12 x 6 cm which locks around the phone, with the outer layer being moulded plastic the same colour. At launch, only the black colour was available but you can now also get green, orange, white, pink and blue. The side controls still function with metal buttons built onto the device which press the relative buttons underneath. There are also holes for the dock connector, speakers, headphone socket and silent button. Although I've got used to this, the silent button is now fiddly to use (need nails to flick the switch below the case) and some headphones will no longer fit through the small hole in the bumper. To charge or use a docking station, you need to remove the case which is something I do often. Despite it's continued use for a year with me continuously pulling the phone in and out of the case, it's held together with no snags or rips and almost looks as good as the day I bought it. Although I have the black bumper, users of the coloured versions report discolouring of the plastic through continuously pulling them in and out of pockets etc. Despite being prettier, I'd recommend the black bumper for this reason.
From a protection aspect (which really is what the bumper is designed for), I can relax a little more about having something so expensive in my pocket. A few times I've dropped my phone on the floor in a toilet or something and I'm sure it's prevented a few scratches and chips. Of course the glass front and back of the phone are not protected. If this bothers you, you can get plastic stick on covers to protect the device further, however from my point of view, they spoil the look and functionality of the phone. I want to enjoy it and if I get the odd scratch, so be it!
Since launch, hundreds of third party cases are available at a fraction of the £26 charged by apple and although I can't comment on these I'd certainly investigate before paying a small fortune for the apple branded cover. Although excellent, it's not anywhere near the value of it's price tag.
I brought the bumper case when I found out about the iPhones problem of losing connection when you are holding it at the wrong position.
The case has protected my iPhone from a drop as i worry with the iPhone having both a glass front and back and as the case wraps round the back and the front of the phone it protected it.
One drawback of the product is that the silent switch which is used to put the phone into or out of silent monde is hard to operate as its just a cut out in the case which hasn't been thought though very well.
The volume buttons work well as the case has both volume up and down on surface level that is quite responsive also the power button works well as it is the same as the volume rockers.
The headphone jack can be a problem as if the headphone wire is thick it will not fit though the gap i have had to stop using some of my headphones.
Just a quick update to my review my bumper case has now ripped on the back leaving the rubber that wraps around the back hanging of, and also i would have to say that if you are planning to get this case and use your phone both in and out of the case i would not buy as it marks the metal sides of the iphone
The Apple iPhone 4 Bumper is.....yes, you guessed it.....a "bumper" which fits around the outside edge of the iphone in order to protect it from damage when it is inevitably dropped.
The bumper does fit easily around the edge of the phone, and not only protects the edge of the phone, but also gives you something to grip onto as I have found the very attractive but shiny exterior of the iPhone to increase the liklihood of it being dropped from a great height. I've lost track of the number of times it has slid off the arm of the sofa onto the floor....but actually the bumper provides it with some traction and makes it slightly more slip-proof.
Although it does not protect the screen, I think the bumper seems to act as as shock absorber and so even though it is possible to still shatter the screen if the phone lands awkwardly, the bumper does provide it with some protection, even if this protection is not directly obvious. However, I have used an Apple Bumper previously with my iPhone 3G and I did still manage to shatter two screens and so if you're as careless as me, then you may want to go for something that offers more protection.
The bumper does also seem to help with the much publisized signal attenuation problems associated with the iPhone 4. Since using the bumper, I have occasionally still had an issue with connectivity, but these occurrences have been few and far between, whereas previously I was encountering problems on a daily basis.
Its a bit annoying then when I'm wanting to plug my iPhone into my computer to sync with iTunes, I have to completely remove the bumper or it won't connect - but this is a minor issue for me and something that I can easily live with.
My main beef is that I feel it should be standard on all iPhones and that we shouldn't have to shell out to buy something which is fairly necessary if you want your iPhone to last more than 5 minutes! At present, Apple are giving these away free as part of their iPhone Case Program - but otherwise this can cost you around £20 which seems far too expensive for a piece of rubber.
I would recommend this is you want some basic protection for your phone - but there are better cases out there on the market by Belkin and Griffin.
The Apple iPhone 4 bumper has 2 jobs.
It was originally released to help the iPhone 4 cope with it's singal problems, but it also protects the iphone for damage.
I have numerously dropped my iPhone by accedent and luckly it's always landed on its side. This case protects the iphone from any major damage it would have suffered otherwise. It absorbs impact and protects the corners from scrached or dents.
My iPhone 4 didn't have noticable signal problems, and when it did I would put it down to my terrible network provider. However, the science is behind it. This case bridges the gap between the 2 aluminium plates at the bottom left of the phone which are causing the infamous signal probelms. By bridging this gap, Apple have manage to fix the signal problem without a major redraw of the iPhone.
Best of all this product is free. Courteous of Apple.
There is much debate to whether the Apple Bumper has been designed to provide protection, or to help reduce the signal problems of the iPhone 4, by covering the antenna. Either way, it does it's job, both protecting from scratches and drops. Available for free, it's a great product, but the coloured versions become discoloured, and the Bumper does add a bit of 'bulk'.
First, the packaging is really simple, and provides a good view of the product and the colour. It even includes a diagram on how to fit the product, in case anybody would ever forget!
The Bumper is made out of both rubber and plastic, with the plastic providing the solid shape of the Bumper, and the rubber surrounding it. The rubber provides shock absorption and the plastic helps to keep the product sturdy. The design is very elegant, and unlike other cases, the iPhone 4 still looks both modern and beautiful afterwards. The metal buttons on the phone are also covered by metal buttons on the Bumper, which have a nice click. The build quality is really good, and it feels like the product will last. This is apparent with great engineering which sees all of the buttons and holes line up perfectly, unlike other cases.
There is a range of colours available, with a sleek modern Black, Orange, Blue, White, Pink and Green. The black works really well, as it is really robust and after use, you can hardly tell. However, the orange Bumper becomes discoloured after uses, as the phone is pulled out of pockets and other things. After only 1 month of use, it isn't really the best option, and not worth the money.
The Bumper only covers the sides of the product, leaving the front and back open. I like this, as it keeps the beautiful looks of the phone, but it does leave the glass prone to scratching. This means that you might be wise to spend money on a ZAGG Invisible Shield. However, it does lift the phone off the ground, so it doesn't scratch the back while it is resting.
The signal problems are reduced by the Bumper, as it stops your hand completely covering the antenna. However, it will still drop a few bars, as you are still covering it with your hand. The effects are greatly reduced though, as it only drops 1 bar, instead of 2/3.
Finally, the Bumper does have a few problems. First, the mute switch is hard to access, so you have to use a fingernail to switch it. Also, the holes, such as the Dock Connector, and the Headphone port only fit Apple products, which means that most 3rd party products, such as chargers won't work.
The Bumper usually sells for £25, but you can get the Black version for free through the Apple Case Program.
Overall, a great product that offers both drop protection and helps reduce the affect of covering the iPhone antenna. However, it is quite costly, and the colours can become discoloured.
Also posted on www.applebitesize.com
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word 'bumper' as meaning "a horizontal bar or strip fixed across the front or back of a motor vehicle to reduce the damage in a collision or as a trim" , which is exactly what Apple's new iteration of the iPhone needs due to the exposed (and much discussed), and therefore vulnerable antenna.
As I recall for the first month of the iPhone 4's life only the black bumper case was available, the most popular due to its sleek and subtle look. I, however, opted for the shocking orange bumper case, which, so far, I haven't regretted, other options include; White, Pink, Blue and Green. The bumper case comes in simple and well designed packaging, bar the humourous diagram on the back of the packaging detailing where the case should be applied to the phone... Such a, to coin an internet phrase, 'facepalm' moment, that I even deemed it tweet worthy.
A bumper case comes in two shades of the chosen colour, a more pastel colour around the edges and deeper colour surrounding the antenna. This is due to the seemingly two different materials, a rubber around the edges to ease with application and plastic/sylicone around the antenna for maximum shock absorption (one would assume).
The thing that most people need to get their heads around is that it acts as a bumper... nothing more. The glass screen and backing are still unprotected from scratches and the like. I recommend the obvious solution of using screen protectors, out of which I believe Zagg's INVISIsheild to be the best solution, making your phone scratch-proof, with the bumper case absorbing any impacts of your phone and the ground which may occur, presumably due to the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol or the application of butter to one's fingers.
The bumper cases are precision manufactured so all the holes and buttons are in the correct places, the volume buttons and sleep/wake button even have buttons on the case itself, which in turn press on the device's buttons. I personally have two grips with the holes in the bumper case: firstly the hole arond the dock only accomodates the usb connector supplied with the phone itself, docks or third party charging acessories are more than likely not to fit. Secondly the mute switch is rather difficult to get at and requires the use of a finger nail. I could also see that there could be a problem in the fact that the hole for the headphones only allows for Apple's own headphones, annoying if you prefer to use third party ones, this however, does not affect myself.
A few postiives of the design of the case are that it slightly lifts the phone off of a flat surface when place upon one, so the back doesn not become scratched/dirty. As well as this it also allows the phone to fit more comfortably in one's hand as it adds a curve to the 'sharp' edges.
And finally... what everybody has been waiting for... whether it helps with the signal attenuation.... In short, yes.
Bumper cases were originally priced at £25, which is ridiculous even with the so-called 'Apple Tax"' but due to the over-played signal attenuation issues Apple now offer a free case to 'early adopters', meaning that you can get a bumper case for free (check on Apple's website to see when this offer ends). From what I can see of the free options, a bumper case seems like one's best bet.
It's difficult to remember who hurled the first stone. Bloggers leaked the iPhone 4 design early, landing an editor in seriously hot water; Steve Jobs responded with 'not-so-nice' comments regarding the blogging community and their authenticity as a news source; then the community made a video showing the signal dipping on the phone that the blogosphere syndicated into a delightful media frenzy.
Regardless of the events that transpired, it seems that the result has been an Apple 'mea culpa' and a free case for all those that have purchased an iPhone 4 thus far. Included in the selection is Apple's very own 'bumper': a sleeve that guards the edges of the Smartphone. But is the protection offered adequate enough, and does it detract from the device's overall beauty?
Those who've read my review of the iPhone 4 will note that while I loved Jony Ives' new creation, it didn't seem quite as delightful as the original iteration with its slick bevels. The bumper, a mix of rigid plastic and flexible rubber, easily affixes to the sides of the phone softening the edges to give it a more curved flavour.
Surprisingly, it still looks rather elegant without the stainless steel trim, although the choice of bumper colour directly affects just how tasteful the resulting combination appears.
Does the design help with signal attenuation? Yes, without question. While the bars still dip (after all, you're still covering the antenna with your hand), they do so at a far less erratic rate. Even in a 'death grip' stance my phone still displays at least two bars and, in a first for me, has been known to climb back up to three!
There's a simple reason why Apple named the device 'bumper' and not 'case'. A 'case' conjures up the image of fortification and security, whilst the Apple bumper offers virtually nothing at all in the way of front/rear protection. Dropping the device from your sweaty palms won't necessarily save you from a cracked screen.
That said, from relatively low heights, you'd be amazed at how efficiently it evades damage. The phone slipping from your lap to the floor no longer means an instant call to your provider with insurance details. Although I've avoided throwing the phone around too much, there are plenty of videos on YouTube demonstrating the efficacy of the bumper at heights of 6 foot or more.
While I couldn't guarantee that your phone wouldn't land awkwardly and shatter, it certainly seems to be far more successful than initial naysayers gave it credit for.
The sleeve design fits quite snugly over the phone, with the raised rubber edge keeping the phone from coming in to contact with the surface beneath. This is helpful when it comes to resting the iPhone on slippery textures like glass and marble.
The bumper has raised metal switches for both the power and volume buttons. This helps to retain a professional finish and feel whilst giving good access to the toggles below.
The buttons have a satisfying click when pressed and don't give you too much hassle in terms of user response; okay, they don't feel as firm as the original buttons, but that's hardly a shock considering the design, and it sure beats the usual tactile nightmare of rubberized gel cases.
The only real negative has to be the impact the casing has on the connectors. Yes, Apple failed to take into account the added size of the bumper, so the phone won't start syncing with your dock without removing the casing first; yet another short-sighted move on Apples' part and something I've already covered extensively in my iPhone 4 review.
Similarly, anything but slender fitting 3.5mm jacks will present a problem. Of the half dozen earbuds and headphones I have lying around the house, half won't fit - there simply isn't the clearance required for a successful connection!
And here's the final rub. While I'm more than happy with my free case, complete with antenna-correcting properties, I'd be hard-pressed to recommend forking out £25 for the official bumper; there simply isn't enough of it to warrant that high asking price.
Early iPhone 4 adopters should (and I think will) be quite happy with their freebie, but those grabbing one after the deadline at full RRP could do better by investing their cash on something a little more substantial with fewer connection issues.


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Love it or hate it, Twitter is a powerful Internet tool that's here to stay. But some people fail to realize its power.
Twitter will broadcast your bursts of thought to anyone who cares to read them. Sometimes this has some significantly negative repercussions.
In the case of the following 13 people, their tweets literally cost them their jobs.
Learn from their mistakes, and think twice before you tweet!


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Just grief. And sorrow.
That's what's left after a shooting that took the lives of 20 children and six adults in Connecticut.
"We live in a messed-up world," is how Irvine pastor Jeff Suhr opened his Sunday sermon.
The title of his message to the New Life Mission Church congregation: "Living in a Fallen World."
The shooting, he said, is a "stark reminder that the world we live in is not right. It's broken. It's fallen."
Across Orange County, many religious leaders this weekend addressed Friday's shooting in Newtown, Conn., where a gunman opened fire in an elementary school.
Some leaders called for prayer. Others, for action.
In Seal Beach, the Connecticut massacre wasn't the focus of Sunday's sermon at Grace Community Church in Old Town. But it was on everyone's mind, said pastor emeritus Don Shoemaker.
"During prayer time, there was an extreme sense of bonding with that community," Shoemaker said. "We understand in a small way what they are going through."
Grace Community Church was one of several congregations that served the beach town following the mass slaying last year at Salon Meritage, where a gunman killed eight people and injured a ninth.
The message to the congregation from Grace Community senior pastor Steve Williams revolved around Christ as "the light of the world."
"Certainly, this is a very dark side of our society. It's unimaginable how people can carry out such horrific attacks, especially on children," Williams said he told the congregation. "There is evil in the world, and that is part of the darkness. … For us, as Christians, we need to reflect Christ's light."
"This will change their town forever. We need to be bringing Christ into our community because they need light and hope," Williams said.
At the Center for Spiritual Living in Seal Beach, which is across the street from Salon Meritage and served as a refuge immediately following the shooting there, the Connecticut shooting was the focus of Sunday's sermon.
"Many times, we think about all these people who do such violence and such harm. But for everyone who inflicts that kind of violence, there are thousands more who do good will. And we come together at these times in support of others," the Rev. Peggy Price said she told some 200 congregants.
Police reported the death toll in Newtown at 28, including six adults at the school, the mother of the gunman and the gunman himself, who committed suicide.
At University Synagogue in Irvine, Rabbi Arnold Rachlis spoke of the Connecticut shootings during Friday night's service. It was Hanukkah, and the service was attended by throngs of children.
"I addressed the kids and I told them they were safe, but people always have to be cautious," Rachlis said Sunday. "There are dangers in the world. But their parents are strong, and their teachers are strong, and their schools are safe. It was important to reassure them."
The rabbi also addressed the parents and suggested they be the gatekeepers of information.
"We are all mourning. And we are all curious. But we should not overwhelm the kids," he said.
Rachlis also addressed "the excess of gun violence in the United States."
"We can't just mourn, but refuse to act, and end up mourning the next tragedy because of that inaction," Rachlis said. "I spoke about the need to pressure the government to tighten up gun rules. And the need to increase funding for mental health.
"We all feel paralyzed in mourning. That's understandable for today. But for tomorrow, we ask that we sow the seed to prevent it from happening again," Rachlis said.
The rabbi also spoke to a group of high school students Sunday and was surprised that most of the teens' schools did not discuss the shooting in school on Friday.
"Absolutely, tomorrow morning, when those kids walk into the schools, the teachers in the first class should let the kids talk. And see what they think and what they are worried about," Rachlis said.
Meanwhile, at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, pastor Glenn DeMaster briefly addressed the "tragic loss of life" during his opening invocation Sunday morning and asked the hundreds gathered to remember the parents and teachers affected by the tragedy.
Suhr, the New Life Mission Church pastor, talked about how overwhelming it is to think of what the children and parents are going through.
"Why? Why does this happen?" asked Suhr, the father of three young children.
He said the Bible answers: "We live in a fallen world among fallen people."
He looked to the words in James 5:7: "Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord."
A farmer, he said, can look at a barren field and not lose hope, because he knows that the rains will come and there will be a harvest.
"His confidence, his certainty in what will happen in the future, fuels his patient waiting today."
"For the Christian, there is more to this life than just this life."
The farmer in his example, he said, is not just sitting around waiting patiently, but is also trusting that God is at work and that things are happening that he cannot see.
"As dark as the midnight may be, the dawn will come."
Kathy Kim, 39, of Anaheim attends the church. She's an elementary-school teacher and said news of the shooting "hit even closer to home" because of that.
"God is the ultimate healer," she said. "He's the ultimate comforter."
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