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There is a wonderful continuity to life, isn't there? Continuity comes in different forms; there is the continuity of being – the sense of self, awareness of this world, of your life, and the elements in your life. Things that you think and feel, things that you desire and you want to have and to experience. Things that you would like to avoid, unpleasant things, pain, frustration, depression. The continuous awareness of self, a sense of yourself continuing in time and space is continuity – continuity of awareness. One of the funny things about awareness, within that frame work, is that it never assumes that it will end. In a way it does, and in a way it doesn't.
When we are alive we never picture ourselves dying, yet some day each one of us dies. Some day in a room somewhere, perhaps in a hospital room, in an automobile, or perhaps outdoors, you will leave this world. You won't be here anymore and everything you know will fade from your view, and it will happen at the darndest time. You'll be quite convinced that it couldn't be happening then, and yet you will be powerless to stop it. Then another kind of continuity occurs, and that's the continuity that's beyond death.
Death is a doorway, but it is a small, thin, doorway and only a portion of our being can walk through that doorway and the rest stays behind and it's lost, or transformed into something else. At the time of death we walk through a doorway and our spirit which is very thin slides through into another world, another existence, another experience.
For now we are here, we are in this world, and in this world there are limitations, and no one likes to be limited. We all want freedom; we all want to be limitless. Limitations exist in the mind. Freedom exists in the mind. There are objective circumstances and situations. You can be in jail and you can be free. You can live in a country with restrictions on travel. You can live in a country where they don't restrict your travel. But happiness, awareness, and consciousness have little to do with physical restrictions.
There are Ten Thousand States of Mind, ten thousand planes of awareness. Most people spend their entire lives confined to a few of these states of mind. Let's imagine then, in a scale going from the left to the right, let's say that number one is all the way to the left and ten thousand is way over to the right. Number one is very dark: it has almost no light in it at all; it's hard to distinguish it from complete darkness. Number ten thousand is bright light, and it is hard to distinguish it from light, yet there is a subtle difference. There are gradations in between 9,998 to be exact. Naturally, since there are ten thousand, there is something more beyond ten thousand. But the Ten Thousand States of Mind are the place, the area of experience, where you spend your time and your life.
Most human beings only experience a few of these states, and most of them are very far down in ranking, down around a hundred. Each state of mind is not simply a mood. Moods exist within the state of mind, but it is a way of seeing life and experiencing it, a way of knowing. Your state of mind creates a view, or your window on life. You may live in Beverly Hills, in a beautiful house with a beautiful wife. You may live in a tenement in East Harlem, alone, in poverty. But your house is a window, and it looks out on something. It may look out on your swimming pool with your kids playing in it. It may look out the gang down the street who is selling drugs to passing buyers.
You have a window and that window, which is your state of mind, determines everything that happens to you. It affords you a view on life. Opportunities, creative ideas, or the lack of them, happiness, frustration, brilliance, talent, success, failure – all these things are determined by the state of mind that you are in. You are the experiencer of states of mind. Yet your state of mind dominates your awareness to such an extent, that you can't conceive of any other state of mind, other than the state of mind that you are in.
We grow accustomed to thinking of ourselves as a personality with a history. I've been here and there. I've done this. I like this. I don't like that. All these ideas that we have about self are the accumulation or an aggregate within a state of mind, and they chain us to a state of mind. Zen is about breaking out of your ideas and experiencing life and not ideas.
For example, when most people see a tree, they don't see a tree at all. What they see is an idea that they have developed throughout the course of their life of what a tree is. Only when they were very young they really saw a tree. Only at that time were they at all aware of what a tree looked like or perhaps it would be more precise to say what the tree felt like. Other than that they have no idea of what a tree is. As they grow older and they accumulate more ideas and experiences around trees, through associations with trees, experiences with trees, they no longer see what a tree is or feel it. Instead they have a more limited view of what a tree is, an idea. This is true not just of trees but of squirrels which live in trees, people, dogs, cats, jobs, the world, philosophies, everything. The more ideas you have, the less you feel and see life directly.
Concentration and meditation are practices that enable you to alter your state of mind. Within a state of mind, the state of mind that you are in now, there are different possibilities. There is a higher end to the state of mind and a lower end. The higher end let's call it, the right side of that state of mind, borders the next state of mind and has a better view; it has more light in it. The lower end has less light. If you spend enough time at the lower end of the state of mind, and if you lose enough energy, you can drop to the next state of mind down. You can drop down from a hundred to ninety-nine. If you spend enough time on the right hand side, and you accumulate power and energy, you can kick up to maybe a hundred and one. When you change a state of mind, your whole life changes. Nothing remains the same. Nothing looks the same, because you have changed. You yourself are a continuous awareness.
A person who undertakes the study of meditation is like a gymnast. Most people can do limited things with their bodies, but the gymnast can do a lot more. You become a gymnast of the mind. Very few people have any idea of what life is about, of what their minds can do, or of the forces that affect them throughout the course of their life that cause success, failure, pleasure, pain, and awareness. But in the study of Zen, through the practice of concentration and meditation, you will expand your awareness to gain knowledge, power, and illumination. You may just gain a little knowledge, power, and illumination if you only practice Zen a little bit. If you practice Zen deeply, then you will discover that you are a limitless being and you may attain Enlightenment, which is the ability to freely transact within the Ten Thousand States of Mind without a continuous self or awareness, without the limitations that are generally imposed by conceptual mind.
Meditation and concentration are practices that enable you to become more conscious, and to utilize the moments in your life completely. Concentration and meditation are also taught in other forms. One other form is mindfulness, which is a practice that an individual engages in at all other times. Which is an advanced use of the mind in a variety of different ways: to increase the power of the mind, to develop it fully, and to employ that development in direct physical, mental and psychic ways. The practice mindfulness enables you to use your mind in an extremely effective and precise way. It allows you to succeed at whatever you would like to, whether it's material success, psychic success, or whatever you want to do, you have your total mind at your disposal.


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Short-handed Dodgers may make changes after loss
DENVER -- Carl Crawford got hurt, Zack Greinke got hit, Don Mattingly got heaved and the Dodgers got beat by the Rockies on Saturday, 7-6, in 10 innings.
And as a result of all that, Yasiel Puig might be a Dodger by Sunday, when Mattingly isn't even sure who he'll send to the mound.Full Game Coverage
DENVER -- Carl Crawford got hurt, Zack Greinke got hit, Don Mattingly got heaved and the Dodgers got beat by the Rockies on Saturday, 7-6, in 10 innings.
And as a result of all that, Yasiel Puig might be a Dodger by Sunday, when Mattingly isn't even sure who he'll send to the mound.Full Game Coverage
"We have to get some bodies here," the skipper said. "We're thin in the outfield already. We have to do something. It's kind of ridiculous the last couple of days, we have two outfielders missing, and it's not bruises for a couple days. You worry about these injuries long-term."
Mattingly didn't say the something they have to do would be promoting the Cuban sensation Puig, but he didn't say it wouldn't be, either. Puig, after starting two games in center field for Double-A Chattanooga, was not in the Lookouts' starting lineup Saturday.
"With Carl coming out of the game, we are uncertain as to his status, so we pulled Puig as a precaution," general manager Ned Colletti said. "He has not been recalled and he is not hurt."
Another player possibly heading to Denver is pitcher Matt Magill, as Sunday's scheduled starter, Hyun-Jin Ryu, hasn't healed from a bruised left foot and sounded like he might be skipped.
Mattingly was tossed by the time Ronald Belisario allowed a tying two-run homer to Michael Cuddyer in the seventh inning and long gone when Dexter Fowler followed a couple of soft two-out singles in the bottom of the 10th with a walk-off single down the first-base line against Matt Guerrier.
Greinke couldn't protect a 3-1 lead, charged with four runs on nine hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. In four starts since returning from a broken collarbone, he hasn't pitched past the sixth inning. He made a season-high 108 pitches, but lacked his usual fastball velocity.
"I haven't pitched well a whole lot this year," said Greinke, who rushed back from collarbone surgery with only one Minor League rehab start. "I expected to do better the first couple of outings than I have. I've got to make the adjustments and pitch better."
Crawford returned from a day off from soreness after running into the wall in Anaheim by pulling up on his second double of the game and leaving for a pinch-runner. The club announced it was a left hamstring cramp and not a strain, like the injuries that have sidelined Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp.
Crawford said he believed this injury is no worse than tightness he felt earlier this season that held him out for two games. But Mattingly has seen Ramirez and Kemp go down, and he doesn't know what to believe.
"It's never good," he said. "We have to make some moves."
Mattingly was ejected by first-base umpire Brian Knight for arguing in the sixth inning, when umpires ruled that Greinke short-hopped a line drive by Yorvit Torrealba. Replays seemed to support the umpires, and Mattingly acknowledged afterward it was probably too close to overturn.
The loss stole the luster on a standout game from third-string catcher Tim Federowicz, who slugged his first Major League home run and added a two-run double. Federowicz started to give a rest to Ramon Hernandez, who had two productive starts in place of the injured A.J. Ellis.
The way the Dodgers catchers have been playing lately, maybe they should call up a couple more of them.
Meanwhile, the bullpen roulette that the Dodgers have been playing throughout May carried over to the start of June. Lefties Paco Rodriguez (one inning) and J.P. Howell (2 1/3 innings) were nearly perfect, but Belisario followed up his rare save Friday night with a blown save on the home run by Cuddyer.
"A little up in the zone and it carried," said Federowicz.
Colorado's bullpen kept the Dodgers hitless over the final 3 1/3 innings, but the Rockies got to Guerrier after he relieved Howell with one out and nobody on in the 10th. Guerrier retired Nolan Arenado on a grounder, but Torrealba bounced a single past third baseman Juan Uribe, who was guarding the line. Pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario legged out an infield single to short, then Fowler laced a Guerrier breaking pitch down the line for the game-winner.
"You don't see [Rosario] getting a lot of infield hits, but he actually runs pretty well for a catcher. He got out of the box well and that's a huge play," said Colorado manager Walt Weiss. "Dex [Fowler] has been battling, and he's had some good at-bats here the last several days and drawn some walks and getting some hits. That was as big as any hit he's had."
"We had a chance to win and didn't get the outs we needed," said Mattingly. "And we have a chance to win tomorrow. No matter who we have, we've got to stay right there."
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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Good books are not conducive to a proper amout of sleep. Do you hear me, Craig Thompson? I was going to go to bed at a reasonable hour, but then I picked up Blankets and seeing as I was about three-quarters of the way through ... I just kept reading.
And then I couldn't sleep. It's a truly beautiful, heartbreaking, sad, lovely, hopeful book, and it strikes me as an intensely brave work of art, too. Just gorgeous. I also adore Thompson's earlier book, Good-Bye, Chunky Rice, which is one of those things that calls up a very specific memory for me: Sprawling on a blanket in a patch of spring sun in New York's Tompkins Square Park with a pile of comics my friend Toby had lent me. I also read Queen and Country: Operation Broken Ground that day, if memory serves, but it was the story of Chunky Rice, a turtle, and his best friend Dandel that had me sniffling and smiling at the same time. Thompson has a remarkable (though that word is too mellow) knack for the melancholy, the kind of story where change is inevitable, even necessary, but no less painful for that.
But now it's morning, and my coffee cup is empty, and that must mean I've found some interesting reading online, right? Well, sorta. Just a couple of things, really.
• First, something droolworthy: root beer float cupcakes. The same site has recipes for things like pear and bleu cheese cupcakes, which also, not-so-oddly, appeal to me.
• And droolworthy in another way is this set of images from and commentary on the original Oz books at BiblioOdyssey. The site also links to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz online at the Library of Congress, but I'm not clicking on that because, well, I need to do some work today. If only books were still this stunning.
• The Village Voice explores Rudy Giuliani's Five Big Lies about 9/11. I'm sticking this link here despite having not yet read the story, because I think the topic is important (and thus you should read it) and because I want to sit down and read it carefully and in-depth (and thus I don't want to forget about it).
• You realize Stardust opens today, right? And that you should go see it? Walk away from Daddy Day Camp! Don't be tempted by Rush Hour 3!
• If you need more Harry Potter in your life (and honestly, I still do), here are Christopher Hitchens' and Stephen King's takes on the end of the tale. (I confess, I usually can't bear King's Entertainment Weekly column, but I'll give this one a read.)
And with that, dear readers, my need for caffeine has begun to outweigh my love for browsing for more links. These are still pretty ordindary links, from pretty ordinary sources, and I realize that; I've got to get in the swing of things and start finding some funky stuff. Feel free to send in suggestions!
(Also, when I've had more coffee? Links get more commentary.)


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Sizemore's future with Phillies remains uncertain
By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- Triple-A outfielder Grady Sizemore can opt out of his contract over the All-Star break if he is not in the Phillies' big-league plans.
Is he close to joining the Phillies?
"If he's playing like he is right now, that's what it looks like," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said when asked if he anticipated Sizemore joining the team at some point. "We'll see. We're considering it."
Sizemore entered Monday hitting .303 (10-for-33) with one home run, one RBI and a .772 OPS in seven games with the IronPigs.
"He's playing pretty good, moving pretty well," Amaro said. "We have some time to make the decision on him, but everything so far has been positive."
Triple-A right-hander Jason Marquis, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, has pitched well with the IronPigs. He can opt out of his contract on July 31.
Amaro says changes are coming to struggling offense
MILWAUKEE -- Ruben Amaro Jr. said Monday that changes are coming for the Phillies' offense.
It could come in the form of trades before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, injured players finally getting healthy or Minor Leaguers finally getting a shot.
"It's disappointing, particularly the offense," Amaro said about the Phillies' performance. "What more can you say other than we're not swinging the bats very well? I didn't anticipate our guys being this poor. Because they are. They are this poor. We think that they're better. But they haven't shown it. So at some point we're going to have to make some changes. Some guys, once they are ready to play, may be factors for us."
The Phillies hit just .206 and averaged just 2.56 runs a game over their recent 3-13 slide. They hit .148 with runners in scoring position in that stretch. For the season, the Phillies are 26th in baseball in runs per game (3.75) and 29th in OPS (.661), despite having a franchise-record $180 million payroll and nearly every high-paid hitter healthy.
Possible changes include Triple-A outfielders Darin Ruf and Grady Sizemore and infielders Maikel Franco and Freddy Galvis.
"Whoever else in the organization may be factors for us," Amaro said. "We have to get them healthy and see if it behooves us to make any of those changes."
Ruf is recovering from a knee and wrist injury, Sizemore can opt out of his contract over the All-Star break if he is not in the Phillies' plans, Galvis is recovering from a broken collarbone and Franco is trying to get on track after struggling most of the season.
Franco, who was the organization's top hitting prospect entering the season, is hitting .342 (13-for-38) with two doubles, one triple, one home run and eight RBIs in the past nine games.
"He's swinging the bat well," Amaro said. "Hey, listen, I'm looking for people who can swing the bat. Because we're not doing it here. If he gets to the point where he starts swinging the bat consistently, he's a guy who could be in play too."
But Franco plays third base and Phillies third baseman Cody Asche warrants a longer look. Could both be on the field at the same time?
"Yeah, because he could play first base, too," Amaro said about Franco.
Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is hitting .230 with 14 home runs, 51 RBIs and a .701 OPS entering Monday, which ranks 114th out of 165 qualifying hitters in baseball.
Amaro said there is still interest in his players, despite their poor play recently. He also said the front office has been active in pursuing improvements.
"Whether we'll actually get it done or if there is something that can improve us, it depends on how our club is being evaluated," Amaro said. "If we're going to make changes, we make changes to get better. Everything we think about is thinking about how we can improve our club. Will we be better? That's what you have to analyze."
Lee not expected back until after All-Star break
MILWAUKEE -- A rain-shortened rehab start Sunday means Cliff Lee will not rejoin the Phillies' rotation until after the All-Star break.
Lee is scheduled to make a second rehab start Wednesday with Class A Clearwater after being limited to just 24 pitches in two innings Sunday. The Phillies planned to have Lee throw Sunday before deciding whether he could rejoin the rotation.
That won't happen now until after the break.
"We'll wait two days and he'll throw 60-65 pitches for Clearwater on Wednesday and then if he gets through that, we'll go to the next step which is probably one more rehab -- I hope -- and then hopefully ready to go," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
Lee, who has been on the disabled list since May 19 with a strained left elbow, is 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 10 starts this season. Whenever he rejoins the Phillies, he will be pitching for scouts from contending teams who will want to see if he is healthy enough to help them down the stretch.
"We'll so how it feels after Wednesday," Amaro said. "He felt fine. No issues. No pain. No issues with the elbow so that's a good sign. Stuff was good. Delivery was good. He was 89-91 mph, so not all that far off from where he usually is."
Catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has been on the seven-day concussion disabled list since June 27, had another impact concussion test Monday. Amaro said Ruiz has improved, and another test is scheduled for Wednesday.
Ruiz could be cleared for baseball activities as early as this weekend, and he could rejoin the team in the middle of the month at the earliest.
Todd Zolecki 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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Quantity Available:
Loll Designs creates "outdoor furniture for the modern lollygagger." Founded in 2003, Loll specializes in the use of recycled materials (primarily plastic milk jugs) to create their long-lasting, low-maintenance and, of course, super-stylish outdoor chairs, tables, benches and other outdoor furnishings. All Loll products are designed and made in Duluth, Minnesota.
The Adirondack 4 Slat Compact Ottoman is available with the following:
- Made of 100% recycled and recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Recycled material is sourced primarily from single use milk jug containers
- Stainless steel fasteners and brass inserts
- Suitable for outdoor use
- Includes a UV stabilizer to improve color durability
- Ships flat packed; assembly required
- Milk Jug count: 200
- Foldable
- Stackable
- Made In USA
Color: Apple Red, Black, Charcoal Grey, Chocolate Brown, Cloud White, Evergreen, Leaf Green, Sand, Sky Blue, Sunset Orange
- Item: Width 17.5", Height 11.75", Depth 19"
Need help with some of our terminology? Check out Lumens' Lighting & Design Glossary.


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Hello Everyone,
I found this "Stradivaro 30 Deluxe" at an Estate Sale one day a few blocks from my house and as always I head for the bedrooms (that's where most sewing rooms are setup), and sure enough there were piles and piles of material, patterns, half made quilts...etc. etc. But, the two things that caught my eye was the old 'wood ironing board' and a 'very dirty' white plastic sewing machine case hiding under a couple of boxes. Yipppy!! - Yahoo!! - Hit the jackpot with at least the ironing board. :-)
Now outside, I had already seen a few treadle ? machines that were being sold off, but none looked like they worked. (I already have two now, and both need parts - oops). Anyways, I peaked inside and saw this dirty but oh so beautiful sewing machine....(I'm trying to make this short...but it's not working):?.....I asked to see if it sews and the ladies there where more than happy to show me that it did. So I bought it ($12.50) and of course the ironing board...plus a few other goodies....all to the aprox. amount of $25.00. OK, So, The ladies who sold me this machine did not know anything about it other than that it did sew. So? Does anyone here know anything about it? It's age? It's origin? (Actually I think I saw it say Japan - somewhere). Maybe where I might find attachments? Or if generic attachments might work?
Thank you for all your help. I've been enjoying the newsletter for months now - starting back in 4/07 - and today was the day to jump in, join in, and learn some good stuff. :-)
Ok, well thanks for reading the long 'subject matter' and I hope someone has 'seen' this machine before.
Stradivaro 30 Deluxe


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"ObamaCare" is here to stay, NOW WHAT? Learn about the impact on employers from PwC's Human Resource Services team as Ron Barlow and Amy Bergner discuss what companies should plan for in 2013 and beyond to be prepared for health reform. This event aims to provide a deep dive into the employer perspective on health care reform.
Don't miss this engaging conversation and opportunity to connect.
Breakfast and CPE credit provided.
JOIN US, we have brilliant ideas to share.


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VANCOUVER -- The LA Galaxy begin their three-game in nine-day road trip on Saturday against Vancouver Whiteaps FC. As you prepare for today's clash, check out my links, matchups to watch and predicted lineup.
*Last time the LA Galaxy traveled to Vancouver, Jose Villarreal enjoyed his coming out party and he'll be hoping to duplicate his success on Saturday.
*Robbie Keane does not believe that he'll suit up on Saturday, but Todd Dunivant is hoping to be in contention.
*Bruce Arena offered his thoughts on this struggling Vancouver side that has not won in their last seven matches.
*Hector Jimenez enjoyed a successful game for LA's reserves on Tuesday. Can it translate to the first team?
*Remember to send in tweets to Rapid Fire Tweets for my segment on Time Warner Cable SportsNet.
*LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan's preview to the match.
*Lastly, my Three Points to the game.
Jose Villarreal vs. Andy O'Brien
The young Galaxy forward will look to repeat his success against Vancouver, but he'll face a physical challenge with the burly Irish center back.
Mike Magee vs. Y.P. Lee
Perhaps the match up of the game as the wily Magee will take on the veteran Korean left back. Magee will likely look to use his skills on the ball to befuddle Lee and find holes behind Vancouver's defense.
Greg Cochrane vs. Daigo Kobayashi
Cochrane has done well in all three of his starts this season, but he'll face a new type of test against Kobayashi. More of a technical player than a speedster, the Japanese midfielder will look to confound Cochrane and push him down in his own box.
Cudicini; Franklin, Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, Cochrane; Donovan, Sarvas, Juninho, Clark; Magee, Villarreal


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New Study Reveals the Key to Maintaining Healthy Knees
The human knee is an extremely important joint. It holds the weight of the entire body, provides the strength needed to lift heavy objects, and bends and flexes to give us mobility. Since this crucial joint is under stress at almost all times (except when sitting or lying down), it is susceptible to wear over time. This is especially true for the cartilage which holds together all the bones in the knee. As we age, the knee ages and the cartilage can develop a number of ailments that could potentially prohibit mobility. A new study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America found that both too much and too little physical activity can accelerate the degeneration of knee cartilage in middle-aged adults.
Knee problems are one of the most common afflictions around the world. In the United States, nearly 50 percent of all people may develop knee osteoarthritis by age 85. It is predicted by the 2030, that an estimated 67 million Americans over age 18 will have physician-diagnosed arthritis.
A previous study from the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) found the connection between physical activity and cartilage degeneration. The new study from UCSF looked at the correlation over a 4-year period rather than a single point in time using MRI T2 relaxation times to track the evolution of the cartilage deterioration.
"T2 relaxation times generated from MR images allow for analysis of the biochemical and molecular composition of cartilage," said Wilson Lin, B.S., research fellow and medical student at UCSF. "There is increased water mobility in damaged cartilage, and increased water mobility results in increased T2 relaxation time."
Over 200 individuals, age 45-60, were given a questionnaire to record their physical activity. Cartilage at the patella, femur, and tibia of the right knee joint was measured at baseline, two-year and four-year visits.
The results show that frequent running and other high-impact activities appear to be associated with more cartilage degeneration and a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. However, they also found that people with very low levels of physical activity had accelerated cartilage degeneration, suggesting that there is an optimal level of physical activity to preserve cartilage.
The researchers also stress other factors involved, such as a genetic disposition for osteoarthritis, obesity, or a history of knee injury or surgery. For those people at most risk, it is imperative to maintain a healthy weight and avoid high-impact exercise.
"Lower impact sports, such as walking or swimming, are likely more beneficial than higher impact sports, such as running or tennis, in individuals at risk for osteoarthritis," he said.
This study was presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
Knee image via Shutterstock


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I told you I was going to be in Houston next week…but I'm also going to be in St Paul on 9-10 August for the Minnesota Atheists convention. They've got me on a panel squaring off against an accommodationist, so it should be a bloody good time!
Wait! There's more! I'll be in Washington DC on 8 September pushing some book.
"What if I don't want any PZ?" you squawk. "Well, there's the Atheist Alliance of America convention in Boston on 30 August — that hasn't got any PZ in it." Sure, you can go to <further conversation drowned out by rowdy Vikings singing something about "PZ"…>


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Many of you are likely asking how did it go from being in the 70s this Friday morning to the 30s Friday night. It's this type of winter weather that may leave you chilled to the bone and sick if you don't bundle up.
Volunteer TV's Whitney Daniel joins us with a look at how to keep warm during this cold snap.
Both of us were outside for about an hour for the Santa Claus parade downtown, and I know my hands were numb in that short amount of time. When you're faced with cold weather, it's hard to determine how long is too long to stay outside. Doctors say it depends on a number of factors. Mothers say just use good judgment.
"I was hoping the nice weather would have stayed here, but I guess it didn't so I guess we just have to dress accordingly," mother Janice Hall said.
That means hats, gloves, scarves and coats.
"I can look and I can tell," mother Anne Williamson said.
Mom's just know, and when the season of red and green approaches, think red and blue.
"If their lips are getting blue, if the fingertips are getting a little blue, the nose getting red, red, red and the ear tips getting red, red, red," Williamson said.
And when their kids get cold, it's time to kick out the cold by laying on the layers.
"First we do a t-shirt and then another shirt and then we do a jacket and then, if need be, we'll do a coat," Williamson said.
These moms are getting their kids ready for a Christmas Parade. They're learning first hand that ringing in the Holiday season means bringing in those below-freezing temperatures, too.
"I try to keep them bundled up and make sure they're covered up and hopefully they'll stay well," Hall said.
While you're taking care of your kids, if you have elderly neighbors, you should help them out too, especially those who take medication that could cloud their judgment.
"They simply aren't able to know when they're at risk or have the ability to get themselves out of the cold," Dr. Charles Adams said.
Fort Sanders Regional Emergency Physician Dr. Charles Adams says when it comes to the cold, children and the elderly are alike.
"They need someone to be their advocate, to know they need to be watched or helped with weather's cold," Dr. Adams said.
So parents and neighbors remember: cold means cover up.
"Everything! Keeping everything warm especially the head and the ears," Hall said.
Dr. Adams says at Fort Sanders Regional, the more serious cold exposure and hypothermia cases they deal with are patients -- healthy adults -- who've simply had too much to drink and have either stayed outside too long or haven't dressed properly for low-temperatures.
With the Holiday season, comes Holiday parties and a lot of times alcohol is a factor. That can cloud your judgment.


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After countless days on the road, hundreds of camps, combines and practices – and a year's worth of hours in the film room - Rivals.com has saved the best for last.
The final update of the Rivals.com recruiting rankings for the class of 2008 were released on Tuesday with the unveiling of the Rivals100. On Wednesday, Rivals.com will release the final Rivals250, along with updated position rankings on Wednesday and Thursday. Next week, the postseason state rankings for the class of 2008 will also be updated. The class of 2009 rankings will also be updated in the very near future.
The changes in the final ranking of the top 100 football players in the nation came after a whirlwind month of all-star games - including major ones like the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the Under Armour All-Star Game.
The all-star games gave Rivals.com analysts a full week of practice and a game setting to see how the elite players competed against the best in the nation. Unlike basketball, where players compete on an almost weekly basis against other elite players in AAU tournaments, the all-star games – both on a national and a state level – give analysts a true chance to see how good high school football players fare against other college-bound prospects.
The biggest change in the rankings comes in the national top five.
After months and months of debate – especially from the Ohio State fans – about where Mike Adams of Dublin (Ohio) Coffman falls into the national scene, he proved in the Army game that those local observers in the Midwest were right.
He's special.
Adams was one of the most dominating offensive line prospects to ever play in the game, and his performances in the game and in practice were the talk of the camp. The 6-foot-7, 308-pound offensive tackle not only was one of the most physically impressive players this season, he backed it up with his play.
"I first saw him on senior tape, and thought there was no doubt at all he's something special," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every said. "I know one of my co-workers has been singing his praises all year long, but to see what he did in the Army game totally validated his status as one of the nation's best players, period.
"He's a franchise left tackle that should be a future first-round draft pick someday."
Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell agrees.
"He has amazing size, quick feet and simply dominated down in San Antonio," Farrell said. "Seeing him in person was definitely believing. He definitely deserved to move up that high in the rankings."
Adams is joined on the five-star level by three other newcomers – Aliquippa, Pa., receiver Jonathan Baldwin, St. Paul, Minn., receiver Michael Floyd and Buford, Ga., defensive tackle Omar Hunter.
Baldwin and Floyd showed why they're among the nation's best at the Army game.
"Baldwin is a huge matchup problem for anyone on the outside," Farrell said. "We originally thought he was a tight end who wanted to play wide out, but we were wrong. He's a super-sized wide receiver with strong hands.
"Floyd proved he was a deep threat - as well as a guy who catches everything and will go across the middle - in San Antonio. There were some original concerns about how fast he truly was, but he erased those quickly with a great week of practice and a great game."
Hunter's rise came after a strong senior season and a better week at the Under Armour game.
"We knew Omar Hunter had the ability to be dominant based on his production his senior season in Georgia's 2A classification at Buford, but the week of practice at the Under Armour game proved that he can be dominant against some elite competition," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barton Simmons said. "He used good leverage, great strength and quick hands and feet to be the most disruptive interior player in the all-star setting."
Dropping from the five-star level were quarterback E.J. Manuel of Virginia Beach (Va.) Bayside, offensive tackle Lucas Nix of Jefferson Hills (Pa.) Thomas Jefferson and Statesboro, Ga., defensive tackle DeAngelo Tyson. Nix moves down to the No. 39 spot overall, Manuel slid to the No. 43 spot and Tyson finishes at No. 45.
Manuel slipping from the No. 1 pro-style quarterback spot will likely raise some eyebrows.
"At practice in the Under Armour game, Manuel impressed with his athleticism outside of the pocket but showed that he still has some work to do as a passer," Simmons said.
"He struggled with his accuracy and consistency at times, and will likely need some time to develop on the next level. The tools are still there for him to develop into a special quarterback for Florida State. We still think he is one of the elite quarterbacks in the nation."
There were also some significant changes within the five-star level.
Lincoln (Neb.) Southwest star two-way lineman Baker Steinkuhler moves to the No. 8 spot overall. He and Marcus Forston (No. 7) were the two most dominating defensive linemen in the Army game. Steinkuhler remains ranked as an offensive tackle, but he could easily be a star at defensive tackle for Nebraska.
There's also a new No. 1 pro-style quarterback – Ballwin (Mo.) Parkway West QB Blaine Gabbert. There were plenty of questions about Gabbert because of his injury-related struggles this season, but he proved all week long in practice - and then in Army game - that he has a chance to be special for Missouri.
Just outside the five-stars at No. 31 overall is tight end Blake Ayles, a longtime USC commitment from Orange (Calif.) Lutheran. He wowed everybody with a strong week at the Under Armour game, and Every thinks USC landed itself a major player.
"Blake looked every bit the part of an elite tight end at the Under Armour Bowl practices," Every said. "He showed great athleticism and hands. He caught everything thrown his way. His teammates took early notice, and even proclaimed him a first-round draft pick. We think they were right."
Another big mover up the rankings was Trevor Robinson of Omaha (Neb.) Elkhorn. The 6-foot-6, 304-pounder was amazing all week long at the Army game, proving to be the nation's top interior offensive line prospect. The Notre Dame pledge was dominating in everything he did and finishes at No. 37 overall.
"Trevor is one of the biggest and most athletic guards I have seen this year," Every said. "He is big, athletic and plays with a nasty disposition. Notre Dame got itself a good one with him."
Right behind Robinson at No. 38 is Miami Booker T. Washington cornerback Brandon Harris. The 5-foot-10, 174-pounder was amazing at the Under Armour event all week. He was one of the few guys that could lock down T.J. Lawrence and the slew of other talented receivers in the game. But it's the same thing that Harris has been doing all season long, and that's why national powers like Florida, Miami and Ohio State are fighting for him.
"Harris asserted himself as one of the best cover-men in the country with his all-star performance in Orlando," Simmons said. "He locked down every wide receiver he faced in practice, picking off several passes and he constantly stayed around the ball. In the game he shut down his side of the field and caused a key second half interception with a pass breakup. He is a complete football player and a can't-miss prospect."
USC pledge Wes Horton of Sherman Oaks (Calif.) Notre Dame had one of the best weeks of anybody in the Army game, showing that he has the potential to be special for the Trojans. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder came into the game in great shape after an up-and-down senior season. Horton turned on his motor and was one of the West's most dominating defenders. He moves into the Rivals100 and finishes ranked as the nation's No. 40 player.
"Wes has the perfect body to be a strongside defensive end," Every said. "He has not even filled out yet - he will probably play at 6-foot-5, 260 and be a terror in the Pac-10 for quarterbacks. He was made to play both ways in high school, but once he concentrates on just defense he will improve by leaps and bounds because this is one smart, athletic football player."
Other new entries to the Rivals100 were offensive tackle Dann O'Neill at No. 49, athlete Jarmon Fortson at No. 75, receiver Brice Butler at No. 79, defensive tackle Corey Liuget at No. 80, receiver Dan Buckner at No. 95 and linebacker Uona Kavienga at No. 97.
Dropping out of the Rivals100 were linebacker Jon Major, linebacker Steven Filer, tight end Jake Stoneburner, receiver Marvin Jones, defensive end Cornelius Washington, outside linebacker Shayne Hale and receiver Deion Walker.


text:
WWE RAW Results
Teddy Long introduces John Cena and Brock Lesnar for the contract signing, and Cena comes out first but John Laurinaitis comes out instead of Brock. He says he told Teddy that Brock wasn't here, and Teddy says John told him to come out there, but John says they will do it on Brock's terms. John says Cena shouldn't be in such a hurry to sign the contract because it may be his last night there, then he forces Teddy to remove Cena from the ring. John starts talking about People Power, but Edge interrupts him and heads down to the ring while Cena claps for him. Edge says he isn't supposed to be under contract in a few days, but he needed to come talk to Cena.
Edge says he could have done it in private, but doing it in the ring may be more effective since he came to see the real John Cena. He says he wants to see the Cena who threw him off a ladder into two tables, and they guy who threw him into the Long Island Sound. Edge says he can't lose and he needs to find the real Cena, because they love wrestling more than anything else. He says they wanted to do this since they were kids, but Brock Lesnar just wants to put money in his pocket. Edge tells Cena that he needs to wake up because it's a slap in the face to guys like the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and himself, then he screams at him to wake up. Edge says he isn't asking him, but he is telling Cena to beat Brock, then he drops the mic and leaves Cena standing in the ring.
Chris Jericho vs Kofi Kingston
Kofi whips Jericho across the ring and punches him in the corner, then he monkey flips him and drops him with an armdrag and a dropkick, Kofi sends Jericho to the floor and attempts a suicide dive, but Jericho rolls out of the way so Kofi grabs the ropes and stays in the ring. He applies a side headlock but Jericho rakes his eyes while the ref checks on them, then Jericho knocks him down with a kick and chops him in the corner. Jericho whips him across the ring but Kofi moves so Jericho goes headfirst into the ringpost, then he falls outside and Kofi connects with a somersault dive as we go to a break. (Cont'd…)
Have a news tip? Attended an event and want to send a live report?


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I LOVED this book. The characters were well-developed and the dialogue was witty and often humorous. The plot was even a little bit off the usual &q..Show More »
The "House of Rohan" series absolutely takes my breath away, leaves me with butterflies in my stomach, and consumes my time and thoughts. <..Show More »
I read several bad reviews of this story (in other places) and I almost did not purchase this book. However, I really enjoyed the first two books in ..Show More »
Okay, I didn't notice the "Don Quicks-Oat" mispronunciation. I did notice a fun story.
Most of the book is completely unbelievable, but I'm f..Show More »
It's too short! With those delicious characters, you don't want the story to end!


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A cozy Tennessee cabin gets filled with reclaimed materials.
Christmas in a Southwestern Home
Inveterate collector Travis Robeson planned to build a one-room cabin in Tennessee hunt country—until his stash of salvaged lumber and stone outgrew the blueprint. Which is how his whole family wound up with a cozy cabin.More
Sometimes even the humblest task can balloon into a humongous project. Tidying a cupboard, for instance, provides an excuse to install spice racks. So it was for Travis and Katherine Robeson when they started clearing out the garage at their Franklin, Tennessee, home. What began as an innocent attempt at organization resulted in a country house built from scratch.
"I'm a collector. I can't help it," says Travis of how the garage got so overstuffed in the first place. But it was another obsession—hunting—that inspired him to draw upon his "collections" and raise a one-room cabin on 57 wooded acres south of town.
In this photo: An industrial worktable, topped with custom-cut glass, serves as the kitchen's island; the stools were also rescued from a factory. A vintage zinc icebox offers hidden storage, while open Douglas-fir shelves hold dishes and cookware. The stainless steel stove is Jenn-Air.
The land came first. One fall day, Travis, a realtor, visited a property that adjoined acreage his father had recently acquired. "The sugar maples were the same brilliant orange as the colors of the University of Tennessee, where Katherine and I met," he recalls. Then he and Katherine discovered they were expecting, and the blueprint for that modest one-room shack expanded to a 1,300-square-foot family retreat. They now have two children: a son, 5, and daughter, 2.
In this photo: Marlowe, a Scottish terrier, joins Katherine and the kids at a hand-carved dining table from Travis's parents' antiques shop. The elder Robesons bought the chairs during a trip to Montana.
Bright idea: Mounted on a wall, hard-working tools like these wooden foundry molds double as striking art.
Making a Georgia Lake House Home


text: Highlander II: The Quickening is a much-maligned film, not least due to the fact that its production was severely butchered by the studio, resulting in a story that largely made no sense, and even contradicted important details of the previous film. Well a while ago now, I was very interested to read that the original script for Highlander II had stronger ties with the first film. In the script, I believe it was made clear that when Connor and Ramirez were exiled from Zeist to Earth, their consciousnesses were literally reincarnated in new bodies on Earth, with Ramirez being reborn in ancient Egypt, and Connor reborn in Scotland in the 16th century AD. Furthermore, it was shown how, once reincarnated on Earth, they would have no memories of their previous existence on Zeist, but whoever eventually gained the Prize would have those memories restored to them. Also in the script (so I've heard) were scenes where the Kurgan would briefly reappear, shown as having been sent to Earth by General Katana to track down and kill Connor and Ramirez. Katana was then shown watching, via some kind of techno-magical device, the final battle between Connor and the Kurgan at the end of the first film, and it's when he sees Connor victorious that he decides to send the two assassins to kill him, as seen in the film itself.


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That was certainly exciting. I didn't realize there would be such an interesting relationship behind the family ties title. Kane must be delusional. Rey had nothing to do with Kane's father's suicide. But if he's delusional that won't make any difference.
I was feeling about as panicked as Rey did. And yes, I would've assumed the worst. Maybe he should just tell them to stay at Hogwarts and not come back for the night.
I can't wait to find out how Kane knew Rey's name. This is all very interesting. Those ferals sound like nasty characters. I take it Rey didn't get his family to safety in time.
I can see why Remus' father had a poor opinion of werewolves and why it was possible for him to have odd feelings toward Remus.
I hope Remus gets answers to his questions. I can't wait to hear the story. What did his father take from Kane?
Remus and Tonks seem to be getting along well. I love Tonks. She may be clumsy but she's witty and funny. She's probably the one person who can make Remus smile.
I loved how Poppy took care of Dawlish. I hope Remus' Dad answers some of Remus' question.
That was a very exciting chapter. If I were Remus I'd really want to talk to my Dad even more now. So, is Kane saying he's the one who bit Remus? And, what does Remus' Dad have to do with it? Kane's not some wayward uncle is he? This will be fun to find out.
That was very interesting. Your feral wolf almost sounds like a vampire. Remus was very brave to give out such personal information to his class. I agree with him though--the students will be better off knowing the info he gave out.
I loved the prank and the fact that it was the same as the one at the end of the Marauders' 7th year. Brilliant. I also loved Remus' response to Draco. I think this is going to be a very witty story.
That was a nice twist to have Remus' Mum be a former professor at Hogwarts and have Molly changing Remus' nappies when he was a baby. I also loved it that the twins found out that Remus was one of the inventors of the Marauders Map and were able to give him the respect he was due.
I would say that Remus should definitely go visit his father. There are a lot of unanswered questions. I'm curious as to what Remus will be doing at Hogwarts. Will he be teaching again?
I think I'd be scared to death being left alone after viewing my memories in the Pensieve. That was creepy. I'm surprised that most of these people don't have ulcers from being stressed out all of the time. This reminds me that as all kinds of things were happening to Harry there are a number of other things going on in the background--many other stories that are waiting to be told.
Another author suggested I read your work--Equinox Chick maybe?? I was of course delighted to see that you've written a number of stories that seem to have been well received. This gives me a bunch more to read. Reading fan fiction is my dirty little secret and I engage in it frequently:D This was a great first chapter. I plan to continue reading. One question though. You stated that wannabes were at the bar. Maybe Muggles or Muggleborns. How could Muggles be there?
I'm reading this again! I wasn't in the mood to buy an e-book and figured out that I could read this on my device, so...here it goes again. It's apparently only been 7 months since last time. But I have to read something on my train ride. I just like this series.
I should leave a review every time I read this story. Maybe I have....
At any rate, I just (accidentally) read it all the way through again! Fabulous work, just like all the other times.
Wow, I can't believe I never left a closing review on this amazing story. *corrects oversight* In my humble opinion, this is the best fanfiction on the site and not just because Remus is the star and the thought of him in leather makes me dizzy happy. ;) Of course, that certainly helps. However, the writing is beautiful; the plot immensely entertaining and well constructed; the characterization of canon characters is spot on; the original characters are brilliant, fully developed, interesting, and blend into the canon of Harry Potter seamlessly, up to the point of book 6, of course. Still, the way the actual canon turned out, so similar to this story is just amazing. In short, I love this story and recommend it to anyone who will listen. In fact, I really need to make time to reread it. It's that good. Thank you.
I like that Kane's defeat isn't the end and everything's hunky dory. Remus still has his own demons to fight and you portrayed that very well.
I adore Tonks in your writing, and I love how you write her and Remus together. Their banter makes me laugh. And I've read your romance I find it neither dreadful nor cheesy.
I'm told its bad manners to read a story four times and have only as many reviews, so I'll try and make up for that. :D
I really like your flashbacks. Its a story in itself instead of just a character telling a story. Now I'm as attached to Rey and Diana as I am to Remus. Your descriptive terms really make the story come alive.


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Bond funds have generally been on a total return "tear" the past several years, given the sharp decline in U.S. Treasury yields.
Bond fund cash flows have been solid, especially into corporate and municipal bond funds, which tend to carry a higher yield than a similar-maturity Treasury bond fund. Unfortunately, strong trailing returns and strong cash flow haven't always coincided with strong future returns. All one needs to recall is equities in the late 1990s.
Today, I worry the prolonged low rates could distort the investment choices we all make, especially when looking for income. The Fed's zero-percent interest rate policy is effectively a "tax" on savers. Are savers moving from money market funds to bond funds? Are investors selling bond funds to buy dividend-paying stocks? It appears so. And I worry whether we all have reasonable expectations for what bond returns (and their volatilities) may look like going forward.
The likely end of the U.S. bond bull market
Naturally, the heady bond returns realized over the past several years are unlikely to repeat any time soon given the present level of interest rates. Arguably the single best predictor of the future return on a bond portfolio is its current yield to maturity or coupon. As such, the long-run return profile for broad bond portfolios is muted and most closely resembles the historical bond returns of the 1950s and 1960s.
And, yes, there is the elevated risk that bonds in general (and Treasury bonds in particular) may post negative returns at some point over the next several years given the low coupon or income cushion in their portfolios and the bond market's expectations for higher rates. This latter point is far from certain, since Treasury yields tend to "random walk." Meaning that Treasury yields don't necessarily mean-revert, but rather tend to drift in unpredictable ways. Remember when all the market pundits said the 10-year Treasury "had" to rise last year when its yield was 3%?
Nevertheless, some prominent figures have commented recently that investors should seriously rethink and reallocate their bond portfolio in this current low-yield environment.
Sell my Treasuries for higher-yielding alternatives?
Some have said that Treasury bonds are a "sucker's bet," with the assumption that rates have nowhere to go but up (see my comments above for my thoughts on that). Some even recommend replacing all bonds with stocks. I suppose they've forgotten the importance of strategic asset allocation in dictating a portfolio's return patterns over time.
A less-radical suggestion by others (including Vanguard's founder, Jack Bogle) is to replace paltry-yielding Treasuries with corporate bonds in a fixed income portfolio. This is where it gets tricky, folks, because it's all about your preferences of risk and return, your investment objectives, and how much stock exposure you have in your broader portfolio. In my view, Jack's suggestion runs the risk of forgoing too much flight-to-quality benefits for too little extra return.
To be clear, Treasury bonds presently have a poorer absolute return outlook than higher-yielding corporate or municipal bonds. But they should, since the higher yields on those other bond investments are the (expected) compensation for bearing risks beyond interest-rate risk. This is nothing new. But for even higher annual returns of, say, 4% or more? I have stocks in my portfolio for that.
Treasury bonds as shock absorbers
Regardless of the direction of U.S. interest rates, I am sticking to my overall bond allocation, including Treasury bonds, too, despite their paltry yields. This isn't based on patriotism or inertia (although I am prone to both).
It's simply the belief that you can't have a truly diversified balanced portfolio without having explicit Treasury exposure.
Personally, I hold Treasury bonds not for their absolute returns, but for their powerful flight-to-quality diversification properties. I'm happy I maintained my diversified bond portfolio last year, when global stock markets fell and corporate bonds underperformed Treasuries. Despite claims from some that low-yielding Treasuries are no longer a viable portfolio diversifier, long-term Treasury bonds were again one of the stars last year in a period of stock-market stress. It could happen again, although I hope not.
But what if U.S. interest rates rise a lot, as in the 1970s and early 1980s?
Should U.S. interest rate rise dramatically at some point over the next several years, the immediate losses and volatility of Treasury bonds wouldn't be pleasant. But I try to remind myself every time I look at my portfolio that over the long term, it's interest income—and the reinvestment of that income—that accounts for the largest portion of total returns for many bond funds. The impact of price fluctuations can potentially be offset by staying invested and reinvesting income, even if the future is similar to the rising-rate environment of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
During this period, the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond nearly doubled, rising from approximately 8.0% in December 1975 to as high as 15.3% in September 1981. At the end of 1983, the 10-year Treasury yield remained in double-digits, standing at 11.8%. Yet a hypothetical $10,000 investment (with all investment income reinvested) in the Barclays' Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the benchmark for the Vanguard Total Bond Market Index) made on December 31st, 1975 would have increased to over $13,500 by September 1981 and would have actually doubled to $20,000 by the end of 1983—not necessarily a disastrous outcome given the period's secular rise in interest rates. Moreover, the high interest rates in the early 1980s subsequently fell as inflation expectations declined and monetary policy became more restrictive, setting the stage for even higher bond returns over the following decade.
For me, the key is staying invested and reinvesting income. That has meant periodically rebalancing my portfolio and "selling" bonds for stocks when bonds have beaten stocks, and vice versa. While I find these steps fairly simple, and suitable for me, everyone should remember to construct their portfolios based on their own financial situation. Should rates rise this year, a certain percentage of the Treasury and other bonds would mature, and those proceeds would be reinvested in higher-yielding securities.
Everything in moderation, with eyes wide open
A key lesson of the global financial crisis was that implementing a too-narrow or surgical bond allocation (e.g., shortening duration or investing solely in riskier bond instruments), involves important tradeoffs that may expose bond investors to unintended yield-curve, or market risks while potentially depriving them of a higher future income stream. The range of potential future outcomes would seem to support greater fixed income diversification in the years ahead, not less.
That means I'm sticking with Treasury bonds despite their paltry yields, and I'm fully cognizant of their muted and volatile return outlook. For that isn't why Treasuries are in my portfolio. They're there for when my other investments are performing poorly. That is what portfolio diversification is all about, and why I still own U.S. Treasury bonds.
And wherever interest rates go, I always will.
• All investors should carefully consider their own investment objectives, risk tolerance and time horizon before making an investment decision. Mr. Davis's comments regarding his personal portfolio should not be construed as a specific investment recommendation.
• All investments, including a portfolio's current and future holdings, are subject to risks, which may result in the loss of principal. Investments in bonds and bond funds are subject to interest rate, credit and inflation risk. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
• U.S. government backing of Treasury or agency securities applies only to the underlying securities and does not prevent share-price fluctuations. Unlike stocks and bonds, U.S. Treasury bills are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest. Although the income from the U.S. Treasury obligations held in the fund is subject to federal income tax, some or all of that income may be exempt from state and local taxes.
• Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market.


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Hannity Warns Against Surveillance State He Helped Create
Years behind the left and groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Sean Hannity is just now beginning to complain about the the government being too intrusive. Hannity pretended today not to know the government is already collecting our calls and emails, but he was in a snit to hear that Democrats have proposed new telecommunications rules that would require providers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and others to retain text messages for two years in case they are needed by law enforcement.
Hannity erroneously suggested this could violate our First Amendment rights (he surely meant the Fourth Amendment) but the idea he would suddenly be alarmed at the invasion of privacy rights is baldly hypocritical because Hannity helped usher in these changes throughout the War on Terror.
From the Patriot Act to the AUMF and hair-trigger invocation of War Powers, our rights have been steadily eroded since President Bush made bold moves to prevent a second terrorist attack on his watch. Hannity cheered these moves along, like a weasel in pom poms. Hannity supported Bush wholeheartedly in December 2005 when we found the NSA was conducting a massive warrantless surveillance operation in direct violation of the FISA law meant to prevent abusive Nixon-style eavesdropping.
Here is stunning video of Hannity going far beyond his tacit everyday support for Bush's controversial NSA surveillance program by ignoring the issue and suppressing debate or dissent. In the 2006 clip, Hannity actually tells Dick Cheney he is surprised the country is divided over the Patriot Act and the NSA surveillance, asking Cheney if he is as surprised Americans don't just roll over for it all.
Per Bush's former press secretary, Hannity was "helpful" as Karl Rove and the Office of Strategic Initiatives sought to dupe the public with color coded terror alerts, false threats of imminent attacks and daily fear mongering for over a decade. Bush's ham-handed response to 9-11 clearly traded civil liberties for greater security – but reports flooded in of government infiltration of everything from eco-activism groups to senior sewing circles.
Hannity was the PR arm of the Bush administration, "selling" war, terror and fear to the public every single day with provably wrong claims and according to Scott McClellan, undisclosed White House-provided propaganda:
Matthews: So, you wouldn't use Brit Hume to sell stuff for them, but you'd use some of the night time guys?
McClellan: Yeah, I would separate that out, and certainly I, you know, they'll say, that's because they agree with those views in the White House.
Matthews: Did you see FOX television as a tool when you were in the White House? As a useful avenue to get your message out?
McClellan: I make a distinction between the journalists and the commentators. Certainly there were commentators and other, pundits at FOX News, that were useful to the White House. […] That was something we at the White House, yes, were doing, getting them talking points and making sure they knew where we were coming from.
Matthews: So you were using these commentators as your spokespeople.
McClellan: Well, certainly.
Notably, Bill O'Reilly, the top "night time guy" at Fox made it a point to insist he had NOT received talking points from the White House, demanding an apology from Scott McClellan. But more notably, Hannity did not.
Suddenly, following the 2012 election, seeking arguments to weaken President Obama, Hannity seems to be taking up the cause of our privacy rights. As Hannity has tried to push the economic collapse of the economy that happened under Bush off onto Obama, we now see Hannity trying to paint Obama as the fearsome Big Brother, rather than Bush's "Brother" who inherited and embraced the surveillance programs.
Particularly following the abrupt ruin of the career of CIA Director David Petraeus in discovery of embarrassing email correspondence, Hannity seems to just recently have found religion on this – or perhaps a healthy paranoia.
Though it's never too late to join the bandwagon of citizens who actually understand the US Constitution's guarantees of individual privacy, it's lame for Hannity to whimper about this now, now after saying nothing about tens of thousands of improperly issued National Security Letters, illegal surveillance of innocent Muslims in NJ or the Department of Defense illegally spying on Planned Parenthood and peace groups.
Hannity knows we lost important civil liberties long ago. But now facing four more years of Obama, now facing the fact that authorities have every email he (and everyone else) is sending, he is getting a little worried.
Hannity is right that retention of our texts is disturbing – it's illegal, it's immoral and wastes taxpayer resources. But where the hell was Hannity when these same companies turned over private phone records to the feds? Where was he when they got retroactive immunity despite widespread outcry? Where was Hannity when NSA whistleblowers went public with the details of the mega-macro-data collection operation called Stellar Wind?
Hannity was nowhere, because he was helping Karl Rove and George Bush strip our privacy rights away under fake threats of terror strikes from Iraq and radical Islamist sleeper cells. But just like on immigration, Hannity has had another post-election loss flip-flop.


text:
psychohistorical is a valid word in this word list. For a definition, see the external dictionary links below.
The word "psychohistorical" uses 16 letters: A C C H H I I L O O P R S S T Y.
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text:
Is this you? (image from Real Life Comics.)
Because man, it's me. I talk about this game way, way too much. I stir up hornet's nests in my columns because I love to back and forth about it. I love it when people agree with me, and I love it even more when people tell me I'm full of crap. I like arguing, debating, and speculating about World of Warcraft. Frankly, I bore the heck out of my friends who don't play. I once sat in a crowded restaurant with a friend and his wife and went over the minutia of rage generation with so fine toothed a comb that not even light could escape, and only realized by the stricken, panicked look on their faces that they would have welcomed an axe wielding maniac at that point if he'd only kill me first so that the discussion of threat per second vs rage from damage dealt would finally somehow end.
I guess it's a good thing I ended up here at WoW Insider. It's not like there are a lot of socially acceptable venues in which rambling for solid hours about 2.6 speed fist weapons is considered perfectly normal and acceptable. My wife, who plays as much as I do, manages much better at presenting a normal facade, and yet is still capable of explaining how ranged weapon speeds can affect hunter shot rotations in frightening depth and with extraordinarily broad references with which to make her point. The Wolfslayer Sniper Rifle has no idea how much she knows about it.
So again, how about you? Are you truly casual, barely ever discussing the game? or are you seething with the potential to explain spell damage and haste rating to passing strangers?
Is this you? (image from Real Life Comics.)


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Got the ADV link, nice stuff there. Snow, thats an understatement. We get it too(CA.), but its all way high above 7000' for the really deep stuff. Thanks for sharing. Randy
Got the ADV link, nice stuff there. Snow, thats an understatement. We get it too(CA.), but its all way high above 7000' for the really deep stuff. Thanks for sharing. Randy
I'm glad you visited the ADV site, I was so impresed with the the dedicated hack site thet they have there. This forum doesn't seem to have the same type of interest. I've found that there are more hack riders world wide then you would ever imagine.
When we took our first distance trip we went over the Denali Highway, it's a short 135 mile dirt road. Travelers come from all over the world and do that road, the day we did it, we ran thru light rain, driving rain, sleet, snow, which turned the road into a complete mud slog.
I'm carefully picking my track because we were next to a 100 ft drop off.
A group of 7-10 Urals went by us going the other direction.
Two wheels are great but that third wheel will add a lot of fun.
Check out those hack drivers from Europe
Keep me in touch on your pilgramage
That must have been neat, seeing so many in a group passing by. Yep, I am finding out indeed, many exist around the planet and my travels too, have seen quite a few rigs at National BMW Ralies and elsewhere. Always one or two show up. DMC Jay proclaims he built about 500+ GS/GSA rigs alone, through the years. I am still quaking in my boots, wondering out loud, IF this is for me? I've been riding almost 50 years now and so very near my 1 million miles, next year probably hit that landmark event for me. Sidecars is one of the/MY last frontiers, as Alaska boasts. Sure would be COOL to have one and travel all about NAmerica in a different fashion. I'm jazzed about the idea, just must take that leap. Thanks for the data so far you've sent. I've been looking at it intensely. Your WIFE looks happy in that rig. You said she was. Later, Randy
Pilots, that is. Me too(flier) and my Daughter lived in Oro Valley, attending the UofAZ, Tucson. Graduated 3 years ago, she did and now flies a F18 Hornet(Oceana NAS) for the Navy. Sarah P. makes Bob's town, Wasilla home still I think. Bob was more than gracious sharing his rig stories with me/us and we also spoke directly via phone. Still waiting for Jay t DMC to come back from vacation to follow up with my GSA possible conversion. I WONDER how hard it will be to ride home, about 800miles+ for me and a new to me adventure in sidecar'in. Never rode one more than around a large parking lot. I guess I learn quick and pray much. Randy
You won't have that much of a problem. Just practice a few panic stops. Are you thinking about a car with a separate break?
Check out this ride report and then relax
Last edited by bobpeek; 09-21-2012 at 07:58 AM. Reason: Forgot to add a link
Would you be willing to share how you got your car shipped up to Alaska? I was debating whether to just drive down and pick it up or not...
I'm still trying to decide between adding a car to my airhead (more power and known reliability) or looking for a late model Ural (reverse and 2WD).
Thank you
1983 R100RT hacked w/Cozy Rocket My blog
2012 Ural Patrol
Airhead #10576
I dealt with DMC in Washington state primarly Because it was one stop shopping. I was able to pick the car I wanted and they crated (excellant job) it and shipped it to Anchorage. I got a 72DX and the crate is to wide to fit in the back of a pickup.
Where are you planning on getting it from?
Give me a call I'll be glad to talk with you about it
Get a copy of the "Yellow Book", officially titled Driving a Sidecar Rig by David Hough. Available from Jay at DMC or Whitehorse Gear. Lot's of info in it.
Also take a S/TEP class if there is one available in your area. It will give you a real idea of what to expect if you're considering a rig, and you'll be ahead of the curve when you decide. It will make that first ride a bit less scary.
Wife & I did 3000 miles, 24 days on the road going to the national ( 9 days cruising Arkansas). She's never ridden that much as pillion. She's ready to go again!
Bob Weis
Bikeless! 2004-bmw-k12rs-hannigan-Sold!
I'll second Bobmws recommendation on a training session.
I rode a r/60/2 with car for 10 years, then I was off for almost 15 years (back on solo bikes). My first ride on my current Ural was interesting to say the least. Counterteering is a sticky habit, and hack steering is just the opposite. It took me a bit to get used to the rig moving around under you, kinda like riding in the dirt.
Have a ball. Hack's are a hoot
Winter is settiling in on the frozen north, we got a little dusting of snow and so far still cruising around.
Thankfully to a heated jacket.
I was curious how everything was going with you, were you able to get together with Jay?
I have been absent from this post a while, sorry. Man, I love the sidecar phenom and all here have great input. No, I have not converted yet! My GSA1200 is still my favorite ride, still touring all about NAmerica. Broke my right kneecap a short while back and could not ride anything for a short restbit. Back now, much happiness. THIS sidecar thing EATS at me all the time, so I guess it must be in my future. I like the comraderie here in hack land. Ya'll seem to enjoy the life on 3 wheels. I find all my adventuring on dirt has me wishing for LESS falls from my GSA as I grow into my 60s. I still love the adventurism thing and my hack would have to be worthy of dirt byways. Thanks for all the support and info posting here. Happy Trails, Randy"Polarbear"
How does a person break his kneecap??
Here we are in March and I'm still riding. My hack has all season radials on the rear of the bike and car.
I just got through putting a Studded TKC on the front of the bike and it was like attaching it to a rail
My friend just came to visit me and just completed a winter ride from Whitehorse YT to Wasilla then up to Deadhorse Ak. and back to Wasilla.
Are you riding that GSA single track.
You can always keep knobbies on a sidecar and your bike won't lay down on you.
I still love sidecars and still ride my GSA1200. Nope, not converted yet, but stay in touch with Jay! Just back from Summer riding in Alaska on the GSA1200, all the way to Arctic Ocean and all of Alaska. 12000m rideabout everywhere North trip. Left Salem Rally for all this, talked with Jay(DMC) at rally and a few times on phone since. I'm a slow mover on this sidecar project, but its eating at my heart. I've just about asked all I can and have most answers I need to buy my rig, get r done. I will ride into Washington, get r built when I do it. I'm not going to build my own, just don't have the want to do it. I do enjoy service'in my own bikes all my life and some hack wrench learning will come forth. I'm gonna set all my early learning at riding this thing, not building it. Seems about 11/12grand sets me up with about all the latest features available, including them spending three days building it, as I sit nearby. My GSA just hit 109000m and it may be in for clutch work soon enough, although its still working perfectly fine. I probably should go get new clutch before hack added. Otherwise, I see no weak links on my GSA. My second (GSA)FD rebuild just happened also, post Alaska once home. I've learned to catch these FDs early enough, having had 4 of them built in my past/present BMWs. I do wonder how FDs hold up in sidecar life? I suspect no difference. All you ahead of me in this sidecar life, ride well, happy trails. I'm leaning very hard at joining you. Randy


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Arsenal end trophy drought with FA Cup win
Arsenal ended its nine-year trophy drought on Saturday, coming from two goals...
Chris Paul scored 29 points, including the deciding free throws in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, as the Los Angeles Clippers put together a fierce rally in the second half to down the Utah Jazz, 116-114, on Friday.
Blake Griffin added 22 points and 13 rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan also contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards for the Clippers, who extended their franchise-best winning streak to 16 games.
The Clippers' 16-game winning streak is the longest in the NBA since the Boston Celtics won 19 straight during the 2008-09 campaign.
"It was a good test. It is always a test for us and at times we didn't play our best basketball by getting beat in the open court. Those are things we usually do to teams," Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Give Utah credit, but our guys battled back tonight. They found a way to win and that's what it is all about."
Randy Foye scored a season-high 28 points to pace the Jazz, but his tightly contested 3-pointer as time expired rimmed out to hand Utah its sixth loss in eight games.
Al Jefferson finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, and Gordon Hayward dropped in 17 points off the bench in a losing effort.
The Clippers trailed, 58-48, at the half and fell behind by as much as 19 in the third quarter before a 21-5 run closed their gap to 79-76 with just under two minutes left in the third.
Paul's fadeaway jumper at the buzzer brought Los Angeles within 88-84 entering the fourth quarter, where Caron Butler capped a 6-2 push with a four-point play to knot the game at 90-90.
Utah responded with five straight points to go back on top, but the Clippers would stay within two possessions from there until Jordan's three-point play was followed by a Jamal Crawford layup to give Los Angeles a 109-106 lead with 3:09 remaining.
Four consecutive points by Jefferson gave the Jazz back a one-point lead before a pair of Paul foul shots with 1:35 left in the game put the Clippers ahead for good.
Utah then had a couple of chances to regain the lead, but Jefferson missed a floater from the lane and a contested Paul Millsap jumper rimmed out around a missed 3-point attempt by Paul to keep it a 111-110 game.
The Jazz were able to tie the game at 114-114 on a pair of Jefferson free throws with 17.1 remaining, but Paul was fouled by Jefferson on the other end while driving toward the lane and he drained both foul shots with 3.4 seconds left.
Foye grabbed the inbounds pass coming out of a timeout and tried to force a foul as he threw a shoulder into a defender while throwing up a 3-pointer, but he did not get the call and the shot banked off the rim to end the game.
"We made some mistakes, but we fought our way through it and had a chance to win the ball game at the end. Unfortunately, they got a lot of free throws," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said.
The Clippers held a couple of four-point leads in the opening minutes of action until Paul capped a 9-4 spurt with a jumper to hand Los Angeles an 18-11 edge with 5 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter.
Utah would get no closer than four points for the remainder of the frame and trailed, 29-22, heading into the second quarter, which the Jazz dominated by a mark of 36-19 en route to a 58-48 lead at the break.
Hayward scored all of his 11 second-quarter points, including a personal 10-2 push, during a 15-2 run that turned a 34-31 deficit into a 46-36 advantage.
Los Angeles shot just 37.5 percent from the floor in the second quarter and turned the ball over eight times, resulting in 13 Utah points.
Game Notes
The Clippers have now won three straight in Utah for the first time since 1980 … Utah fell to 9-4 at home this season … Both teams scored 38 points in the paint … Butler finished with 14 points and Crawford had 12 for the Clippers … Millsap scored 12 points for the Jazz.


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WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is expected to nominate Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state, a source familiar with the process said Saturday.
Kerry, the Democratic nominee for president in 2004, had been widely expected to get the nomination as the top U.S. diplomat after the withdrawal last week of Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Rice, a close Obama confidante, withdrew her name from consideration after heavy fire from Republicans for remarks she made in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, in which four Americans were killed.
Congressional Republicans said they would expect Kerry to sail through the confirmation process. "I think John Kerry would be an excellent appointment and would be easily confirmed by his colleagues," Maine Republican Susan Collins said recently.
Kerry's departure from the Senate would force Democrats to defend his seat. The just-defeated but still-popular Republican Sen. Scott Brown, who took office in early 2010 after winning the last special election for a Massachusetts seat, is widely expected to run for Kerry's seat if he leaves.


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Doebel Honored on National History Day
Doebel Honored on National History Day
Kirsten (Bartleson) Doebel SL'01 was recognized as the Senior Division Teacher of the Year at the National History Day state contest in Des Moines. Kirsten is a teacher at Alta-Aurelia High School.
The award honors outstanding leadership in the classroom, and service to National History Day. Pictured above: Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Mary Cownie, Kirsten and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.


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Post Office Could Cut One Day of Delivery—Tuesday
Facing a potential $6 billion shortfall this year, the U.S. Postal Service is considering cutting one day of mail delivery—and it would actually be Tuesday, not Saturday.
It's just a proposal at this point, but having one day of the working week without mail sounds like it could be an interesting/frustrating change-up for businesses who rely on next-day deliveries and regular mail flow. If you had to pick a day of the week to live without mail (other than Sunday, of course), what would it be? Is five days of snail mail just fine by you? Tell us in the comments. And if the change did go through, you'd be well served to know where your nearest mailbox is for those 4pm Monday mad dashes.


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Dooley says she came up with BodyRock styles to fill a void in the market. She wanted pretty, fashionable bras that were flattering while also being a bra you can wear to the gym and every day. BodyRock has a special collection for women who have had mastectomies as well. They have a zip-front for comfortable access. Dooley says her favorite BodyRock design is the Sophie Bra with floral print and goldtone studs with Swarovksi crystals. These bras have been showcased on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" and in "O" Magazine in August 2012. Dooley has dressed celebrities like Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Kimberly Cole. BodyRock also made headlines for offering the highest priced sports bra, the Eternal Love bra which is worth almost $20,000 and has diamonds, 18 karat gold, French silk and Swarovski crystals. Britney Spears wore it in her Twister Dance video. Don't worry, the rest of the bras are a lot more affordable!
BodyRock Sport has bras that are perfect for lounging, sleeping, doing a leisurely workout or running a marathon. The personal electronics compartments easily allow you to store your Ipod so you can run long and hard if needed! The soft fabrics are lightweight and feel smooth against you. Moisture-wicking properties wick away moisture to keep you cool and dry.
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BodyRock Sport is growing each day to help empower and give confidence to women across the world. With a little bling and fun, you can not only change your workout, but can change the attitude of those around you. Shop HerRoom for the latest BodyRock Sport fashions.


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A 2-0 defeat at Sporting KC Friday; Red Bull defeat Toronto FC 4-1; Columbus takes advantage of an offside goal to earn another late win; The Dynamo overpower New England 2-0…
The Chicago Fire were about 11 minutes from having literally every result this weekend go against them before Portland's Bright Dike roofed an effort past Bill Hamid to earn the Timbers a 1-1 home draw against D.C. United.
That result in Portland combined with the other four this weekend pushed the Fire down to third place (tied on points with New York) and just five points ahead of the sixth-place Crew with four matches remaining and just as many openings in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Fire and many other fans in the East deserve to be a little frustrated. The past few seasons it didn't take this much to qualify for the playoffs.
Even with most teams having three to four games left in the season, total wins in the East are currently at 122, up from 88 which was the total through the end of 2011. Playoff team wins (or translated to last year, Top 5 team wins) total in at 76 right now over 59 through the end of 2011. More simply put, it took fifth place New York just 46 points to qualify for the postseason last year, while this year sixth place Columbus sits on 48 points and outside of the current playoff bubble.
WATCH: Sporting KC 2, Chicago Fire 0
Make no mistake, all five teams that make it from the East will have earned it this season…
PLAYOFF MATH…I've added magic numbers to the breakdown this week. For a definition on what the magic number is in soccer, click here.
1) Sporting KC (qualified)
Current Points: 58
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 67
Average Opponents Points: 43.6
Magic Number (for first place): 8
Remaining Schedule: at Columbus (10/7), at New York (10/20), vs. Philadelphia (10/24).
The Rundown: Sporting KC navigated their difficult stretch of three games in nine days about as perfectly as they could have expected. The team earned a valuable 2-0 win at New York on September 19, played strategically for a point at Montreal three days later and returned home on Friday to defeat the Fire, taking seven points from the three matches.
WATCH: New York Red Bulls 4, Toronto FC 1
The victory over Chicago on Friday not only opened up a somewhat comfortable five-point gap between first and second but also pushed KC back into the playoffs. They still have two tough games at Columbus who are 10-3-2 at home this season and fighting for their playoff lives and a trip back to New York, but if they can negotiate that two-game stretch as well as the three games before it, they shouldn't have an issue finishing in poll-position in the East.
2) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 53 (tied with Fire, ahead on Goals For tiebreaker)
Games Remaining: 3 (2 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 62
Average Opponents Points: 47
Magic Number (playoffs): 5
Remaining Schedule: vs. Chicago (10/6), vs. Sporting KC (10/20), at Philadelphia (10/27)
The Rundown: New York did what they needed to in taking a 4-1 victory over Toronto Saturday night. They face perhaps the toughest remaining schedule of anyone in the East, having to face both the Fire and Sporting KC, albeit at home, in back-to-back matches. The results of those two games will go a long towards determining where all three teams will finish.
How they qualify: Red Bull can qualify for the playoffs this week by defeating the Fire and having Columbus either lose or draw to Sporting KC (Sunday) or Houston lose to Montreal (Saturday).
3) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 53 (tied with New York)
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 65
Average Opponents Points: 40.75
Magic Number: 5
Remaining Schedule: vs. Philadelphia (10/3), at New York (10/6), at New England (10/20), vs. D.C. United (10/27)
The Rundown: While it wasn't what you wanted, there was nothing disastrous about Friday night's result at Kansas City. One thing to remember is that the Fire hold a game in hand over everyone else in the playoff race and that game is made up this week with Wednesday's clash vs. Philadelphia and Saturday's match at New York.
If the Fire can manage to take at least four points from the week, they would almost assuredly have booked their place in the postseason and even three points would go a long way toward playoff qualification. Anything less and the team will have made things much more difficult than need be on themselves.
Luckily enough, Wednesday's game comes against lowly Philadelphia who will be on one day less rest than the Fire and who haven't beaten any of the top seven teams in the East away from home, going 0-6-0 in those games this season.
WATCH: D.C. United 1, Portland Timbers 1
While it'll be expected for the Fire to take three points against the Union, the more difficult match will come Saturday against Red Bull. If the team gets a win against Philly, a draw would be ok to keep the Fire in position ahead of New York to push for second place in the East.
Keep in mind though, waking up Sunday morning is all the more reason to hope the Fire can earn just one more point than Red Bull as there's little to no chance the team will win a tie-breaker with the high-flying New York offense.
How they qualify: The Fire can qualify for the playoffs in a variety of ways this week but at the very least need three points from their two matches vs. Philadelphia (Wednesday) and at New York (Saturday), combined with a Columbus loss or draw vs. Sporting KC (Sunday) or a Houston loss vs. Montreal (Saturday). Two wins in the two matches and the rest won't matter as the Fire will have booked their ticket.
4) D.C. United
Current Points: 51
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 60
Average Opponents Points: 41
Magic Number: 7
Remaining Schedule: at Toronto FC (10/6), vs. Columbus (10/20), at Chicago (10/27)
The Rundown: Given that it would have made for a three-way tie for second place, D.C. will be a bit disappointed not to have taken three points at Portland Saturday. Taking care of business at Toronto on Saturday will be most important for United as their final two matches look like they could be of the six-point variety.
How they qualify: They can't this week. A win at Toronto and a Columbus loss this weekend won't be good enough to get D.C. into the playoffs before the international break as it would only equal six "magic number" points.
WATCH: Columbus 3, Philadelphia 2
5) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 49
Games Remaining: 3 (2 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 58
Average Opponents Points: 33.3
Magic Number: 9
Remaining Schedule: vs. Montreal (10/6), vs. Philadelphia (10/20), at Colorado (10/27)
The Rundown: Houston stumbled last weekend at Philadelphia and had a bit of trouble in the first half Saturday night vs. New England but eventually got the job done. The Dynamo undoubtedly still have the easiest schedule in the East, with their hardest game coming against Montreal on Saturday. The goal of every team ahead of Houston should at least be to finish with more than 58 points as that is the closest thing to a playoff point threshold that exists right now.
How they qualify: Won't be able to think about qualification until at least October 20.
6) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 48
Games Remaining: 3 (32 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 57
Average Opponents Points: 43.6
Magic Number: 10
Remaining Schedule: vs. Sporting KC (10/7), at D.C. United (10/20), vs. Toronto FC (10/28)
The Rundown: The Crew did it again Saturday night, scoring another late winner, albeit one that was clearly offside. That doesn't matter now as Columbus kept pace in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
The result was huge as the Crew will be facing the East's top team in Sporting KC on Sunday before a certain six-pointer on October 20 at D.C. United. How they fare in these two games will go a long way to determining where they finish in the East but it seems a minimum of three points from the pair of matches will be absolutely necessary to stay alive going into their final game of the season vs. Toronto FC.
How they qualify: Would need a bit of help but could qualify on October 20.
7) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 40
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 49
Average Opponents Points: 32.3
Remaining Schedule: at Houston (10/6), at Toronto FC (10/20), vs. New England (10/27)
The Rundown: Idle this week, Montreal are only mathematically still in. To qualify, they would need a monumental collapse from either Houston or Columbus while the Impact would have to run the table to finish the season. Even a draw at Houston on Saturday will bring their season to an end.


text: Last week I wondered why Kakashi didn't just raikiri Obito's ass while in the other dimension.. Even if he didn't want to kill him, he could have only incapacited him by avoiding hitting vital points. With Obito out of the picture, Kakashi would have been free to kamui Madara and lock him up in the other dimension. The Juubi would have been easier to manage. I know it wouldn't be easy to hit Madara with Kamui but with Naruto, Bee and Guy as support, it's possible. What do you think ?


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I tried logging on one day only to discover my account which had about ten stories, nine which were complete had been accidentally deleted.
All completed stories will return.
A Sinner's Prayer
Summary: [One Shot] When the time came to fight and she's standing on the other side, would you be able to strike her down after all you've shared? No longer a boy, a man must now answer the question that before, he could not. [Sequel to That Gryffindor Girl]
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Brother of My Blood
Summary: [One Shot] Once I called you blood, an honor I held above all other. And for that, I loved you like I loved myself dear brother. [Fred & George]
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Chaviva Nadidah
Summary: [One Shot] They could never last, no matter how much they lied to themselves. They had obligations to other people. Responsibilities they couldn't turn their backs on. But it was all right, because tonight they had each other and that was all that mattered.
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Not Yet A King
Summary: [One Shot] I'm not Fred! he yelled at the top of his lungs, when she tried to compare the two. I'm not any of my damn brothers. [Ron & Angelina]
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That Gryffindor Girl
Summary: [One Shot] Warrington warns Montague about the dangers of loving a certain Gryffindor Girl.
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The Crying Lovers
Summary: [One Shot] He thought she knew. . .
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The Proposition
Summary: [One shot] Usually when Draco wanted something, he got it, but with one girl on his long list of girls it always had to be a struggle. [Draco & Angelina]
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Tulip in the Sand
Summary: [25 Chapters] Their arranged marriage was a tugofwar: a warofwits, a warofpride, a warofdominance. But if both ever succumb to each other, will either survive the other's trials or the real war brewing around them? [Draco & Angelina]
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You Just Run
Summary: [12 Chapters] One had the picture perfect family, the other barely knew what it meant. One was a model student, the other struggled to learn to read. One was kind, the other sweet, but together one would find his obsession and the other his rage. [Marcus Flint & Oliver Wood]


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It's something we hear every day: "I love my job, it's my passion." But nearly 70 percent of Americans are disengaged from their job. A Wall Street Journal survey found people who are happy at work show 36% more motivation and have 31% more success in reaching their goals than those who aren't happy. So how can you be happy at work?
One way is to stop thinking the shape of your professional course is out of your hands. Investing in what you can control can help you become more positive, and can give you a sense of purpose.
Employers also have a part to play. Research has shown employees are happiest when they feel part of a team. Cultivating camaraderie and providing employees with non-monetary recognition will make them more likely to feel invested in their job.
Another way to be happy is by changing the focus of your goals, from attaining personal success to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Having a broader vision can help you strive toward something larger than yourself.
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