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Jays' ninth-inning win is wild one
Barajas' homer ties game; Scutaro scores on wild pitch
By Erika Gilbert / MLB.com
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game, Rays left-hander J.P. Howell threw a curveball to designated hitter Randy Ruiz that bounced off the Rogers Centre dirt well ahead of home plate, sending Marco Scutaro home and drawing the Jays out of the dugout to celebrate a 3-2 walk-off victory over the Rays.
The win was made possible by a pinch-hit solo home run by Rod Barajas earlier in the frame to tie the game at 2, as well as a solid start by rookie left-hander Marc Rzepczynski. It was a welcome change of pace for the Jays (58-67), who have struggled in one-run games and contests where they've trailed in late innings.
The Jays went into Wednesday's tilt with a record of 15-22 in games decided by one run, and an abysmal 1-53 in games they had trailed after eight innings. They had only scored 19 runs in the ninth inning all season.
"Games have come down to the wire, and it just seems like we're not able to push that one, two runs across the board late in games," Barajas said. "Finally doing this, finally winning one of the close games, it definitely feels good."
With the Jays behind, 2-1, with one out in the bottom of the ninth, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston pinch-hit for catcher Raul Chavez, sending Barajas to the plate instead. Gaston explained after the game that the move was prompted by Barajas' numbers against Howell -- the catcher was 3-for-6 with two home runs and four RBIs against the Rays lefty going into Wednesday's game.
The move paid off as Barajas sent a 1-1 pitch sailing into the stands in left field in what looked like a sure thing as soon as the bat hit the ball.
"Once I got to that count, I just assumed he was going to throw me something soft," Barajas said. "That's what he does well -- he's able to throw any pitch at any time, and he has full confidence in all of his pitches, so I figured he's going to try to get me out with his out pitch.
"He did throw something soft -- he threw me a curveball, and it ended up being right where I like it."
It was the Jays' second pinch-hit home run of the year -- the first also came courtesy of Barajas, on June 18 against the Phillies.
"Whenever it's a tight game, there's a good chance I'm going to get in, whether they pinch-run for Chavy or something happens. I always have to stay ready," Barajas said. "It's nice when you get called on. It definitely shows that somebody believes in you, somebody has confidence that you can do something to help the ballclub late in the game."
After Barajas' blast, Howell (6-4) walked Scutaro, got second baseman Aaron Hill to fly out, then walked both Vernon Wells and Kevin Millar to load the bases. That set the stage for the wild pitch to Ruiz that sealed the win.
"Walk-off wild pitch. Take 'em any way you can," Gaston chuckled.
While winning a game on a wild pitch is not an everyday occurrence, it's not the strangest thing that happened on Wednesday. A total of three umpires spent time behind home plate.
Jerry Crawford was the home-plate ump to start the game, but left after the second inning due to back spasms, he said after the game. Tom Hallion, who began the game at second base, took over from Crawford.
Hallion was then struck by a pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning. He stayed in the game after being checked out by medical staff but switched places with third-base umpire Scott Barry.
"I have not seen that," Gaston said. "You stick around, you see a lot of things happen."
While right-hander Brandon League (2-5) was credited with the win, it would not have come without a strong performance from Rzepczynski.
Rzepczynski had a no-hitter going until Rays designated hitter Pat Burrell smacked a single to right field with two outs in the sixth.
That hit spared Gaston the unenviable task of deciding whether or not to allow his rookie -- due to be shut down for the year soon, when he reaches his innings limit -- to stay in the game as his pitch count climbed, or take him out of the game with a no-hitter going.
Burrell's single also proved costly, as the next batter Rzepczynski faced, left fielder Gabe Kapler, fired a 1-1 fastball deep to left field for a two-run blast, giving the Rays a 2-0 lead.
Although he held the Rays (69-57) hitless through 5 2/3 innings, Rzepczynski had run into trouble earlier in the game, walking the bases loaded in the third and finishing the night having issued five free passes.
"Who cares about the hits?" Rzepcznski said. "I'm more upset about the five walks. Control is what's going to get me deeper into ballgames, and throwing a hundred and whatever pitches I did in six innings is way too many."
While Rzepczynski was good, Rays starter Scott Kazmir was a little better, allowing only one run and leaving the mound after six innings with the Rays ahead, 2-1.
Luckily for the Jays, they were finally able to plate some runs late in the game en route to their sixth walk-off victory of the season, avoiding a sweep at the hands of the Rays.
"That's a great victory," Rzepczynski said. "It's definitely one we needed."
Erika Gilbert is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – While we remain two weeks away from Super Bulldog Weekend, the Mississippi State baseball team has already put together a super weekend of its own.
The 17th-ranked Bulldogs captured their first weekend series in Southeastern Conference play this season. MSU accomplished that feat as Kendall Graveman pitched a five-hit shutout to put away Florida 2-0 Saturday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field.
"Right now, Kendall is on a mission," MSU head coach John Cohen said. "When the game is on the line and it matters most, he wants to be out there with the ball in his hand. You have to love that about his personality.
"Good leaders don't talk about it, they go out there and do it. Boy, does he do it."
Graveman (4-2) threw his fifth career complete game and second in as many Saturdays. The senior right-hander struck out two, walked two and faced four batters past the minimum, while throwing 107 pitches. This gem came exactly one week after a 4-1 complete-game victory at Arkansas.
"It's not all me but the guys behind me are doing an excellent job," Graveman said. "We got some runs early today and that allowed me to settle in and gave me some confidence also. I've had the lead in four of my last five outings, so (the offense) is doing its job."
MSU improved to 26-8 overall and 5-6 in league play, while Florida fell to 14-18 and 4-7. The Bulldogs won the series opener 7-3 Friday night. The sequel provided much less offensive excitement.
The Bulldogs scored both runs in the first inning, thanks in part to the wildness of Florida starting pitcher Danny Young (1-3).
Adam Frazier began the first inning with a line drive double. After a hit by Alex Detz, Hunter Renfroe reached as a hit batsman to load the bases. After a strikeout, a bases-loaded walk to Wes Rea forced in Frazier, while a groundout hit by C.T. Bradford scored Detz.
"You never know when two runs will be enough," Cohen said. "Once again, we had some good at-bats and we hit some balls hard with nothing to show for it."
The Bulldogs turned three double plays and now lead the nation with 42 twin-killings.
"We believe in that defense behind me so why not have faith in them," Graveman said. "We're going to fill up the zone. We've come to the conclusion that as long as we don't give people anything, we'll be a solid baseball club."
Graveman recorded 19 ground ball outs. MSU has now played errorless ball in seven straight conference games.
"The kids get excited playing behind Kendall," Cohen said. "They know they will have chances to make plays."
The Bulldogs finished with seven hits, including multi-hit games by Frazier, Detz and Brett Pirtle.
Justin Shafer had two of Florida's five hits.
The series finale is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

subset: commoncrawl


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Check BNN and Bulbanews for up-to-date Pokémon news and discuss it on the forums or in the Bulbagarden Discord server.
|This article is about an episode of the Pokémon anime that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.
First broadcast
English themes
Japanese themes
(Japanese: ミニリュウのでんせつ The Legend of Miniryu) is the 35th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on November 25, 1997, but never broadcast in the United States or most parts of other countries airing the 4Kids Entertainment dub.
|Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
As the episode opens with various Pokémon relaxing in the Safari Zone, we see our heroes touring the area. Ash is singing, while the narrator explains that the group hasn't yet caught a single Pokémon, but with so many Pokémon in this area, it's understandable why anyone would want to sing.
As the group approaches a building, Ash sings that they're in the Safari Zone. Brock asks Ash to stop singing, which Ash ignores and continues to sing. Brock asks Misty to do something, and she replies by singing along with Ash. Brock decides to sing as well. Before he can do so, however, a man approaches from the building and demands they "shut up!"
Ash demands what the man's problem is, to which the man pulls a firearm out and replies, "Do you want to get shot?" The group hastily apologizes, and the man relents. He then introduces himself as Kaiser, who's none other than the care-taker of the Safari Zone.
Inside the building, Kaiser shows the group a basket of Safari Balls and a fishing rod. Ash is delighted and reaches out eagerly for them, but Kaiser pulls his gun out and explains the rules of the Safari Zone: All that's permitted are Safari Balls and fishing rods. If they break the rules, his "Thunderbolt" will burn them. He then points the gun at Ash's head to demonstrate his point.
Misty notices a picture of Kaiser as a young man, in which he's holding a Dratini. As Ash and Misty view the picture, Brock tells them about a rumor of a Dratini living in the Safari Zone, and the picture certainly proves that the rumor is true. Before this can be expanded on any further, Kaiser leaps forward and snatches the picture from Misty's hand, screaming that there is no Dratini. Ash argues otherwise, but seeing Kaiser reach for his gun is more than enough to make him take his statement back.
Kaiser leaves the group, taking the picture with him. Misty wonders why he acts so serious, to which Brock replies that something must be up for him to act like this. Ash suggests that they ask Professor Oak, which the rest agree on.
The focus then shifts on Kaiser, who's standing outside the building staring at the picture. He apologizes to Dratini and says he'll never bother it again. While this happens, Oak explains to the kids that he knows Kaiser well. Thirty years ago, a Dratini was found in the Safari Zone by Kaiser himself. Trainers from all over flocked to the Safari Zone just to see the mythical creature, but while they were there, they captured many other Pokémon in the process, literally destroying the Safari Zone. Since then, only Safari Balls have been allowed there. The Dratini was never found; all that remains is a picture.
After an attack by Team Rocket, the Warden directs the group to a lake inhabited by Dratini. James and Meowth don scuba gear and attempts to find Dratini, while Jessie is waiting for them above. Suddenly, a Dratini emerges from the water and reveals itself to Jessie. She kneels down on the pipe that is supplying air to James and Meowth, calling the Dratini to come closer, while the other two are struggling for a breath of air.. Just as Jessie tries to grab it, James and Meowth splash out of the water, scaring it away. Jessie starts to yell at them, when Meowth reveals a backup plan to capture all the Pokémon in the lake.
He then goes to explain how the electric bomb he is holding will zap all the Pokémon in the water to cause them to rise to the surface, and is about to throw it in when Ash intervenes. Meowth throws it in anyways, and Kaiser jumps in the lake after it. Ash jumps after him, but Misty stops Ash, telling him not to go. Then she asks, "What gives you such confidence?". He then replies, "I told you before, the good guys always win." He dives into the lake with Misty's Staryu to retrieve the bomb, and sends Staryu to take Kaiser back to the surface. He reaches the bottom, retrieves the bomb, but then runs out of air. Suddenly, a storm begins: it is caused by a Dragonair. The Dragonair saves Ash, just as it did when it was a Dratini, saving Kaiser. The Warden is overjoyed, as he has successfully protected the Pokémon. Team Rocket is sent blasting off again, and Ash sends all his Tauros to Oak, who trample over the Professor in a stampede.
Major events
- Ash and his friends enter the Safari Zone and receive thirty Safari Balls to be used within the Zone.
- Ash uses his Safari Balls to catch thirty Tauros.
- For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the timeline of events.
Pokémon debuts
- Pikachu (Ash's)
- Meowth (Team Rocket)
- Tauros (Ash's; thirty; new; sent to Oak's Laboratory)
- Staryu (Misty's)
- Arbok (Jessie's)
- Nidorina
- Nidorino
- Rhyhorn
- Rhydon
- Gyarados
- Poliwag
- Horsea
- Slowpoke
- Goldeen
- Magikarp
- Dratini (Japanese debut)
- Dragonair (Japanese debut)
This controversial episode was banned in all countries outside of Asia, largely due the pervasive use of profanity and firearms, which are pointed at Ash and Kaiser and fired at Jessie, James, and Meowth. Even though the scenes where Kaiser threatens Ash, Misty and Brock with his guns were intended for comic effect, the American censors still found this offensive. Although an English dubbed version of this episode has never aired, dub voice actors have confirmed that it was made. Unfortunately for fans, this episode's non-airing created a major plot hole for non-Japanese versions of the show, confusing many viewers on how, when, where, and why Ash captured thirty Tauros, although Professor Oak mentioned it once in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral.
The offensive content of the episode could have likely been removed by normal editing, and aired in a modified format, similar to another banned episode, Beauty and the Beach. EP035 would have required far less editing, but it is unknown why these modifications were not made.
- Although the episode was never aired in English, the video for the Pokérap uses footage of Dratini, Dragonair, and Rhyhorn from this episode, as well as a clip of Ash, Misty and Brock catching a Gyarados.
- This is the first appearance of Misty's special lure in the series. However, due to this episode being banned in numerous Western countries, the lure first appeared in the dub in Bye Bye Psyduck.
- The Safari Balls pictured in this episode are vastly different from their later-introduced in-game sprites, likely due to a design change between the time of Generation I and Generation III. This is similar to the alteration in design of the Sport Ball, which appears differently between its anime debut and its Generation IV reintroduction with an in-game sprite.
- When Dragonair is emerging from the lake, the R on Jessie's shirt is missing.
In other languages
As most dubs are based on the English adaptation, this episode has not aired in most of the world outside of Japan.
|Mandarin Chinese
|迷你龍的傳說 / 迷你龙的传说
|This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.


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Talk about fiddling while Rome burns. The city of Sarasota is facing a series of crises threatening to escalate further.
The city has no manager, but city commissioners can't agree on a new one. Last week, commissioners rejected all three finalists. One could not get a super majority of four out of five commissioners, and the other two were considered to have too much baggage — there were "controversies" in their past.
Now, anyone who has been involved in running governments for decades is bound to have controversy. Presumably, if he makes it to finalist, those are not major. And if a leader has absolutely no controversies in his past, he probably hasn't led anywhere worth following.
In the wake of its interim city manager stepping down, the commission is now trying to backtrack and snag one of the three it booted.
It's more than embarrassing. It's bad.
The city is an emasculated mayor form of government, which means it is led by committee when it comes to elected officials. Anyone involved in decisions by committee knows what the results usually look like. Think Congress — without a president.
There is also a turf battle going on between Sarasota City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini and the empty city manager's office, pointing to further problems in the city's structure. Co-presidents, co-CEOs, co-leaders, co-quarterbacks just rarely work. And when the co-leaders answer independently to a commission of equals, messes are inevitable.
Further, the city is facing an employee pension bomb that is blowing up the budget and could get much worse. But it lacks the leadership to make substantive changes. The move toward $1 million in savings by tweaking the contracts is a modest start, and one that may be legally challenged by the Police Benevolent Association, which hotly opposes changes to the pension system.
To be sure, the candidates for city manager were not wholly impressive. But there is no reason to think a second round will be anything but worse given the results of the first round.
This is the perfect opportunity for city leaders to be bold and look to a new kind of leadership — a strong mayor, strong manager, something. Because Sarasota undoubtedly must be one of the best, badly run cities in the country, living off a blessing of natural assets and some good decisions from earlier city leaders. Who thought we would pine for the days of City Manager David Sollenberger?
The truth is that a commission of five equals and rotating city managers keeping the seat warm for a couple of years while an independent clerk plots for power is a disastrous recipe for Sarasota going into the future.
But, alas, that is not the thinking among the five one-fifth mayors on the commission — or at least not among enough of them.
What is the thinking among commissioners? … Political correctness.
They are planning to add a registry to expand benefits to unmarried couples. This is not really about giving rights to people who are living together. This is all about gay rights.
There are few, more powerful special interests representing small constituencies than the gay lobby, nationally and locally. The idea that they are a persecuted minority, such as blacks once were, is preposterous on the face of it. They are probably the wealthiest and most influential small constituency in the country — largely upper-middle-class white males.
Nonetheless, with the other major issues pressing all around, the City Commission is happily looking to make sure those employees are covered.
How many are we looking at for this urgent problem? The city has about 700 employees. The gay population is about 3%. So that means the city has maybe 20 gay employees. Of those, only a fraction have long-term live-in partners, probably less than half. Where are we sitting — maybe at five to 10 employees?
Why? Everybody else is doing it!
However, by opening this door, it also opens up the benefits to the straight live-in couples. The percentage of those is much, much higher, and there is no reason to extend them benefits. They can just get married and have full benefits.
This direction will raise the city's benefit costs when they are already unaffordable and further encourage destructive behavior.
This is where the city is right now. Unable to deal effectively with the largest issues, but willing to tackle small issues that might carry political goodies at the broader expense.
On this, they appear to find unanimity.
Rod Thomson can be reached at [email protected].
Talk about fiddling while Rome burns. The city of Sarasota is facing a series of crises threatening to escalate further.


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Find the Kabuki actors, sushi rolls, and emoticons hidden in this massive mural.
Tokyo is an energetic city, filled with frenetic motion and bustle. These tend to be difficult to capture, unless your canvas is an entire room, as it is for teamLab's mural at the new Tokyo Skytree. Filling the walls of a room at the size of 130-feet wide by 10-feet tall, the mural took sixteen people—eleven artists and five animators—more than a year and a half to complete. What's more, the mural depicts almost the entirety of Tokyo, focusing on its central districts around the Sumida River.
The painting is stunning, not only because of its size, but also due to the amount of detail the artists were able to fit into it; hidden around the massive tableau are Kabuki actors, sushi rolls, and emoticons, among other random Japanese artifacts. Not only is the city filled with realistic billboard adds, but also with people, all of whom look unique.
Drawing inspiration from traditional depictions of Japanese cities, the artists decided to make the mural 'flat,' with no single vanishing point, foiling a reading of unified perspective. The artists write, "in Japanese art there are rakuchurakugaizu (views in and around the city of Kyoto) and edozubyoubu (scenes of Edo on folding screens), these art works have no central point of focus, they are 'flat', everything is depicted with the same degree of importance and they contain a vast amount of information even down to the stories of each and every individual." In this way, they convey both the look of the city and also the tremendous sensory overload the visitor feels while there.
Series of zoom-ins showing epic amounts of detail
All images courtesy of TeamLAB
This post originally appeared on Architizer, an Atlantic partner site.


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Configuration: 36 packs per box. 15 cards per pack.
Unhinged, the latest off the wall Magic: The Gathering release, is the follow up to 1998's original "rule breaker" set Unglued.
This set is silver bordered, with the exception of five cards. The set will have the same non-tournament-legal silver border that was used on Unglued. Unhinged has five tournament-legal, black bordered land cards with a unique layout. Like Unglued, there will be one in every booster pack.
The set has 140 cards: 55 commons, 40 uncommons, 40 rares and 5 basic land cards.
Each pack has one rare, three uncommons, ten commons and one basic land.
Unglued and Unhinged were not designed together in the manner that sets within a block are designed. The design of Unhinged though did take into account the existence of Unglued, meaning that the two sets should play well together.


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Toronto Trades: Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Sonny Weems, 2010 first round pick
New Orleans Trades: Peja Stojakovic, Emeka Okafor, Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton
Toronto gets 2 young studs (collison, thornton), an expiring contract (peja), and a long-term centre (okafor) in exchange for Bosh, Jose, and Weems.
PG: Collison/Jack/Banks
SG: Thornton/DeRozan
SF: Hedo/Peja/Belinelli
PF: Andrea/Reggie
C: Okafor/Johnson
Toronto can use Peja's expiring $15 mil contract at the deadline to adjust the roster as necessary. They also have close to $10 mil in expirings with Reggie/Banks. That's $25 million in expiring contracts!
New Orleans gets one of the top forwards in the game, a back-up PG at a starter's salary, and a developing GF. In addition they get a second lottery pick for this season. They also unload Okafor's contract with a cheaper and shorter Jose contract, but are effectively replacing him with Chris Bosh.
PG: Chris Paul/Jose Calderon
SG: Sonny Weems/Morris Peterson
SF: James Posey/Julian Wright
PF: David West/ Darius Songaila
C: Chris Bosh/(Cole Aldrich?)
A 1-2-3 punch of Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, and David West should be excellent at competing in the West. And with the two lottery picks for 2010 they can fill any holes they might have with developing young studs.


text:
Try this again...
Try this again...
I tried that, it didn't work.
I'm trying to upload the images Fax wanted to see.
Yeap, exactly... as you see you have somewhere (startup normally) a call to "install.exe". A user posted recently exactly the same problem.. but can't find the message on how he/she resolved it.
The screenshot of the startup is incomplete you need to expand on the file names on the right....
Found! Here you have:
The entire MXCONFIG Startup line si:
CheckPoint Launcher Untility "C:\program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\Install\Launcher.exe""C\: program Files (x86)CheckPoint\install\Install.exe /c "C:\program Files (x86)\CheckPoint\Install\Install.xml" /w
I deselected it and the problem SEEMS to have gone away.
OK, good... glad to hear the issue seems resolved!
You should run a tool like ccleaner to remove completely that line from the start. As the problem is resolved I will mark it as much and close the thread.
Thank you very much for taking the time to report back! This will help other users if in the same situation.


text:
DOG owners are being asked to join a charity walk along Eastbourne seafront for a children's hospice.
The three-mile circular walk called Pooches on The Prom is being organised by Demelza Hospice Care for Children.
The event will take place on Sunday, May 13, when all the dogs will be donning a red and white spotted bandana for the walk.
There will also be a fun dog show for all the pooches to take part in and strut their stuff.
A tombola, stalls and a free cup of tea or coffee will be available for those who take part.
Demelza provides a hospices in Kent and South East London.
It also provides short break care, day care, symptom control, end-of-life care and bereavement support for more than 700 children and their families, including youngsters from Eastbourne.
Pooches on the Prom costs £10 per dog, which includes a bandana and a doggie bag.
Sarah Marsh, events co-ordinator for Demelza, said, "Fundraising events like Pooches on the Prom really make a difference to us here at Demelza.
"It means we are able to raise enough money to keep doing what we do best and we are extremely grateful to all who will be taking part."
To book a place on the event visit www.demelza.org.uk.


text:
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Wednesday rejected 'The Child Marriage Restraint (Amendment) Bill, 2017' and said it was un-Islamic.
The bill was rejected even though the mover of the bill was not present though three other bills were deferred for the same reason.
The chairman of the committee, Rehman Malik said the bill, which suggests increasing the minimum age for girls to marry from 16 to 18, was contrary to Islamic injunctions.
Originally found on The Guardian
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy: ''The problem with 'honour' killings is that people hush them up: a father kills a daughter, and no one ever files a case.'
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are an important pillar of the human rights framework and the below average results in this area are a poor reflector on the general human rights situation in Pakistan.
On 30 May, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan went to the polls to exercise their hard-earned democratic right to choose their local leaders.
Tabassum Adnan wants women to stand up for their rights.
That's a dangerous message to send where she comes from -- Pakistan's Swat Valley. And that's the reason she was just awarded the U.S. Secretary Of State's International Women of Courage Award.
It is a real story of feudalism within Sindh, which is still running in the brains of almost every Sindhi People living within Sindh. We still living the life where women is just been used for the trade. In Sindh, we claim that we respect our Women and we honor them, but reality is still different.
A newsheet round-up of news and analysis relevant to Shirkat Gah's work.
Please download the pdf to view the Newsheet.
Dearest friends at Shirkat Gah and other sister organisations in Pakistan,
I am writing on behalf of the Women Living Under Muslim Laws network to express our deep condolences in the wake of yesterday's attack in Peshawar. When the news broke, our hearts broke too.
احتجزت عناصر مسلحة من طالبان الباكستانية، صباح اليوم الثلاثاء، ما يقرب من 500 طالب في مدرسة لأبناء العسكريين في بيشاور بباكستان. ورغم إعلان المتحدث باسم الحركة، محمد عمر الخرساني، أن الحركة لن تمس الطلاب، إلا أن أكثر من 100 طالب لقوا حتفهم حتى الآن.
In the week Malala Yousafzai collects her prize in Oslo, Karima Bennoune writes, "Dear Malala, As you accept the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, please know how many human rights activists around the world -- especially women -- are grateful to you ..."


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Do You Want Jon Hamm To Play Superman?
- By
- 204 Comments
Our friend and ex-Screen Ranter Jamie Williams over at Think McFly Think has posted an update on the upcoming Superman reboot movie, The Man of Steel, which is being produced over at Warner Bros. under the guidance of David Goyer and Chris Nolan, with Jonathan Nolan potentially directing the film.
Actually, this latest "update" isn't really that – it's more a continuation of a rumor floated by TMT from earlier this year, stating that WB is considering Mad Men star Jon Hamm for the role of Superman. TMT made it clear in both reports that the studio has simply been considering Hamm for the part (not to be confused with making an offer), but that hasn't stopped EW from firing back that Hamm's reps haven't heard about the deal and that "Superhamm is just a dream."
Earlier this year, MTV caught up with Hamm and asked the actor first-hand about the fan push to have him wear the iconic cape. The actor's response: "It's a tricky road to go down with some of those heroes, because they're not flawed. Superman is Superman – he's invincible, so where's the drama?"
Well, we know that Goyer and the Nolans are working hard to bring the drama to the next Superman movie, and while these comic book casting sagas can be a migraine for fanboys (See: Captain America and the new Spider-Man), until we know for sure who is going to be donning the red and blue outfit next, I thought I should at least ask you guys: Do you want Jon Hamm to play Superman?
Of course, the first issue to discuss is the age factor. Jon Hamm would be forty before he ever stepped in front of cameras to play Superman, and for some fans (and studio powers that be) that is simply too old. Personally, I've never been a big believer in the notion that an actor's age affects their ability to play a superhero – I've always thought that what truly mattered was how the actor's swagger and stature meshed with the swagger and stature of the superhero they're playing.
Just take a look at the current roster of actors playing some of our favorite superheroes: Robert Downey Jr. has been in his forties since he first stepped into the Iron Man franchise, however, his eccentric rapscallion personality has been the perfect fit for the eccentric rapscallion persona that has always defined Tony Stark. Chris Hemsworth is in his twenties, but with a full-grown beard and time well-spent in the gym pumping iron, he now looks gruff and tough enough to play a convincing Thor. Meanwhile, Chris Evans is about to turn thirty, yet many fanboys think he has too much of a baby face to pull off the commanding stature of an iconic hero like Captain America.
On the DC movie side: Ryan Reynolds will be trying to prove himself as a proper Hal Jordan when Green Lantern hits theaters next summer – though the fact that Reynolds will be in his mid-thirties has little to do with that issue. Christian Bale was only in his early thirties when he suited up for Batman Begins, however by the time Nolan's Batman 3 hits theaters in summer 2012 Bale will be staring at age 40. Taking all that into account (especially on the DC side of things), Jon Hamm's age should in no way restrict him from playing Superman.
More to the point: there is a reason they call him "SuperMAN." The character (as you can see in just about every piece of artwork inspired by him) has the look of a strong, chiseled and mature man, not so much a man with boyish looks. So if the character looks like a mature man, should there be any debate about casting a mature (read: older) man in the role? Not in my mind – though I'm sure that Smallville fans might have a few points of contention…
Now, we've heard names like Zach Levi, Brandon Routh and Tom Welling all being nominated or rumored for the role of Superman, and since all three of those guys are in their late twenties / early thirties, they certainly fit the age range. However, there are superheroes and then there are superhero icons – those heroes who have become household names not so much because of the comic books, TV shows, movies and other merchandising of their characters, but rather because they represent some profound ideal or symbol that resonates with many, many people across the world. Captain America is one of those heroes and Superman is certainly another.
As I've already mentioned, Chris Evans being cast as Captain America has a lot of people nervous (Evans himself among them). Cap is simply a guy who has a bright shining aura of red, white and blue heroism surrounding him at all times, while Chris Evans…does not. When that whole Captain America cast saga was unfolding, the big debate was over which actor could do more than wear Cap's costume – we all wanted to know who could possibly embody his spirit (and Jon Hamm's name came up then too, might I remind you).
Well, the guy playing the role of Superman has a harder job than that. Not only does the character come with big red boots that need to be filled, there was actually a guy (Christopher Reeve, you may have heard of him) who successfully filled those boots and managed to own the character in full body and spirit – and this was long before the days of muscle-padded costumes and CGI effects. While some people thought Brandon Routh was the second coming of Reeve, many, many, many, other people felt no such love or adoration; in my opinion, Jon Hamm is a guy who could succeed where Routh did not.
Lets break it down: Hamm is tall, dark haired, handsome (I'll say that just once!), all-American in appearance, with a jaw line that looks like it was shaped after a 1950s comic book character. Due to his role as troubled ad man extraordinaire Don Draper on Mad Men, Hamm has shown an impressive range of dramatic chops (inner turmoil), while women already fantasize about being swept up in his arms and carried off. Necessary ingredients for a proper Superman. Because of the actor's hilarious turns as a pretty-boy geek on 30 Rock, fanboys can already imagine him in a pair glasses with tussled hair, bringing that "Aw shucks" friendly awkwardness you need from Clark Kent. In Ben Affleck's upcoming crime thriller The Town, Hamm will show his boiling intensity and action movie physicality, playing a lawman who is hell-bent on collaring a ring of Boston crooks. In The Day The Earth Stood Still… um, let's just forget that Hamm was in that flick.
The point is: despite the fact that Smallville fans love Welling, or that Superman Returns fans think Routh "wasn't that bad," there are few leading men who can convince movie goers the world over that he is our all-powerful protector, while simultaneously convincing us that this godlike figure is still able to disguise himself in plain sight as the caricature of an average schmo. It'll be even more complicated to convince a modern audience that Superman is vulnerable (emotionally speaking), insecure, and yes, even lonely.
When you properly explore the character there's actually a lot of deep-seeded emotion and turmoil that comes with The Man of Steel (see: Richard Donner's Superman II). I think that Hamm is definitely one of those chosen few who can bring both the look and "the drama" to a character who so badly needs to be seen as human again. This will not be lightweight acting if DC/WB wants to do Superman justice in their next cinematic venture – but Hamm is one actor I certainly believe in for the job.
The question is, do you agree?
If you want to talk more about what you expect from the next Superman movie, be sure to read our article "How to Reboot Superman".
Sources: Think McFly Think , MTV & EW
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Momentum stocks sink; Nasdaq posts worst day since Feb.
Momentum shares like Netflix and TripAdvisor sold off sharply for a second straight day, giving the Nasdaq its worst day since February and leaving investors anxious about how much further they may fall.
The big drop in momentum stocks overshadowed the day's relatively strong March jobs data, which helped the Dow and S&P 500 hit intraday record highs early in the session.
Nasdaq's 2.6 percent loss follows a nearly 1 percent slide on Thursday and puts the index more than 5 percent below its closing high for the year, which was set on March 5.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 159.84 points or 0.96 percent, to close at 16,412.71. The S&P 500 lost 23.68 points or 1.25 percent, to finish at 1,865.09.
The Nasdaq Composite ended at 4,127.726, down 110.014 points or 2.6 percent, its worst daily percentage loss since February.
For the week, the Dow rose 0.6 percent and the S&P 500 gained 0.4 percent, while the Nasdaq fell 0.7 percent.
The Nasdaq biotech index dropped 4.1 percent to 2,356.60. The index is down about 18 percent from its lifetime high reached in February.
Earlier in the day, the S&P 500 touched a lifetime high of 1,897.28, the third time this week that the index set an intraday record, while the Dow hit an intraday record high of 16,631.63.
The government's nonfarm payrolls report showed a solid pace of hiring for a second month, suggesting the economy appears to be recovering from a winter slowdown.
Employers added 192,000 jobs in March, just shy of the 200,000 forecast, after hiring 197,000 in February. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.7 percent, according to the report.
Decliners beat advancers on the NYSE by 1,987 to 1,043 and on the Nasdaq by 2,217 to 446.
About 7.6 billion shares changed hands on US exchanges, well above the 6.3 billion average so far this month, according to data from BATS Global Markets.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index closed up 0.56 percent at 1,352.78.
The dollar was choppy against the euro and declined against other major currencies despite the US jobs gains
The greenback was up 0.14 percent against the euro at $1.3695. It fell 0.66 percent to 103.22 against the Japanese yen after hitting a session high of 104.12 yen in trading immediately after the employment report.
Brent crude rose above $106 a barrel as expectations of a deal to reopen vital Libyan oil ports were offset by doubts that a lasting resolution was imminent.
Brent crude settled up 57 cents at $106.15 a barrel. US crude, or West Texas Intermediate, rose 85 cents to settle at $101.14 a barrel.


text:
News & Events
For the Media
Procter & Gamble Funds New Course at Clarkson University
The Procter & Gamble Fund has selected Clarkson University to receive a Higher Education Grant of $10,000 to better prepare students for successful careers.
The grant will fund the development of a new course, Engineering in Contemporary Society, to improve the engagement of first-year students in the Coulter School of Engineering, motivating them to succeed in their studies.
"Procter & Gamble is a truly global company. As such, we understand the importance for today's students to be exposed to engineering concepts integrated to the rapidly evolving global world in which they will work," said Lisa A. Napolione, general manager of global research & development for Procter & Gamble and a Clarkson alumna.
"Procter & Gamble is a perennial supporter of important opportunities at Clarkson," said Clarkson University President Tony Collins. "Programs such as this one help students to excel in their early months on campus, putting them on a course for a successful completion of their degrees. We appreciate Procter & Gamble's generosity, which will benefit many young men and women."
The new course will highlight the diverse applications of engineering skills across disciplines and help students to understand how engineering fits into today's global realities and its importance in meeting global challenges. It will explore the demands, challenges and rewards of engineering and how the profession intersects and complements the other sciences, technology and math fields.
Founded in 1952 by the Procter & Gamble Company, the P&G Fund provides funding for philanthropic activities, with particular emphasis on bringing P&G's "Live, Learn and Thrive" corporate cause alive in P&G communities around the world.
Clarkson University launches leaders into the global economy. One in six alumni already leads as a CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. Located just outside the Adirondack Park in Potsdam, N.Y., Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university for undergraduates with select graduate programs in signature areas of academic excellence directed toward the world's pressing issues. Through 50 rigorous programs of study in engineering, business, arts, sciences and health sciences, the entire learning-living community spans boundaries across disciplines, nations and cultures to build powers of observation, challenge the status quo, and connect discovery and engineering innovation with enterprise.


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The first step begins with applying for admission to IUPUC.
Indiana University–Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) is located near Columbus Municipal Airport at 4601 Central Avenue.
Stop by and visit or contact us for a personal appointment.
What can you accomplish with an Indiana University undergraduate or graduate degree from IUPUC? The possibilities are endless!
Whether you are interested in a broad-based, generalist business career—or want to specialize in an area like finance or marketing—we can help you get the knowledge, skills, and competitive advantage you need for success.
Our business courses are taught by engaging faculty experts recognized for their scholarship and real-world experience. And, with our challenging curriculum, faculty and staff who know you by name, and student connections with top local and global business partners, we can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
The Division of Business at IUPUC is dedicated to providing a quality IU education through distinctive programs for a lifetime of achievement. At IUPUC, you can:
Along the way, you will:


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Injured O's progressing through recovery
By Todd Karpovich / Special to MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles got some encouraging news on the injury front Thursday prior to their series finale against Tampa Bay.
Left-handed starter Tsuyoshi Wada, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery from last season, threw 45 pitches in three innings in extended spring training in Fort Myers, Fla. Manager Buck Showalter said the start "went well" and that the team would see how he was progressing Friday. Showalter said Wada could go four innings and 60 pitches in his next outing.
Right-hander Steve Johnson, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a right latissimus dorsi (back), threw four innings and 70 pitches. He got hit with a line drive in the thigh but continued to pitch. If Johnson feels well Friday, he will go on a rehab assignment with an undetermined Minor League affiliate, Showalter said.
Second baseman Brian Roberts, who is nursing a ruptured tendon behind his right knee, jogged on a treadmill in the pool for the first time. However, there is no definitive timetable for his return.
"That was encouraging," Showalter said about the treadmill work. "He's making some improvement. He's feeling better every day."
Also, Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia is expected to join Double-A Bowie on Friday. Showalter said Urrutia would play mostly corner outfield, but he could also see some time in center. To make room for Urrutia, Zelous Wheeler was placed on the disabled list
Showalter turns to Pearce for spark at DH
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles entered Thursday night's game waiting for their designated hitters to break out of their early-season doldrums.
Manager Buck Showalter inserted Steve Pearce into that spot Thursday in the series finale against Tampa Bay. Nolan Reimold, who served as the primary designated hitter while nursing a minor hamstring injury, started in left field in place of Nate McLouth.
Pearce rewarded Showalter for putting him in the lineup. After going hitless in his first two at-bats against the Rays, Pearce homered in the seventh to give the Orioles their first lead, and he then added a single in the ninth, raising his average to .118 during the 10-6 Baltimore victory.
"Definitely it was a relief; I haven't started out that well," Pearce said. "So it was nice to get a hit, get that going, a big hit for the team. It got the monkey off the back. And then I got to bat in the ninth and got a hit there, too. It definitely was a big sigh of relief."
Orioles designated hitters were 3-for-47 (.064) this season entering Thursday's game against the Rays, with only one homer and one RBI. Pearce was still looking for his first hit in 13 at-bats this season.
Pearce was happy that Showalter gave him the news hours before Thursday's game so he could mentally prepare. Pearce batted seventh in the lineup behind shortstop J.J. Hardy, who was also struggling with a .189 average. Showalter thought it was just a matter of time for the bats to get hot from the DH spot, and he expressed confidence Pearce could provide that spark.
"Stevie knows what's going on, trying to find a way to contribute against guys like Price and [Yankees pitcher CC] Sabathia," Showalter said before the game. "It's hard to do, but he's capable. He's done it in the past."
Dodgers to make rare trip to Camden Yards
BALTIMORE -- The Los Angeles Dodgers will visit Baltimore for the first time in 11 years, and the Orioles are expecting a buzz around Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the three-game series.
The teams share the nostalgia of playing in the 1966 World Series, which the Orioles swept in four games.
The weekend will be especially poignant for Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who played with Dodgers manager Don Mattingly in the Minor Leagues and later managed him on the New York Yankees. Showalter said Mattingly was one of the most technically gifted players he had been around and that he expected that success to carry over as a manager.
"Donnie just has a great presence about him," Showalter said. "He's got a real, pure heart. He's real sincere, and players see he has no real agenda."
Jason Hammel (2-1, 4.34) will get the start for the Orioles in the series opener. The Dodgers, however, are an old foe for Hammel, who faced them regularly when he pitched for the Rockies.
"It will be fun to get the 'Dodger Blue' over here," Hammel said. "I got to see plenty of them when I was with Colorado. We'll see how they changed over the past couple of years."
Todd Karpovich is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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LVIV, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 5, 2015: Recruits take part in tactical training for new patrol police officers, learning how to apprehend a suspect during a traffic stop, in Lviv, Ukraine. In an effort to reform the notoriously corrupt Ukrainian police force, an entirely new force has been established in several cities, including Kiev and Lviv, with a primary focus on patrolling the streets. CREDIT: Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times
- Copyright
- Brendan Hoffman
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- 5760x3840 / 9.6MB
- Contained in galleries
- Ukraine Patrol Police in Lviv


text: I went to a yoga class this morning. I have been to yoga maybe twice before and found it a reasonable way to spend an hour but nothing special. I think I have changed my mind. The reason I went is because my chiropractor, my PT, my OS and pretty much every medical professional I have met in the last five years has told me I am tight tight tight tight. It is the first thing they say when they examine me. Well, now I'm dealing with a rhomboid strain, a muscle imbalance, muscle weakness, and nerve irritation that sometimes feels like a cell phone is vibrating inside my arm. My PT suggested yoga. Hence the yoga. I showed up for the class and introduced myself to the teacher, telling her I was a newbie. Unfortunately, the class was crowded and I had to be right in front with the teacher. I am very, very, very inflexible and tight. That's just the way I roll, but it is embarrassing to have everyone witness it. This teacher was the best. She kept coming over and giving me extra equipment and little tricks to have better form. After one hour, my arm, shoulder and back felt better than it has in months. I have only one quibble. The lady next to me kept looking at me with evident disapproval. After a while, she couldn't restrain herself anymore and started correcting me: "Put your weight on the outside of your foot." I thanked her and all, as she was correct. But still. I thought you were supposed to focus on your own deal in yoga. Don't judge me! I have recruited a friend to do yoga with me, and I can't wait to do it again!


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October 20, 2009
Full New Uber Wolfy NM Clip!
Oooooooh, shiney - they TOTES beefed up the wolves!
Thanks TwiFans
- Lorabell :D
31 comments:
I love the way SM wrote the scene in the book but they way they changed it for the movie is pretty amazing in my eyes. And who doesn't like any scenes with the voice?ReplyDelete
Still peeved that I paid $2.99 for that Twilight tracker iPhone app and I have no idea if this clip will be available in the video section of the app like all the others that have come out.
OK Watch the first 'teaser trailer' and then watch this. Jacob Black in wolf form got an upgrade.ReplyDelete
@Kat: I was thinking exactly the same!ReplyDelete
- Lorabell
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! those wolves are HUGE!!! I love it!! This clip just *made* my b-day so much better!!!!ReplyDelete
Yes, girls!! They changed it! The first clip was a test because they needed a trailer sooner than expected but they improve the wolf quality after that! I read it in the movie companion and it was interesting! I was waiting to see Edward haha I´m getting crazy without him!!! At least we're getting closer!ReplyDelete
Just got the chills.
SOOOOOOO goood.
*wakes up on floor beside chair*ReplyDelete
*shakes self off*
.......can't stop watching....will NEVER get work done today!
Lorabell! New Moon Tickets on sale in UK!! Finally!! WOOOOOOOT!!!ReplyDelete
is it wrong that i want to book them for every night of the first week it's out?
"A nice cup of tea and a slice of Twilight"
OMG !! I LOVED IT ...ReplyDelete
they look so scary , I got chills lol !!
Lorabell!!! I'm loving Jared..."It's too late now!" He is so awesome!!! They barely showed any of Embry. I sorta feel sorry for him.ReplyDelete
@MySharona: I posted it on Sunday, silly - btw, if you want to see it at the mahoosive o2 the following week, I have a spare ticket :)ReplyDelete
- Lorabell
Woohoo i knew they'd make the wolves bigger! that was frigging aweessoooooommme!! Proper made my day! XReplyDelete
I am tap dancing at my desk chair. The wolf pack is soooo official. I wish I could listen to sound at work :-(ReplyDelete
I don't know why but I don't think it's amazing, it's good. But I'm missing something..ReplyDelete
And I don't like the music at all..
.........*sheepish grin* is it wrong that my girlie bits are tingling? I think I have the hots for Paul after seeing his shape shifting!
Why is that prick Embry smiling in the background?! He looks amused by the fact that Paul is about to attack Bella. And it looks like they used CGI for Jake's running just before he transforms as well. It looks a bit fake, like a video game. Oh well, I guess they're still working on it.ReplyDelete
I think Taycob looks funny running because they had him hooked to a wire so they could yank him up into the air above Bella. There is actually a video out there that shows Taylor and Kristen's stunt double working on that scene. I think it came out just after the first or second trailer release. Pretty cool to watch!ReplyDelete
ONE MONTH AND COUNTING!!!ReplyDelete
this just made my day!! Hate to say it though, they need to stop with all the clips. I dont want to see the whole movie in snippets.ReplyDelete
AHHH! it looks so much better!!! Im even more pumped, if that's possible.ReplyDelete
I really like Embry and Jared for some reason. :oPReplyDelete
I'm actually surprised, Kristen's acting was pretty good in this - I thought she did awful in Twilight, aside from a few scenes but I hoped she would improve for New Moon seeing as the tone of it is more her thing and there's a better director... anyway, if she plays the rest of the movie that well then that'd be awesome. :]
Only thing though - in Eclipse when Bella punches Jake she ends up breaking her hand, she didn't even flinch when she hit Paul, so they might have to change the whole "I punched a werewolf in the face thing", which I liked. Damn. :oP
Kristen does a wonderful acting job here. She's totally believable. I love the way she slaps the shit out of him. I BELIEVE she's totally pissed. Perhaps she's pretending she's slapping the paparazzi.ReplyDelete
@Lorabell - yes i felt a bit daft saying it! Couldn't imagine you wouldn't be way ahead of everyone as you always are! Should've scrolled down the blog more. Now i feel like a right Herbert! Doh!ReplyDelete
(to be fair I had a red-wine hangover all day on Monday if that counts?!)
What's the O2 thing? is that the O2/Dome in Greenwich or 02 centre Finchley road? I'm shamefully out of touch!
Love your Twicrack - you rock x
UK reacts calmly as NEW MOON tickets go on sale:
@mysharona: there's a special screening at the o2 at Greenwich - i.e. crazy mahoosive screen! Email in and I'll find you the link :)ReplyDelete
- Lorabell
WoW, that's awesome :) I can't wait, one more month YeY!!! ;)ReplyDelete
Wow :) This is fantastic!!! So excited wooop! :) xxxxReplyDelete
ITA w/Lanna, Kristen's acting shows promise here. She stunk up the place in Twilight. I'm not too sure about Bronson's acting- he looks like he's getting sexually aroused by Bella's impending doom. And Alex overacts, to say the least. Still a great clip, don't get me wrong. But is anyone else concerned how Un-Alpha Sam comes off? I love Chaske, and I'm not blaming him...perhaps the screenwriting. Not a big fan of the way Melissa Rosenberg wrote Twilight. (chinchilla poop?) I hope she doesn't screw this one up. Maybe they'll hire someone new for Breaking Dawn.ReplyDelete
I am more than dead.ReplyDelete
I like how she ducks before Taylor even jumps. Obviously, as an actress she knew it was coming, but really man.ReplyDelete
PAul's anger is not beleivable- it actualy made me laugh. I know its weird and no one is really like that in reality, but as an actor you need to commit wholeheartedly.
OMG that was intense i had to watch it 6 times haha!!! i loved it <3 and kristen did an AWSOME job i she is my favorite actress of all time right now!!ReplyDelete


text:
Spin Forward: Rays must throw strikes
Starters need to keep Phils out of dangerous hitters' counts
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
After seven grinding days of hard-fought at-bats against the picky, patient Red Sox, Tampa Bay found itself dealing with a Phillies team that took a similar approach in Game 1 of the World Series.
The Phillies took their walks when they were available, fought off two-strike pitches until a hittable offering revealed itself and made the Rays throw 165 pitches in nine innings. Starter Scott Kazmir alone threw 110 in six innings.
And the Phils will be looking to do it again on Thursday night, in Game 2.
"We wanted to make him throw some pitches," Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson said. "That's a key. You've got to make the pitcher work."
Asked if the approach will change against Rays Game 2 starter James Shields, who has much better command than Kazmir, Thompson didn't hesitate.
"No," he said. "You've just got to make the guys work. That's all you can do."
Tampa Bay will have to throw strikes to win this series. Not fat, middle-of-the-plate strikes, but quality strikes. Rays pitchers will need to get ahead, not only to avoid walks -- they issued six, five unintentional, on Wednesday -- but to prevent dangerous hitters' counts. Like the Red Sox, the Phillies are a take-and-rake team.
"For the most part, they're patient," Kazmir said. "But they have some good hitters on their team. They have some guys in the middle of the lineup who can do some damage. And you just have to not let those guys beat you."
The scary thing for the Rays must be that the Phils won even without taking advantage of the opportunities they created. Philadelphia went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 men. The Phillies took good at-bats even in scoring situations, but the ball just didn't fall in the biggest situations.
If Tampa Bay should provide that many chances on Thursday, it almost certainly won't be such a close contest.
"You wouldn't do it that way if you had a choice," Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins said. "But it worked. That's been our recipe. One big hit, and we've been able to hold teams down. Tomorrow, I'm sure it will be different."
One way it will be different is with the starting pitcher. Kazmir had one of the highest walk rates in the American League, while Shields had one of the lowest. Shields consistently pounds the strike zone, creating a different kind of challenge from the effectively wild Kazmir.
But the Phils will keep being the Phils. That doesn't mean they'll go to the plate looking to take a walk. It just means that they'll lay off pitchers' pitches and swing at hittable pitches.
"We tried to get [Kazmir's] pitch count up," Philadelphia center fielder Shane Victorino said. "That's something that you wanted to do. I'm not saying we weren't trying to be aggressive. We were trying to go up there with an approach to swing the bat."
That's what they did, and it's who they are. It won't go away on Thursday.
"They were pretty good with two strikes," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "The thing I noticed about them today, having seen them for the very first time, is they're really fundamental, and I thought they had some really good two-strike at-bats."
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Well, about me... I used to be an obsessed James/Lily shipper, but the cliches got to me. I used to be a Draco/Hermione shipper, but I my own image of how they got together and it just feels wrong to read about them meeting any other way. Nowadays, I read anything except Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione. Those are so last year...
I currently have two submissions to Mugglenet at the moment, a poem and a onefic. Poetry isn't an easy thing for me, and even I can see my submission's faults when I read over it. However, practise makes perfect, and if you could read and review it, it would be great! It won't take long!
Anyway... besides that blatant advertising... I have about ten stories that I'm writing at the moment, I just write a bit for each whenever I feel like it.
Outside of Mugglenet and Harry Potter, I enjoy reading classics, listening to classical music and ignoring enourmous piles of homework. :D


text:
The Hennepin County will begin making electronic books available to readers. When the program starts, there will be seven hundred titles that readers can download to their personal computers or E-readers. The catch -- the files won't work on the iPad or Kindle, the two most popular E-readers on the market. Vicky Helgeson is a senior librarian for the Hennepin County Library. She says readers can check out the books without even setting foot in the library. She joined Cathy Wurzer by phone.
Hennepin County's new digital library


text:
By Amanda Wicks
Pitbull is set to rev his engine in the new music video for "Greenlight" featuring Flo Rida and LunchMoney Lewis. The "three Miami boys" team up to street race with Pitbull going against Flo Rida while LunchMoney Lewis stays behind with the ladies to watch.
Related: Pitbull Reveals His Ideal Woman
The song may be about the club, but Pitbull looks to be having fun taking things to the streets. As the two men race through Miami's streets in closed cockpit Le Mans cars, their speed causes heads to turn, flowers to whip out of the ground and a dog's hair to ruffle. Because they're so fly. When he's not racing Flo Rida, Pitbull is back with LunchMoney Lewis at the starting site where they're surrounding by, what else, beautiful women and loads of expensive vehicles like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches and BMWs.
"Greenlight" appears on Pitbull's upcoming album Climate Change, which features a seriously massive list of featured artists including Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, R.Kelly, Austin Mahone, Leona Lewis, Robin Thicke, Joe Perry, Travis Barker and more. The album drops October 7th.


text:
Carpet for Boats
Season after season, saltwater, sun, sand, mud, food stains and cooking grease can take their toll on boat carpeting. Or perhaps you've invested in new deck furniture and want a new color scheme to match. Carpet for boats is easy to switch out and can help to maintain the value of your craft. Wholesale Marine carries an extensive selection of durable Shaw and Lancer carpets that will not only match your vessel's decor, but also maintain its great appearance, year after year.
Make your selection from economical 16-ounce Lancer Seaside or Shaw Carpets' Eufaula line, durable 20-ounce Lancer Marine broadloom, or top-of-the line 24-ounce Lancer Newport carpeting. Available in popular as well as neutral colors and even elegant pin-dot patterning, these carpets will ensure that your boat will retain its value and great appearance on the water or dockside. Wholesale also carries everything you or your marine technician will need to make sure that your carpet installation goes smoothly. Additionally we sell Lancer Carpet Adhesive, which is water resistant, in convenient gallon buckets. Now all you need are instructions.
How to Install Carpet for Boats
1) Measure the area. Contact Wholesale Marine so we can assist you to obtain the supplies and right amount of carpet you'll need. With same day, flat rate shipping, you'll be able to start your project in a few days.
2) Remove the old carpet and discard responsibly. Scrape off any adhesive residue using mineral spirits to finish.
3) Carefully lay the carpet. Ensure it fits before applying adhesive. Pull back part of the carpet and trowel carpet adhesive directly on decking. Be sure to apply it evenly.
4) Press down the part with adhesive and smooth the carpet in place. Press evenly.
5) Pull up the remaining carpet and apply adhesive as shown in steps 3 and 4.
6) Use a floor roller over the finished carpet to ensure a strong hold.
7) Trim any excess with a utility knife.
Wholesale Marine has everything boaters need for smooth sailing at competitive prices. If you have any questions, or to place an order, please call us Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM at (877) 388-2628. Be sure to ask about our Captain's Loyalty Program for additional discounts!


text:
Ever since I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I've felt drawn to the spectacular world of Harry Potter. Fanfiction was a perfect way for me to explore that world even more -- and to this day it's been a source of relief and happiness for me to be able to write. Reviews are always apprieciated, especially constructive ones.
Chapter 4 -- Awaiting validation
[Fred and George: Tales Before Hogwarts]
Chapter 6 -- Completed =]
Hey again,
Well, I've been working on updating. I'm sorry it hasn't really been going anywhere. I just updated 'Lupine' but it got rejected...um. I think they said it was because I still have a few errors with my dialogue and such. Eh. I'm thinking of getting a new beta. =[


text:
One sign that Colin Farrell may be mellowing out: He hit Las Vegas this weekend, but avoided the city's famed nightlife.
Instead, the Irish actor, 31, spent his time with his girlfriend of six months, Muireann McDonnell, reportedly a 22-year-old student from Dublin.
Farrell and McDonnell were spotted smooching in their hotel pool on Friday, and dined that night at Morton's steakhouse. The couple also caught the Cirque du Soleil shows O and Love, where they sipped water, not alcohol.
(Farrell, who was once famously candid about his love of a pint, entered rehab in December 2005 for exhaustion and dependency on prescription medication related to a back injury.)
"Colin said he just wanted to have a relaxing weekend in Vegas," a source tells PEOPLE. "He was really into Muireann. He was making sure she was comfortable the entire time."
Farrell, who has a 3-year-old son, James, with ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave, recently wrapped the drama Pride and Glory with Edward Norton. His rep did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


text: Ok.. So I'm watching Serenity for the nth time and it's finally bugging me enough to ask.. Apologies if this has been oft discussed. The Reavers are portrayed as animalistic savages that eat human flesh and are barbaric in every sort of way. BUT They exist on the edge of known space in a "cohesive" armada that sends out scavenging parties for parts, ships and food. It makes me wonder if there isn't some sort of higerarchy of Reavers that are more intelligent than the raiders. Otherwise, why would Serenity have been scanned when it flew by the mother ship. More than that, you have to have some rational intelligence to fly a starship, right? Otherwise, why would the Reavers not feed on each other?


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club calendar
Concert Calendar for Fremont Mischief DistilleryFremont Mischief Distillery
132 N. Canal St
Seattle WA 98103
KEXP currently has no listings for this club.
For calendar submissions contact us here.Submissions should be received two weeks before publication on our site and mention on the air. The calendar is read on-air Mon-Fri at 9am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm and Sat-Sun at 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm. Information about coming events may be submitted for consideration by email.


text:
Robinson placed on disabled list with strained shoulder
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com
PITTSBURGH -- A strained right shoulder landed outfielder Shane Robinson on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. That, coupled with Yadier Molina's move to the DL, led the Cardinals to call up outfielder Adron Chambers and first baseman/outfielder Brock Peterson.
Both Chambers and Peterson were in uniform for Wednesday night's game against the Pirates.
Manager Mike Matheny said that Robinson sustained the injury sliding back to first base on a pickoff attempt in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader. Robinson had reached base with a walk in the pinch-hit appearance and ended the inning stranded at third. He did not appear in the second game.
Robinson, like Molina, flew to St. Louis on Wednesday for an MRI, which showed no structural damage. General manager John Mozeliak said that Robinson may not need the full 15 days to recover, but the team did not want to play short a bench player and backup center fielder for even a few days.
"I think the best thing is to give him a couple weeks to get recovered," Mozeliak said. "I'm hopeful it won't take him that long, but I just didn't feel comfortable, especially with our schedule, to go short."
The extra center fielder is now Chambers, who will be making his first appearance in the Majors this season. In 98 games with Triple-A Memphis, he batted .252 with a .338 on-base percentage and 15 stolen bases. After a four-hit game on Tuesday, he is 29-for-82 in July.
Peterson gives the Cardinals the right-handed bat off the bench that the team loses with Robinson out. Peterson returns to the big league club after only a few days away. He was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday when Matt Holliday returned from injury but did not have to stay the requisite 10 days, because the Cardinals made another DL move.
Peterson, who has hit a Pacific Coast League-high 23 home runs, went 1-for-7 during his previous stint with the team.
Cardinals quiet as Trade Deadline passes
PITTSBURGH -- After weeks of considering upgrades to the rotation, bullpen and shortstop position, general manager John Mozeliak spent the last hours before the non-waiver Trade Deadline with his attention turned to the catching market.
The sudden shift in focus was dictated by Yadier Molina's exit from Tuesday's game with a sprained right knee. Initially uncertain about the severity of the injury, Mozeliak returned to his hotel room after the doubleheader sweep and began making calls. He reached out to a few clubs he believed might be willing to shop a catcher, and other teams reached out to him.
It made for a busier day than Mozeliak had anticipated, though the 4 p.m. ET deadline came and went without any Cardinals activity. Other than dealing demoted reliever Marc Rzepczynski to the Indians for a low-level Minor Leaguer on Tuesday, the Cardinals -- like their two main National League Central competitors -- were completely quiet.
"If you had asked me six days ago, I would have felt our team was playing really good baseball and that we have a good team," said Mozeliak, referencing the team's 0-6 skid. "I still feel that way. What we don't want to do is make a decision in a six-game vacuum. And in the end, I think we're going to be a better team and play to what we're capable of doing. When you look at how we could improve our club, we just didn't have a lot of access to those pieces that might have made a difference."
That includes the catching options. The Cardinals checked in on the Cubs' Dioner Navarro but ultimately hedged at meeting the asking price. Mozeliak also had a conversation with the agent for Kelly Shoppach, who opted out of his Minor League deal with the Nationals on Wednesday.
At around 1 p.m., Mozeliak learned the results of Molina's MRI, and the report of no structural damage lessened the Cardinals' need to act.
"When I got the news on Yadi, [it was] relatively positive, in the grand scheme of things," he said. "I still looked to see if there was some possible protection out there, but I wasn't overly aggressive on it. I'm not going to make an irrational decision on a knee jerk. I'm glad we didn't."
Though the Deadline has passed, the Cardinals can still find catching help -- or address another area -- in August. Players can be traded over the next month, though they have to first clear waivers. Teams can also make claims on the waiver wire in reverse order of the standings. A free agent such as Shoppach can sign anywhere since he is no longer under contract.
Seeing no glaring holes on a club with the NL's second-best record, Mozeliak approached the Trade Deadline differently than he did in each of the past two seasons. He surveyed the market for players the team could buy low on and also considered bigger deals that would have cost the organization coveted prospects.
A limited number of selling teams and little letdown in those teams' requests led Mozeliak to keep the Major League roster as is.
"Lots of things are talked about, discussed," he said. "But I never felt like we had any traction of anything significant. As you can see, as we sit here today, clearly it wasn't a robust Trade Deadline. The fact is that not a ton of players were offered."
Cardinals top prospects Oscar Taveras, Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez were, as expected, among those targeted by other clubs.
"I feel like it is a vote of confidence for the talent we have in there, because we didn't feel like we were scrambling to add to it," Mozeliak said. "The last couple years, I think everybody would agree, we needed to do something. Trying to allow masses to dictate what's right or wrong can be dangerous. For us, the 25 guys in that room right now, they have to know we believe in them.
"We feel like we have a very good team. When you look at the opportunities that might have been out there to help us improve, everything comes with a price. We didn't feel the price was right."
Worth noting
• Looking to jump-start his offense, Matheny flip-flopped Holliday and Allen Craig in Wednesday's lineup. Holliday batted cleanup for the first time this season, while Craig moved into the three-hole for the fifth time. Matheny did not commit to how he'll order the two after Wednesday.
"When you have trouble getting some production," Matheny said, "sometimes a minor change can make a difference."
• Matt Carpenter, who has started a team-high 98 games this season, was given the day off after playing all 20 innings of Tuesday's doubleheader. Carpenter, who has played every game since June 15, has just two hits in 24 at-bats on this road trip.
• Right-hander Michael Wacha, the Cardinals' No. 2 prospect as ranked by MLB.com, retired 17 of the 20 batters he faced while pitching six shutout innings for Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. He struck out seven and allowed two hits.
• Center fielder Jon Jay had his errorless streak of 245 games snapped on Tuesday. The streak is the longest in franchise history for an outfielder. Curt Flood held the previous record, with 226 errorless games from 1963 to 1965.
Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, By Gosh, It's Langosch, and follow her on Twitter @LangoschMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Cruz, Kinsler get rare days off
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
HOUSTON -- Outfielder Nelson Cruz and second baseman Ian Kinsler were out of the starting lineup on Sunday. That was a first for Cruz this season as he had started all 36 games before Sunday, although one of them was at designated hitter.
The day off comes after Cruz had hit game-tying home runs in the sixth inning on both Friday and Saturday night. But he also has just seven hits in his last 44 at-bats to drop his batting average to a season-low .269.
"I had planned on giving two guys off, and Cruz was always going to be one of them," manager Ron Washington said. "I had planned on this being a day off for him at the beginning of the road trip."
Kinsler was 1-for-5 on Saturday, but is also hitting .366 in his last 16 games. That's raised his batting average to .322, 13th highest in the league entering Sunday. He is also tied for the fifth most hits.
This is only the second time Kinsler has been out of the lineup, and Leury Garcia got the start at second base. With Cruz out, Craig Gentry was in the lineup with a right-hander on the mound. Gentry was in center, with Leonys Martin -- his usual platoon partner -- getting his first start in right field.
"Gentry is my better center fielder, so I'm leaving him in center," Washington said.
Gentry also batted in the sixth spot for the first time in his career. Garcia was batting in the second spot behind leadoff hitter Elvis Andrus.
"I can use him up there to do a lot of things in that spot, like bunt and hit-and-run," Washington said.
Rangers sport pink for good cause
HOUSTON -- The Rangers added pink trimmings to their usually blue-and-red uniforms on Sunday. Hitters were wielding pink bats, pitchers were wearing pink sweat bands and injured catcher A.J. Pierzynski was passing out pink sunglasses to teammates.
It seemed to help as the Rangers reached a season high for runs in a 12-7 win over the Astros. Texas had six batters use a pink bat for at least one at-bat on the afternoon. Craig Gentry used it every time he came to the plate.
"The whole day is based on supporting our mothers," Gentry said. "I'm not superstitious. It was the same model I have been using all year, so why not use it every at-bat? I love my mama."
The pink motif is part of Major League Baseball's annual Mother's Day efforts to raise awareness for breast cancer. The Rangers certainly don't have any problems using pink gear, because they entered Sunday's game having won three of their last four on Mother's Day.
"I think Major League Baseball does a great job of celebrating Mother's Day," second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "We get to use the pink bats as well. Obviously it's celebrating Mother's Day, but also a great cause of breast cancer awareness. I think everybody understands the importance of it. Speaking for myself, I enjoy it and I'm sure a lot of guys do."
Murphy in lineup despite lingering back soreness
HOUSTON -- David Murphy was in the Rangers' lineup on Sunday afternoon despite dealing with a sore back after hitting the left-field wall in the eighth inning on Saturday night. Murphy banged into the wall chasing Robbie Grossman's double. He stayed in the game, but had some soreness the morning after.
"It's tight," Murphy said. "The toughest thing is twisting ... swinging the bat. I doesn't feel good, but guys are always dealing with bumps and bruises."
The injury comes at a time when Murphy is beginning to come around at the plate. He took a modest six-game hitting streak into Sunday's game, with six hits in his last 16 at-bats, raising his average 30 points to .198, The Rangers are also beginning a stretch where they will be facing at least eight straight right-handed starting pitchers unless injury or weather forces teams to change set rotations.
This is a chance for Murphy to play regularly. He has been platooning with Jeff Baker in left field, and the Rangers just finished a stretch where they faced 11 left-handed starters over 18 games.
"Things are starting to click a little bit," Murphy said. "It's a matter of getting the feel back. It's all about regaining the feel and not necessarily by playing every day. It's cage work and working hard in batting practice and translating it to the game. The last few days I've done that and I need to continue."
Deep bench producing more pinch-hits
HOUSTON -- Leonys Martin had a triple as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning of Saturday's 8-7 victory over the Rangers and is 4-for-11 as a pinch-hitter this season. The four hits are the most in the American League and equal Mitch Moreland's total in 2012 when he led the team in that department.
The club season record for hits by a pinch-hitter is 12, set by Bill Stein in 1982 and tied by Kevin Reimer in 1990. The most since 2001 is seven by Frank Catalanotto in 2008.
David Murphy also had a double as a pinch-hitter in sixth inning. Two extra-base hits in the same inning by pinch-hitters is rare for the Rangers, considering they entered the game with 13 extra-base hits from their pinch-hitters since 2009, tied for the fewest in the league.
Rangers pinch-hitters are 6-for-27, giving them a .222 batting average. That isn't particularly outstanding, but it is an improvement over the past four seasons. From 2009-2012, Texas pinch-hitters batted a combined .182, the lowest in the American League. Their .119 average in 2009 was the 10th lowest by an AL team since 1974.
Manager Ron Washington said the improved pinch-hitting is the result of a better bench and the platoon he has been using with Murphy and Jeff Baker in left and Martin and Craig Gentry in center.
"I have a better selection, and the way I have to play those guys, it gives them more time to get ready," Washington said. "Their preparation is better."
Worth noting
•: Pierzynski, on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle in his right ribcage, resumed throwing on Sunday and is planning to start hitting off a tee on Monday. He is hoping to resume batting practice when the Rangers return to Arlington on Thursday. He is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 21, although there is much to be done before that happens. Pierzynski could also get a couple of games on medical rehabilitation assignment.
• Joe Nathan has 309 career saves. His next one will tie Hall of Famer Rich "Goose" Gossage for 19th all-time. Nathan has been successful on 11 straight save opportunities to start the season. His best streak to start the season was 13 straight in 2008 with the Twins.
• The Rangers have started the season by being successful on 12 straight save opportunities. That's their best start since 15 straight in 1998, when John Wetteland was their closer.
• Yu Darvish, after beating the Astros on Saturday, has 22 wins since the start of the 2012 season, the most by any American League pitcher.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Giants 7, Mariners 5: Brandon Crawford becoming complete player
In the offseason, the Giants said they would be willing to let Brandon Crawford be their starting shortstop if they upgraded their offense enough.
After adding Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera, it didn't appear the Giants had done that. Yet Crawford entered camp with the shortstop job his to lose, even with the addition of Ryan Theriot.
We all knew Crawford could pick it at shortstop. But after watching him hit .204 when he was rushed to the majors last season, we weren't sure if his bat was ready.
But Crawford went to work on his swing in the offseason, making it more compact so he could get on pitches quicker. And the results have been evident this spring.
Crawford belted his first home run of the spring Thursday in the Giants win over the Mariners.
"He's worked on shortening up his swing, and he's getting results," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We know it's Spring Training, but it's nice to see him swing the bat."
He is hitting .400 (14 for 20) with a .520 OBP this spring. And maybe most importantly, no strikeouts in 25 spring plate appearances.
After the Giants drafted Crawford after UCLA, they discovered they had a slick-fielding big shortstop with a big swing.
That big swing left big holes. Crawford had a 24.4 pct. strikeout rate in his first full year in the minors in 2009 (between Class A and AA). In 2010 (also A and AA), it was a 22.7 pct.
When he got called up last year, Crawford knew he needed to focus more on making contact, which he did. His strikeout rate was 14.1 pct in the majors. Unfortunately, the improved contact was often weak contact, result in the average around the Mendoza Line.
Now, he's making contact, and it's solid. The Giants have him penciled in for the No. 8 spot in the lineup. And they have Theriot on the lineup to play against tough lefties (Crawford's average was as even more anemic .133 against lefties).
So expectations are low for Crawford. But he's exceeding them right now.
- Another day, another Gregor Blanco highlight. Blanco opened the game with a single and went to second when the outfielder bobbled the ball. He advanced to third on a fly ball and scored on Brett Pill's double. Then, as Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News put it, "went to San Francisco to find an apartment." Possibly.
- Another player doing his best to secure a San Francisco address is Brandon Belt. Belt went 3 for 5 with a run and RBI. He nearly missed a homer on his double off the wall in right. He's hitting .375.
- C Hector Sanchez went 1 for 2 and is now hitting .450. But his issues behind the plate remained evident. He allowed a runner to go from second to third on a passed ball, then allowed that runner to score on a wild pitch.
- Barry Zito got threw four innings, throwing 62 pitches (38 for strikes). He gave up two runs on four hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. The two runs came when he walked Casper Wells on a 3-1 pitch, then gave up a home run to Mike Carp.
Eric Surkamp will be on the mound and Buster Posey behind the plate as the Giants face the Cubs at 1:05 p.m. Friday.


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ATU took control of the match from the early-goings of the first set and never relinquished. The Cotton Blossoms went on a 3-0 run in the beginning of set one only to be stopped on a kill by senior Sara Motsinger. The two teams traded points until the Golden Suns went on a 5-0 run to end the set 25-19.
The Golden Suns had a dominant performance in set two, starting off with a 10-0 run from server Sierra Nighswonger.
Leading 13-5, ATU scored six of the next eight points to take a commanding 18-7 lead, and cruised to a 25-16 set two victory.
ATU led 10-3 in set three, but Arkansas-Monticello responded with a 6-1 run to narrow the margin 13-7.
The Golden Suns went on to win a 25-19 third set victory.
"It's always good to get a conference road win, especially in straight sets," ATU head coach Kristy Bayer said. "We played with confidence tonight but we let them go on a couple runs, scoring too many consecutive points."
Huff recorded a match high .769 hitting percentage (10-0-13). Motsinger had nine kills and senior Stephanie Channell added four kills.
"Huff did a great job putting the ball away," Bayer said. "She sees the block well and terminates with power."
Sophomore Morgan McKellar led the defense with a match-high 16 digs, while Todd finished one dig shy of a double-double with nine digs. Senior Amber Cerrillos dished out 32 assists and Motsinger totaled five blocks for the match.
"Todd played hard tonight," said Bayer said. "She gave 100 percent effort both offensively and defensively. She is a huge difference maker."
The Golden Suns totaled 12 service aces with Todd having four and Nighswonger adding five.
ATU will play a tri-match at Tucker Coliseum today, starting at 3 p.m. against Bacone College. After Bacone and Philander Smith play against each other, the Golden Suns will face Philander Smith at 7.
Cerrillos, Todd earn GAC volleyball
top player honors
Senior setter Amber Cerrillos was named Setter of the Week and junior outside hitter Emily Todd was named Offensive Player of the Week by the Great American Conference today.
Cerrillos claimed her first Setter of the Week award — and eighth over the past three years — as the Golden Suns picked up two GAC wins and one nonconference win against Oklahoma City University.
Cerrillos averaged a GAC-leading 12.7 assists per set. In three-set sweeps against Oklahoma City and Southern Arkansas she reached the 40-assist mark. Her 44 assists against Oklahoma City represented the most in the GAC in a three-set contest. She registered a double-double against Northwestern Oklahoma State, after she dished out 31 assists and collected 10 digs.
Todd won her first Offensive Player of the Week this season after she registered 43 kills, 4.78 per set, with a .344 attack percentage. She added 40 digs, 4.44 per set, and recorded three double-doubles. In a three-set sweep against Southern Arkansas, she set her highest hitting percentage of the season as she registered 14 kills, with no errors, on 21 attacks for a .667 percentage. Todd currently holds the highest hitting percentage in the GAC.


text:
Originally Posted by Padfoot Patronus
First, this is not active vs. passive voice. Both of your examples use the active voice. Passive voice would be: "His head was rested on the table."
As for which is better: as others have noted, it depends on what you want to emphasize. If your character is describing the scene, then the first one is more of an observation of what s/he sees. If your character is describing what the other person is doing (if, in fact, that other character is the current topic of the paragraph), then the second example makes the character more of an active participant in the scene, as opposed to something the narrator is observing and remarking upon.
I think what follows the semi-colon makes a difference. I would recommend, for example:
"His head is resting on the table; the room is dark and quiet."
"He is resting his head on the table; he's obviously been up all night."
However, this is very much up to your personal preference, since in any of the above examples, you could switch phrases without it sounding wrong.


text:
Sefko: When will Dirk return? Why Dec. 28 vs. Nuggets makes sense
Star puts knee to test as expectations for his return to action grow
Christmas for the Mavericks will come a little late. But the promise of a great present should make it worth the wait.
Dirk Nowitzki went through his first contact work in practice Wednesday and said he's hoping to start having some fun after Christmas. He also said that when he returns to action after more than two months of recovery from right knee surgery, he will be more than happy to do so coming off the bench.
Just seeing Nowitzki on the court, playing two-on-two with teammates and leaning on Chris Kaman in half-court drills, got the Mavericks excited. The beacon of hope is getting closer, even if Nowitzki could not target an exact date for his return.
"We'll just see how it goes," he said. "This is the first day stopping, pushing off, moving. We'll see how it reacts. I'm going to do that a couple times and do some contact for a while. Maybe any time after Christmas, that'll be fun.
"[I at least want] a couple practices under my belt. But there's no real date set. So we'll have to see how the knee responds to the first couple workouts."
As for when that date gets closer, Nowitzki said he would talk with the coaching staff and determine the right way to ease back into the role of franchise player.
"[We'll] see what the smartest thing is, maybe come off the bench for the first couple games, play around 20 to 25 minutes," he said. "I'm not opposed to obviously coming off the bench at the beginning and slowly finding my rhythm.
"We haven't addressed that yet, but it's obvious I'm not going to play 35 minutes my first game out. That's something I think we're going to talk about next week."
Nowitzki expanded on exactly what was done to repair his knee and the fact that he doesn't feel limited in any way as he begins the final phase of his recovery.
"It wasn't really hurting that much in the first place," he said of the knee, which was arthroscopically cleaned up Oct. 19. "There was just stuff in there that was irritating it and it was constantly swollen. We didn't want to play the season on a swollen knee, but it wasn't hurting me that much. I wasn't out there limping.
"But the goal of the surgery was to clean it out so I don't have to play on a swollen knee for 82 games. Hopefully, from here on out, it's going to respond well to contact and running and jumping."
And he said the movement so far has been encouraging.
"I thought I played decent," he said of the Wednesday workout. "Obviously, my legs are pretty shot. [It's] the first time running and shooting and jumping, so it's going to take awhile for me to get back in halfway game shape. You can run in the pool all you want, but it's not like a 7-foot guy leaning on you, pushing you around, and you've still got to make a move and jump and then concentrate to make a shot. So I think it's going to take awhile to get in halfway decent shape. But for the first day, it felt pretty good."
The only question left is when Nowitzki will be ready to go. The schedule after Christmas has the Mavericks going to Oklahoma City on Dec. 27 for a nationally televised game, then playing Denver at American Airlines Center the following night. Since it might not be prudent to start Nowitzki's comeback with back-to-back games, the Denver contest might make for a sensible return date.
Coach Rick Carlisle said Nowitzki has been doing work similar to what he did Wednesday, which wasn't a true, full-contact practice. But it was progress.
"He'll be back at some point — when he's ready," Carlisle said. "He's not ready yet. That's where we are. We don't know when he's going to play. He's making gradual progress, which is how this works when you have a scope. So when it happens, it'll happen. We hope it's sooner than later, but we don't have a time yet."
No matter when it comes, his return will be long anticipated. Nowitzki has been suffering from cabin fever for the better part of a month. But at this point, it makes no sense to cut any corners.
"Well, it's almost, what, nine weeks?" he said. "I mean we're not rushing it anymore, it's as slow as you can get, unfortunately. The swelling at the beginning was just so bad, and we don't really know why. Maybe I was trying too early to do something. Nobody really knows.
"People react to surgery, I guess, different, and mine was just really swollen, and that really set me back two or three weeks. Couldn't really do much. By that point, we started doing a little more, the strength was gone, my wind was gone, so the last two weeks I had to work extremely hard to get some of that back. So the first two or three weeks set me back a long time. At this point, it's not rushing it anymore."


text:
Cops Seize $500 Million of Cocaine on 'Pleasure Yacht'
British police seized some 1.3 tons of cocaine from a yacht named "Louise"—the largest coke haul in the country's history, and enough to last Prince Harry through at least 2017.
The path to the seizure is a little bit convoluted, but it started in Venezuela and ended in the Netherlands:
Authorities were alerted to suspicions over the yacht, named Louise, while it was in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean in May.
The boat was then intercepted in Southampton in June on its way to the Netherlands.
Dutch police arrested the yacht's owner, 60, after raiding his home in the town of Meppel, about 140 kilometres northeast of Amsterdam, and raided a yachting business premises in the southern Dutch town of Waalwijk.
Also arrested: His three sons and "two other associates." The stash was hidden "neatly under the diving platform aft... It required some really good blanking panels to hide them and it was ingenious." So if you ever need to smuggle coke on your pleasure yacht: The diving platform aft is the spot to do it.


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Polka Dot Design Digital
5 x 7
Are you wanting to host a baby shower where both genders are going to be attending? Then browse Polka Dot Design's online invitation store for the right invite to your baby shower invitation cookout. The Brunette Fiesta Couple Invitation is perfect for a fiesta themed cookout. Fire up the grill and cook up some fresh vegetables and seasoned beef and chicken for some tasty fajitas. The invites features a brunette couple whose faces are hidden underneath two large decorative sombreros. Both are dressed in traditional Mexican garb at the bottom of the invitation. Create your own personalized party wording and informational text on the top and center of the card. Use Polka Dot Design's printing services to generate the perfect invitations and stationery for your every party need. Baby showers are fun, but they are in need of a twist. Get everyone together and order these delightful and unique invites today.
Card Type:
Flat Card
Cards are printed on a four color digital press and feature your personalized text on 110lb premium cardstock with matte finish. Envelopes included.
Invitation and envelope


text: The Gīr Gir Forests Reserve, created in 1913 to protect the largest of the surviving groups of Asiatic lionlions, was accorded sanctuary status in 1965. Several hundred Asiatic lions have been bred in the sanctuary since it was established; "lion . "Lion shows" consisting of guided tours in protected vehicles are held regularly for visitors. Other fauna include leopardleopards, wild pigpigs, spotted deer, nilgai (a type of antelope), four-horned antelope, and chinkara chinkaras (a type of gazelle). A large central water hole contains a few crocodiles. The park also has a small temple dedicated to Krishna near the TulsīTulsi-Śyām Shyam Springs.


text:
Pandora Reaches 75 Million Users
Pandora Reaches 75 Million Users
Internet radio service Pandora has reached 75 million registered users, up from 50 million users in March 2010, according to founder Tim Westergren. The service allows users to connect through web browsers, mobile apps, TVs, and home and car audio systems, with a catalog of 850,000 songs. (1/14)
Record Store Day Slated For April 16
The fourth annual Record Store Day will take place April 16 at more than 1,400 independent record stores around the world. According to Neilsen SoundScan, Record Store Day 2010 marked the largest single-day sales for vinyl since the SoundScan data system was implemented in 1991. (1/14)
Mumford & Sons Among Brit Awards 2011 Nominees
Nominations for the Brit Awards 2011 were announced on Jan. 13 with Best New Artist GRAMMY nominees Mumford & Sons earning three nominations, including British Breakthrough Act, MasterCard British Album of the Year for Sigh No More and British Group. Also garnering multiple nominations were current GRAMMY nominees Arcade Fire, Eminem and Cee Lo Green, as well as Cheryl Cole, Take That and Tinie Tempah, among others. The awards will take place Feb. 15 in London. (1/14)