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BioNTech raises $270m in new round of funding
BioNTech, a company focused on developing personalized immunotherapies for cancer, has completed a $270m Series A round of financing.
BioNTech, a company focused on developing personalized immunotherapies for cancer, has completed a $270m Series A round of financing.
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Palin, victim
A new McCain ad on TV deplores the "attacks on Governor Palin" and cites John Fund's suggestion -- flatly denied by Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor, and unconfirmed elsewhere -- that 30 Democratic operatives were "airdropped" into Alaska to research Palin. The ad also cites a FactCheck.org item that attacks not Obama, but anonymous online rumors -- mocking the ad monitor, and inviting a meta-FactCheck.
One thing that's interesting about the spot: It seems to suggest that McCain's campaign is sensitive to the perception that he's the only one going negative, and retains some concern that the contrast between Obama's perceived "new politics" and his slash-and-burn ad campaign could be effective.
Another thought: Hillary Clinton always walked a very careful line on portraying herself as a victim, attempting never to let that get in the way of her perceived strength as she built a commander-in-chief persona. The McCain campaign is dwelling on Palin's victimhood, a new chapter in the short history of women in presidential politics.

subset: commoncrawl


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This is one of those e-mails where, if I'm going to take the considerable time it will require to answer it, more than one person should benefit. So, rather than reply directly to the correspondent, I think the blog is a better venue for this sort of information. A lot of what "AS" has to say below is the same disinformation I was handed as a young person growing up in a fundamentalist, literalist church. At least two items are pretty much exactly what I was told. And so I feel compelled to respond.
First of all, nothing below matters in the least unless a god exists. If no god exists, then there was no sacrifice. If no god exists, there was no deity who walked among us. If no god exists, the Bible is not divinely inspired. And so on. In the same way it makes no sense to say "Fairies make the flowers bloom, and if you doubt me, I have but to show you a blooming flower," it makes no sense to say "God is responsible for X, and if you doubt me, I have but to show you X." And X can be filled in with "coming to earth as a man," or "inspiring the Bible," or "creating the universe," or whatever your heart desires. Whatever you think god has done, until you demonstrate a god actually exists, you haven't made your point.
That being said, a lot of the refutation below becomes moot. BUT, it may have significance to theists who care about whether or not the church is lying to them, or whether or not what they believe and promote is even likely to be true. And so, I put myself through the pointless paces below because it's possible someone, somewhere might benefit.
First of all the sacrifice of Jesus wasn't for God himself, it was for His Creation. because God is a holy and righteous God He CANNOT look upon sin, because he gave His Creation free will, we've ALL chosen to sin, and because of that we can't be in God's presence. If we've accepted Jesus Christ God CAN then and ONLY then look at us as sanctified, and then worthy enough to be with Him.
Please note that AS's god "cannot" look upon sin, which means that the Bible is not correct in Matthew 19:26 when it says "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" AS here has identified something that is not possible for god.
And we also know then that god is not everywhere. If god can't be in proximity to "sin" (can't even look at it—does god have eyes?)—then where there is sin, god is not. So, not all powerful, not everywhere—it becomes less and less god-like with each claim about it. But most importantly, where is AS getting this information? Has someone examined god to determine any of this? To see what the limits of a god are—where a god can/can't go, what a god can/can't do? I'm guessing not. And yet, like Big Foot researchers, not having access to one to actually study doesn't seem to stop them from telling us all about them.
Then, we have the problem of free will. While we can debate whether it exists in any meaningful sense, or what it might represent in reality, the question can be answered with "Does god have free will?" If yes, then it is possible to be all good and have free will. If no, well, then there's another thing god is restricted by. But if god has free will, then man could have been created all good and having free will, just like god.
Then we have the issue of god creating people as he chose to create them, presumably knowing precisely how they would act, and then getting upset at people for doing what he designed them to do. If I build cars with brakes I know will fail, and then declare failure is unacceptable, is it reasonable to get angry at the cars? If, before I build them, I already know thousands of people will die as a result, who is responsible for the resulting carnage?
But let's look at human free will in this sense. I am not sexually attracted to children. In fact, I have a strong aversion to the thought of such an act. But, according to AS, I, as a human, have free will. It is inescapable, then, that any/all humans could have an innate aversion to sex with children, and all still have free will—just like me. So, why did god instill some with a desire to have sex with children? If he could have averted child rapes and still given people free will, is it moral that he arbitrarily chose to include "wanting sex with children" as a human attribute in some of us? That's a sick choice, from any angle. Like saying I'll build some cars with really, really defective brakes that are just bound to get some people killed—not because I need to. It's just that's how I'd like to roll.
And actually there's TONS of evidence, in Isiah 53: The Suffering and Glory of the Servant
[And here AS quotes the full set of verses 1-12, abbreviated below.]
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Quoting the Bible is not "evidence." This has nothing to do with demonstrating anything about anything. This is a passage that Jewish scholars (and after all, it's their book, right?) assert is a personification of the nation of Israel and the trials and suffering it endured. Of course, Christians go back and re-interpret everything through their own Jesus-colored goggles, and claim this is about Jesus. And to the reasonable rebuttal "that's crazy, this author lived many long centuries before Jesus, and would have had no knowledge of Christianity," the Christian declares "And that proves it's divine prophecy!" Because it couldn't possibly be a passage about Israel written by an ancient Hebrew author, right? Far be it from the Jews to be able to interpret their own writings. Good thing the Christians came along to explain to them what their own culture produced.
if you just read the Bible, instead of Choosing what you "want" it to be then it would actually make sense. And that was only ONE chapter out of the Whole OT.
Pot, meet Kettle. See above.
And about the Jewish captivity I've heard you say didn't happen, how do you know 100% sure that it's not real?
Well, there's this thing called "burden of proof." It means that when someone makes a claim, they have an obligation to support it—with actual evidence, not just more claims.
there's actual history books, on that fact.
Then it should be no problem to demonstrate this "fact," right? Please provide evidence this story ever happened in reality, because historians currently admit it appears to be a fabrication. In fact one thing I love to do is use people who agree with a position I don't, to show the flaws. In this case, here is a Jewish promotional site talking about this very issue. The person replying to the question is basically admitting there isn't a shred of real evidence to support the claim that the Exodus occurred, and that believers just have this Hebrew story. And the person replying declares that's where "faith" comes in—to help you believe a claim about history for which you only have a story but no supporting evidence. If it's a demonstrable "fact," why do you need "faith" to believe it?
I agree with them that there's no evidence, but in my view, that's a reason to assert the book appears to not coincide with what we can demonstrate about historic fact, not a reason to believe it's accurate. If one book were written that claimed George Washington was a cross dresser, but when you looked into the claim, you found no actual evidence to support the claim—why would you accept it as true? The person making the claim needs to demonstrate why anyone should accept it. If they can't, then it's just an unsupported claim, and why would anyone believe it?
Just like there's history books on Pilate/ and even HE was in the Bible.
Correct. There is more than the Bible to substantiate the existence of particular Roman rulers. And when we are presented with more evidence than just Bible stories, we tend to give the claims more weight. In the same way, Homer wrote stories about battles and rulers, too. And because we have more information than just Homer's stories, from excavation, we are willing to accept these figures in his stories represent real people—where it's justified to do so. But where Homer suggests that the Greek gods came down to do battle with the armies, we tend to say maybe Homer was fudging just a bit for dramatic effect, don't we? Why? Why, after we learned that the people in Homer's tales were real, did we still reject that Greek gods came down and participated in the battles? Didn't the fact that he talked about real people in his stories mean they had to be totally true? Isn't that what you're suggesting a person should do? I don't think that would be reasonable. So, I don't agree that's what people should do when evaluating stories. Not all claims are equal—even claims within the same story. Some require more evidence than others. And "just a story" about gods fighting in a battle is not enough "evidence" to make that claim believable, no matter how many people believe it or tell it, and even when it's paired with mentions of other real people we know lived, and places we know existed.
And how then do you know all of the historical stories, or even science books for that matter are correct,
That actually requires two different set of criteria for evaluation. Historic claims have to be investigated and the best, most reasonable, most educated evaluations should be made, because we can't go back in time to confirm them. Some historic claims are easier to confirm than others—such as claims of Roman battles where we are able to excavate and find evidence of Roman battles. Other claims are harder to verify—such as whether or not a guy named Robin Hood ever existed. Our best guesses about history, then, can still be incorrect; but we have only whatever evidence remains to examine and expert opinion to go on.
This is not the same with claims about science or claims about how things are currently in reality. These are claims we can (and should) actually verify through testing, observation and repeated verification. So, if someone makes a claim about gravity, we simply test it to see if it's true. Or if we can't test it, then we have to wait until someone devises a test in order to know whether the claim is true or not—and until that time we don't have any cause to believe the claim. So we wait to see if it should be believed before we lend it our belief.
With a claim of "god exists," for example, we should be using this method, not a historic evaluation, because, if god exists right now, and has any influence or impact on anything right now, then we can examine that in real time, right now. We don't have to go back and try to make a best guess—because what we want to know is here now, and if people claim to know it's here now, they should be able to provide the rest of us with the evidence that this thing is here now—just like gravity is here now, and we can test for that. If the people making the claim can't provide any evidence to support their god exists in the here and now, then the rest of us can only wonder why they think there is "something" there, when they can't demonstrate anything is there at all. Carl Sagan wrote up a nice, easy-to-understand analogy about why this fails:
well it's the same with the Bible. think of the Bible as one big historical book. It's the same thing in a court room, where people write/type down what exaclty is happening.
OK, and just as with other history books, when we evaluate them, the most reasonable expert evaluation should be accepted. And when we have a test such as the Isaiah passage you provided earlier, here is what we have to choose from:
1. An ancient Hebrew wrote about his own nation's trials and tribulations and used personification as a literary technique, or
2. A god inspired a guy to write a story about how this god would come to Earth centuries later and offer himself up as a human sacrifice in human form to save the world from an eternal torture chamber; and he made the story seem like an ancient Hebrew writing about his nation's trials and tribulations using personification as a literary technique, but really it was magical prophecy that nobody would really understand the true meaning of until centuries later.
Is there really any choice there?
The Bible is infallable.. without error….many people including atheist have tried to dis-prove it, but from many speculations, and in-depth studies has come to the conclusion, that it is real.
The Bible is real, I agree. It's just not divinely inspired. Nor is it correct in all cases. Nor is it error free, as you claim. As before, the best rebuttal to Christian disinformation is a good religious source. The men and women, with degrees in theological disciplines and ancient Biblical languages, who have devoted their lives to translating the Bible from manuscripts I wouldn't even be allowed to breathe on, and who work for companies who produce and sell Bibles for profit, are the same people who point out the errors and problems right there IN the Bible's own pages. The marginal notes in the Bible are the Bible's worst enemy when it comes to claims of "perfection" in the text or translation. Please check out passages like John 7:53-8:11:
Translator's note, in the text: [The earliest manuscripts and many other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53—8:11. A few manuscripts include these verses, wholly or in part, after John 7:36, John 21:25, Luke 21:38 or Luke 24:53.]
And like Mark 16:9-20
Translator's note, in the text: [The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]
When you say it's perfect, you're disagreeing with the men and women who are best qualified to make that decision. Additionally, they make their living by producing Bibles, and so have every reason to support the book; and yet they have to be professionally honest and admit evidence does not support the claim that it is perfect. The book you have in your hands every Sunday is not considered, by the best available Bible scholars, to be error-free. That's a Christian claim that, again, not surprisingly, defies actual expert opinion.
Additionally, do you know who selected the books and put them together as the Bible? Do you know when that was done? Do you know why? Do you know who commissioned it? Do you know what methods they used to select the books they included and reject the books they didn't? Do you know that your Bible Canon is not the only official Canon in Christianity? Do you know that the other Canons are not based on the same base set of manuscripts? Do you know why? I'm guessing not. But all of this should interest you. If you don't know the answers to these questions, ask yourself why a church that preaches the Bible is god's word hasn't informed you about how this book actually, historically came to exist. Think: Does that seem even a little bit odd? All that Bible study, and not a single class on the history of how that book came to end up in your hands?
And maybe I'm wrong. But honestly, I think if you knew those answers, you wouldn't be asserting it's a perfect book.
And about the flood, again try to dis-prove it. I've actually done a study on the flood. Did you know they found fish fossils on mountains. In Mountains all over the world one can find sea shells and other marine fossils. These include the Sierras, the Swiss Alps, the Himalayas and many more. Just look it up!!
One of my most embarrassing moments as a young Christian was when I trotted out this piece of fail, myself. And I was immediately reminded of a fact I knew, but my cognitive dissonance had let me set aside: Mountains are often formed from land masses that were once submerged under water. And also, they are formed often from glacial movement, where sheets of ice move from ocean locations across land and push up masses of earth. The water then melts over time. Mountains with sea fossils on them would not be indicative of a world-wide flood that covered mountain peaks. In fact, modern geology does not hold that our planet's history included a global flood. And if you aren't home schooled, you'll recall this from your younger years when you studied Earth's basic geology.
Plus the BIGGEST evidence of all. If you look at a world map you'll see that ALL of the continents when put together, fits together.
Plate tectonics proves god?
And at the tower of Babel when people were trying to get up to miss the flood, God dispersed the languages, so that the people could NO longer communicate with each other. Therefore that why we have different languages(Tower of Babel Gen: 11:6) , and seperated continents (Flood Gen: 6:9-8:22) It also shocked me too, I was once a non-believer, and I actually sat down and read the Bible, and it told me everything.
I suggest you read the story of Babel again. It has nothing to do with the flood. It was about people building a tower due to personal pride, not to escape a flood (Gen 11):
3 They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…
And there is no mention of plate tectonics in Gen 6-8. If you have a specific passage you think I've missed, let me know. But I don't recall god moving continents after or during the flood. And I'm not going to quote three chapters at this blog to demonstrate it. Anyone who would like to look it up and read it can. If I've overlooked anything, feel free to let me know.
But, let me go back to Babel. Here, again, the Bible conflicts markedly with scholarship in the area of how languages evolved and moved around the globe. Especially with the advent of written language forms, we were able to trace language development between people over time, and we know how language changes, and we can make some pretty expert links between languages based on word roots and structures. Language moved around the globe and changed as a process that was quite natural over lengthy periods of time. There is no evidence of all known, different languages cropping up at a single time in a single location. That's actually in conflict with linguistic models.
Try your best but I don't think you'll be able to get around this easily.
In order to accept your claims, I would be required to disagree with expert opinion in a variety of well studied fields. I'm not prepared to do that. If the book disagrees with what is known about our world, why wouldn't I draw the conclusion the book is wrong? To assert the book is right, I have to reject actual scholarship and evidence. And if I do that, what am I using as my guide for telling fact from fiction? If the goal is to judge whether the book is correct, isn't the fact that it doesn't align with reality evidence of its failing? It is to me. If we're going to reject evidence and expert opinion, and just go with the book—what is the point of even examining reality to see it if coincides? Isn't that just a waste of time?
These are tired pieces of disinformation that have been promoted by churches since I was your age. It was fail then, and it's no less fail now. I totally understand how easy it is to accept it. Your preacher, your family, your "information" (which consists of apologetic sources right now), all support your beliefs. But if you ever decide to see what actual scholars have to say about the evidence/facts on these subjects, and not just what other Christians assert, you'll find it's not what you've been told.
I'm 16 years old and I know I may not hve studied as long as some of you but I'm trying to find out the truth and show others it can be found like I did.
So you're trying to "find" the truth—but you've "found" it? It's one or the other. If you believe you have it, then you're not still looking. And if you're still looking, you'll find in short order that this "truth" you've been handed is a pack of fables.
So thanks for your time and I'll wait for your responses. Let me know if you find any errors in my logic and whether or not you have been convinced…
As I noted already, a huge part of what drove me to reply to this was simply that you sound so much like I did at your age. It pains me to realize what was done to me, and to see it still being done, no matter how much information is so much more readily available to young people today than it was to me when I was your age. It almost makes me wonder if there will ever be a time when real information will be available enough to keep people from being able to successfully lie to their children. And yet, you wrote to our show—and that's a damn sight more resource than I would have had access to at 16. So, that's something.
And let me end on the note upon which I started. Nothing at all above matters, unless you, or anyone, can demonstrate a god exists. If no god exists, there is no point to discussing or debating any of the above points—not a single one. They're useless exchanges, until and unless it can be demonstrated that there even is a god that exists. Until that time, we have no method to verify any claims regarding any gods (what they're like or what they do)—to what could we compare the claims in order to determine if they match reality?
Thanks for writing.


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Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers took another step in their contract chess game over the weekend. Media reports indicate Paul said no to a three-year, $60 million contract extension, the maximum the team can offer.
Paul has one year left on his contract, so it's not an immediate situation for him or the Clippers to cut a deal. In fact, the team would love to get him to re-up now because it would avoid having to offer him an even sweeter deal next summer.
How sweet? If Paul hits the 2013 free-agent market, he could be looking at a five-year, $108 million deal. Players stand to cash in by becoming unrestricted free agents rather than agreeing to early extensions, thanks to the current collective bargaining agreement.
In addition, it is believed Paul's move could put pressure on the Clippers to continue building their franchise. That means the team would be looking at top-level talent to supplement Paul and push higher into the standings and farther into the playoffs.
Blake Griffin has agreed to a five-year, $95 million extension, and Lamar Odom is in the mix.
The Clippers have also contacted Chauncey Billups, a veteran guard Paul is in favor of bringing back after he suffered a torn left Achilles in the first month of the 2011-12 season.
Paul's contract will pay him $17.7 million next season.


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Few decisions in the life of a company are as important to its long-term success as the nature and composition of its board of directors. A good board adds depth, intelligence, contacts, and resources to the enterprise. But how does a first-time CEO identify, establish, recruit, and use a board of directors to maximum effect?
Here is one process that may be helpful to entrepreneurs interested in establishing a board of directors for their growth companies.
Step 1
Envision your board and its directors. To build anything, you must first imagine what it will look like. So what kinds of people make a good board and can help an entrepreneur and growth company thrive?
People with
- diverse and complementary personal networks and skills
- responsibility and commitment to shareholders and other company stakeholders
- knowledge of the company and its specific industry
- strategic vision and problem-solving experiences
- networks and contacts to recruit needed personnel and other resources for the company
- good work ethic, personality fit, and team-building focus.
Step 2
Build to your and your company's vision. Create the environment in which board members will serve. For example, establish clear policies on issues such as board structure, recruiting, compensation, evaluation, and removal.
The board should have an odd number of members, to prevent deadlock. Three is too few for a good diverse network, so it's better to start with five. Choose them for diversity of opinion, contacts, and resources.
In addition, directors should come from outside the company. Employees and family members are not good choices - they won't challenge or expand your ideas. On the other hand, don't use industry "superstars" that have little-to-no time to serve.
Board members need to be compensated. Some companies pay a "meeting fee," but if you want an active board, it may be better to pay a monthly or quarterly fee plus expenses. One-time options in the range of 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent of outstanding company stock, refreshed for financing dilution and splits, are typical. These options generally vest over a period of three to five years. Most companies also provide errors and omissions insurance for their directors.
A board needs a chairperson; perhaps it should not be the entrepreneur or CEO. The chair manages the board while the CEO runs the company. The chair should get more compensation than the other directors -but not a lot more. The chair sets the meeting schedule, controls agendas, manages committees, and makes sure that members' meeting time is used wisely (minimal history reports, maximum exploratory discussion time).
Consider term limits or other mechanisms to ensure a healthy rate of board turnover. Boards should change over time to meet the needs of the company. Inactive members need to be retired – both to maintain morale and make room for new blood. Current board members can help build and maintain a list of potential candidates.
Step 3
Recruit and train the initial board. Good boards are built on personal relationships, and CEOs need people with whom they can work easily. Directors should be excited about the opportunity to serve in a company and with each other. If not, keep looking. Look for people with the skills and contacts to help you meet your milestones over the next eighteen to twenty-four months. Use your network to find board candidates.
Examine the boards of other companies in your industry, especially public companies. As an entrepreneur running a growth company, you may not uncover a list of available names, but you'll get ideas where to look. Look at prominent businesspeople in your community - sitting CEOs of other companies often make great board members.
Analyze retired regulators or others familiar with your industry. Talk with your attorneys, accountants, investors, and other consultants. If you don't have a relationship with candidates you're interested in recruiting, make sure you get a "warm introduction."
Once you have a list of candidates, prioritize them. Be aware that some candidates can help attract others. Starting at the top of your ordered list, invite each candidate by sharing your vision and plans for the board. Find out whether they have the interest and the time to serve. Also, ask about any possible conflicts of interest that may not be apparent and if they know other candidates you should consider.
Of course, not every invitation will be accepted. Win or lose, re-prioritize your list in light of new information, and keep going. Soon you will have a board that shares your vision and enthusiasm.
Step 4
Use the board "early and often." Like muscles, boards atrophy if they are not used. Meet regularly even when scheduling is difficult. As CEO, make sure to get board materials out early so directors have time to think about and assess the issues raised. Make a list of your most important issues, and have the board address them in their priority order (which may differ from yours). And as issues arise between meetings, communicate with directors frequently.
Building a good board of directors from scratch can be the best decision an entrepreneur makes for their company, adding both value and long-term success.
© 2006 Greg Warnock. All rights reserved.
Greg Warnock Partner Fund I vSpring Capital


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FDIC Banking ReviewSubscribe
The FDIC Banking Review features academic research on the business of banking, supervision, resolution, deposit insurance, and banking policy. Beginning in 2007, these articles appear in the FDIC Quarterly.
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text: I understand why people want Millsap, but we can't trade for him now because Utah doesn't want Bargs and Demar wouldn't be enough to get it done. he's not even making enough money for the salaries to balance. Even trading Demar would have to wait until after this season when his extension kicks in. But then, Millsap will also like a raise, so again, Demar will likely not be enough, and then we're talking about giving up extra assets that we can't afford. They probably wouldn't want Fields or Bargs. They might want Lowry but then we'd have no PG. Do you give up Ross? or JV? or Amir? Then you're just opening up more holes.....I just can't see a way to get Millsap that could work. We just don't have a piece or the combination of pieces that would either get it done, or we could afford to part with for someone who's never made an all-star game.


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Microsoft's Internet Explorer team is back with an updated version of its "Browser You Love(d) To Hate" online campaign, including the video above. It's a clever way of challenging the company's critics while touting some of its latest milestones (real and imagined).
So how is the browser doing? Microsoft points to the recent release of the touch-friendly IE10, favorable competitive benchmarks, and 54 percent market share — its highest level in more than a year, although still well below the browser's historic highs.
One bummer: Comments are disabled on the YouTube version. Given the subject of the video, it would have been fascinating to see how some of the browser's actual critics responded. Let's see if GeekWire readers can fill the void.


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- The heavily cushioned non-slip shoulder pad balances the rifle for easy deployment and is reversible for strong or weak side carry
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2015 Attendance 2-1 (4/6, 4/7,4/24)
2014 Attendance 1-3 (3/31, 4/12, 8/14)
2013 Attendance: 6-0 (4/3, 4/16, 4/17, 8/3, 8/21, 9/7)
Engberg talking about everything but the game that's going on in front of him.
Stubbs is finding his way on base a lot.
My favorite band is The Whom
There are only two seasons - Winter and Baseball.
Stubbs makes his way to 3rd without a hit in the inning.
Wow that was cubsesque
runners at 1st and 3rd..no outs...we had better at least plate 1...
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Photos: Nick Hamilton
Ulrik Badertscher Wins the TTR 6 Star Oakley Shaun White Air & Style 2011 at the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing China. The the knock out format the night was filled with sick battles in front of a 13,000 strong audience in possibly the sickest venue for a Snowboarding Contest to date.
1. Ulrik Badertscher -Backside 1260 Rodeo Indy Grab 91.67
2. Torstein Horgmo -Cab 1080 Double Cork 88.33
3. Stale Sandbech -Backside 1260 Mute Grab 81.67
Check Out some of Ulrik's videos HERE including his 1620 plus his Full Part from "A Shot In The Dark".


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Scratch Tree. IMPROVED METHOD, PB FREE.
Badder, in Diorama Chat


text: Blur's Damon Albarn Releases Dr. Dee Trailer 3/20/2012 9:03 AM ET Damon Albarn has released a trailer for his upcoming studio album, Dr. Dee, which is based on an opera he composed of the same name.The trailer features snippets of the song "Apple Carts" along with Albarn discussing the album's recording."It's very deep and emotional music, and it's kind of a magical but also quite mysterious subject matter," conductor André de Ridder says in the trailer.According to a press release, the album "is an 18-track work inspired by the life of John Dee (1527-1608), mathematician, alchemist, philosopher and advisor to Elizabeth I."As for the LP's sound, the release continues: "Albarn's voice [is paired] with early English choral and instrumentation alongside modern, West African and Renaissance sounds."Dr. Dee is due to be released on May 7. by RTT Staff WriterFor comments and feedback: email@example.com News The 10 Highest Grossing Films: From Modern Classics To Jar Jar Binks


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It's only fitting that three of the Milford softball team's five seniors came through when it counted the most against their biggest rival in the final home game of their careers.
It's only fitting that three of the Milford softball team's five seniors came through when it counted the most against their biggest rival in the final home game of their careers.
After all, the team's seniors have experienced quite a bit against King Philip over the years — everything from getting crushed by the Warriors in the 2010 state final, to ending KP's nearly two-year win streak last season.
Tuesday afternoon, the two state powerhouses met in a Division 1 South quarterfinal in the latest chapter of the rivalry.
And what a chapter it was.
Shannon Smith battled to twirl a three-hitter, Lauren Hanna reached base at a key time, and Rachel Levine delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the second-seeded Scarlet Hawks a thrilling 1-0 victory over the seventh-seeded Warriors.
Milford (22-1) will head to Taunton on Thursday, where it will take on the winner of Wednesday's game between Sandwich and Franklin in a semifinal at 5 p.m.
King Philip finished at 17-5.
"You start with Shannon on the mound and then you have Rachel getting the game-winning hit, but even Lauren Hanna starting the inning off with a hit," Scarlet Hawks coach Brian Macchi said. "You think about the names I'm saying, they're all seniors and this was the last game they're ever going to play on this field. What a memory.
"They're going to be able to leave with so many great memories they've had on this field. To leave there by beating a team of King Philip's caliber is an unbelievable accomplishment and something that can hopefully fuel us to keep our run going in this tournament."
KP starter Anna O'Neill, who only allowed five hits of her own and struck out eight, had sat down 11 straight before Hanna came to bat with one out in the ninth.
On the first pitch the Brown University commit — blessed with tremendous speed — dropped down a perfect bunt and reached quite easily. Smith followed with a single to left and then O'Neill, who had only walked one batter the whole game, intentionally walked senior Caroline Fairbanks, Milford's cleanup hitter.
That loaded the bases for the Boston University-bound Levine, who worked a 2-2 count before taking a change-up and serving it into the left-center field gap, which scored Hanna and sent Scarlet Hawk players and coaches into a heap of excitement.
"It felt awesome," Levine said. "Banks was in there ready to hit and they decided to walk her. Girls have done that a few times this year trying to get by 'Banks because she's such a good hitter, so I just had to get myself ready. I knew I was on her all game, so I just wanted to make contact and put it in play. I didn't expect that big of a hit."
For the first four innings, Smith had to work hard to keep the game scoreless. Not only did the Kentucky-bound Smith have just three strikeouts through four innings, but she had to pitch herself out of jams in the second and fourth innings.
From there, however, Smith settled down, as she struck out 12 over the final five frames and seemed to get stronger as the game went on.
"I just had to play my game," said Smith, who threw 141 pitches. "They're a really good hitting team, probably one of the best hitting teams in the state. Those girls have a lot of experience, especially as hitters, and I'm no surprise to them. We've played KP every year since my freshman year, so they know who I am and I know who they are. It's like I have to work extra hard because they know me."


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spring snow.
spring snow.
Original litter
Original owner
2012 Ural Gear Up
Honda CRF250L, the Little Red Piggy.
My 2003 Yamaha FJR1300 "Miss Lucy Liu" on the road to Cabo San Lucas, 90,000 miles on Lucy and one third of those miles were ridden South of the Border ese!
In the foreground is "Mi Mexico Mule II", my 2006 Kawasaki KLR 650; she was on the road at the top of the Copper Canyon Rim on the way down to Batopilas with a Mexican truck in the background.
To the left is mi Amigo Senor Martin Osete from Hermosillo, Sonora Estado; my long time off road riding buddy. In the background is Martin's R1200GS, Mule II made six separate trips to Barrancas del Cobre and faithfully carried me safely each and every time!
Heavily modified 1967 Vespa GT somewhere in Texas running the 2012 Scooter Cannonball Run- Savannha GA to San Diego CA
GPS 66 mph
Gordon Schumway is my co-pilot
Attachment 39647
P1010002 (Custom).jpg
The Trophy at the end of life, high side at 75mph, old companion, crossed the country on this bike, unfortunately photos of our travels were taken before i went digital. This wreck made way for the K
Bike Sale 002 (Custom).jpg
Loved this K, but I wasnt ready for it to grandpa (no offense to you gradpa's out there). Sold it to puchase the Sprint.
Sprint ST 003 - Copy (Custom).jpg
The Sprint came directly after the K, loved that bike, 50k happy miles, sold her in the spring for the R1200R.
Looking back on these bikes, I can say ..... Thank you, I've lived a good life.
So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key
Another Honda CRF250L. I can spend hours on end with this thing exploring the countryside.
Fate whispers to the warrior, 'You can not withstand the storm.'
The warrior whispers back, 'I am the storm.'
This was the bike my dad owned when I was a teenager. It was his last bike until his current 2015 Harley (rediscovered riding at 70).
My dad on this bike at Chanute airforce base in Rantoul Ill (yes that was the abbeviation for IL back in the early '80's) inspired Bill Maxwell, a young airman at the time, to ride motorcycles and become the MSF riding coach that sold me Ursula and taught me how to ride for the first time at the age of 41 in Hawaii. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!
Last edited by rangerreece; 10-06-2015 at 12:22 PM.
Christine's '08 Deluxe:
2009-08-18_Arcadia_trip 062.jpg
My '08 Low-Rider (notice the crutches sticking out of the bag), oh, and Christine asserting her dominance over me...
Christine and her 2010 Ultra Classic:
Chris and her 2014 Street Glide Special:
Tobi and I (staging for a Christmas Parade) on my '09 Ultra Classic:
Jess & Christine, the Chauffeurs, for Tobi & Skye the Border Collies.
2013 K1600 GTL (the boys' ride), 2016 S1000XR (The grrrl's ride)
Motorcycle Safety Foundation Coach#166465
2012 Yamaha XT1200 Super Tenere, great bike! Sold it after 27K trouble free miles to return to the BMW marque.
Last edited by GSteve; 10-06-2015 at 12:57 PM.
Bob Smith
2005 Rocket III
03 K1200GT gone but not forgotten
14 Victory Crossroads
03 K1200GT gone but not forgotten
14 Victory Crossroads


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"Kodak's 'Wheel' can hold 80 slides, the most in the marketplace. It allows you to go backward and forward, project on any bare wall, and change the order of slides in mere moments. With Kodak's 'Wheel,' you can go on vacation—and have your slides printed within 24 hours of dropping them off at a certified Kodak photo center."
[RELATED: Register for our PR Writers Summit by Aug. 1 to get an early-bird discount.]
"This device…takes us to a place where we ache to go again…It's called 'The Carousel.' It lets us travel the way a child travels. Around and around, back home again, to a place where we know we are loved."
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Genworth Financial, the country's largest long-term care insurer, has announced that starting this spring it will take gender into account when setting premiums on new policies. The reason is because for every three dollars, two is spent on claims by women. This will have detrimental ramifications because:
"The change will mean that rates for female applicants could be up to 40% higher under the new pricing policy" says Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care.
Furthermore, on top of the raise in cost, new applicants will be required to undergo a medical exam. To read more, visit NPR.
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Add or Read Comments on
"Women To See Higher Prices For Long-Term Care Insurance"
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Image Gallery: IBM Empowers Smarter Cities
|(click for larger image and for full photo gallery)
LightSquared is working on a nationwide long-term evolution (LTE) network utilizing 40,000 cellular base stations to cover 92% of the U.S. population by 2015. The network will utilize satellites from Sky Terra combined with terrestrial base stations.
Airspan, already a pacesetter in last mile, middle mile, and backhaul solutions, is planning to utilize LightSquared's spectrum for smart grid applications in various utility markets.
Launched by Harbinger Capital Partners, LightSquared recently inked a $7 billion contract with Nokia Siemens Networks to build and operate the network. LightSquared plans to offer satellite-only, terrestrial-only, and integrated satellite-terrestrial service for end users. Harbinger has been piecing the business together in recent months.
First, Harbinger acquired Sky Terra, then did the Nokia Siemens Networks deal, and now has signed Airspan for smart grid and smart utility applications.
Airspan's mission is to address utilities in their geographical markets in a way that helps the utilities establish their own proprietary grid management networks. The goal is for Airspan to take advantage of the operational benefits that come from smart grid applications including load-balancing, grid-optimization, and automation.
Late last month, LightSquared unveiled a team of top managers led by former France Telecom executives including Sanjiv Ahuja. LightSquared has been developing its own proprietary LTE devices and chipsets.


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Health Care Reform and American Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed by President Obama in March 2010 is a landmark in U.S. social legislation. The new law extends health insurance to nearly all Americans, fulfilling a century-long quest and bringing the United States to parity with other industrial nations. Affordable Care aims to control rapidly rising health care costs and promises to make the United States more equal, reversing four decades of rising disparities between the very rich and everyone else. Millions of people of modest means will gain new benefits and protections from insurance company abuses – and the tab will be paid by privileged corporations and the very rich.
How did such a bold reform effort pass in a polity wracked by partisan divisions and intense lobbying by special interests? What does Affordable Care mean – and what comes next? In Health Care Reform and American Politics: What Everyone Needs to Know, Lawrence R. Jacobs and Theda Skocpol–two of the nation's leading experts on politics and health care policy–provide a concise and accessible overview. They explain the political battles of 2009 and 2010, highlighting White House strategies, the deals Democrats cut with interest groups, and the impact of agitation by Tea Partiers and progressives. Jacobs and Skocpol spell out what the new law can do for everyday Americans, what it will cost, and who will pay. Above all, they explain what comes next, as critical yet often behind-the-scenes battles rage over implementing reform nationally and in the fifty states. Affordable Care might end up being weakened. But, like Social Security and Medicare, it could also gain strength and popularity as the majority of Americans learn what it can do for them.
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In a decision announced Friday, STB noted: "In 2008, AEPCO filed a complaint challenging the reasonableness of the joint rates established by BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad Company for unit train coal transportation service from New Mexico and the northern portion of the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana to AEPCO's Apache Generating Station located near Cochise, Ariz.
"In a decision served Nov. 22, 2011, the Board found that AEPCO had shown that defendants have market dominance over those movements, and that their rates were unreasonable. Accordingly, the Board ordered defendants to reimburse AEPCO for amounts collected above prescribed levels. The Board ordered defendants to establish and maintain rates for movements of the traffic that do not exceed 180% of the variable costs of the service."
On March 20, 2012, AEPCO filed an unopposed petition for an order directing payment of the overcharges as calculated by the utility.


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O/k, not saying Lin is CP, but I find the whole thing disturbing for the following thoughts I have:
1. Not about money, 100 MM on Stat proves that.
2. My gut tells me Melo did not want Lin owning the spotlight.
3. Knicks had options to get out before year 3 of the Lin deal hit their wallet.
4. Ask yourself this: If Steinbrenner was healthy and the Knick owner, with Lin falling into his lap so to speak, basketball & business wise, would Lin have left town with NOTHING in return?
No, I have no proof on the Melo statement, but I just have this gut feeling.


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Thanks for expounding your view again.Yeshe D. wrote:Part of a bodhisattva's career is to develop the knowledge of all paths (mārgākārajñatā). This includes developing knowledge of śrāvakayāna and bodhisattvayāna paths. The detailed teachings on the bodhisattvayāna are contained in numerous sūtras and thoroughly explained in the commentaries on the Abhisamayālamkāra, the Mahāyānasūtrālamkāra, and the Yogācārabhūmiśāstra. In addition to these treatises on the path, the Dharmadharmatāvibhāga, the Madhyāntavibhāga, the Ratnagotravibhāga, and the Mahāyānasaṃgraha clarify difficult aspects of view as found in numerous Mahāyāna sūtras. Without understanding these treatises one isn't able to develop a fluent knowledge of Mahāyāna view and practice.TMingyur wrote:I choose to not agree here in the sense of "all Mahayana sutra". Why? Because it is bodhicitta which is the characteristic mark of Mahayana and not "all Mahayana sutras".Yeshe D. wrote: Secondly, everyone who takes refuge in the Mahāyāna Dharma takes refuge in the Mahāyāna Sūtras.
The Buddha taught the direct way to overcome dukkha. If you find detours preferable then fine, your choice.Yeshe D. wrote:From within a Mahāyāna context, this conclusion is simply inaccurate. It's one thing to focus on certain teachings and commentaries which one finds helpful at this time. It is quite another to assert that the Mahāyāna teachings which you don't find particularly relevant at this time are "speculation" or "mental proliferation" or "unskillful view," all of which are antithetical to Dharma. If you don't find these Yogācāra treatises helpful, that's fine. No one is forcing anything on you. But there is no need for such characterizations here in this particular Mahāyāna sub-forum.TMingyur wrote:The Mahayana commentaries have lead to complex elaborations and a multitude of views and it is this I question here through pointing at the efficient simplicity of the Buddha's teachings in the pali suttas. These teachings of the Buddha actually reveal all those diverse discursive views as the effect of clinging aggregates.
The title of this thread is "Sooner or Later: Yogacara" which means "Sooner or later one will (or even has to) depart from the simple way taught by the Buddha to overcome dukkha. Such a thesis is unacceptable and sectarian beyond that.
Kind regards


text: in what sense does the PD apply? They are not pre-warp, pre-contact, or even native to that planet. Dougherty openly says that it's not a PD issue. Moreover, even if it WAS a PD issue, then nothing would prevent the Son'a from coming in and removing the Baku, and Picard would be in violation for interfering in a "blood feud." You can't have it both ways.


text: I'm making a memory HDC( screen buffer) and I understand everything excepthow to use BitBlt(); . I looked on MSDN \and it says its parameter's but most of them are coordnates and all. How would I find out what these coordinates are with 2 compatiable DCs(made using CreateCompatableDC(); .) Any help is much apprieciated.


text:
6:30 - 7:30
Biblioteca Central
Auditorio Koret - Planta Baja
100 Larkin St.
Meet Nyna Pais Caputi , the director of the film Petals In The Dust: The Endangered Indian Girls. She will discuss how age-old beliefs, intolerance and a preference for sons, combined with growing materialism and technology is leading to increased incidences of discrimination, violence and the horrific and tragic murder of millions of Indian girls and women in India. She will show a short trailer for the film, talk about the work of activists who are working to end the violence and take audience questions.Co-sponsored by the International Museum of Women.


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My experience with the UX1 was not only pleasant, but fun. The first Sony camcorder to support the new H.264-based AVC-HD acquisition format, it fits the hand, feels solid, and has several features I was surprised to find on a low-cost ($1,400) camcorder. The controls are well placed, and the menu contexts are intelligent and user-friendly. While the camcorder is marginally heavier than other palmcorders, it has a balanced, comfortable heft that most users will appreciate.
In July 2006, Sony and Panasonic announced the delivery of a new camera acquisition format known as Advanced Video Codec-High Definition (AVC-HD). AVC-HD is a format that stems from H.264 and has a wide range of profiles offering support for mobile communication devices to 4:4:4 ten-bit video. AVC-HD is still in its infancy but stands to become a widely used format in years to come, as encoders mature and especially if hardware improves to make the process more efficient.
The first camcorders utilizing the AVC-HD codec are scheduled to launch soon, and during a recent expedition to Southeast Asia, I had the opportunity to spend several days shooting with a preproduction model of the new Sony HDR-UX1 camcorder in a variety of shooting situations. This small, DVD storage-based camcorder is very impressive, particularly given that it's a first outing for the format. The camcorder offers approximately 12Mbps of video bit rate; the efficiency of the AVC-HD codec allows for lower bit rates while maintaining high-quality images.
Here are a few comments on my initial experiences with AVC-HD:
Compact Construction The UX1 is a palm-type camcorder, with a sweet large, second-generation preview screen. Sony is already well known for their preview-screen technology, and this camcorder doesn't disappoint. The Wide/Telephoto and Record buttons are found on the bottom of the screen, which is a bit unusual when compared to previous camcorders with the buttons to the left of the screen. For stability purposes, though, this is where the controls truly belong, from my point of view.
The camcorder is slightly heavier than its HDV cousin, and while the heft is welcome to my hand, some users may not appreciate the additional weight. I have little experience with other DVD camcorders, but the couple that I've held are also a tad stockier in build and slightly heavier than their tape counterparts, so I expect this is the norm.
DVD or HDD? Upon putting a disc in the camcorder, the system was immediately ready to format the disc, and again, compared to my previous experiences with DVD camcorders, this one simply screamed; after four seconds, the disc was formatted and ready to roll. The 3" DVDs used by the UX1 are capable of holding nearly half an hour of video, depending on the acquisition quality selected by the user. Using the new Sony 3" DVD+R DLs will extend recording time to 60 minutes in long-play mode.
Sony has stated that the UX1 and its HDD-based brother (HDR-SG1) use DSP and imaging similar to that found in the HVR-HC3, so on my excursions through Malaysia, I shot with both camcorders in order to draw a few comparisons. I used both camcorders in fully automatic modes.
The camcorder has all the stock features expected in a consumer-oriented camcorder; the only unique features are found in the HDMI output, speed of disc formatting, and of course, the compression format that AVC-HD brings to the table. With an LANC control, microphone input, and headphone output, the UX1 is also well suited as a second camcorder in the toolkit for small production crews.
The AVC-HD format isn't supported in most video editing applications yet, although Sony Vegas has already been announced as a supporting NLE, and other NLE manufacturers have stated they'll eventually implement support for AVC-HD. However, with the AVC-HD reader software that is included with the camcorder and any number of conversion utilities, the AVC-HD format is ready for users at any point in time. It likely won't be long until we find most, if not all, NLE systems supporting this new format.
Although the DVD- and HDD-based camcorders are aimed squarely at consumers, serious video enthusiasts who are open to the DVD format will appreciate this camcorder. I've never owned a DVD-based camcorder but found myself very much enjoying this one. I don't care for the start lag of DVD camcorders I've tested in the past, but I didn't find that to be an issue in the UX1 model.
One feature I really took a liking to is the way that the menu is laid out, with fast access to the most common pages with a single click—without having to set up a menu preference. With six pages of access found at the bottom of the screen, getting to menu settings is fast, but more importantly, the options are well thought-out.
Image Comparisons The CMOS imager is clean and impressive and works surprisingly well in lower-light modes. Historically, CMOS has shown noise in lower light, and high pixel counts on a smaller imager only serve to amplify noise in the frame. Moore's Law has applied itself to CMOS technology, though, and it plainly shows in the recent camcorder offerings from Sony. While neither the UX1 nor the HC3 offers control over gain application, the two images shown in the comparison figure were both shot near sundown at full optical zoom, with the camcorders set in auto-mode and with Backlight compensation enabled. Note the clean lines in the buildings and the detail shown in the windows, towers, and clouds. I fully expected the image to have blockiness in the lower light and shadows of the frame, but I didn't see this at all. There is, however, some inherent noise that I'd expect to find in any low-exposure image on a 1/3"-chip camcorder.
As a still imaging camcorder, the HDR-UX1 is a smooth combination of both still-image acquisition and video. A still-image resolution of 2.3 megapixels for video recording and 4 megapixels for still-only acquisition provides high-quality still images without having to carry a second camera around; stills are saved to a memory stick that inserts in the side of the camcorder beneath the LCD screen. With a 3.5" LCD, shots are easy to compose, expose, and focus on this camcorder.
The Clear-Vid image sensor is a serious step forward for CMOS technology, as the pixels are angled at 45 degrees, offering greater exposure, and also contain a boost in green pixels, thereby increasing image quality. While cramming high resolutions onto small chips generally means both loss of quality in low light and less light sensitivity, between DSP and design improvements, I'd suggest Sony is doing everything possible to resolve these issues while providing the ability to capture pretty pictures. If they take this design implementation forward in other camcorder lines, it will be a terrific upgrade.
Key Features The Vario-Sonnar Zeiss lens found on the front of the camcorder, like its cousins in the HDV world, is a sweet lens with a 30 mm thread for adapters and a zoom range of up to 10X optical and 80X digital. Zoom control is touch-sensitive and is incredibly smooth for this size and type of camcorder. The zoom is not ring-controllable as found on some of the earlier camcorders, but the fact that the camera only goes to 80X suggests that Sony recognizes users of this sort of camcorder are savvy to marketing hype from some camcorder manufacturers that boast ridiculously high zoom/magnification ratios. While the 80X zoom is likely to satisfy consumers with no video experience, prosumers won't be impressed.
Along with the lens, you'll appreciate the manual access to exposure that operates in steps via the multifunction ring or touch screen menu. Combined with the AE adjustments, this provides for a more-than-reasonable control of exposure. Having a manual shutter might be nice, but this is a feature rarely found in consumer-oriented products. The front end also offers stabilization; this is an electronic system, and I found that, like most electronic stabilization systems, I was happiest with it disabled in order to obtain the sharpest images.
The 5.1 Surround-ready sounds is quite good, even to a doubting ear like mine. This isn't 5.1 uncompressed audio, and the microphones aren't high-end surround mics, but for accurate capture of most events, the format will satisfy most users very well. Just be aware of the tendency toward heavy breathing noise on the back channels if you're exerting yourself at all. There is even a Bluetooth microphone that allows for remote recording up to 100 feet away, although that feature was not accessible during the time I had this camcorder. The microphone is built into the camcorder, or an optional mic plugs into the Intelligent Shoe, just as on other Sony camcorders.
Another newer feature is the super Slo-Mo recording, or "Smooth Slow Motion," option. This is found on the HC3 and on the DCR-DVD 505 camcorder, but no other camcorder I'm aware of. Incredibly impressive slow motion is possible with this model, albeit for short periods of recording due to the way the slow motion is buffered into the camcorder memory. Three seconds of video is recorded which, in turn, becomes twelve seconds of playback as it records 24fps, or four times the standard 60fps. It takes a moment to get used to how the memory buffers in all of the various camcorder models with this feature, but the picture quality makes this feature well worth becoming familiar with. The quality matches or is superior to that of much more expensive camcorders with overcrank capability, but it's very short in the amount of time that slow motion may be used in acquisition.
Unique to this sort of camcorder is its number of inputs and outputs. I'm tickled at the number of options, since this camcorder offers component, composite, HDMI, Memory Stick, USB 2.0, Advanced Accessory, LANC, headphone, and microphone connections. As an HC3 owner, I was a little disappointed in the lack of headphone or microphone connections in this small camcorder, even though I'm very happy with the image quality in such a small-format device. Thus, I was delighted to see Sony had returned these necessary tools in the DVD model, using similar features and technology.
Battery life is impressive; I logged nearly two hours of shooting time with the LCD screen in use but failed to take note of the length of time the camcorder was actually powered up. However, I'd used the UX1 during most of a half-day event, and the camcorder still had plenty of juice to shoot into the evening. The overnight charge took me well into the next evening. However, I didn't keep the LCD open the entire time. Still, I continually expected the big LCD screen to let me know I was on my last second of juice, but I never reached the point of total battery discharge over the course of the week.
The UX1 uses already-existing batteries, so obtaining them is easy and inexpensive. With new camcorder models, it's always a concern when manufacturers switch battery formats on users.
Conclusions All in all, my experience with this camcorder was not only pleasant, but also just plain fun. It fits the hand very nicely, feels solid, and has a plethora of features that I was happily surprised to find on a low-cost camcorder. The controls are very well placed, and the menu contexts are very intelligent and user-friendly. While the camcorder is marginally heavier than others in the palmcorder world, it has a well balanced, comfortable heft that will prove preferable, I believe, to most users. This likely will be the first (and maybe only) DVD-based recorder I'll ever purchase.
The Sony HDR-UX1 began shipping in mid-September with a street price of around $1,400.


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Karla beautiful quilts. Somehow I missed these yesterday.
I just wanted to share some of the pictures form the Ice Creams social and challenge and my LQS fron Sat, there area some beautiful quilts here to see.
this is me working on quilting a for my guild .
these next few are my competition in the challenge ,they were beautiful quilts
These next few are from the shop ,
the last few are from some of the Show and Tell , these are some amazing quilts
this quilt is done by Pauline the lady who taought me how to do Twilling ,every other row is patterns she did and are doing in twilling. It was really pretty .
Karla, they are wonderful quilts. They do look so inviting and cozy. They are definitely going to be favorite blankies.
Donna, I love your quilt, the colors, the designs, so beautiful.
Barbara, what a busy group. Wonderful quilts.
Chiliwist Valley
OH Chicago you are a sweetie. and thank You . I was worried though ,they were really nice quilts .
Beautiful quilt--there was never a doubt that it was a winner!
Pat--"Keep Calm and Carry On"
Pat ,thank you , You are all so supportive I love it .
Sunday, cut and pinned bindings to 2 quilts for great neices. Hope to sew them on today, then hem later this week.
My friend Sue did and awesome job quilting both of them.
Joni, beautful quilts ,I love the soft colors and the quilting is really nice.
All of the quilts are beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us.
Vinton, Virginia
Really pretty quilts. I love the soft colors in the green one.
Everyone's quilts are just amazing...can't wait to see more. Nothing inspires me more than to see the work everyone on this site does. Keep it up so I can stay inspired!
boy, does having a bum wrist really slow you down. I was able to work on my RR quilt over the weekend. The blocks are almost done, then I can assemble them. My applique has taken a hiatus until my wrist can handle the twisting.
But I was at my machine...and I found some really awesome fleece for the back of one of my quilts. so, I now have 3 ready for the LA...guess a trip to MN is now in the works.
I am loving all the photos. Everyone is doing such beautiful work! I am delivering the MQ6 on Wednesday. Gotta remember to do the label first, though.
Ugh...why do I have to work today...I'd rather be home playing with my fabric!
Chicagoland, Illinois
Hi Chicago,
EQ is Electric Quilt; the latest version is EQ7. It is the best quilt design software! It is fun to see what you can come up with. It has several thousand blocks that you can resize, color, modify and in general make them your own. It is slightly pricey if you have to buy the full version, though. Electric Quilt Co also makes a beginner quilt design software (sorry, I'm drawing a blank on the name) that is much less expensive. Check out the site, ElectricQuilt.com.
in Albuquerque
It's Quilting! You're supposed to be having fun!


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Remix of http://www.freesound.org/people/candlegravity/sounds/172894/ and http://www.freesound.org/people/candlegravity/sounds/172899/
Bit crushing to begin with using TAL-Bitcrusher http://www.kvraudio.com/product/tal_bitcrusher_by_togu_audio_line Modulation and Waldorf DPole as stated in file names. Modulated files all use the same settings except for different LFO waveforms as indication in file name. Some transient adjustments with Alloy. The original bitcrushed file is included remix.00 bitcrush 172899. No quantization applied, made in Cool Edit.
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Our town is unique.
We are very much aware of the Sunshine Laws, and so, very carefully, all communications to and from the Town Commission are faithfully compiled by our most efficient town clerk, Trish Granger, and posted on the Internet, addressed to all of those citizens who have requested copies.
What follows is a recapitulation of those posted messages leading up to the surprising appointment — over many of applicants — two weeks ago of Terry Gans to the Town Commission after the resignation of Hal Lenobel.
All of the following messages appeared in Granger's Internet postings:
• • •
It started in early March. I had written to Mayor Jim Brown, lamenting that construction had started at Publix while we were still inundated with our high-season complement of occupancy. I also suggested that consideration be given to Ray Rajewski in the event that another vacancy on the Town Commission were to occur.
• • •
Mr. Gans wrote to the mayor:
From: GANS TERRY A <[email protected]>
To: "James L. Brown" <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:47:44 -0400
Subject: publix construction
With regard to Mr. Saivetz' current email, Publix was very clear that preliminary work would begin in the parking lot mid-March.
As far as his suggestion about regarding a second-place ribbon to election losers in the form of a promised appointment, sorry, that's not how it works.
Terry Gans
• • •
The mayor wrote to me, explaining his position.
I wrote back to the mayor, explaining that in the case of Phill Younger, he had been appointed commissioner to fill a vacancy, evidently as a reward for having lost to Commissioner Lenobel in the previous election.
Here's what I wrote:
Dear Mayor Brown:
I am encouraged that Mr. Gans was interested enough in town affairs to comment on my communication with you. He is definitely in line for the body politic.
Publix requested that it begin tearing up the existing parking in mid-March — you and the rest of the Town Commission approved it!
But, as regards second-place ribbons, I would be grateful if you could spare Commissioner Younger long enough for him to explain to Mr. Gans exactly "how it works."
Bradford Saivetz
• • •
What followed were e-mailed letters between me and the mayor and Commissioner Younger. Some of them were particularly excoriating.
Our mayor's parting shot to me was:
From: James L. Brown
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 12:04 PM
To: Bradford Saivetz
Cc: Town Clerk
Subject: Re: Your unwarranted remarks
Mr Savitz:
This is not a request to join your public tirade, but since you like to toss around my name, as well as others, as if we have no intelligence, let me make this last statement. Please note that I say last!
Although you are probably well read and seem to be able to write, perhaps you should know that, in proper circles, it is considered to be the wrong approach to first call your addressee an idiot and a fool and then ask for his attention while you tell him why you are so much more intelligent than he is. Maybe this is a reason you have trouble getting support for your points.
While you claim to have vast knowledge and experience in the field of construction (as well as every other field), it is not apparent from many of your comments.
While I don't intend to debate the merits of the town's approvals regarding Publix, I will say that they are well thought out and proper.
Perhaps, since you are rarely in attendance at meetings where these issues are worked out, you lack some of the facts. Perhaps next December when the new Publix has reopened, the citizens of Longboat Key will forgive the minor inconvenience of this month.
Please don't respond for I will not read.
Jim Brown
• • •
Mr. Gans then wrote on March 28 to me and Commissioner Younger the following:
Terry Gans [email protected]
8:31 PM (20 hours ago)
to me (Bradford Saivetz), Pyounger (Commissioner Phill Younger)
I have no idea what Phill wrote you, but it must have been something.
Have you ever considered that the reason you never received a second, and that your candidates keep failing to win an election by any margin, is that your arguments and positions are unconvincing?
Perhaps there is no grand conspiracy. Perhaps you are just plain, ah, wrong, and no amount of misstatements, distortions or misinterpretations will change that.
• • •
Vice Mayor David Brenner then entered the thread. He wrote to Gail Lofgren (former president of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce) the following, including copies of the earlier correspondence:
From: David Brenner <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Cc: Town Clerk <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 10:20 PM
Subject: FW: Your unwarranted remarks
More to come. Dave
• • •
She responded:
From: Gail Loefgren [[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 11:10 PM
To: David Brenner
Subject: Re: Your unwarranted remarks
What district is Terry in? Has anyone ever asked him if he would be interested in running for Town Commission?
This would be a prime example of why you call for civility all year long. I believe most of the citizens/stakeholders/voters of LBK would believe you!
Do not give up on this theme.
You have made such a difference in the community regarding keeping the current business community alive and well that you need to believe that you can make a difference in civility and the separation of North and South because you are right.
If it were I, I would ask to be a speaker at various organizations to speak to this issue. Again, you are on the right side.
As I have analyzed the election results, remember Randy Clair, whom IPOC defeated and, remember IPOC defeated Ca d'Coeur?
You simply had a good campaign; we took the high road; and that made a difference. So, in the last few years, you are the only person/issue to defeat IPOC, including in the 2010 election.
Hopefully, IPOC will not be a factor next year.
Be proud … Even if it was only 90 votes, you won when other candidates and issues did not.
Without the likes of IPOC and its lies and innuendos, you would have won this election going away. That's my evaluation which I have thought about at great length.
• • •
Vice Mayor Brenner almost immediately forwarded the above correspondence to Mr. Gans:
On Mar 30, 2012, at 9:29 A.M., David Brenner wrote to Gans:
Terry … FYI. Dave
• • •
Gans responded to the Vice Mayor Brenner four minutes later:
From: TERRY GANS <[email protected]>
To: David Brenner <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:33:32 -0400
Subject: Re: Your unwarranted remarks
I prefer being a gadfly, like my friend Bradford.
Plus, I tend to wander close to the civility line and perhaps sometimes across it.
• • •
Mr. Gans evidently reconsidered and wrote to the vice mayor a few hours later:
From: TERRY GANS <[email protected]>
To: David Brenner <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:37:28 -0400
Subject: Re: Your unwarranted remarks
maybe, just maybe, p&z and some point, maybe
• • •
The charade of picking a replacement for Hal Lenobel is over, mercifully, and the players, old and new, have retaken their positions behind the desks that give them authority to dictate the future of our island.
What's more, the miraculous and seemingly impossible outcome of the selection and appointment of our newest town commissioner is now explained.
All good things come to those who come to the defense of those sitting in command and attack those who seek a return to the old calm that prevailed on our island.
Bradford Saivetz is a former member of the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board and 35-year resident of Longboat Key.
Asked to comment on Bradford Saivetz's recounting of emails and his "My View," Longboat Key Mayor Jim Brown, Vice Mayor David Brenner and Gail Loefrgren declined.
Commissioner Terry Gans wrote: "I never take pleasure in another's dissatisfaction, and it is unfortunate Mr. Saivetz feels he has cause for unhappiness. I stand by my words and my belief that one has the right to have one's position evolve as Emerson wrote, 'Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.' It is an honor to be selected for public service in our Town."


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Gosselin: Having no money this offseason is saving Jerry Jones from himself
The Cowboys don't have the money this off-season to play the free-agency game.
Free agency is the most overrated aspect of the NFL calendar year. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent each off-season in search of difference-makers, but there are few to be found.
Not since free agency arrived on the scene in the mid-1990s, anyway, when you could find a Reggie White and a Deion Sanders available. Even a Ken Norton and Troy Vincent.
Not anymore.
NFL teams have figured the system out. Healthy, young, cornerstone players no longer venture into the open market. The savvy teams reward their best players with new contracts before their rookie contracts expire.
Teams can still find some complementary pieces in free agency but not the impact players. Certainly not players worth the contracts they are being paid. It's the rare free agent who actually plays to the level of his money and duration of his contract.
The New York Jets gave free-agent linebacker Bart Scott a six-year, $48 million contract in 2009. He won't see the final two years of that deal. The Jets haven't won anything in four years with Scott, and he became a salary-cap casualty last month.
The Atlanta Falcons gave free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson a six-year, $57 million contract in 2010. He won't see the final three years of his deal. The ring-less Falcons cut him this month.
The Jacksonville Jaguars gave free-agent safety Dawan Landry a five-year, $27.5 million contract in 2011. He won't see the final three years of his deal. The Jaguars fired a head coach after each of Landry's two seasons and then canned him as well this month.
The Kansas City Chiefs gave free-agent offensive tackle Eric Winston a four-year, $22 million contract in 2012. He won't see the final three years of his deal. The Chiefs won two games last season and fired both their general manager and head coach. Winston himself got the axe last week.
Remember all the local clamoring two summers ago for Jerry Jones to splurge on Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha? There was a state-wide gasp when Asomugha agreed to a five-year, $60 million deal with hated NFC East rival Philadelphia. How did that work out for the Eagles? After two playoff-less seasons, Philly cut Asomugha this week.
And who can forget the seven-year, $100 million contract Dan Snyder shelled out for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in free agency in 2009? He was supposed to be the unblockable force that vaulted the Redskins past the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys in the East. After two last-place finishes and a one-year sulk, the Redskins cut Haynesworth.
Today's free-agent signings become tomorrow's salary-cap casualties.
The lack of available salary-cap dollars is forcing the Cowboys to focus on the draft this off-season, not free agency. Which is the way it should be. Championship teams are built through the draft in April, not purchased in free agency in March.
When a team blows a draft pick, it's forced to overpay in free agency to correct that mistake. And boy, have the Cowboys blown the draft picks. That's a huge part of the reason they find themselves in such salary-cap purgatory.
The backbone of any contender is players in their third through sixth seasons. They provide a youthful yet seasoned nucleus of skill. They also provide a cheap labor force because they enter their primes playing under their rookie contracts.
The Cowboys selected 34 players in the drafts between 2006-09, but only five remain with the team. The black holes of April forced the Cowboys to sign aging (Keith Brooking, Dan Connor) or journeyman free agents (Igor Olshansky, Gerald Sensabaugh, Kenyon Coleman, Mackenzy Bernadeau) to fill voids on the depth chart.
So having no money this off-season is saving Jerry Jones from himself. This team needs to start drafting well. It has no other choice.
Other NFL teams cut aging, descending players with big contracts, making them salary-cap casualties. You can do that when you draft well and have young players emerging as contributors.
The New York Giants finished ahead of the Cowboys in the East last season with a 9-7 record but still cut three starters this off-season: halfback Ahmad Bradshaw, defensive tackle Chris Canty and linebacker Michael Boley. Younger players are on the way. By releasing age, you absorb your cap hits and put your money woes behind you.
The Cowboys prefer to restructure the contracts of their older players, merely pushing the problem back and making the salary cap an annual issue. Ryan Cook, Jay Ratliff, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Witten all will be in their 30s in 2013 and all had deals restructured this off-season. So money will continue to be tight.
Bad drafting has prevented the Cowboys from having the next wave of contributors to step in for the aging veterans. But with no money for free agency, the Cowboys must make a greater investment of time and energy into drafting well.
That's the only way out of this mess.
Listen to Rick Gosselin at 10:50 a.m. Tuesdays on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310) with Norm Hitzges.
Follow Rick Gosselin on Twitter at @RickGosselinDMN


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Noah's Ark grounded us, says Watson
Emma Watson has revealed that seeing the huge ark on the Noah set helped her performance.
The former Harry Potter star, who plays Noah's adopted daughter Ila in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic, praised the director's choice to build a life-sized ark for the shoot.
"It was literally made to the biblical proportions. Honestly, the first time I saw it, it was just breath-taking," she said.
"But I think it really grounded all our performances because it gave us an idea of the scope. It's also a very utilitarian symbol, which I think as well thematically also helped us with the story. We got the sense of this coffin-like ark, which sets a very different tone than the kind of pretty boat with the bow and the giraffes' head sticking out the top and everything."
The 23-year-old continued: "It was really great to have that physically there in person."
Her co-star Douglas Booth, who plays her screen love interest Shem, added: "It really helped us as actors. Darren built the ark and it was absolutely huge. They were releasing 5,000 gallons of water on our heads a minute, so it was full on and physical."
Emma put her complete trust in filmmaker Darren, with his controversial interpretation of the tale.
"Darren Aronofsky is a name that is so respected and he's such an intelligent filmmaker, I just kind of immediately trusted him with the subject matter," she said.
"I just felt confident that he'd do a great job with it and that he would be really sensitive with it. I love that it's got other people talking. It's kind of amazing to be part of a film that has got people talking. It's really cool."
:: Noah opens in cinemas on April 4.


text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 17, 2012, 10:32 AM
Town Square
Sen. Simitian to hold 'sidewalk office hours' in Palo Alto
Original post made on Aug 18, 2012
Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, August 17, 2012, 10:32 AM
Comments (2)
a resident of another community
on Aug 18, 2012 at 3:57 pm
One of Sen. Simitian's last pieces of legislation, SB 1303, will standardize the form used for the fake red light camera tickets that many Bay Area police departments mail out.
The fake tickets, also called Snitch Tickets, are a phishing device designed to bluff the registered owner into identifying the actual driver of the car. (Citrus Hts, Daly City, Elk Grove, Hayward, Marysville, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Newark, Redding, San Mateo, San Leandro and South SF use them.) Snitch Tickets have not been filed with the court, so they don't say "Notice to Appear," don't have the court's addr. and phone #, and usually say (on the back, in small letters), "Do not contact the court about this notice." Since they have NOT been filed with the court, they have no legal weight whatsoever. Joe's bill adds the title, "This is not a ticket," at the top of the ticket form, to make it clearer that you can ignore a Snitch Ticket. If if need more info, Google the term.
a resident of Atherton
on Aug 20, 2012 at 10:26 am
Although I do not always support all of joe's legislation, I do think the banning of hand held phones while driving has been a plus. Hoepfully, he will be wiser than the assemblymen when he votes this week on two bills in Sacramento. SEIU has sponsored two bills that from the outside look great- SB 411- Home CAre Licensure- lauded to ensure good care for seniors while sole purposes are to list names of agency ememployees on an open web site by agency for easy unionization. The second purpose has very devastating effects for the state and for all Americans-it goes after full service home care agencies that pay workers compensation, get liability coverage, contribute to workers social security and Medicare coverage but the bill exempts all referral agencies that purport to be home care agencies that schedule the worker, bill the client and pay the worker a gross pay but issue a 1099 at the end of the year while technically (by civil code 1812.5095) transferring the employer reseponsibilities to the clients. Why- because the union thinks by making a deal with the IC groups they can get them to unionize later on. Additionally, several of our legilators use indpendent contractos- such as Jerry Hill for his pool business. Ira Ruskin, who is now out of the assembly and sick, also did so for his business yet both Hill and Ruskin were all to raedy to vote against companies having 4- 10 hour work days without overtime, somethng they could do because they did not have follow the wage orders that traditional employers do. The move aways from the traditional employer-employee model means that Medicare and Social Security taxes are not paid for the IC worker nor workers compensation, nor do they make regular payroll tax payments. As we sure we can manage this new economy- where everyone is left as an IC not just those who are educated or skilled and fit the IRS 12 point criteria.We do not have to worry about the republicans "starving the beast"- our democratic legisators are doing it as well.
Hopefully, Joe will be wiser than the local assemlbymen and who on Thursday followed SEIUs directive- all Democrats except Yamada, the lone brave woman who stood up anad told the truth. By the way, AB889 the Domestic Worker Rights Bill does the same thinkg- it affects employer-employee agencies, private families - eeveryone is included exeecpt the IHHS program and the Agencies that do not "employ" their workers (they just use them as employees).
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Usually around 4 to 5 hours. Once in awhile I'll sleep in about 12 hours. TeeHee
I am a fool
When I was still in college, I was lucky to get 4 hours of sleep.
Now I get about 4-8 hours of sleep.
12-13 hours/day; I'm kind of nocturnal.
Sooo lazy to go on this site (=A= )
6-8 hours
5-7 hours of sleep and i wake up at 6 a.m. everyday, it's kind of a pain in the ass, but it's all my fault so i cant complain
Just living life
used to sleep a lot since i had uni then i got ill so then i slept as much as i want, but still im ill and i got university again so i slept less maybe 7 hours a day den it went to holidays now im sleeping 12 lol.
Ramadan is here now im on official hiatus
I usually sleep 7 1/2 - 8 1/2 hours depending on if i want to stay up and play some game or watch anime late. I try to keep it at min 8 hours doesn't always work obviously.
Biggest rule for myself is no sweets or caffeine at least 2 hours before bed because I know If I do drink some soda or something I will be up at least 2 hours later.
in 2 hour increments ever since I started playing Slender. He's out there and he is going to get me so I must be ready
7-10 hours
Stressed/ Anxious:
2-5 hours
0-1 hour
The past is the past, don't let it cloud who you are now.
8 hours. I use a sleep calculator so I don't wake up during a rem cycle.
I get ready, I get all dressed up, to go nowhere in particular.
I generally sleep exactly 8 hours unless I've pulled a few sleepless nights in a row. Now when that 8 hours takes place is subject to change.
As a future doctor I feel the need to mention that Crunchyroll's sleeping habits are terrible. An adult needs at LEAST 7.5 hours of sleep and no more than 9 hours of sleep. That is every night. Teenagers need more, about 9-10 hours of sleep because their body is changing so rapidly.
Think of your body as a sleep bank. It never forgets how much you owe it, or how much excess it has. If your sleeping 4 hours a night, you will eventually have to make that up in order to be healthy. You might think that you're special and can work off less, which you can for a time, but you will be a much healthier, happier, and productive person if you consistently get a good night's rest.
Can't get to sleep? Pick a bedtime and a wake up time and stick to it. Even on the weekends. If you have a terrible sleep schedule, you will most likely not get much sleep the first few nights, but it is important to lay in bed and rest, only getting up at your desired wake up time. Studies have shown that it helps to turn off the lights an hour before bed and turn them on as soon as you wake up to help shift your body's natural rhythms. It also helps to not eat or drink anything an hour before bedtime.
Hope this opens some eyes; stop making excuses and get some sleep! If you have any specific questions regarding this topic feel free to shoot me a PM.
Anywhere between 3-14 hours.
Ive had sleeping issues for about 6 years now, I get around 2-3 hours sleep everyday
I know you can cure it with drugs, but I don't take any kind of drug. (only if it's prescribed and urgent) . People taken paracetamol AR too frequently IMO
I wish I could develop a sleeping pattern but because it's a medical problem I don't have much ability to do so .... I ave tried thigh, and will continue to do so


text:
Discussion in 'Odds & Ends' started by oscar_2424, Jul 18, 2006.
I need a bucket.
Lucia Kovarcikova & Lenka Jurikova
Rebeca Neves
Jurikova and Kovarchikova again
Heidi El Tabakh
Marina Shamayko
holy crap these low ranked players I've never heard of are hot.
Totall agree. Keep up the great work with coming up with these photos.
Sorana Cirstea
Alexandra Kolesnichenko
Maria Kirilenko
Martina Balogova
Nice pics! Keep them coming!
Dani in Rome...
One more from Rome...
How old is this Majeric? She may just be the hottest girl on the tour
The ugly old lady face in Rome!! i hate her face.
Her skin is so perfect.
everyones skin is perfect when photoshopped
hey thats 45th and 5th! I used to work on the 5th floor of the safra bank building... not for safra thoug.
did you take all these pictures? ha they seem to be ones you would find on facebook or something... so many ****tish/suggestive pics
Wow! She is so hot!
WTA's new ad campaign...the names are on the photos.
Those are awesome :bow:... except the Petko one (she looks even more "maleish" than usual).
HA Yea, she does look more like a man than some of the guys on the tour do doesnt she?
I dont think the Kirilenko one is as good as it should be and wonder why no Goerges?
Yeah, a good effort by the WTA but two mistakes: bad makeup on some of the girls (Petko especially) and leaving out Goerges. Granted, the campaign was probably finalized before Julia's great recent run, but she has been up and coming for a while.
Wickmayer edition...
Looks similar to the ones done by The New York Times for last year's US Open http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/08/29/magazine/womens-tennis.html?ref=tennis
Shame the IT girl of the moment is not featured.
Yeah here's the link to all of them. I didn't post some of the lesser ones. (Bartoli lol)
great ad campain...... since WTA tennis is currently SUCKING might as well promote their asses, I mean assets
Looks similar?
It's exactly the same thing/carbon copy of it (expanded with more players)
absolutely (petko) beautiful
absolutely beautiful...lips, her eyes...sweaty, <3<3<3<3<3 *sigh*
Separate names with a comma.