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Los Altos Students Helping Haiti
Filed under Blog · Tagged: Education, Los Altos High School, Los Altos Town Cirer, Volunteering
Los Altos High School's Haiti Solidarity Club has embarked on a mission to help its sister school in the Caribbean country's capital, Port-au-Prince.
Sixty members of the club and a group of supporters recently hosted a fundraiser, netting approximately $30,000 for the Society of Providence United for the Economic Development of Pétion-Ville (SOPUDEP).
SOPUDEP, a Haitian-founded and -run grassroots social agency, provides free, accessible education to adults and children and supports economic empowerment for the poor. The school's goal is to use the power of education to improve the quality of life for the poorest members of the community and instill pride and hope for a better future.
Over the February winter break, a group of 28 – including two teachers, a parent and Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District Superintendent Barry Groves – visited SOPUDEP to deliver the aid and reconnect with Haitians the students met on previous trips.
"It's safe to say that for everyone, it was one of the best experiences of our lives," said Los Altos High teacher Seth Donnelly, trip organizer. "We had a wonderful bonding experience with the SOPUDEP students and family members."
During the trip, the Los Altos students heard from a number of humanitarian organizations in Haiti, provided hard labor to help with construction at SOPUDEP and interacted with the school's students.
"There was a high level of interaction between our students and the SOPUDEP students," Donnelly said. "Our students learned a lot. Even though their Haitian counterparts don't have a lot of physical things to give, they really raised awareness of the root causes of poverty in Haiti and what we can do to help. We see a strong ethic of solidarity these folks have in these grassroots organizations – that helps us further develop solidarity here at home."
Los Altos High student Amanda Spielman said the trip was a culture shock, but interactions with the Haitian people were the highlights.
"There is such a beauty within Haiti," she said. "People's hearts are so beautiful and they are so proud of their people. The people in Haiti are working toward rebuilding their nation and they are just the most incredible people."
Spielman worked with a group of SOPUDEP's student leaders. Club members brought them a set of microscopes and demonstrated how to use them to test water quality, and also donated athletic equipment and recorders.
"(Demonstrating the microscopes and recorders) gave us a medium to work with the students," she said. "That is everything we stand for. The trip wasn't about just giving them something, it's about working with them and building that relationship."
Donnelly said Los Altos is the primary source of aid for the 17-classroom school.
"A lot of folks (in Los Altos) haven't quite had the opportunity yet to see the bigger picture and how deep the poverty gets in the world and how intense the suffering can be," he said. "This trip and relationship with SOPUDEP is really important to raise global consciousness."
The Haiti Solidarity Club has scheduled a rummage sale 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Los Altos High School cafeteria, 201 Almond Ave.
Items for sale will include clothes, sporting goods, bicycles, helmets, cookware, small appliances, CDs, DVDs, books and small furniture.
Club members will accept donations 4-7 p.m. Friday in the high school cafeteria.
To donate or for more information, email Donnelly at email@example.com.
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Spaghetti is one of the most popular forms of pasta, and it's used in dishes all around the world. Most spaghetti is made from durum wheat, so it's high in carbohydrates and includes all the nutrients found in refined white flour.

Regular spaghetti is fairly neutral, diet-wise, but whole-wheat spaghetti can be a good source of fiber. The amount of spaghetti and whatever you put on top of your pasta is probably is what makes for a healthy meal or not.

Spaghetti Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cup, cooked(140 g)

Per Serving	% Daily Value*

Calories 221

Calories from Fat 12

Total Fat 1.3g	2%

Saturated Fat 0.2g	1%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g

Cholesterol 0mg	0%

Sodium 1mg	0%

Potassium 61.6mg	2%

Carbohydrates 43.2g	14%

Dietary Fiber 2.5g	10%

Sugars 0.8g

Protein 8.1g

Vitamin A 0% · Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 1% · Iron 10%

*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

One serving is equal to one cup of cooked spaghetti or 2 ounce of dry spaghetti, which is about the amount of dry pasta that would fit through a soda bottle opening. Spaghetti is not a low-calorie food. It's made from grain, so it's energy-dense. Each serving has over 200 calories, mostly from 200 calories, mostly from complex carbohydrates, so it's important to watch your portion sizes if you're on a weight-loss diet. Keep in mind that it's rare to eat just the pasta so cheesy sauces and other high-calorie toppings can add lots more calories.

A serving of spaghetti also has more than 40 grams of carbohydrates, so it's not well suited to low-carbohydrate type diets. Spaghetti is a good source of iron and is low in fat.

Health Benefits of Spaghetti

Spaghetti isn't bad for you because you do need carbohydrates in a balanced diet, but most people get more refined grains than they need, so you're better off with spaghetti made with whole wheat flour. In fact, about half of your daily grains should be whole grains.

The reason whole wheat spaghetti is better for you is that it has more fiber than regular pasta. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system, and most Americans don't get the daily recommended amount, so eating more whole wheat pasta is a great idea.

Questions About Spaghetti

Is Pasta Bad for Your Health?

Spaghetti isn't bad just because it's high in carbs. Your body needs carbohydrates for energy, especially if you're an active person. A balanced diet should have about half your calories coming from carbohydrates. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture's ChooseMyPlate.gov, says that about one-quarter of a healthy balanced meal should be made up of grains such as pasta, rice, cornmeal or oatmeal.

If you're following a strict low-carb diet, it's tough to fit much pasta into your meal plans. But it's perfect for a balanced diet and fits comfortably into a low-fat diet (as long as you keep the sauces and other toppings light).

And Doesn't Pasta Have Gluten?

Since spaghetti is usually made from wheat, it contains gluten, a protein found in grains such as wheat and barley. Gluten consumption is a problem for people with celiac disease, wheat allergies or intolerances, but for the rest of us, there's no need to follow a gluten-free diet. Some fad diets are based partly on avoiding gluten, but they're not based on credible scientific research.

If you do need to avoid gluten, you can find gluten-free pasta made from corn or rice. It's still high in carbohydrates and has about the same number of calories as wheat pasta. It's also considered part of the grain group and, nutritionally speaking, isn't any better or worse for you than regular pasta.

How Does Spaghetti Compare to Other Types of Pasta?

There are many sizes and shapes of pasta, including noodles, shells, macaroni and so on. Some, like spaghetti, are usually served with sauce, but other types of pasta are used as the main ingredients in soups, and casseroles. As far as nutritional value, any type of pasta is going to be similar, as long as the serving size is the same.

Healthy Ways to Prepare Spaghetti

Top your spaghetti noodles with a tomato sauce such as marinara, Fra Diavlo, or regular spaghetti sauce. Make your own, or look for brands that are a little lower in sodium, especially if you are on a sodium-restricted diet. Add extra veggies and mushrooms to add flavor and bulk to your meal without adding many extra calories. Serve your spaghetti with a green salad on the side for even better nutrition.

If you haven't tried whole wheat pasta yet, keep in mind it has a stronger flavor and different texture than regular spaghetti. Some people like it right away while others need to eat whole grain spaghetti a few times before acquiring a taste.

Recipes With Spaghetti

Are you looking for something other than traditional spaghetti and red sauce? Try these healthy dishes made with whole grain spaghetti:

Spaghetti With Feta and Broccoli

Peanut Noodles with Shredded Chicken & Vegetables

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon, Basil, and Salmon

Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Golden Garlic, Tomatoes, and Sage

Sources:

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. "USDA Food Composition Database."

United States Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. "2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans." 8th Edition. Published December 2015.

subset: commoncrawl


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Royals flush with wins, but what's in the cards?
Players offer differing opinions on the significance of their 11-0-1 spring start
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- How important is a nearly perfect record at this point in Spring Training? Check with the unbeaten 11-0-1 Royals and you get different views.
The games, of course, don't count. Especially at this early point, they're played quite differently than regular-season games. But the Royals are a team that hasn't won much of anything in recent years.
"You've got to learn how to win somehow," closer Greg Holland said. "And winning is the best way to do that."
Hall of Famer George Brett, in camp as an instructor -- and team vice president -- is admittedly fired up by the Royals' success. He sees a long-term benefit.
"The longer we play well, the more confidence these guys will have," Brett said.
The Royals have not been in the postseason since winning the World Series in 1985, when Brett was there.
"We all know what Spring Training is, it doesn't mean anything," Brett said. "But still we're winning and, in order for us to be a good team, we have to expect to win every time we go out on the field. That's what we did in the '70s and '80s. Every time we went on the field, we expected to win. Are you going to win every game? No. But you go out there trying to win and expecting to win, rather than hoping you don't lose. And I think the more games we win down here, guess what? They're going to expect to win every time they walk out on that field."
Maybe so. It can be a state of mind.
"I know the games don't count here, but if you keeping winning here and playing hard, when the season starts you'll be doing the same thing," shortstop Alcides Escobar said. "You get in your mind that you're going to win and it comes easier."
It doesn't always carry over into the season. For example, the 1999 Royals led Spring Training with a 22-9 record, but then finished last in the American League Central with a 64-97 mark. The 2003 Royals topped the spring standings with a 19-8 record and finished third, albeit at 83-79, their only over-.500 record in the last 18 years.
There are positive instances as well. Since 1984, there have been 14 teams with spring winning percentages of .700 or better and eight of them made the playoffs. Five of those teams reached the World Series and two of them won it all: the 1997 Marlins and the 2009 Yankees.
Royals manager Ned Yost usually sidesteps questions about spring records, but when asked the other day if the winning energizes his team, he referred to the offseason pitching additions made by general manager Dayton Moore.
"I don't want to say it energizes everybody, because everybody was energized coming in with all the moves that Dayton made this winter," Yost said. "But if you go back and look at what we've done, it's been a team-wide effort. It hasn't been three or four guys. Everybody we've put in there has done a great job. So it makes it fun."
A lot of fun that has to co-exist with the underlying purpose of Spring Training -- polishing skills and trying to peak as the regular season opens.
"Yeah, it's great to win but it doesn't really mean anything," left fielder Alex Gordon said. "It's like some guys hit .100 in Spring Training and then when the season starts, they bat .300. We're trying to get our work in, we're trying to get ready for the season. Yeah, we're going out there trying to win and it's good that we're winning, but it doesn't mean anything to the regular season."
Second baseman Chris Getz gave the winning experience of Spring Training some perspective.
"Obviously, you play to win the game but, with that being said, you want to play fundamentally correctly," Getz said. "You want to be playing well defensively and baserunning and all that stuff. You don't want to just win to win out here. You want to make sure you're hitting on all cylinders, because that's what you're going to need to do when the real season starts.
"Things are so funny out here with the elements -- you've got the [hard] ground, the high sky, a lot of changing with the pitchers, a lot of Minor League guys that won't be in the big leagues. There are a lot of different elements, so you want to make sure, fundamentally, that everything's there. The winning is certainly not secondary, but it's nice to do both."
The 11 straight wins in Arizona are certainly creating a stir of interest back in Kansas City.
"They'll sell a few more tickets," Getz said, "But, in the long run, this certainly isn't reality."
Indeed, regulars are playing perhaps half a game and replaced by reserves or Minor Leaguers. Starting pitchers go two or three innings and are succeeded by a parade of relievers. Pitchers maybe are working on a certain pitch. Batters might be testing a new stance.
But for the Royals, so far at least, everything is working right.
"It's really exciting, because everybody's playing really good right now. Everybody's playing hard and everybody's playing with their heart," Escobar said. "And I'm very proud of this team."
Pride was very much a part of the successful teams in Brett's time.
"We were very competitive and every year we thought we were going to win the World Series," Brett said. "I don't think the last few years anybody on this team ever thought they were going to win the World Series. They were hoping to be in contention. Well, that's accepting mediocrity."
So for this year's Royals, even Cactus League wins have value.
"Would I rather win every game in spring than lose them all? Absolutely," pitcher Jeremy Guthrie said. "Would that have a positive effect on a team going into a regular season? Absolutely. Do any of the wins matter? No, because they all get erased. Do any of the losses matter? No, because they all get erased. But, mentally and physically, winning games and playing good baseball to be able to win those games is all good preparation and helpful for a regular season."
Or, as Holland put it: "It's important because I think winning itself is pretty contagious."
Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com. Paul Casella also contributed to this story. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
Crutchfield Customer Review (What's this?)
First I want to start by saying how great your website is. Very easy to navigate and very helpful with helping you chose items for your vehicle with comfort knowing it will fit. Easy check out and great delivery time.
Pros: All around great speakers, very clear sound and bass. Super upgrade from the factory dash speakers.
Cons: NONE


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February 21, 2010
Rob on the BAFTAs red carpet
I'm getting a very "Art" (HTB) vibe from these pics - perhaps that's what London does to him ;)
See more at Getty
- Lorabell
P.s. Did he just wash his hair or something? It wasn't that rainy...
15 comments:
Rob-Ami! He looks rested. It's good for him to be home. Someone said it had rained or was misting, so that would explain the hair...ReplyDelete
He's still f-ing hot!
Jeez lorabell, about him washing his hair, that's mean..ReplyDelete
Wasn't it raining?ReplyDelete
he's smiling! looks like he's sporting his bel ami hair.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 21, 2010 at 10:00 PM
he´s in home...of course he is smiling! He looks really happy!ReplyDelete
@Lieke_rietjens: Aw, I didn't intend to seem mean - I honestly thought he'd just come from a day's shoot *shrug* :)ReplyDelete
@CullenLover @ Irene: It was drizzling on and off but my hair wasn't even damp.
- Lorabell x
- AnonymousFebruary 21, 2010 at 11:55 PM
hey losers lets not start the BullshitReplyDelete
HeHe he still looks great as always ;) I just love to see him and the rest of the cast happy :)ReplyDelete
ow, sorry Lorabell xD I didn't read the: It wasn't that rainy part. I thought you wear refering to those weird rumors way back about him never washing his hair :PReplyDelete
sorry, my bad :P
Such a delicious dish:)) I haven't had dinner yet!! I like him with darker hair for the Bel-Ami character. He does look happy, he's doing what he loves and hasn't been travelling a lot lately to promote anything.ReplyDelete
Is it just me or does Rob look years younger?ReplyDelete
someone said it looks like Rob's mom tried to smooth his hair out for Prom. so true! Rob is adorable.ReplyDelete
It's the look he needs for Bel Ami. Check out the side burns. He can't lose the hair. Can't wait 'til he's done with it though.ReplyDelete
Aw, he looks so happy and cute, good for him :-DReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 23, 2010 at 2:28 AM
Yep, that's he's Bel Ami hair. It's good to see him in London, he looks happy. :)ReplyDelete


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COURSE: 15-305 Philosophy of God (3)
Analysis and evaluation of various concepts of God and arguments for and against God's existence are explored. Related topics studied include suffering, the relation between God and the universe, the possibility of miracles, agnosticism and atheism and the varieties of religious experience, especially mysticism. Prerequisite: 15-110 Introduction to Philosophy or the consent of the instructor.


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text:
When Charles Dickens put ink to paper for "A Christmas Carol," he probably never could have envisioned his tale being told quite like this. Al LePage, a laugh riot with acting chops to boot, returns to town this year with his production "A Christmas Carol for Kids!" The one-man show is a retelling of Dickens' classic tale through the eyes of Englishman Thomas Hutchinson, Traveling Thespian. LePage uses his skills to enliven the story by playing every character, and doing it well. The show is for kids 5 and up, and it's guaranteed that they'll be captivated, giggling and having fun from start to finish. Take a look at that bloke!
"A Christmas Carol for Kids" plays at 10:30 am Saturday, Dec. 1, at The Lane County Historical Museum; $2 kids, $3 adults.


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Quote:not trying to be critical but could you link us to some examples of the kind of movement you are refering to?Im interested what in what your eluding to.
Quote:good luck with your study - sounds interesting, what Ryu are you training in?
Quote:Sounds like he is talking about how we generate power in White Crane. Generally we call it shaking power, but there's more to it than shaking (and I can't think of any of the other names right now). I don't deal in clips, so I don't have any to share, but I can look around. -h
Quote:please look around and post links, a picture supports words well in the format of forum life.granted not alot can be learned outside of the dojo, but it can help.
Variety of stun gun devices for your protection
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Accurate information on the ancient martial traditions of the Japanese
Protect yourself and loved ones from CRIME with the latest C2 Taser
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Peggy Moreland eBooks
Peggy Bozeman was born Taurus in Texas, United States. She grew up with her two sisters in a farm. Her father died when she was in high school, leaving her mother to raise her three daughters alone. Peggy received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, with a minor in English. She worked on her master's degree in writing at the University of Central Oklahoma. She co-wrote the story of the Edmond, Oklahoma, Post Office massacre for Norman Vincent Peale's Guideposts magazine. Later, in 1987 she began to write romantic novels, and she was published in 1989. Peggy married a Texan green beret. They have three children and live on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country, near her parents farm. There, she has cattle, goats and other critters, including her owner of a registered quarter horse. 1997 she fulfilled a lifelong dream by competing in her first rodeo and brought home two silver championship buckles, one for Champion Barrel Racer, and a second for All-Around Cowgirl.


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"The FairTax would be the most massive transfer of power from the federal government to the people since our Constitution was adopted." - Neal Boortz
Three news stories recently grabbed my attention. All three have a common denominator – the income tax code and the IRS.
First, it appears the IRS continues unabated in its unprecedented attack on select conservative groups.
In fact, one might conclude the agency has now gone into escalation mode. But then, why shouldn't it? The IRS's actions past and present make clear the agency feels no accountability to the people, the Congress or the Constitution.
Second, reports surfaced of a little-known federal program that gives some workers better unemployment benefits than others. I guess some unemployed Americans are more equal than others.
The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, created by special interests — excuse me, my apologies — created by Congress, gives extra unemployment benefits to individuals who lost jobs that were outsourced to a foreign country.
These individuals get 2.5 years of unemployment, extra training, travel compensation for job interviews, and 90% of moving costs and health care. All paid for by you, to the tune of $1.4 billion in 2012!
The third story takes us back to the IRS. The agency has apparently found a new and dangerous threat to attack: Veterans' organizations that don't have paperwork they were never required to keep in the first place!
The Wall Street Journal covers the latest IRS outrage: "As former military members, the one thing we know how to do is follow regulations," Louis Celli, national legislative director for the American Legion, told the Journal.
"The inspection manual they give to inspectors tells them to look for documents that we're not told to maintain in the first place," he said.
And just how quickly must our veterans drop everything to reply to these new whims from an out of control IRS? Immediately – or else, according to the Journal:
"One outpost in Texas, where officials were unable to comply immediately with the requirements, was fined $12,000, or $1,000 for each of 12 days it failed to produce the documents the IRS demanded."
Our veterans deserve better and under the FairTax Plan, they will be respected. No threats, no harassment, no fines, no behemoth regulatory manuals that hinder supporting our troops.
Congress has a choice. They have before them "The FairTax Act of 2013."
They can continue allowing the IRS to threaten, harass and destroy individuals and organizations, or they can implement a comprehensive tax replacement plan that returns our nation's system of taxation to what our founding fathers originally envisioned. They can enact the FairTax Plan.
Your senators and representatives are supposed to represent the will of the people who elected them. Make sure that you communicate to all your elected officials exactly where you stand on tax reform.
FairTax.org has a convenient way you can phone your senators and representative's Washington offices (don't forget to contact their state/district offices, too) and in one minute, send them a message. Just go here.
If your representative(s) gives you bloated, canned-ham responses or dismisses your concerns, then you have a job to do — find a new representative who understands and respects the will of the people.Cindy Canevaro is executive director of FairTax.org.


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She was born Aug. 19, 1920, at Delaware, to the late Ray and Maggie Keirsey Graves. She was a member of the Delaware First Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Braudrick, two brothers and one sister.
Survivors include three children, Bobby and Ruby Braudrick of Russellville, Billy and Betty Braudrick of Westfork, and Dale and Janet Braudrick of Springdale; one brother, Glendon Graves of Oklahoma City, Okla.; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, at the Delaware First Baptist Church with Bro. Wiley Jones officiating. Burial will be in Graves Cemetery in Delaware. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Family will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Delaware First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 70, Delawere, AR 72835.
Arrangements are by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online guestbook and condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.


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Thread: Sony debuts $1,500 SACD player with HDMI output
The Seventh Taylor said:Thanks for posting that.The article states "Sony's iLink did not deal directly with DSD, but a PCM (and inevitably degraded) representation of it."That's nonsense, isn't it?
Windsurfer said:..."Stereophile" ???? That will be the day! I simply cannot contain my contempt for "Stereophile". I think they are dedicated to the service of purveyors of expensive STEREO equipment with small lip service in the form of a small quarterly column from Kalman Rubinson dedicated to "surround sound" which as I see it, is the only thing in the magazine dedicated to the "service of music".First, their music reviews are almost non-existent, second their columnists are almost frothing at the mouth with disdain for sacd and especially for surround - as per Sam Tellig: "I am a two channel sort of guy" from a review of an expensive Musical Fidelity piece.I am currently a subscriber but that won't last!
andrewb said:There was a very good review about the XA9000ES when it first came out and as you say the Kalman Rubinson column is worthwhile.
soundboy said:Read the first professional review....http://www.techradar.com/products/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/cd-players-recorders/sony-scd-xa400es-465933/review?artc_pg=1
trntbl said:Did they listen to this player in stereo only? I couldn´t find any reference to multichannel performance. Not very professional, me thinks.kristian
pelley said:Evidently it's Japan-only for now, but with a U.S. release planned.http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/27/sony-debuts-1-500-sacd-player-with-hdmi-output/
el audiofilo said:Many people (as for example even some stereophile mag reviewers) are agree that the last Sony top sacd player (SCD-XA9000ES, $3000) sounds almost as natural, analog and realistic as the ten-times-more-expensive dCS sacd combo (that even mastering engineers agree that is the world best digital audio player sistem)Because the new Sony SCD-XA5400ES has balanced XLR analog outputs, their audio analog board and discrete components must be more professional (far better) than the XA9000ES. At only $1500 the SCD-XA5400ES would sound as good as the $30000 dCS sacd combo !!!!! I can´t wait for buy the new Sony, guy


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I feel great about my season so far and the way I have been swinging the bat. I have been working really hard as a hitter to put myself in this position. But what is more important to me is that I am doing my best to help put our team in a position to win.
What is also very important to me is that my knee is healthy this year. It is so important to have your legs underneath you when you are batting. It helps you generate power. Being healthy makes me available to be in the lineup every day. When it is my turn to hit, regardless of where I am batting in the order, I am ready to hit.
I am not really affected by where I am hitting in our lineup. As long as I am in the lineup, I will hit eighth or sixth, or wherever. When they give me a good pitch, I take a good swing. What is most important is helping the team to win.
Being comfortable in the batter's box has a lot to do with success. When you are comfortable at the plate, you see the ball really well. Sometimes when you are at the plate, you are trying to get comfortable. That affects how you see the ball. When you are comfortable at the plate, that is one less thing you have to worry about. Then you just worry about hitting the ball, but you feel good about that because you are seeing the ball well.
The home runs I have hit have been a combination of hitting balls out at home and hitting balls out on the road. That is important to me. It is important that I haven't just hit them all at home or all on the road. That goes back to being comfortable at the plate. They have also been spread out, too.
I have had some seasons with a lot of home runs, but I don't know right now if I am in that kind of groove. It is still early, and I will need some more time to see. I am going to take this one day at a time. I don't want to think about September. There are a lot of games left, so I just want to see what happens.
What also goes with hitting well is having your teammates behind you, having your teammates protect you. We have some good hitters here. It is still early, and some guys who have proven that they can hit will come around. We want to be hitting together.
In all, it is a lot of fun to go to home plate right now.
Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who has hit as many as 46 homers in one season, is tied for the Major League lead in long balls. Closing in on career game No. 1,500, Soriano has hit 11 of his team's 26 homers this season.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Specialized gun shops, super sporting goods stores and even big-box retailers are enduring a big-time demand for firearms ammunition as First Coast gun owners are buying up most of the bullets they can find.
"There's a complete run on ammo and guns," said Paul Rukab, who has owned St. Nicholas Gun & Sporting Goods on Jacksonville's Blanding Boulevard for 22 years.
Bullets are leaving the store as soon as trucks arrive with new stock at local Walmarts and stores like Dick's Sporting Goods and Academy Sports. Ammunition for long rifles and handguns is in highest demand.
Gun sales spiked after the shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., in December and the resulting discussion about tighter gun controls. But now, ammunition is becoming even more scarce than the weapons.
Rukab said many of his customers tell him that they're concerned there will be a new tax on ammunition or there could be limits on how much a single customer can buy, so they're stockpiling now.
"People are scared," Rukab said.
Mike Bazinet is the spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association representing 8,300 ammunition distributors and manufacturers nationwide. From his administrative office in — of all places — Newtown, Bazinet said demand for ammunition is currently outstripping most production by manufacturers.
"We have heard many reports of spot shortages of some popular calibers of ammunition at various locations and retailers across the country," Bazinet said. "The ammunition manufacturers are well aware of the shortages and they are working diligently."
Not diligently enough for some gun owners.
Rukab said he has had to impose some measures they worry the government will enact. He's instituted one- or two-box limits for customers on many calibers of bullets, such as .22, .380 or 9mm rounds. He's already jacked up the price per box because distributors are increasing the wholesale charge. What was a $17 box of 9mm ammo now goes for about $20 at St. Nicholas.
"A week or two ago, I was out of just about every caliber," Rukab said Tuesday. ".22s are almost impossible to find."
The only segment of ammunition that hasn't reported shortages is hunting shells for shotguns, Bazinet said.
A Beaches man and Navy veteran who asked to withhold his identity because of his association with the military is an avid gun user. He said he simply can't get rounds for his .357 Ruger revolver.
"People are waiting for the trucks to come in" to stores, he said. "How can we possibly sell that much to that many people?"
He said he generally enjoys his gun for sport shooting at targets and said he's never witnessed such a run on ammo.
"It's insane," he said.
Police are taking notice.
"I think it's just a case of mass hysteria," said Neptune Beach Police Chief David Sembach. "I don't really see a need for anybody to go out and buy extra ammunition."
Sembach, who's been chief for eight years and before that was a 35-year-veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (where he rose to chief of patrol for the Westside), said he's seen gun and ammunition runs before. The most notable was in the 1990s, during the assault weapons ban enacted under the administration of President Bill Clinton.
Sembach said the current "hysteria" is uncalled for.
"I don't' see where government's going to come around and take anybody's guns. I don't see any revolution," he said. "I just don't understand it and there are a lot of people who don't truly understand what's going on."
Ultimately, Sembach said just because there's more ammo on the streets doesn't mean there are more guns. He added he's not overly concerned about the mounting purchases of ammunition, but he hopes consumers calm down.
Local agencies say they have plenty of ammunition. But St. Johns County Sheriff's spokesman Chuck Mulligan said preparations are already being made to order earlier than normal to account for any possible delays in delivery from the distributors they order from directly.
"We may very well be looking at ordering in advance," Mulligan said, "because it could put us out of sorts."
Bazinet says manufacturing will see to it that it won't be the case.
"In order to produce ammunition, you have to do so it safely. Then you want to ship ammunition in quality and quantity that the citizens demand," he said. "With time, the supply and demand should come back into balance."
However long it takes for supply and demand to stabilize, Rukab said the current run on bullets will be hard to top.
"I've never seen it this bad," he said.


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Jus call me Lexy & im kewl w/ dat!
qwik info:
i'm like, 95 lbs, & 5'4...i'm 14...i like pickles...my fave song is "Only One" by Yellowcard, & it never gets old!!!! i hav some animals...dogs, cats, a bird, & a fish...cats are evil, i dunno why we have any...lol...one of my fave movies is the notebook, but it's not my very fave...currently single, call me! lol, j/k...i like 2 write songs & poems,thats fun, & probably something i will pursue...well, i'll ttyl!
~*~*~i used 2 believe in fairy tales until i found out they were in the fiction section~*~*~


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No More Rabbit Ears: The Leaf Antenna by Mohu
I'll be honest, I can think of few things less sexy to review than an antenna. This isn't because they're not useful, it's just without a lot of specialized equipment, there isn't much I can say about them.
I live in The Valley, with a direct line of sight to the HDTV transmitters that cover all of Los Angeles. On the clear day each year, I can see Mt. Wilson from my front door. TV reception is so good, I could stick my finger in a TV's antenna input and my dome could probably pull in a signal. Picture that for a second.
But The Leaf by Mohu is actually kinda cool, and looks very different from any antenna I've seen.
The Leaf is an indoor TV antenna that is - quite literally - paper-thin: 0.04-inches thick. It's flexible too, as if someone laminated a piece of 9x11.5-inch construction paper. Inside, presumably, are a bunch of wires, but you'd never know by looking at it. If it weren't for the coax cable coming out the bottom (top? edge? it doesn't matter) it could be mistaken for a placemat from Ikea.
According to Mohu, The Leaf was designed by "experienced antenna engineers who have been designing antennas for the US military for years." Their sister company, GreenWave Scientific, builds some truly freaky looking antennas that appear menacing enough to scare feeble children, ne'er-do-wells, and/or your average politician (I know, I know, redundant).
Installation is the interesting thing. Because it's flexible, omnidirectional, and dichromatic (or, you might say, bendy, works in all directions, and is black on one side, white on the other) you can mount it in a lot of places a normal antenna would look sad. Think rabbit ears. Those things never exactly exuded "high style." One of the examples Mohu shows on their website involves mounting (really, sticking) The Leaf flush under a cabinet for a kitchen TV. Cool. Given its flatness, you could really mount it anywhere out of sight.
I connected The Leaf to a 50-inch Panasonic plasma, because it was there. Feel free to connect your The Leaf to whatever TV you see The fit. A quick channel scan later, and I had free HDTV. A whopping 113 digital channels (!). Whenever you're upgrading from a different antenna, you should always do another channel scan. You never know what may turn up.
Compared to an old active Terk antenna I've had kicking around for years, The Leaf was unfazed by placement or direction. Any orientation pulled in signal, with no blips in picture. The only way I could flummox the thing was by spinning it around in my hand, which, as you can imagine, is ridiculous. So instead, I held it still and spun myself around. Surprisingly, no change.
I slid The Leaf into a nearby bookcase. Other than the protruding coax cable (easily hideable, if a clean install is your goal), it was invisible and still pulled in perfect signal.
The problem with ATSC signals (like all digital transmissions) is that you either get 'em or you don't. I can't speak to The Leaf's performance at the edges of signal range. If you have an antenna now, and you occasionally get dropouts or metablocking, I can't say if The Leaf would be better or worse. It's worth a shot, though, as whatever wafer-thin-mint magic they've got going on inside this thing seems to work pretty well.
If you're looking to find out more about what free HDTV channels you can receive in your area, check out antennaweb.org, or the really nerd-cool TVFool.com.
For $50 The Leaf certainly isn't cheap, but its fantastic flexyformfactor (TM, by me, just now) is certainly worth a premium. For a second TV in a weird location, or even a slick behind-the-screen install with a wall-mounted flat-screen, you should definitely check out The Leaf.


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Cecilia Stone was 21 years old when Olympic bronze medalist John Carlos raised a gloved fist in a controversial human rights salute during the 200-meter medal ceremony at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
"It was very important, and probably at my age then I didn't understand it all," Stone said before Carlos spoke at a Pittsburg event on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, one of several activities that took place Monday in Contra Costa County.
She and her husband, Tim Stone, were among several hundred people who heard Carlos give the event's keynote speech at the Creative Arts Building at Pittsburg High School after an earlier rally and march to celebrate King's legacy. The event also featured Latino Unidos dancers, poetry by three high-school winners of a spoken-word contest and gospel singers.
Carlos recounted the fist raising, a salute that was echoed by gold medalist Tommie Smith, as an "enormously powerful" yet nonviolent gesture meant to draw from King's approach to improving civil rights without resorting to violence.
"That was why there was the glove (based) on the message that Dr. King gave me," Carlos said. "Dr. King is in each and every one of us if we take his values."
Carlos was introduced by Eddie Hart, a Pittsburg resident who was on the track team that won the 4×100 relay race at the 1972 Summer Olympics. "He did it as a way of speaking out against injustice," Hart said of the raised-glove salute.
The MLK event in Pittsburg is now in its 10th year.
"It's close to our hearts. It really brings the community together," said Stone, a longtime Pittsburg resident.
In El Cerrito, hundreds turned out for the 24th annual parade and celebration, the longest running MLK Day event in West Contra Costa County.
Capt. Leslie "Les" Williams, 94, watched the ceremony and chatted with parents and kids at the El Cerrito High School Performing Arts Center. Williams was the first graduate of the bomber program at Tuskegee, which trained African-American pilots during World War II.
"Les was one of the pioneers toward breaking the segregation of our armed forces," said Jay Richardson, vice president of the Bill Campbell Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.
In Richmond, city officials estimated that more than 1,000 people turned out for the sixth Annual MLK Service Day event on the Richmond Greenway. Two stages rocked with live performances, including music, spoken word poetry and speeches, while hundreds of volunteers planted seeds and pruned the greenway, which runs through the city's Iron Triangle neighborhood.
"This is a sight that would bring tears to Dr. King's eyes," said Otheree Christian, president of the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council. "People of all colors and backgrounds are planting seeds in the ground and seeds of love in the community."
Residents strolled through greenway gardens lined with placards featuring the late civil rights leader's most famous quotes. Sounds ranged from classic Chuck Berry riffs to a solemn sermon by local activist the Rev. Phil Lawson.
In Hercules, hundreds gathered in the Hercules Middle School Auditorium for a program celebrating King's legacy. The keynote speech by Contra Costa College President Denise Noldon focused on love, education and empathy as gateways toward a more just and harmonious society, which she called an "ongoing democratic project."
Antioch's fifth annual tribute to King took place at Deer Valley High School. Musical and comedic acts from Deer Valley students were woven together with inspirational speakers and quotes from the civil rights leader.
Keynote speaker and Los Medanos College professor Silvester Henderson stressed the need for an alternative model of education to inspire young people to fulfill King's dream of building safe, healthy and thriving communities. He urged educators and parents to encourage local youth to pursue career paths that are based on service, communication and entertainment.
Antioch Mayor Wade Harper said that remembering King's legacy is about encouraging everyone to stand against injustice and evil, even if it is not directed at them personally.
"This is a national holiday that should actually mean something to us," he said.
Staff writers Robert Rogers and Paula King contributed to this report. Contact Eve Mitchell at 925-779-7189. Follow her at Twitter.com/EastCounty_Girl.


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Just when I thought it was safe to go on to another subject, we have yet another attempt to draw our kids down the wrong alley. Picture this: a white powder that comes in a clear vial. It's sold with a mirror and fake credit card. The product is called "Blow," one of the street names for cocaine. It's a powdered energy drink, and the obvious comparison to cocaine is alarming.
The advertising is very pro drug culture, designed to entice and to look at drugs and drug behavior as cool and glamorous. Not only that, but each drink is like having almost 7 cans of Coca Cola, with 240 milligrams of caffeine – downright dangerous!
When the company's owner was challenged, he said: "Parents that think it's despicable are typically the parents that don't want to take personal responsibility for educating their children about drugs and addiction in general."
That is a load of garbage. How can parents deal with their children's constant brainwashing with the Disney girl behaviors and power drinks that mimic drugs? How can families insulate themselves from the forces attempting to make a profit as well as have access to ever new markets for sexual exploitation and drug sales – legal or otherwise?


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|Country of Origin Information Report - Nigeria
|United Kingdom: Home Office
|Publication Date
|6 April 2011
|Arbitrary arrest and detention | Armed groups / Militias / Paramilitary forces / Resistance movements | Christian | Corruption | Criminal justice | Death penalty | Discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnicity | Extrajudicial executions | Female genital mutilation (FGM) | Freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment | Freedom of assembly and association | Freedom of expression | Freedom of movement | Freedom of religion | Freedom of speech | HIV and AIDS | Harmful traditional practices | Housing, land and property rights (HLP) | Independence of judiciary | Internally displaced persons (IDPs) | Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) | Mental health | Muslim | Non-state agents of persecution | Persons with disabilities | Police | Prison or detention conditions | Public health | Refugees | Rejected asylum-seekers | Right to a nationality | SGBV | Sharia law | Social group discrimination | Trafficking in persons | Women's rights
|Cite as
|United Kingdom: Home Office, Country of Origin Information Report - Nigeria, 6 April 2011, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/4da802c22db.html [accessed 22 January 2018]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.


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Rescue is a game in which you rescue girls from cave monsters. Playing the part of the hero, your main assets for success are agility and rope.
Jaksta Music Converter for Mac is an easy-to-use iPad/iPhone-friendly music converter. It converts to/from all popular audio formats, makes MP3s from video files, batch converts multiple MP3s at one time, and includes a custom presets editor.
A tool for chatting and exchanging anonymous email and files securely.
A no-cost version of the Arkeia Virtual Appliance for use in VMWare environments.


text: The Tricept wedges feature CNC milled square grooves and a CNC milled hitting surface. All of the Tricept wedges are identical in shape and blade profile. However, understanding that turf and sand conditions often dictate the type of wedge that should be played, there are 12 different wedges in the Tricept Wedge System that allow the player to mix and match the sole width and loft that best fits their needs. The Tricept Black wedges have a sole width of .900", the Tricept Red wedges have a sole width of 1.05" and the Tricept Green wedges have a 1.20" sole width. Basically, the sole widths of the Tricept Wedges increase as the wedge lofts increase to aid in hitting the more difficult to use higher lofted wedges. However, the effective bounce angles of all the Tricept Wedges are relatively similar which allows the player to simply switch sole widths when playing under different course conditions without sacrificing the look and feel of the wedge they have devoted practice time to and have become familiar with. The Tricept wedge lofts overlap to allow a player to pick the best sole width based on the course conditions they play or fit their skill level. For example: A Tricept 56 degree wedge is available in all three sole width options, Black (for firmer sand/turf conditions and or highly skilled players), Red (for average sand/turf conditions and or low to mid handicap golfers), and Green (for loose sand and plush turf conditions and or mid to high handicap golfers). The ideal wedge set make up for most golfers regardless of skill level should include at least one moderately wide soled wedge in their golf bag. The Tricept Wedge Series solves this problem without the need to carry 2 or 3 different brands with different head shapes and effective bounce angles.


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major macro economic indicators
|2016 (e)
|2017 (f)
|GDP growth (%)
|Inflation (yearly average) (%)
|Budget balance (% GDP)
|Current account balance (% GDP)
|Public debt (% GDP)
(e) Estimate (f) Forecast
- Abundant and diversified natural resources (gas, gold, cotton)
- Low debt levels and confortable foreign exchange reserves
- Ambitious public investment programme
- Poor economic diversification and dependence on commodity prices
- Slow pace of reforms
- Under-developed banking sector and practice of directed credit
- State interventionism and difficult business climate
Risk Assessment
Growth sustained by public investment
Uzbekistan is expected to continue to be one of the most dynamic economies in the CIS in 2017, even if growth official data are probably overestimated. The public investment programme, aimed at improving industrial plant and infrastructures, particularly roads, should continue to sustain activity, especially in the construction sector. Industrial output (machines, light industry and agri-food) and services (almost 45% of GDP) are also expected to remain buoyant.
The contribution of exports (almost 20% of GDP) may be improved by a slight rise, compared to 2016, in prices for some Uzbek export products (gas, cotton, copper). Moreover, external demand is expected to be somewhat stronger (notably from China and Russia). Investment could be stimulated by the steps taken by the new Head of State, specifically the creation of a special economic zone (Urgut district). Meanwhile, the country will continue to benefit from Chinese interest in transport infrastructure on the "New Silk Road".
Household consumption (more than 50% of GDP) is expected to be sustained by higher social spending and wages, as well as a modest recovery in remittances by Uzbek expatriates in Russia (estimated at nearly 2 million), thus offsetting the adverse impact of higher prices on real income.
Inflation is set to remain high, fuelled by the soum's steady depreciation and higher utility prices (water, gas, electricity) announced in October 2016.
Enduring slight budget deficit and current account only just in equilibrium
The government is expected to continue its policy of supporting activity in 2017. Increases in wages and social spending are expected to moderate, but public investment is likely to continue to climb. Export income may increase a little, but tax revenues could fall because of lower tax rates on some businesses under the 2017 budget. Public debt levels will remain low.
Uzbek exports are expected to increase , thanks to a modest recovery of growth in Russia and relatively high activity levels in China, even though these are not expected to accelerate. The price of gold, Uzbekistan's leading export product and for other exports (cotton, gas) may be somewhat higher than in 2016. Import might also grow. Increased remittances from expatriates workers in Russia may, nonetheless, help prevent the current account balance from worsening.
The gradual depreciation of the soum against the dollar is set to continue in 2017, notably because of ongoing liberalisation of the exchange rate system by the authorities from 2016. The comfortable foreign exchange reserves (around 15 months of imports, including gold) shield the country from financial tensions.
The underdeveloped banking system is tightly controlled by the State, especially its lending policy, which weakens the quality of its portfolios. However, the sector will be supported by the government in the event of any difficulties.
A succession which is not expected to fundamentally change the political landscape or to modify the business climate which will remain difficult despite the announced reforms
The death in September 2016 of Islam Karimov, in power since the country became independent, brought Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the position of head of state, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution, which provides for the takeover as temporary head of state by the President of the Senate. Therafter, Mr Mirziyoyev won with a comfortable majority (89% of votes) the presidential election held on 4 December 2016. He is likely to continue the policies of his predecessor founded on a strong State, ensuring political stability. Meanwhile, he seems be willing to restart negotiations with neighbouring countries, notably Kirghizstan and Tajikistan, which would help reduce regional tensions.
The risk of a rise in Islamist groups is likely to persist. Meanwhile, poverty, unemployment and restrictions on freedom provide fertile ground for protests by a very young population (almost half are under 25).
The new president, who is more positive about economic reform, could, however, take steps to encourage investors. The grip of public bodies on the economy and the high level of corruption (ranked 187th out of 204 by the World Bank), is likely to continue to affect the business climate.


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Chicago's auto show has long had a dual nature. Although it is mostly centered upon passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles also play a large role at the show. Ford used last year's event to launch its Transit Connect in North America, and launched two new versions of the vanlet at the 2010 show.
Perhaps the most significant of the two is the Transit Connect Electric, the company's first battery-electric production vehicle. Converted by supplier Azure Dynamics, the van is propelled by a 55-kW AC motor powered by a 28-kWh battery pack mounted underneath the cargo floor. A full charge — which can take between 6-8 hours to perform, depending on voltage input — should provide roughly 80 miles of range, making the vehicle ideal for small deliveries within large metropolitan cities.
Unless you pop the hood or rip up the flooring, you'll have a hard time identifying the Electric Connect from its gas-powered brethren. Cargo space is virtually unaffected, although commercial clients should note they'll be forced to haul a little less weight in back. Although the GVWR won't change, the addition of the battery cells adds roughly 600 pounds to the curb weight, which forces payload to shrink slightly to 1000 pounds.
Presently, the EV will only be offered as a cargo van, although Azure says it is working on a five-passenger version. Ford will manufacture gliders — vans sans powertrains — in Turkey, while Azure will install the EV driveline in Michigan.
Of the various roles the Transit Connect can play, the part of "taxi" seems to be the most logical. Not only is Ford's darling of the livery fleet — the Crown Victoria — finally on its way out, but the Transit Connect offers plenty of interior space.
Most of that space, admittedly, is focused on the passenger. The tall position of the rear seats allows passengers to quickly slide in and out — no ducking or climbing involved — a feature improved by the tall dual sliding doors. Shoppers will appreciate the room inside; it's amazingly easy to enter and exit with bags in hand, and there's an extra 78.1 cubic feet — almost four times that of a Crown Vic — located in back.
There's plenty for drivers to appreciate, too. A tall roofline grants plenty of headroom, while a shelf against the header panel facilitates extra storage. The front passenger seat can be folded flat to use as a writing surface or workstation, and Ford's Work Solutions system is an available option.
Seeing as cabbies rarely take the same route twice, this isn't a logical segment to apply Azure Dynamic's drive technology. But for fleets that love alternate fuels or cities that mandate it, Ford will offer a prep package that readies the Transit Connect's 2.0-liter I-4 to run on CNG or propane.


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Melanie Vest Provides a Daily Dose of Leadership: Women to Watch
We're sharing the best advice on leadership our Women to Watch have to offer.
One a day until our next honoree is named.
Today, Melanie Vest, CFO at DATCU in Denton, Texas, shares some advice on getting the most out of your team.
And check out all the winners so far, and more, at our Women to Watch site.


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Critical Overview
(Short Stories for Students)
Shortly after Stockton published "The Lady, or the Tiger?,'' he and his wife left on an extended European vacation. Thus, he missed much of the initial debate that swirled around his story. Martin Griffin in his 1939 biography of Stockton said that "notices of the strange dilemma proposed by the story began to appear in newspapers and critical reviews." The poet Robert Browning believed the man chose the door with the tiger, and Griffin suggested that Stockton weighted the story towards that conclusion. Many other readers, famous and not-so-famous, debated the ending in various public and literary forums. The controversy was so vibrant that when Stockton returned to the United States he was deluged with letters. In response to the story's popularity, he wrote a similar story with a trick ending called "The Discourager of Hesitancy." In another story, "His Wife's Deceased Sister," Stockton tells the story of a writer who writes a wildly popular story and is never able to achieve that level of success again.
Critic Henry Vedder wrote in his 1895 book, American Fiction To-Day, about how the story became a social fad and commended Stockton on his commercial shrewdness and his skill as a writer of short fiction. As tastes changed in the twentieth century and modernism exerted its hold over literature, stories like Stockton's became antiquated and were considered relics of an earlier, less relevant time. Stockton had worried about this all along, yet the...
(The entire section is 465 words.)


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In case you missed it, the No. 6 Hogs will face the No. 8 Kansas State Wildcats in the Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. I would have liked to have seen an Arkansas-Oklahoma matchup; am I foolish for resting my hopes on the BCS and its bowls? Some people seem to think the system is flawed.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham named Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee head coach on Sunday.
And, last but certainly not least, Arkansas State head coach Hugh Freeze is Houston Nutt's replacement at Ole Miss.
"Freeze, a former Ole Miss assistant who coached Arkansas State to a 10-2 record this season, was offered the job Sunday and accepted it this morning," writes Hugh Kellenberger of the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger.


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Results 1 to 10 of 37
Another reminder to wear your life vests!!!!!!
Just read a 14 year old boy was swimming in Lake Lanier a few weeks ago and went under in front of his family and a good many people. Father jumped in to save him and met the same fate.
I consider myself an EXCELLENT swimmer, but things like this really make you wonder if it is ever worth the risk to not wear a life jacket when out of the boat.
I read that they were swimming to a island or something similar. Article said it was about 60 yards away.
Don't mean to be Debbie Downer, but be careful folks!!-Mark
Tow w/: Volkswagen Touareg V8
Mods: Stereo, Stainless Cup Holders and Thru Hulls, Chrome Steering Wheel, EZ Nets, Moomba Etched Cleats
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, bc your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
-John Wooden
04-19-2012, 12:57 PM #2Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Newnan, GA
- Posts
- 186
I have a rule that you can not jump off my boat with out a life jacket on or in your hand. I do not allow swimming without something on or in your hand.
I did do a bone head move a few weeks ago camping. I anchor off shore and had to swim to go get my bow line. (No life jacket on) I got tired and could not swim anymore. I had to float on my back until I got my breath back. The entire time I'm thinking to myself how stupid I was for doing that.
A quick lack of judgment can cost you your life!!2015 Supra SE 550
I really go by 2 schools of thought on this one:
if you are just jumping in to cool off or take a leak, I'm fine with no jacket on. that's your call as to whether or not you think you can float around for 5 minutes and not go under with a boatload of people around you.
if you are jumping in and plan on swimming around and venturing more than 10ft or so away, then I recommend you put on a jacket, but again, I leave that up to the individual.
we have docks at the lake I frequent and I spend hours in a day jumping in the water to cool off and don't ever wear a jacket, but the occasions that I have had to swim to another dock or across a small cove, I jacket it up.
I really leave it up to the individual person. I know my limits and think that others should know theirs.'06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten
That's a terrible story. Spouse is bad enough but to lose a child and spouse in same incident is almost unthinkable. It's the time of year thou that these stories become much to frequent.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkJason
Go Hard or Go Home.......it's MOOMBA time!!
2009 Moomba Mobius LSV
04-19-2012, 04:11 PM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- Newnan, GA
- Posts
- 186
When I was a kid my my dad took my sister and i swimming. The place was called indian Lake, the name has changed many times over the years. As I was swimming I felt something brush up agains me. I told my dad and he felt around and pulled this guy out of the water. He called for a life gaurd and they got him on a board and brought him to shore. I will never forget what that guy looked like, he was swelled up and blue and puple. The water depth was only chest deep on an adult and that guy still died. I guss that is why I am so anal.2015 Supra SE 550
yz2, honestly, I don't know how you ever got back in the water. That's beyond comprehension.
Lake Lanier is beautiful but can be a scary place. There were 17 deaths on that lake last year. It's claimed to be the busiest man-made lake in the Southeast and is frequented by many inexperienced people and has such a huge array of watercraft from kayaks to 40ft cabin cruisers to houseboats and many of the dreaded jet skis.
Thanks guys for the thoughts. Certainly has made me re-evaluate my rules.
With the water temperatures still on the cool side, hypothermia can be experienced if you in the water long enough. Cold water can also affect your muscles and your motor skills.
http://www.usps.org/national/ensign/...ypothermia.htm1998 Mobius
Sandm: I am on the same line of thinking you are. I think it is extremely important for everyone to be well aware of their limits. But its the children that we all need to be mindful of. Even us adults can overestimate ourselves. I remember two years ago swimming up on Lake Hartwell after I jumped off one of their cliffs maybe 50 yards. The water was kinda rough for some reason and while I didn't get into any trouble, it did make me tired. I thought at that point that this is how people drown and ever since then you will rarely see me swim any distance without at least a light ski vest on.
Zabooda: Interesting you bring that up, in one of the articles the Fire Chief in Hall County (Where Lake Lanier is located) said that a person can die of hypothermia within an hour in 50 degree water. Almost doesn't sound possible, but I think the point of being safe around water remains the same.-Mark
Tow w/: Volkswagen Touareg V8
Mods: Stereo, Stainless Cup Holders and Thru Hulls, Chrome Steering Wheel, EZ Nets, Moomba Etched Cleats
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, bc your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
-John Wooden
I dont have kids on my boat but maybe twice a year. Every parent that has been on the boat has made their kid, irregardless if age and abilities wear a jacket, even when just cooling off.
One has to be aware of alcohol consumption as well and make recommendations as needed..'06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten
from reading all this it seems im way to relaxed on this subject. i dont really have any rules for this and have never even given it thought. most of the time when we anchor and jump in to swim people want a jacket or something to float on without anyone having to tell them, it just makes it easier to handle your beer when you dont have to tread water the whole time.
when people jump in to cool off or pee thee usually never get too far from the boat or just hang off the swim platform.
hell i hung off the platform while we idled through a no wake zone to relieve myself...i know some of yall are thinking im an idiot right now hahaDavid
2017 Moomba Mojo Max Surf Edition, 2 Pair Wetsounds Rev10s powered by an SD2, 6 paid Wetsounds XS650M and Wetsounds WS12 powered by SD6 all controlled by a WS420.
SOLD***2008 Mobius LSV, Gravity III , Wake Plate, Z5, Exile SX65c's, Exile XM9s, Exile XI12D, Exile Javelin, Exile 30.2***SOLD


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Explore these upper primary activities which focus on making, recognising, continuing and explaining number patterns. Trying to explain why the pattern occurs will really deepen your understanding of the situation.
How do you know if your set of dominoes is complete?
An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.
In this activity, the computer chooses a times table and shifts it. Can you work out the table and the shift each time?


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Your browser does not support iframes.
What is our world coming to?
We have young men killing one another, police officers shooting citizens, citizens shooting police officers. We have people living in poverty, and Lancaster County has a homeless population that no one even notices.
Drugs and violence have sucked the life out of our communities, and people are losing their jobs and their homes, or struggling to make ends meet working more than one job. We have countries getting the upper hand on us. We have terrorism running rampant.
Mick Mulvaney has enjoyed a six-year vacation in Washington, D.C., and it is time he returns home! His plan is to move into the governor's office in two years anyway.
He cannot show one thing that he has accomplished for this state and, worse, he has voted against our military's budget. Mulvaney says he voted against a defense bill because it was a terrible bargain and that he has encouraged Republicans to freeze or reduce defense spending.
Shame on Founders Federal Credit Union.
To end your Employee Appreciation Celebration at 9 p.m. on an October Saturday night in the City of Lancaster with a fireworks display – not firecrackers or sparklers, but loud, explosive booms that shook the house – is unconscionable. Really!
I am writing to support Jackie Harris for reelection to Lancaster City Council District 3.
I have known Mrs. Harris since our childhood, tirelessly riding our bikes up and down Clinton Avenue and singing in the youth choir at Mt. Zion AME Zion Church. As time transitioned us into adulthood, her passion for children, families and the community led her to become the civil servant she now is.
Ms. Jenny Thompson Bridges, the mother of Yusuf Abdus-Salaam, has my sympathy for the loss of her son.
She has earned my admiration for not blaming the firearm that killed him, as is so often done to advance a political agenda. Ms. Tina Thompson Rivers, Yusuf's older sister, showed clarity and courage when she acknowledged that the choices her brother made contributed to the tragic outcome.
Don't answer your door late at night. Ask who it is. If there's no answer, call the police.
When you go to the grocery store, don't leave your pocketbook in the cart while shopping. If you get a phone call saying you won a lot of money but you have to send money to them, it is a scam.
Check on other elderly people and neighbors. When you walk or come home late at night, have someone with you. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Carl M. Miles
The writer is a guidance counselor and basketball coach at Lancaster High School.
I'm writing to support Jackie Harris for Lancaster City Council District 3.
I have known Mrs. Harris since I was a teenager asking permission to play basketball at the Lancaster Children's Home in the '90s. After I graduated from college, my first full-time employment was there. I got to know Mrs. Harris and the true love she showed for children.
I'd like to reply to two points in William St. Louis's column in the Oct. 5 paper headlined "My take on guns, God and Trump."
First, Mr. St. Louis doesn't know why we have a Second Amendment. There can never be too many weapons in a citizen's possession. It's our right. We have them to keep our government from becoming a dictatorship.
I am disgusted with how Donald Trump is conducting his campaign.
I have watched him encourage people in the audience to physically attack protesters. I have watched him shake his hands, his body and make facial gestures to make fun of a disabled person. And when I saw women on stage wearing shirts asking Trump to touch private parts of their body, I was sick to my stomach.
And yet we have a Lancaster pastor claiming that as disgusted as he is with both Trump and Hillary Clinton, he will vote for Trump because he doesn't want Clinton to be elected.
Usually I write about how the left is corrupt or how their programs destroy America. Surprise! This is about my loathing for the Republican Party.
Ever since the tape of Trump talking about women appeared, the party without a backbone has started to withdraw support from him.
House Speaker Paul Ryan and other members of Congress have come out on their high horses. Oh, they are shocked at such language! Why, how Neanderthal he is! He's degrading women! We, as a party of saints, must ostracize him from our ranks.
Copyright © 2018
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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The announcement was made jointly today by Sharon Trusty-Kronberger, chairman of the hospital's Board of Trustees, and Mark Medley, president of the Hospital Division of Capella Healthcare, of which SMRMC is a part.
"Donnie will be a great fit for our community," Trusty-Kronberger said. "During the interview process, we were impressed with Donnie's commitment to quality as well as his experience in physician relations, strategic planning and project management. His significant experience in a variety of settings will help us continue to grow Saint Mary's presence in this region."
"The coming years will undoubtedly be the most challenging we've ever experienced in health care," Medley said. "Providing the highest quality of care and exceeding our constituents' expectations – all while lowering the cost of care and expanding access — will
demand new expertise and a fresh perspective. Since announcing in January that the decision had been made to make a change in leadership, we launched a national search, involving board members, physicians and employees in the interview process. We believe Donnie Frederic is the right leader to take us forward. I am confident this change will lead to Saint Mary's becoming even more successful for the benefit of its patients, employees, physicians, the Russellville community and the entire River Valley region."
Frederic comes to Saint Mary's from Louisiana Medical Center and Heart Hospital, a 137-bed acute care hospital in Lacombe, La., where he has been president and CEO since January 2009. Prior to that, he served in senior leadership positions at a number of facilities,
including three in Arkansas — Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock as COO, Northwest Health System in Springdale as administrator and COO and Bates Medical Center in Bentonville as COO. He also served at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Il., as
CEO, Women's and Children's Hospital in Lafayette, La., as COO and Gulf Coast Medical Center in Wharton, Texas, as CEO.
Frederic earned his bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and his master's degree in health administration from the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans.
He began his career in health care as a purchasing agent at East Ascension Hospital in Gonzales, La., moving up to director of materials management at Hamilton Medical Center in Lafayette, La.
Frederic has earned fellowship status in the American College of Healthcare Executives and is active in the Louisiana Hospital Association. He has been active with the American Heart Association as well, serving on the Executive Board for the AHA Heart Walk.
"I think the announcement of Mr. Frederic as the new CEO of Saint Mary's will meet with the approval of the medical staff, the hospital staff, and the community as a whole," said Finley Turner, chief medical officer for Saint Mary's and a member of the National Physician Leadership Group for Capella Healthcare. "Mr. Frederic stated during the interview process that one of his major strengths was in relationship building, and this has been demonstrated in reviewing his record of work. In a community adjusting to the use of hospitalists for the first time, relationships within the community remain critical. Additionally, it falls upon the responsibility of
Saint Mary's to insure that we maintain relations with the physicians in our community at a time when there is less 'in-house' contact with our primary care practitioners. Mr. Frederic also indicated that he had been very successful in recruiting primary care physicians into the
communities that he served in the past. Russellville presently is in need of primary care help and it is anticipated that this need will continue to increase, as it has nationwide."
Frederic and his wife Jeanne, who is an RN and a medical technologist, will be moving to Russellville in the near future.
When Frederic starts, as had been previously announced, Mike McCoy will step into the role of COO, a position that will enable him to work more closely with staff on a daily basis. McCoy has been with Saint Mary's for 27 years, having served as CFO, CEO, and most recently as both CEO and COO.


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MLBAM and ISM launch official online shop of Major League Baseball in Japan.
By / MLB.com
SPiRE Inc. (with its principal office located in Minato-ku Tokyo, CEO: Tomonori Hayakawa, Securities Identification Code: 4309), its affiliated company International Sports Marketing Co., Ltd. (with its principal office located in Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Teiji Takagi) and MLB Advanced Media, LP (MLBAM), the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball have opened "MLB.JP Shop", the only official licensed online shop for Major League Baseball products in Japan. During the 2011 Major League Baseball Season, International Sports Marketing and MLBAM will donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of items in the MLB.JP Shop to the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.
The online shop will feature T-shirts, caps and uniforms of Ichiro, Hideki Matsui, Daisuke Matsuzaka and other Japanese players in Major League Baseball as well as various goods featuring all 30 Major League Baseball Clubs. In the near future, limited items like authentic autographs or signed goods will be available.
Fans can access "MLB.JP Shop" on a PC or mobile phone by following the guidelines below. We are also planning to make the shop available on smart phones.
Manabu Yamada, Director of International Sports Marketing said, "We are extremely pleased to introduce the officially licensed Japanese Language Online Shop of MLB, 'MLBShop.JP', to the fans of Major League Baseball in Japan. We are fully committed to providing the best MLB experience online and hope to expand our business with MLBAM in the future."
"We are excited about partnering with ISM to launch MLBShop.jp, the first-ever web and mobile versions of the official online shop of Major League Baseball in Japan," said Alexander Pigeon, Vice President of International at MLBAM. "Through this partnership with ISM, we are able to provide MLB Fans in Japan with a fully customized Japanese language online shopping experience and efficient local delivery of official MLB merchandise."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Stolen sausage costume returned to bar
Guido the Italian Sausage is safe and sound. But not before this bizarre story took another twist.
Article continues below ...
Two people ran into T.J. Ryan's bar in downtown Cedarburg, Wis., on Wednesday night and dropped off the stolen costume, the bar confirmed to FOXSportsWisconsin.com. As the two were sprinting out the door, they told the bartender that she "didn't see anything."
The Italian Sausage was stolen Feb. 16 and spent that night barhopping throughout Cedarburg. Valued at $3,000, the costume was in the new multi-purpose building that houses the Milwaukee Curling Club during the city's Winter Fest when it was stolen from a back room, Cedarburg police detective Jeff Vahsholtz told FOXSportsWisconsin.com.
The thief then made an appearance, posing with fans in full costume sometime between 8:50 and 9:30 p.m. at T.J. Ryan's. Around midnight, the seven-foot costume was spotted at The Roadhouse bar in the Town of Cedarburg.
Police have been searching for both the costume and the thief ever since, but the Italian Sausage made no public appearances prior to Wednesday night.
Though somebody stealing one of Milwaukee-based Klement's Sausage's famous racing sausage costumes could generate a giggle from Milwaukee Brewers fans used to seeing the mascots race at games, Cedarburg police weren't viewing it as a laughing matter.
While the costume has been returned, the investigation into who stole the costume is still ongoing.
"We are looking at it as a theft," Vahsholtz said. "It would be no different than if you came in and stole my riding lawn mower or something out of my house."
One Wisconsin company wanted to see the sausages — staples throughout the community for numerous years — back together so badly that it was offering a very fitting reward.
Pleasant Prairie-based Mustard Girl was offering a year's supply — a case of 12 bottles of mustard a month — to anyone who returns the costume.
"We need our loved sausage racers back in one happy family," owner Jennifer Connor told FOXSportsWisconsin.com. "I hope this will bring the Italian Sausage racer back."
For its part, Klement's said it was working with the Cedarburg police to reclaim the costume, but also clearly saw the humor in the situation.
"This is the wurst of times," Rebecca Quella, director of marketing at Klement's, said in a statement. "We hope to welcome home Guido with an official celebration and are optimistic for his return. We look forward to the return of the missing link so he can join the rest of the Klement's Famous Racing Sausages in the local communities."


text:
Alert: Spoilers are included in this article.
I have been working at my job pretty close to nonstop for several weeks and needed a break and some levity. I sometimes enjoy mindless humor and was interested in seeing either Land of the Lost or Year One. Since nobody I know is interested in seeing Year One, I decided that if I was going to see a film alone, that would be the one to see. So, I went to the local Alamo Drafthouse where someone else could cook dinner for a change and I could have a drink and watch something that required no thought. (I feel compelled to mention I parked right next to Matt D's car, but I had no paper with me and was unable to leave a note. I didn't ever see Matt, but just to say, "Hey Matt! I saw your car last night!")
While I can't say Year One actually prompted too much thought, and it was about what I expected from Jack Black and Harold Ramis, it was not what I expected overall. I thought it was going to be a confused film about an ancient man in the ancient world with a thin plot about whatever. What it was, was a statement about religion and belief (or more to the point, unbelief and the reasons for unbelief). Since I had not the slightest clue I would be writing about this film, I made no notes. Any quotes I offer are purely paraphrases to the best of my memory. And most likely I'll have to visit IMDb to get the characters' names.
The theme of the film was very reminiscent of Life of Brian: A man, confused as being god's messenger, stumbles through a series of loosely written Bible tales, crossing paths with Old Testament legends and giving them a bit of a reinterpretation from an outsider's perspective.
In the film, the main character Zed is a tribe member in a group of hunter gatherers who live in an unspecified forest region. He is no hunter. He is no gatherer. But he is charming and funny and sometimes lucky (but mostly unlucky with a lucky twist). He has a way of making lemonade from life's lemons. His friend, Oh, may represent "Oh" in the "Eureka" sense. Of the two "Oh" is the one most likely to see the reality of what is actually happening or likely to happen; but what he can't predict are the random twists of fate that consistently turn Zed's harebrained plans into successes, even while things appear to get worse and worse for them.
Zed gets tired of the status quo and decides to shake things up. He can't be the best "male" in this society where brawn and physical prowess are that standards of quality, but he can be the smartest guy–just not with his current level of intellect. So, Zed decides to eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge. In the film, the tree is not about good and evil, but simply knowledge. Certainly the fruit looks magical enough, eerily florescent golden apple-like somethings. And Zed eats it despite the warnings of his friend, Oh, that it's "forbidden." Oh can't answer Zed's questions about why the fruit is forbidden–it's simply forbidden. And you don't eat forbidden things. That's not good enough for Zed. Clue number one that there were going be to some things examined: Someone was immediately challenging the idea that "forbidding" things without any understanding of why, is not justified.
Zed believes the fruit endows him with super-knowledge, but in reality there is nothing to demonstrate he is any more intelligent than he was before he ate it. He asks Oh to test him and he pretty well fails in the capacity to wisely answer any question Oh throws at him. "Where does the sun go at night?" Zed replies with "Pass. Next question."
Zed is found out and meets with the village shaman who tries to explain "forbidden," unsuccessfully, as well. But in the end Zed is banished and Oh ends up going with him. Oh explains there is little point in walking anywhere, because they'll only end up at the edge of the world–it's "general knowledge." When they come to the edge of a large canyon where they can see far out over the horizon, Oh realizes Zed was right to question the assumption about the world's edge.
They first meet Caine and Abel, which is somewhat uneventful except that it is the guys' first time seeing a "farmer" and someone who works in animal husbandry–forms of subsistence unfamiliar to them. And this is part of the film as well: As Zed travels, he begins to learn that there are many different views on topics thought to be "general knowledge." Caine is a bit bi-polar and ends up killing Abel and "inviting" Zed and Oh to dinner with the family–including Adam and Lilith, a lesbian–who represents yet another new view Zed has never encountered.
Caine takes Zed and Oh away, explaining that when Abel is found, they will be suspected as the killers, since they are "two drifters." They get their first ride on a cart and see, for the first time, a wheel. Caine is struck in the head by lightening, which leaves his famous "mark." But rather than be disappointed, Caine is excited: "Wow! What are the odds of that?! It didn't leave a mark, did it?"
Later Zed and Oh encounter "slavery" when they are sold by Caine as slaves. They run into some of the old villagers who have been taken as slaves as well, and Zed explains he has been chosen by god–referring to god as "He." One of the women from the village asks "Why do you assume god is a 'he'?" to which Zed gives Oh a condescending "do-you-believe-this-chick?" eye roll and says, "What do you even say to that!"
Zed, in a cage-cart traveling to the home of his new masters, asserts "Nobody can own a human being–except, I guess, for the guy who bought us." This brings up the question of moral rights versus the reality of a situation and reminded me of the scene in Life of Brian where one of the men rallies for the "right" of men to bear children.
The slave train is raided by Romans, and Zed and Oh escape and run up a sand dune. Later they decide to try to find the slaves, who are on their way to Sodom, and free them, since some of them were from their old tribe. They lose the caravan, and wander the desert, where Abraham comes into the story. It isn't hard to make Abraham look like a nut job without deviating all that much from the actual Bible stories. We first meet him as he's building a sacrificial pyre with son, Isaac. "Where is the sheep, dad?" Abraham replies, "The Lord will provide."
As Abraham begins to bind Isaac's wrists, Isaac says in a nervous voice, "What is this, dad? Is this some kind of magic trick?" When Abraham picks him up to put him atop the woodpile, Isaac begins to panic and says, "Is this about me not cleaning my tent last Thursday?! Because I'm really sorry!" Abraham insists god has commanded him to kill Isaac, to which Isaac rightly replies, "If god told you to jump off a bridge, would you do that?!"
The irony here is that we so often see the foolishness of what Isaac asserts–"would you jump off a bridge if so-and-so told you to?" But we, as a Christian culture, think nothing of idolizing a historic figure who would do far worse. Isaac's example of jumping off a bridge is nothing compared to what Abraham is about to do. Obviously Abraham is mad, and, since he would murder his own son, it's a safe bet he also would jump off a bridge for god.
Abraham raises a large knife and says some sacrificin' words, and just then we hear "STOP!" It's Zed and Oh. "What are you doing? Are you going to kill that kid?!"
Abraham looks embarrassed, half-heartedly tries to hide the knife, and says, "No. This is my son. We were just playing a game. It's called burney–burney, knifey knifey." Then he plucks up more courage and asserts god told him to sacrifice the boy, asking Zed, "Do you speak for the Lord?" To which Zed lights up and answers sincerely that he has been chosen by god, and that yes, he does speak for the Lord. Abraham accepts Zed's claim and praises god for sending a messenger to stay his hand and save Isaac. He invites them to dinner where he regales them with stories of the wicked twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and warns them that god has promised to destroy the cities. They are cities where people eat, drink, engage in all manner of debauchery, and where the streets are filled with whores. "Which city has the most whores?" Zed asks, "Uh, just so we know which one to avoid the most."
After a good feast and a lot of wine drinking, Abraham takes Zed and Oh and Isaac to a ridge where he announces that "all this land" has been given to him by god. Zed and Oh are impressed, but the cynical Isaac adds, as an aside to the strangers, "Yeah, but god forgot to tell anybody else about it–so, we're constantly having to fight somebody over it."
Abraham then announces that as a pact with god, he plans to circumcise all the males in his group, starting with himself, Isaac, Zed and Oh. "Circumcise? What is that?" Abraham describes what he intends, to which Zed and Oh are rightly appalled. But Zed, always rolling with the punches, says, "You know, Abe. We all had a lot to eat and drink tonight. And I'm sure this circumcision thing seems like a really cool idea to you right now. But why don't we sleep on it? In the morning, you know, we can always cut it off then, if you still think that's what you want to do…"
Zed and Oh escape, but hear poor Isaac screaming as they run off over the desert hills. Later Isaac catches up to them and leads them to Sodom if they promise to buy him drinks when they get there. Isaac explains that he and his buddies are always sneaking off to Sodom, loosely portrayed as an ancient Las Vegas, for a good time. Isaac abandons them at the gates and they are immediately arrested for disturbing the peace and find themselves facing a scary punishment at the hands of a particularly large, intimidating, and sadistic guard whom they continually encounter throughout the film.
They are saved by Caine, who has become a member of the Sodom guard and identifies them as his "brothers." They also become members of the guard. And one day, Zed fails to kneel when the procession of a beautiful princess passes. She notices this and admires it. Her step-father is the king of Sodom. Sodom is suffering from a drought that the high priest, advisor, and king are all concerned with. And in order to end the drought they are sacrificing virgins left and right, a "waste of perfectly good virgins!" according to Zed and Oh. Zed and Oh try to understand the sacrifice, and they ask about it. "So, it hasn't rained in a long time. And you need it to rain. So, you're burning women who have never had sex to death? How does that work, exactly?" To this, one bystander complains, "Look, I'm just here to enjoy the sacrifice with my family."
In Sodom there is a temple with a "Holy of Holies," which, in the Bible is actually part of the Hebrew temple. But like the temple in the Bible, anyone who enters the Holy of Holies will die. Zed's first introduction to the room is when the princess explains that she knew when he did not kneel that he was a man chosen by god who could enter the temple, without dying, and plead for an end to the drought–and that god will certainly hear him. Oh's first encounter is from the high priest who tells him that anyone, but the high priest, will die upon entering the room.
Oh: "Wow, so, you kinda hafta wonder whether the guys who finished building it died then, right? I mean, did they get like a grace-period second to get out of there or did they just die instantly as soon as they laid the last brick?"
The priest in perfect apologetic style answers, as though he knows, that "There was a four-second grace period."
Oh: "So, does it just kill people or does it kill animals as well? Like, if a fly gets in, would it just drop dead on the floor the second it enters?"
The priest confirms that it kills even animals.
Oh: "So, there are just dead bugs all over the floor in there?"
No, the priest explains, because they are "vaporized." They are vaporized, apparently by a "deadly vapory vapor thing that turns them to vapor."
It reminded me so much of my discussions with many theists.
Young Oh ends up in the temple hiding from the oppressive and gay high priest. Zed ends up in there at the prompting of the princess who feeds into his belief that he is special and chosen, and who promises to help free his friends if he will help her end the drought.
Zed takes it very seriously. Finally, the moment for which he was chosen has arrived–to meet and speak to god. He did not die upon entering the room. Clearly, he is the chosen one. Until he sees Oh hiding behind a pillar. Zed reasons that Oh is not dead because he is a friend of the chosen one. Oh, alternately, suggests he is alive because, perhaps there is actually "nothing" in the temple. And a serious, and loud, argument ensues.
They are caught and sentenced to be stoned to death. But Zed saves them when it dawns on him to ask the king, who is present at the stoning, a clever question: "Why didn't I die in the Holy of Holies? Because I'm the chosen one!" He manages to whip up the crowd so that the king is advised not to kill Zed and Oh, but they are sentenced to hard labor instead–which is portrayed unmistakeably as a scene right out of the classic film, Ten Commandments. Oh stomps mud in a pit, ala Charlton Heston, with another man who explains he's not a slave, but a "volunteer." This was reminiscent of the apologetic that slavery was so much nicer back in the day. Yes, I'm sure people were falling all over themselves to sign up!
Volunteer: "The mud is really great for your skin. Look how great my skin is. Ask me why I have such great skin. Go on, ask me."
Oh (in a tired, uninterested voice): "Why do you have such great skin?"
Volunteer: "The mud!"
Oh: "Yeah. I knew you were going to say that."
The volunteer then stretches and adds, "Man, gotta love bein' outside!"
The king then decides to sacrifice the princess and her two handmaids (fellow villagers of Zed's and Oh's), and Zed tries to save them. In a series of mishaps, he brings down a huge scaffolding, and Oh sees his opportunity, "A sign! It's a sign!" In the mayhem that follows, eventually none of the women is thrust into the fire (a firey bull's head), but the high priest ends up falling in covered in oil. A huge fireball results. The crowd is stunned and there is a moment of shock that Zed takes advantage of: "How about that by the high priest?! What a sacrifice he just made! Let's hear it for the high priest!" And he begins to clap. I couldn't help but be reminded of the idea of "sacrifice" and what it meant to be a high priest in days of yore when your "sacrifice" consisted of someone else's life! But tossing yourself into the fire? Now that would be a real sacrifice.
I can't promise everyone would like this movie. If you can't stomach Jack Black, don't even try. I can't claim it's deep or offers anything you probably haven't already considered. But I do think it offers a second look at some events that seem too familiar to too many. Christians who idolize Abraham for trying to kill his son should take note of what they might think, or have thought, if they had encountered this act as Zed did. Would they intervene or let this take place? "Well, I mean, if god said 'do it,
' I guess, go for it…?"
I have a feeling the film won't play long. But there is nothing visual about it that won't translate perfectly well to small screen. You won't lose anything by waiting for DVD release if you think you might like it. And, if you're up for a lighthearted view of religious history, you might find it entertaining.


text: I came across these prints while looking for a way to give my kids friendly reminders for things they frequently forget (like putting their toys away when they're done playing with them), and I immediately fell in love. I think all the sayings in this collection are things I repeat a million times a day, and if you have to say it, why not make it fun? Here are a few of my favorites; you can buy all these and several more from the artist's Etsy site.