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Phryne Fisher is doing one of her favorite things -dancing at the Green Mill (Melbourne's premier dance hall) to the music of Tintagel Stone's Jazzmakers, the band who taught St Vitus how to dance. And she's wearing a sparkling lobelia-coloured georgette dress. Nothing can flap the unflappable Phryne -especially on a dance floor with so many delectable partners. Nothing except death, that is.
The dance competition is trailing into its last hours when suddenly, in the middle of "Bye Bye Blackbird" a figure slumps to the ground. No shot was heard. Phryne, conscious of how narrowly the missile missed her own bare shoulder, back, and dress, investigates. This leads her into the dark smoky jazz clubs of Fitzroy, into the arms of eloquent strangers, and finally into the sky, as she follows a complicated family tragedy of the great War and the damaged men who came back from ANZAC cove. Phryne flies her Gypsy Moth Rigel into the Autralian Alps, where she meets a hermit with a dog called Lucky and a wombat living under his bunk.... and risks her life on the love between brothers.
©1993 Kerry Greenwood (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
"Australian crime fiction is becoming increasingly popular in North America, but Greenwood's series, thanks to its sparkling evocation of how the 1920s roared Down Under, manages to stand apart from the crowd. Anyone who hasn't discovered Phryne Fisher by now should start making up for lost time." (Booklist)
There are no listener reviews for this title yet.
"Enjoyable, fast-paced story"
I loved that this mystery is a light read set in the 1920's. In particular, the author started the story at a dance marathon. Between the written word and wonderful narration, you feel the pain of the remaining dance contestants as they use every last ounce of strength to win the contest.
I love that the characters were likeable and believable. I was surprised by some of the facts of the story. I even checked a couple of them on-line and found that they were accurate for the time period. That was fun!
Ms. Daniel brings the different social spheres to the listener via the wonderful and varied accents she uses. I'm sure the accents were written into the book, but hearing them just enriched the experience of the story. Very well done.
I did laugh at times. I felt a sense of wonder at the great outdoor scenes and felt the vastness of the places she describes. Although the plight of shell shocked soldiers was present and very well handled (both in story and narration), it did not devastate me to the point of tears (I take my reading very seriously, folks!). I have had enough tears in my life...I do not need more in my reading!
When you are in the mood for a light, well-written mystery, I definitely recommend this book. If the rest of the series is as good as this book, I have many hours of enjoyable listening in my very near future!
"The best so far"
This is the best Phryne Fisher story that I have heard so far. The mixture of that mad character, history lessons and always tongue-in-cheek story telling works so well,
Stephanie Daniel reads it very well and conveys the story with lightness and that same humour.
It could only be improved by removing those references to changes of CDs!
"Phryne Flies Again!"
The Green Mill Murder is the fifth Phryne Fisher adventure, and Kerry Greenwood has created a great plot involving an inventive murder method, a dance marathon, the killing of the wrong man, Phryne as intrepid aviatrix flying over the outback and the Australian Alps, and meeting a hermit who has been legally declared dead. Along the way we encounter blackmail, jealousy, an extremely dysfunctional family and attempted fratricide., and I can assure you that this book is lots of fun!
The descriptions of the outback and the extremely rough terrain of the mountains are particularly vivid. As usual, Phryne gets to the bottom of all the mysterious matters that crop up with elan and dash while distributing large doses of friendship, love and kindness to just about any person who needs them.
Stephanie Daniel does her usual excellent job of narration, employing a number of voices and accents. Some reviewers have complained about her singing. While her singing in the Phryne books is not the most beautiful I have ever heard, it is also not the worst. I think the suggestion of hiring a professional singer is a bit much, considering that the singing is a very small percentage of the text. Besides, I fear that the resulting increase in production costs would be passed along in a price increase for consumers.
This really is one of the really good Phryne Fisher books. Enjoy!!
"Wonderful Miss Fisher"
As with all the stories, it is beautifully written and wonderfully narrated! There are distinct voices and great descriptions.
"Best so far!"
I've been going through all of the Miss Fisher Mysteries in order and this one is the best so far. What a story! ...and the performance is excellent as always.
Really enjoyed this superbly read and written story. Actually checked some to the historical facts and couldn't fault them. Highly recommended
"Fantastic Phryne"
This is a great Phryne story with all of the delicious tid bits you expect from Kerry Greenwood.
Loved it!
"great story"
wonderful narration, interesting and believable characters. I confess I was greatly taken by the wombat.
"Very solid and enjoyable story!"
I haven't read the print version, but I do think that the narrator has a good range of voices and variety. The only issue I had was the Southern American accent. That's probably because I'm a Southerner, so the accent was quite off to me. Other than that, the reading is excellent.
I wish the books weren't so short though!
I really liked the description of flying and the plane-- I knew nothing about a Gypsy Moth plane, so I had to look it up.
There are very nice moments with the author at the end of the book too, so you can hear about her inspirations, and find out about details in the story. I like that the recording studio included those.
"Good fluffy fun"
These Phryne Fisher books are pure escape, but are well written and addictive. Can imagine most women would love to have her nerve, and her $$, power, brains, and beauty. Would be fun to get away with all she does.
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Accused Shoplifter Expected to Have a Lot of Safe Sex
Meet Alexandrea Brooks, a Cobb County, Georgia woman who police claim "infiltrated" a Walgreens (are the Walgreens in Georgia on lockdown? are they exclusive/members-only?) and stole 26 boxes of condoms, an ovulation test, and a few other items, totaling $562.68. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution thoughtfully provides the full list of Brooks' product selections. She sure is a brand loyalist:
* 5 boxes of Trojan Magnum gold collection condoms
* 1 box of Trojan Ultra Ribbed Condoms
* 5 boxes of Trojan Magnum Ecstasy Condoms
* 6 boxes of Trojan Magnum fire/ice Condoms
* 6 boxes of Trojan Magnum Thin Condoms
* 2 boxes of Trojan Magnum Lube
* 1 box of Trojan Ultra Thin/ Sens Condoms
* Walgreens Organic Cotton Balls
* Huggies Natural Care wipes
* 1 First Response Digital Ovulation Test Kit
But only when it comes to products, not drug store chains:
In September, in what may be a desperate attempt to turn back the hands of time, she visited a Mableton CVS and took nine Oil of Olay products.
It's good to shop around at different stores to take advantage of the sales—even if you don't plan on spending money, because a couple of pennies "saved" can mean the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony charge. At least that's what my mom taught me growing up.
We should give Brooks credit for trying to practice safe sex while protecting her skin from premature aging and dryness. Or are we jumping to conclusions about her intentions for the goods? Maybe she planned on opening up some sort of STD prevention clinic/low-budget spa in her house, or wanted to hand out condoms and lotion at her Halloween party. Or she's an artist who wanted to create an installation out of the condoms. Or she was building a floatation device. Or she enjoys making condom balloon dogs and selling them for 50 cents downtown. There's all sorts of things one could do with 26 boxes of condoms. Hours and hours of fun.

subset: commoncrawl


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First post, I have been using ZA free for quite a while & I have found it to be a good programme until recently.
I am now getting the "protection has expired" error.
I have never had a paid version on this computer.
I have done loads to try to diagnose this problem but it remains.
I have uninstalled, rebooted;
Run the clean utility, from the link given by chat support, rebooted;
Deleted all folders from the pc hdd in safe mode related to ZoneAlarm & those related to CheckPoint, rebooted;
Deleted all registry entries related to ZoneAlarm & Checkpoint, reboooted;
Undertook the manual removal instructions given by the chat support team, then rebooted.
Following this I created a new user account (admin level) and then rebooted the machine, then installed the latest version of zone alarm as given by chat support.
I still have the issue.
Anyone?... PLEASE!!!


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Why Trust God? (Part II)
Steve at Triablogue in The Servant King,responded to Why Trust in God? I will respond to him here.
Notice Steve didn't say anything about my claim that Job is not reporting historical conversations between God, Satan and Job.
But Steve does say: "How does he know that God's interaction with Satan had no larger motives than "winning a bet"? He doesn't. Loftus just assumes it, because that assumption helps him in making the God of Christianity look bad. It's not difficult to think of potential reasons for God to have done what He did. It's not difficult to think of potential benefits to Job and his family, indications of God's love for Job, etc. Does Loftus somehow know that Job's later blessings and his eternity in Heaven, for example, are outweighed by what he suffered for a portion of his life on earth? How would Loftus know such a thing? If Job's sufferings led to the glorifying of God, the improvement of Job's character, the further punishment of Satan, the instruction of millions of people who would later read the book of Job, etc., how can Loftus possibly know that Job shouldn't have been allowed to suffer?"
There's a lot in Job I don't have the time to comment on. But God merely says that Job is his faithful servant, blameless and a man who fears him. (1:7-9) After the first test, God later adds that Job maintained his integrity "even though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason (2:3)." Notice that God says there was no reason for the suffering brought on Job. God said it! This is gratuitous suffering without a point…"without any reason." That's why I said it was basically a bet with satan, for that's the only reason for God ruining Job for no reason. And the text says that God caused the suffering too, for God accepts responsibility for causing it. The question of the bet was whether or not Job would buckle and curse God. And I maintain that Steve's view of God already knew what Job would do. So my question was why did God accept the challenege in the first place, according to the story.
And Steve totally misses the carnage that God caused upon Job's family, as well as upon Job himself. All of his and his wife's sons and daughters were killed, as well as all of his sheep, camels and servants, except three of Job's servants. This happened, according to God "without any reason." And then Job was stricken with boils and had to deal with idiots who said the reason why this happened was because Job had sinned. "Without a reason." Nevermind there were other people involved. Like his children, servants, and his wife. His servants may have had families of their own, who suffered the loss of their loved ones. His wife advised him the only rational thing there was to do: "Curse God." Why? Because it was all done "without any reason." The God in this story does not care about Job, his wife, his children, his servants, and his animals at all.
And what are we to gain from this story that has instructed so many readers down through the ages? What? That God can do whatever he wants to do with his creatures "without a reason." That's comforting, isn't it? So Job went through these things, as told in this story, so that I can learn God can do whatever he wants to with us and that we are supposed to accept that God can give and God can take away, but we're supposed to accept all that God does and maintain our integrity? Hmmmmm. We already knew God can do what he wants to with us. He's bigger than us. God is the biggest bully on the block. He's more powerful than us, if he exists. So? That's not news at all. What we want to know is whether or not God cares for us. We want to know if he'll protect us from most of our sufferings. We want to know if God has a reason for the sufferings we encounter in this life. But in the story of Job the only answer we receive is that God can do whatever he wants with us to win a bet with the heavenly prosecutor….for his own self-serving "glory."
Steve again: "He also assumes, without evidence again, that Satan was "fully credentialed" in Heaven and that there couldn't have been a good reason for allowing Satan to act as he did. How does Loftus know these things? He doesn't. But acting as if he knows them prepares the way for his criticism of the God of Christianity and makes his article more emotionally appealing to people who already agree with him."
In the Old Testament Satan is seen as a Servant of God. "The original faith of Israel actually had no place for Satan. God alone was Lord, and thus whatever happened, for good or ill, was ascribed to God. "I kill and I make alive," says the Lord, 'I wound and I heal.' (Deut. 32:39; Isaiah 45:6-7; I Sam. 2:6-7). It was not inconsistent, on the one hand, to believe that God might call Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, and on the other hand, for God to want to murder him on the way, (Exod. 4:24-26). When Pharaoh resisted Moses it was not ascribed to his free will, but to God's hardening of his heart (Exod. 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1,20,27; 11:10; 14:4,8,17; Joshua 11:20, etc). Likewise, it is God who sent an evil spirit on Saul (I Sam. 16:14-16,23), and it was God who sent a lying spirit to enter the mouths of the four hundred prophets of Ahab (I Kings 22:22; see II Sam. 17:14)." [Walter Wink's Unmasking the Powers, pp. 11-44].
"The one instance where śātān describes a celestial figure who is not in any way hostile to God is Num 22:22, 32. The Angel of Yahweh is sent to be a śātān to sinning Balaam. The angel performs his task first by blocking the path so that Balaam's ass may not proceed, then by rebuking Balaam. Only when Balaam's eyes are opened does the angel śātān become visible to Balaam. The angel is both adversary to and accuser of Balaam, and is dispatched on his mission by Yahweh. [The Anchor Bible Dictionary].
"One possible translation of "Yaweh," God's name, is "He causes to happen what happens." If, then, God has caused everything that happens, God must also cause evil. But God was also the God of justice (Gen 18:25). So how could God be just and still be the one to cause evil? This was the terrible price Israel had been forced to pay for its belief that God was the primary cause of all that happens. Gradually God became differentiated into a "light" and a "dark" side, both integral to the Godhead. The bright side came to be represented by the angels, the dark side by Satan and his demons. This process of differentiation took a long time to complete so that Satan makes only three late appearances in the O.T." [Walter Wink's Unmasking the Powers, pp. 11-44].
In II Sam. 24:1 an angry God incites king David to carry out a wrongful census. But in I Chronicles 21:1, which is a post Babylonian captivity revision of Samuel and Kings, it is now revised to read that "Satan" (used here for the first time as a proper name) is blamed as the one who incited David to carry out the census. Of course, if God indeed used Satan to accomplish his purposes here, then why not just do it himself--but such a relationship seems contrived. In Zech 3:1-5, Satan (Lit. "the accuser") is seen in the role of prosecuting attorney who brings a valid accusation against Joshua, which God rejects because of his mercy. While we don't like prosecutors, they aren't evil just because they are doing their job. It does, however, say a great deal about us as people if we greatly fear and greatly dislike the prosecutor. If we think the prosecutor is evil, then it's most likely because we are the evil ones. In Job 1-2, Satan (again, Lit. "the accuser") cannot be an evil being if he is still a fully credentialed member of the heavenly court, one of the "sons of God." "Satan's role here is somewhat like an overzealous district attorney, where in his zeal to uncover injustice steps over the edge into entrapment. In all of this Satan manifests no power independent of God, and there is no condemnation of him by God." "There is nothing in the context to indicate that the angel is evil." [Baker's Encyclopedia of the Bible, "Satan"].
Steve again: "Loftus is criticizing the Christian God's behavior, as if he knows of a higher standard by which to judge that God, and he suggests that we should object to the behavior of Josef Mengele. He doesn't give us any reason to agree with his assessment of the Christian God or Mengele. He's relying on the assumption that his readers, most of whom have lived under the influence of largely Christian societies, will agree with his moral sentiments. But what reason do we have to accept Loftus' moral assessments under his belief system?"
I'm actually dealing with the text itself. God says he did it "without any reason." God said that! God! When I criticise God's moral standards in the story of Job I am criticizing the story itself, from what the story itself tells me.
Steve again: "And why are we supposed to think that the Christian God is similar to Mengele? Was Mengele the creator of the Jewish people, did he express his love to them before experimenting with them, did he give them resources that would help them endure their suffering, and did he restore their health and give them even greater blessings afterward, as God did with Job? No. Mengele didn't have the authority of God, the foreknowledge of God, the good intentions that the book of Job assumes God had, etc."
I'm saying that God acted in the story of Job just like Mengele did. They both had the power to do what they wanted to with the people involved. And neither one of them acting in a kind matter. Neither one of them cared about those they were experimenting on. Just because God was supposedly Job's creator doesn't give him the moral right to do what he did to Job, his wife, his children, his servants and his animals "without any reason." It just makes God more powerful than Job, just like Mengele had more power over his victims.
Steve again, "If the Christian God was modeled after ancient kings, and those kings were so unconcerned with love, then why do we find "God is love" and similar comments, as well as many passages about loving God, in both the Old and New Testaments? How many ancient kings took on the form of their people, lived among them, and suffered and died for their sins, to reconcile them to himself?"
I'm just commenting on the book of Job. Looking at that book what do we find? We find a God who will inflict a great amount of pain and suffering to win a bet he supposedly knew in advance the outcome. Now if other books in the Bible (including the NT) state that God is love, that's fine. But whatever it means for this God to love us must include what he did to Job. And in Job we find a God who is willing to experiment upon an captive person is devestating ways to win a bet. Either this is love, or there is a contradiction between Job and the other books in the Bible that state otherwise. But I find no love of God for Job, his wife, his children, his servants or his animals in the book of Job.


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Sale has successful workout on White Sox off-day
Left-hander is scheduled to pitch next on Monday at home against the Rockies
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The first pitch thrown by Chris Sale during a simulated game against White Sox Minor League hitters came around 9 a.m. MT on Wednesday at the Camelback Ranch complex.
That's an early call time, even for Spring Training work.
But early is no problem for the southpaw, whose young son, Rylan, pretty much serves as a human alarm clock every morning.
With the rest of the White Sox having a scheduled off-day, Sale threw the equivalent of four innings and 65 pitches in what was termed by pitching coach Don Cooper as "a great day of work" for the 23-year-old.
Sale is set to pitch next on Monday at home against the Rockies. If the schedule goes as planned, he will have five days' rest after his final Cactus League start on March 26 in Surprise against the Rangers before making his first career Opening Day trip to the mound on April 1 at U.S. Cellular Field against the Royals.
This Opening Day topic was addressed by Sale and Jake Peavy, the other likely candidate to start Game 1 of the regular season, as far back as SoxFest. In knowing the team-first character shown regularly by both of these individuals, it was not surprising that Sale endorsed Peavy to MLB.com and Peavy strongly did the same for Sale.
Manger Robin Ventura really has the only vote that counts in this matter, and he has not made his decision public as of yet. There's really no mystery to Ventura holding off, as John Danks wasn't given the nod until March 26 last spring -- just 10 days before the season opener in Texas.
There's a chance that both pitchers already know their first-series order. Sale seems to be the perfect choice to start the White Sox on a winning note, as a 9-3 home record with a 2.30 ERA amassed over 94 innings was part of his All-Star first season as a starter that finished at 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA and 192 strikeouts in 192 innings. Sale finished 3-3 with a 3.12 ERA against the Royals, but lost his two September starts against Kansas City.
"Absolutely, it's an honor. Throwing Opening Day, just the excitement that goes into Opening Day," Sale said during an interview session following his first Cactus League start on March 1. "I was a kid in the candy shop the last couple Opening Days, so to actually be playing would mean the world to me."
Along with the Opening Day discussion, CSN Chicago reported on Tuesday that Sale confirmed talks between the White Sox and his representatives about a potential contract extension. Sale will earn $600,000 in 2013 and has three years of arbitration eligibility starting with 2014, meaning the White Sox could choose to lock him down possibly even through his first year of free agency via a multi-year deal.
Earlier precedent for such negotiations to keep talented youngsters in the fold has been set with Gavin Floyd's four-year, $15.5 million deal, Alexei Ramirez's four-year, $32.5 million extension and the three-year, $8.25 million extension agreed upon with then closer Sergio Santos, who was promptly traded at the 2011 Winter Meetings. Sale is an outgoing young man and a good representative of the organization, quickly becoming one of the faces of the franchise.
As general manager Rick Hahn, director of conditioning Allen Thomas, Cooper and Sale himself recently told MLB.com, they also believe in Sale's long-term durability. That belief comes with Sale's funky delivery, thin build and 121-inning increase from 2011 to 2012 taken into consideration.
"Certainly last year we felt he was one of the best starters in the AL," Hahn said during a recent interview. "And we are optimistic going forward about that."
"Here's what I'll say. He's good and he wants to be good," Cooper said. "He wants to make every pitch. He wants to win every game. I like that competitive nature about him and how he wants to be."
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Apache: Air Assault
EU Release date: n/a
US Release date: 2 Dec, 2003
user score
N/Aunrated 4 votes left
Apache: Air Assault Latest News
Birds of Steel announced by Konami, WWII aerial dogfighting
25 May 2011 | By /staff
Gaijin Entertainment is developing Birds of Steel, a WWII aerial combat simulator spanning critical battles between air forces from in the Pacific and Europe.
Choose from Allies, Axis or Japanese aircraft with online multiplayer featuring "massive" dogfights and co-op missions. Gaijin is no stranger to the skies.


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Light Snow
PLYMOUTH, MA - NOVEMBER 25: John Kemp (R) portrays pilgrim Steven Hopkins meeting with the colonists Wampanoag Indian interpreter Hobbamock, played by Jonathan Perry (C), as another Wampanoag, played by Melanie Roderick (L), looks on (Photo by Michael Springer/Getty Images)
(CNN) -- Editor's Note: Jesse Abernathy, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, is the editor of Native Sun News, South Dakota's largest weekly newspaper, which covers issues of local and national interest and concern within Indian country.
Americans will gather together for food and give thanks for their good fortune on Thursday.
But we should not forget the country's indigenous peoples, those who are less fortunate and the forgotten history of how we came to celebrate this day.
There are some who will visit loved ones who are unjustly incarcerated in prison, who will "tie one on" at the local dive bar in an effort to forget their troubles, or humbly bed down for the night under the cover and comfort of a downtown city bridge, tucked quietly and safely just out of view of mainstream America.
Since initial contact with Europeans, indigenous peoples have had their lands, freedom, culture, identity and even their children legally stripped from them through destructive policies and practices in the name of progress, faith and country.
A community whose ancestors once proudly and freely roamed this continent and provided for their children from the bounty that was "Maka Unci" (Grandmother Earth), are now left wondering why they live in the richest land on the globe, but many have been forced to live in grinding, inter-generational poverty.
It is a history many in America are uncomfortable talking about, or even acknowledging at all.
The story of how the Pilgrims gathered with Native Americans for a feast on what is now widely considered to be the first day of thanks in "America" -- before the nation itself was even founded -- underscores our misguided notion that the country was entirely founded on boundless, nonindigenous strength, determination, wit and hardiness.
It is a dangerously romanticized notion of a shared indigenous and nonindigenous history.
William Bradford, the governor of the Pilgrim colony where that first Thanksgiving was held, reported in his "History of Plymouth Plantation" that the colonists often went hungry because they refused to work in the fields, choosing instead to steal food. The governor also reported that the colony was rife with "corruption" and "confusion and discontent."
And the concept of thanksgiving was not introduced by those early settlers: Indigenous East Coast tribes already had in place a longstanding tradition of celebrating the autumn harvest with a feast.
This, and other stories of how this land's original inhabitants were treated -- or mistreated -- in society is one that should be taught more consistently in all of America's schools.
Such an approach to the real, unbiased history of the nation, as a matter of course and respect, is one that will go far in alleviating, and perhaps even rectifying, the polarization that exists between white and indigenous societies.
At the very least, historical accuracy with regard to first peoples will provide America's schoolchildren with a better sense of who they are, where they came from and where they are going.


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Longoria grants 13-year-old's wish
By Bill Chastain and Greg Zeck / MLB.com
Actis, a 13-year-old Rays fan, took a trip to Tropicana Field on Wednesday in a limo and met Longoria in the clubhouse prior to Tampa Bay's game against Boston.
The Meadowlawn Middle School student is undergoing treatment for renal cell cancer and was able to play video games, trade gifts and get together with Longoria for more than an hour as part of his Children's Dream Fund visit.
Longoria introduced Actis to teammates Jeff Niemann, Alex Cobb and Sam Fuld as well.
As Actis watched batting practice, he received an engraved bat and Rays jersey before staying for the game against the Red Sox.
Two-error games puts Rodriguez in rare company
ST. PETERSBURG -- Infielder Sean Rodriguez achieved a feat he'd rather not be associated with.
Rodriguez committed two errors in each of his last two games to become the first American League player since the Tigers' Carlos Guillen turned the trick April 18-19, 2006.
Rodriguez's first two errors came in Monday's game against the Red Sox despite playing just two innings in the field. He followed it up Tuesday with a bad throw in the third and another in the sixth that cost Tampa Bay a run.
After it was all said and done, Rodriguez had been charged with four errors in the span of eight innings over two days.
Manager Joe Maddon said after Tuesday's game that he doesn't believe the broken right hand that sidelined Rodriguez is affecting his defense.
"I honestly don't think so," Maddon said. "Talking to [third-base coach Tom Foley] in the pregame [meeting], he's done well, he's done fine. He hasn't played in a while, that part is defendable, but those are plays that he normally makes.
"I think he's fine, his throwing arm is fine, his hand is fine. He's gone through everything for days. His hitting should be more impacted than his fielding because he's been taking ground balls, he's been throwing."
With the recent string of poor play defensively, Rodriguez has a team-leading 18 errors in 135 games. His fielding percentage also dipped to .953, the lowest mark for players who have started at least 40 games.
Third base has been particularly problematic for Rodriguez, who has just an .894 fielding percentage and 11 errors at the hot corner.
Evan Longoria was back in the lineup at third for Wednesday's game.
Maddon: Shelton not to blame for struggling offense
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays' offense has struggled this season, so naturally everybody looks for somebody to blame, and hitting coach Derek Shelton has taken the brunt of the finger pointing from fans and the media.
However, manager Joe Maddon doesn't believe Shelton is at fault for the team's struggling offense.
"I don't believe [the offense] is a reflection [of Shelton], I really don't," Maddon said. "I know what he does, I know how he does it. You watch the games being played, and the thing about coaches, it's about how diligent you are and the time you put in -- that you care. You can only give a player so much information.
"I believe when guys are successful consistently, a coach might be able to tweak you a little bit here or there and remind you about something, but what goes on internally is what really controls your success. And so, it's hard to pin that on a coach, and I really believe that."
When Maddon was asked if he expected Shelton back next season, Maddon replied: "We're talking."
"I mean, I'm not going there right now," Maddon said. "We'll be talking to all of our coaches at the end of the season."
Price, Rodney putting up award-worthy numbers
ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays starters and relievers have dominated throughout 2012, leading the American League in ERA, opponents' batting average and strikeouts.
Leading the way all year long has been lefty David Price and reliever Fernando Rodney, both of whom have put up AL Cy Young Award-worthy numbers.
Price leads all Major League qualifiers with his 2.54 ERA and sits sixth in the AL in strikeouts. Rodney, meanwhile, leads all relievers with at least 50 innings with his 0.66 ERA and also boasts a strong 68 strikeouts in 69 innings.
If the duo can continue to lead the Majors, they would join just two other sets of teammates to achieve the feat in the last 50 years, joining Johan Santana and Dennys Reyes of the 2006 Twins, and Sandy Koufax and Bob Miller of the 1963 Dodgers.
Their success has Cy Young chatter building for each of them, and manager Joe Maddon doesn't believe that being teammates will hurt either of their chances.
"I think if they were both starters it could be, it possibly could be somewhat of a detriment," Maddon said. "But the fact that Fernando is relieving and David is starting, I think really separates them, just like it separates their role on the field. I think they'll be viewed differently because of that."
Who has the edge in Maddon's mind?
"I do believe that being a relief pitcher, Fernando is at a disadvantage just based on the way things are done today," Maddon said, "but I nevertheless believe he should be strongly considered in the voting. But I do believe that a starting pitcher should have an edge in today's baseball world."
Price will aim for his 19th win when he faces the Red Sox in Thursday's series finale. He'll have two other starts beyond that to try and reach the 20-win plateau.
Rodney, meanwhile, already has a career-high 43 saves and is just one shy of Jim Johnson's Major League lead. If Rodney can get two more saves, he would tie Rafael Soriano's club record of 45 in 2010.
Glaesmann, Archer honored by Rays
ST. PETERSBURG -- On Wednesday, Chris Archer was named the Rays' Minor League Pitcher of the Year and outfielder Todd Glaesmann was named the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.
The Rays also announced a Most Valuable Player for each of their nine affiliates, as well as organization-wide awards for best baserunner, best defensive player and best relief pitcher.
This year's winners were honored during an awards ceremony prior to Wednesday night's game against the Red Sox.
Archer, 24, posted a 3.66 ERA in 25 starts for Triple-A Durham. He led the International League and all Rays Minor League hurlers with 139 strikeouts.
Acquired as part of the trade that sent Matt Garza to the Cubs, Archer has compiled a 3.89 ERA with 269 strikeouts over two seasons in the Rays' farm system. He has served two stints in the Major Leagues this year, pitching to a 3.22 ERA with 28 strikeouts in four appearances (three starts).
"Chris turned his season around," farm director Mitch Lukevics said. "He got an opportunity to go to the big leagues, threw two wonderful games. I think he took those lessons up here down to Triple-A, and when he got back he really finished up strong. They say it's not how you start, it's how you finish. To see how he was last year in Double-A Montgomery, and then where he is now, he's on the verge of making an impact in the big leagues."
Glaesmann led all Rays farmhands with 21 home runs in 127 games between Bowling Green and Charlotte. The third-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft entered the season with only eight homers over his previous three seasons combined.
The 21-year-old hit .293 from May to July with Bowling Green and ranked tied for second with 165 total bases and was tied for third with 13 home runs in the Midwest League before being promoted on July 24.
After injuries limited his 2011 season, Glaesmann combined to hit .285 with 21 homers and 75 RBIs between two levels this season.
"This year was the first year I stayed healthy, and I think that had a lot to do with it," Glaesmann said.
The following players were named Most Valuable Player for their respective Minor League teams: Leslie Anderson (Triple-A Durham); Alex Colome (Double-A Montgomery); Derek Dietrich (Class A Charlotte); Drew Vettleson (Class A Bowling Green); Jeff Ames, (Class A Hudson Valley); Blake Snell (Advanced Rookie League); Ben Kline (Gulf Coast Rookie League); Alexander Simon (Dominican Summer League); and Jose Paez (Venezuelan Summer League).
Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was named best defensive Player, while shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was named the organization's best baserunner and right-hander Chris Rearick was named best relief pitcher.
In addition, right-hander Joe Cruz was named the winner of the 2012 Erik Walker Community Champion Award. The award annually recognizes one of the organization's Minor League player who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement, attributes exhibited by Rays Minor League pitcher Erik Walker, who died tragically in October 2006 in a canoeing accident.
Lukevics called all of the award winners "a very well-deserving crew."
"All of our staff, player development, scouting, front office, baseball operations has a say in the vote," Lukevics said. "[When you are one of the winners], that's saying something. You stand out among your peers. We all know important that is."
Extra bases
Maddon said Sam Fuld, who is dealing with a right hamstring strain, continues to be day to day.
Through the Rays' last six regular-season games from Sept. 21- Oct. 3, the Rays Baseball Foundation and the Florida Lodging Association's Educational Foundation will work together for the annual "Shirts Off Our Backs" fundraiser, benefiting youth and education programs.
Fans who donate receive scratch-off cards that can win Rays game-worn jerseys and 2013 game tickets among more than $250,000 worth of other prizes.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. Greg Zeck is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
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Professor of Physics, Instructor in Acem.


text:
Tries from Marion Lievre, Elodie Portaries and Shaon Izar however set the French on their way, although the Irish hit back through two scores of their own from Gillian Bourke.
But despite their late second-half rally, they were unable to complete the comeback, falling to a 19-15 defeat to leave them finishing third in the table.
Ireland do not have to wait long to go again though with the Women's World Cup taking place this summer in France.
And after seeing his side match their French opponents in the closing stages of their Women's Six Nations campaign, Doyle is eyeing up a rematch.
"We'd love another crack at them at the World Cup," Doyle told the Irish Times. "The girls found it so hard physically - you saw the pack they have - but you have to believe in these girls. They never know when to quit.
"We just told them, 'you've got to treat the ball like a bloody diamond. It's so valuable.'
"That's what changed in the second half. We respected the ball a lot more."
Visit our official RBS 6 Nations Instagram page to follow all the best images from the Championship


text:
Pope County Coroner Leonard Krout asked for a public apology from Justice of the Peace Edwin Shinn during the court's monthly meeting April 8.
"I was shocked," Justice of the Peace Nell Warren said in a recent telephone interview. "That was the first that I'd heard a thing in the world about it."
Krout said Shinn had complained publicly last year that he did not perform enough work.
He noted Shinn had said he had been contacted by some of Krout's employees who complained the coroner's workload was too light.
Krout said during the meeting he had letters from his employees stating no contact had been made with Shinn as well as a computer analysis proving his heavy workload.
The coroner and the court have been struggling for the last year after the court refused to give Krout a pay raise when they changed his position to full-time.
"They (other justices) give Leonard Krout a hard time every time he brings something in," said Justice of the Peace Larry Pettus, during a telephone interview. "It's all politics. They didn't want him to be full-time. It's personal."
The quorum court denied Krout a pay raise last March after he requested $40,491, which is comparable to other elected officials' salaries.
Although Krout works full-time, his staff is still part-time, he said.
"I think it's (position) worth as much as what all of them (other elected officials) are making," Krout said following the meeting.
Pettus said the coroner's workload merited a pay raise, but the court, which had an option to increase Krout's pay from $30,000 to $35,000 or to pay per death investigation, had refused to give the position more money.
"I personally think it's all politics," Pettus said. "If a democrat had been coroner, it would be a different story."
Lack of money was not the reason for not increasing Krout's salary, Pettus said.
Other counties with full-time coroners doing as much work as Krout received more pay, he said.
During the past year, Krout began compiling information into a new computer system in a spread-sheet form.
According to Krout's statistics for 2005, which were presented to the court during its meeting, Pope County had 474 deaths, of which Krout worked 348 -- 73.4 percent. In 2004, the county had 447 deaths and Krout worked 299 of those cases -- 66.9 percent.
During the past 16 years, Pope County saw about 5,601 deaths, of which Krout worked 4,029 or 71.9 percent.
Krout said many cases took more than 16 weeks to process, with the average caseload per day being about 1.2 to seven deaths.
Statistics showed violent deaths occurred an average of 11 to 35 times per year.
Between 7 to 11 percent of death cases require more than one coroner working the case, Krout said.
Pettus said he didn't think Krout would get a raise in the future until the face of the court changed.
A pay raise to the coroner's position would benefit Pope County in the future by attracting educated and experienced coroners or by keeping them here.
"Leonard does an excellent job," Pettus said.
Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson said he had no comment on Krout's apology request or on whether justices had called to complain about Krout being allowed on the agenda.
"As far as I know, the court has not complained about Leonard Krout," Gibson said.
Shinn was unavailable for comment at press time.
No motion was made. Krout requested nothing more than the official public apology and no action was taken.


text:
Hello I have just bought ZoneAlarm Internet Security suite. I have installed the software and configured the pieces.
I noticed that some of the processing I am doing on my machine has slowed and started to investigate what was lowing down my machines. For my work I need to run Oracle database software on one of my machines. What i noticed is that vsmon.exe from ZoneAlarm was taking up to 10% CPU at times when the overall CPU usage was nearly 80%. Now the curious thing is that the Oracle software is configured in ZoneAlarm and all the access is local such as the same machine or another machine in the same local domain.
How do I configure ZoneAlarm from scanning the Oracle data on the local machine or within the local network.
I also have a similar issue with Apache Tomcat. ZoneAlarm is scanning all the network traffic even though it is all local.
Thank you
Operating System:Windows XP Pro
Software Version:
Product Name:ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite


text:
V-strings were for versions, and they were bad enough. For this we'd need vi strings, to hold complex version numbers. Pain squared. This way lies madness. We are doomed, I tell you, doomed:
perl -M5.006 -le 'print v54.54.54'
{qw( slobbering sobering sobbing ) [ rand(3) ]}
Damian can help you with that, if you can stretch a black hole out long enough.
Be sure to see rafael's response to my post.


text:
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
C.R. Englands gets
top EPA award
C.R. England, a Salt Lake City-based trucking company, was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a "SmartWay Excellence Award" winner. It was honored for being a leader in freight supply environmental performance and energy efficiency.
LongHorn outlets
to open in Utah
Two LongHorn Steakhouses will open in Utah this December. The restaurants, being built by R&O Construction, are at 3650 Wall Avenue in Ogden and 11346 S. River Heights in South Jordan. They are owned by Darden Restaurants, which also operates Red Lobsters, Olive Gardens and others.
Gas inches up
in California
The rise in California gasoline prices has slowed but the cost still inched up to another record Tuesday, even as officials hope allowing refineries to produce winter blends early will help ease the sticker shock. The average price for regular gas was $4.67 a gallon, according to the AAA. The price was the highest in the nation.
Black & Decker to
sell hardware unit
Toolmaker Stanley Black & Decker is selling its hardware and home-improvement business to Spectrum Brands for $1.4 billion in cash. The unit makes locksets, hardware and faucets for residential use and includes brands such as Pfister, Baldwin and Kwikset. Spectrum's brands includes the Rayovac, Remington and Toastmaster.
Ex-GE CEO Welch
to leave Fortune
Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, will stop contributing articles to Fortune after backlash to his Twitter post suggesting President Barack Obama's team manipulated unemployment data to give the president a boost. Welch sent an e-mail to Fortune saying he and his wife, Suzy, would no longer contribute material, according to the magazine's website.
owners gloomy
More small-business owners are growing pessimistic. A survey by the National Federation of Independent Business shows that owners are becoming more pessimistic as sales remain weak. The NFIB's index of owner optimism fell 0.1 point, to 92.8. More than a fifth of the survey's participants say weak sales remain their biggest concern.
Alcoa reports
$143M Q3 loss
Aluminum manufacturer Alcoa lost $143 million in the third quarter because of charges, but otherwise topped Wall Street's expectations. The loss amounted to 13 cents per share. That compares with net income of $172 million, or 15 cents a share, a year ago. Excluding $175 million in charges, Alcoa earned $32 million, or 3 cents per share. Revenue fell to $5.83 billion.


text:
I am trying to watch Quilt Out Loud. I can get to it no problem but it does not buffer it just stays stuck....any suggestions
You may need a plug in for it to run properly. I wish I were home and could help more. What browser are you using?
Life is like a quilt...bits & pieces, joy & sorrow, stitched with love
Also, do you have high speed internet? I don't think you can watch if your connection is too slow. I'm just throwing out suggestions here, kind of thinking outloud.
I am also having trouble having it buffer up. The promotional video does fine, but the segment videos do not. I would like to be able to watch them. I would like an answer also.
Thanks , Teresa
Question to those not able to see QOL video:
Trying to determine if you need to update your video player, or if it's an issue w/that particular video. If your Flash player needs to be updated, you'll most likely get a message like that on when you click on a video at www.YouTube.com (along with a link to update.)
QCA Peg
Hi - please make sure to contact customer service at QNNtv.com if you are having problems. They are not checking the boards right now due to increased call volume. This is from the QNNtv.com web site:
For technical issues regarding video and audio playback, please see our "Help" section in the upper right of your screen. If you are unable to resolve the issue, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com or call us toll free at 1-888-253-0201.
Thank you,
I also want to mention this from our tech team:
QOL episodes are relatively large (esp. the full episode: 60 min!) and may take
10-15 sec for buffering to complete on a high-speed connection. Here at
work, for instance, the full episode took 20-25 sec to complete buffering.
Traffic is probably another factor-QNNtv.com's traffic reached an
all-time high yesterday and, while the video delivery system is
robust, I imagine the demand may have contributed some delay.
The good news is that once the playback begins it seems to move
So, in short, you may want to give it a minute or two to load. Keep us posted!


text:
Nate played good tonight. But this is the **** we expect. He'll have a great game like this and drop 40, then shot 4/25 the next game.
You're acting like he came back and won a championship or something kid. Its one game.
Really, I thought he played pretty much the same as always. Maybe looked to pass a bit more early, but by OT he was just isoing and chucking.
We rode the hot hand like any good team does. No more, no less.


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Span back in the Twins' lineup
By Todd Wills / Special to MLB.com
Diamond, Gardenhire are ejected in Texas
ARLINGTON -- Twins left-hander Scott Diamond and manager Ron Gardenhire were ejected by home-plate umpire Wally Bell in the bottom of the third inning of Thursday's 10-6 loss to the Rangers after Diamond threw a pitch that sailed behind Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton's head.Diamond's errant pitch came after Rangers starter Roy Oswalt hit Twins catcher Joe Mauer in the upper back in the top of the inning on a 3-0 count, but no warnings were given. Bell immediately ejected Diamond after the pitch, and Gardenhire argued very briefly before he earned the 62nd ejection of his 11-year career, and the third this season.
It was the rookie Diamond's first career ejection.
Gibson to start Saturday for Triple-A Rochester
ARLINGTON -- The buzz around the Twins on Thursday came on the Minor League front, where right-hander Kyle Gibson will start Saturday for Triple-A Rochester. He is expected to throw 60 to 65 pitches.Gibson, the Twins' first-round pick in 2009, will pitch at his highest level since having Tommy John surgery in September. He has made nine starts this summer between the Twins' Rookie League team and Class A Fort Myers, putting together a 2.49 ERA in 21 2/3 innings. The plan is for Gibson to pitch for the Red Wings for the last two weeks of the season, and then potentially the playoffs. After that, the hope is for him to throw in the Florida Instructional League and then the Arizona Fall League. "We want to try to get him as many innings as we can," said Twins assistant general manager Ron Antony. Antony said Gibson, not currently on the 40-man roster, is a candidate to pitch in Major League camp in Spring Training next year, if all goes well with his progress. "We're going to be looking for pitching," Antony said.
Twins will discuss Sept. callups after road trip
ARLINGTON -- Manager Ron Gardenhire said the Twins' brain trust hasn't discussed September callups yet, and it probably won't be a topic of discussion until the club gets home after this four-game series in Texas.Gardenhire said the moves will be made after he talks with general manager Terry Ryan and assistant GM Ron Antony. "When we get home for four days after this trip, we'll probably discuss it a little bit and see what [Ryan's] thoughts are," Gardenhire said. The Twins could go with a six-man rotation and bring in Esmerling Vasquez, who has had a solid season at Triple-A Rochester. Triple-A infielder Chris Parmelee and Double-A outfielder Oswaldo Arcia could also be called up, but only if they can get regular playing time. "We don't want to bring up anyone who is just going to sit," Antony said.
Worth noting
Outfielder Ben Revere is one stolen base away from becoming the fourth Twins player to steal at least 30 bases in consecutive seasons. He would join Chuck Knoblauch, Rod Carew and Cesar Tovar. Liam Hendricks' loss Wednesday in Oakland made him the first Twins pitcher to lose his first eight decisions as a starter, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Designated hitter Josh Willingham was on MLB Network with Chris Rose and Kevin Millar before Thursday's game, and it was must-see TV in the Twins clubhouse. Willingham talked about his three sons and had some fun with teammate Denard Span.
Todd Wills is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Of the list of players you mentioned, I believe that Lebron, Melo, Joe Johnson, Durant and Pierce are better. While the first four named justifiably make max money, Pierce understandably doesn't because of his age. Igoudala, Deng, Granger and Batum are arguably equally good only Gay is a much better clutch player. He comes good when it matters.
All said, I think Raps. should explore trade options before signing him to an extension.
Attitude Is A Choice.
Even if the team declines the team option on Lucas and uses the amnesty on Kleiza, the team's no further ahead. Hell, even if Kleiza retires and the amnesty is used on Bargnani, the team still can't sign any free agents aside from using exceptions!
looks like rudy has me against the world written on the inside of his arms.
pretty much sums up the way he plays..
All the talk last season was that once the tax kicks in uder the new CBA there would be teams looking to unload talent to avoid the luxury tax and that teams with cap space will be in a good position to scoop those players up. Well that is just what happened with Memphis whom were one of the top teams everyone said would be looking to unload talent to avoid the tax.
It's getting supremely annoying that everyone is bitching about this teams lack of flexibility to sign an elite player other than Rudy Gay, like the opportunity to do so comes along everyday.
The crucial thing for teams that are going to be around the tax or over will be maintaining a nuclear option... being able to blow things up if they go all screwy. For the Raptors, this blowup option is in 2015, when Gay, Bargnani, Johnson, and Fields all expire. Right now, DeRozan, Valanciunas, Ross, and Acy are the only players who go beyond this, and they add up to just over $20 million in 15/16 (team options on all three rookies). If the Raptors retain Gay and Lowry for around $30 million for the pair, that's just over $50 million committed at that point (plus likely at least two more rookies from 2014 and 2015 drafts). If the Raptors don't make any other long-term commitments, then I think they're in solid shape at that point. If you've got a contender, great, you keep that group together. If not (which is much more likely), you can let Bargnani, Johnson and Fields expire or trade them, you free up enough cap space that you can actually make a big move (by 2015, $50 million might be as much as $15 million under the cap), and add an impact player to a roster that is still very young and in its prime (all guys 28 or younger), and with every key guy on that roster signed for at least through to the end of 2016/17.
Now, if you can convince Lowry and Gay that they're part of something special and that they should take a bit less than market value to stay, then every dollar saved is going to increase the effectiveness of that blow-up, even if it doesn't help their short-term flexibility. If we could, say, get Lowry for $10m and Gay for $16m, then you might be close to $20m in cap space.
Is 2015 a good year to do a blow-up? Well, our biggest priority is likely going to be another big-man, and that offseason could potentially have M. Gasol, Hibbert, both Lopezes, Asik, Perkins, Chandler, Jordan, Love, Aldridge, Bosh, Stoudemire, Randolf, Scola, Boozer, and a lot of lesser players, depending on how player options break down. Plus a lot of star players at other positions, who will draw a lot of attention. In other words, a good year to be looking for a key piece. That offseason also marks a potiential shift in the balance of power in the east, since it could mark the end (or the beginning of the end) of the Knicks and Heat superstar combos. Both the Knicks and Heat are going to be well into the repeater rate if they try to keep their current cores together.
I'm still in favour of trading Bargnani when a decent offer comes up, however I'm pessimistic that this happens. A best-case trade keeps our nuclear option intact. A Boozer trade would be perfect, since it expires in 2015 too, but would allow us to play better in the interim.
So I don't think extending Gay necessarily kills the team's long-term flexibility, like some others have said. Short-term, yeah, we've got no flexibility regardless of whether we extend Gay now. I'm okay with the current core sticking together for a couple years, being a middle of the pack playoff team, and hopefully establishing a reputation that they can build on to attract another key piece in 2015.
I was speaking more about from now moving forward, illustrating how Gay's extension wouldn't even have a negative impact on flexibility, because the team's flexibility is being hindered by several big contracts.
After thinking for a day or two, I think any attempt to sign Gay is premature this summer.
The topic could surely be broached but it would seem, at least to me, the Raptors would be better off waiting to see how next year plays out.
Not to turn this in to Bargnani time (yet again) but the Raps need to see what they have without him and what he might bring.
Also the Raps need to see if Gay can elevate his game and fit in Toronto (from a basketball sense) leading to a competitive franchise. He certainly has immense talent but as we know talent doesn't fill the win column alone (although it is probably the most important thing with desire coming a close 2nd).
I don't think there is any risk of Gay turning down his $19M option. He will be just turning 29 when his player option is up. He will be able to secure at least one more meaningful/significant contract in his career at that time.
The most the Raptors can extend him for this year is 2 seasons. Basically, unless the Raps are going to pay him Joe Johnson money (which we can't rule out because Colangelo is offering the contract - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph *sigh*), adding 2 years now does little for either party (Gay or Toronto).
Wait until next summer and if things work out as we hope, add another 3 years at that time. Or wait until the player option is up (summer 2015) and add 4 years at that time. But adding 2 years this summer is not in anyone's best interests.
If Gay decides to opt out after next year it means it was a failure of a season and the Raptors are getting a lottery pick anyways (assumption being OKC gets the pick this season). If next year is a failure that is not going to look good on him and he won't get anywhere near max - let alone $19M for 2014-15.
My hope: Bargnani turns in to Boozer and another asset. Raps make playoffs and maybe even 2nd round. Gay signs reasonable extension (basically anything less than max). 2014-15 Boozer is a big expiring $16M contract and can return talent via trade at the deadline in a day of super luxury tax facing a crappy team with an unhappy, expensive star.
I also believe we agree on a lot, but I would like to point out a few things...
I guess the main disagreement is that I don't think anyone else is going to offer him max money, if nobody else is, then there's no incentive for us to. Maybe i'm wrong though.
The funny thing is, that this 4 page thread is all because of one article sighting an "inside source" for all we know it's BS. Not blaming the guy who started the thread (because it was me), but I never thought it would get this much play. The fact that many of us think an extension right now is not a good idea, but simultaneously think that Coangelo would entertain the idea speaks volumes about our confidence in our GM's ability to negotiate contracts, whether or not their is any truth to the rumour.
But yeah, offering rudy 22+ million per season is crazy, Bryan Coangelo crazy.
EDIT: I would also like to say it's not about financial flexibility, it's about only willing to overspend sooo much on a player. Amir Johnson's contract, no problem, Jose's contract, no problem, even barg's contract not a huge deal, your only overspending at most 1-2 mill per year, and in the case of Johnson he's worth it. But paying Rudy 22+mil, that's over paying by like 10 mil. I guess it's arbitary, but if you HAVE to pay a guy 5 million more than he's worth, what the f*^k are you doing wrong?
I don't think Rudy will extend for anything less than max RIGHT NOW but I do think he may sign for less in a year or two, doesn't necessarily have to go all the way to FA, just not a max contract this summer.
Last edited by ezz_bee; Fri Mar 8th, 2013 at 04:25 PM.
"They're going to have to rename the whole conference after us: Toronto Raptors 2014-2015 Northern Conference Champions" ~ ezzbee Dec. 2014
"I guess I got a little carried away there" ~ ezzbee Apr. 2015
"We only have one rule on this team. What is that rule? E.L.E. That's right's, E.L.E, and what does E.L.E. stand for? EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY. Right there up on the wall, because this isn't just a basketball team, this is a lifestyle. ~ Jackie Moon
I agree that there's no reason to rush this, however it would be worth seeing if there's a window right now for a 'buy-low' scenario; Gay excited about being in Toronto, sick of being judged against a ridiculous contract, wanting to be seen as part of a winner rather than a guy you can't build a winner around. If we're talking about a max or near max extension (or even anything that's 100% of his option year), then there's absolutely zero reason to move on it now.
Its too early for an extension.
Second, not sure what Gay is worth. But all i know is, he's going to breakout next season. He's going to be the #1 option on offence. He'll average 20+ppg for sure. He's also going to get his rebounds and steals and assists. And the Raps for sure will be in the playoffs.
Re-signing Gay this summer i think is a wise idea because what he's worth right now whatever that is would probably double after next season.
Last edited by TRex; Fri Mar 8th, 2013 at 07:04 PM.
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Each Rosh Hashanah GKC brings you a new kosher honey to try. We spend the year, searching, tasting, and identifying the yummiest kosher honey that we think you need to know about. This year, Silverbow Honey takes the prize. A family owned and operated kosher and organic honey company, Silverbow Honey has a large variety of honeys that we love. From honey bears, to premium raspberry honey, to blackberry blossom honey sticks, and my favorite, apricot creamed honey, Silverbow Honey has all the sweetness that you need for a sweet New Year. We are using the creamed honey on our Yom Tov table. Remember, creamed honey is whipped honey that through that process becomes a creamy spreadable sweet honey without any added cream or milk. Silverbow Honey is located in Moses Lake, Washington and has been making and harvesting honey since World War II. They are certified organic and kosher certified by Kosher Certification Service, a respected and accepted kosher certification.
One GKC winner will receive a fantastic honey package including, a Silverbow Honey cookbook, beeswax candles, a mug, a honey bear, a honey dipper, 100 honey sticks, raspberry honey, and a variety of creamed honey. Submit to win or if you can't wait, order some today for your Rosh Hashanah table at
Silverbow Honey Co., Inc.
1120 East Wheeler Road
Moses Lake, WA 98837
Phone 1-866-44-HONEY
Fax 509-765-6549
Email email@example.com


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>Gears and Wears>How do you carry your cell phone during runs?
I only carry on longer trail runs - In the zipper pocket of my camelback in a plastic ziplock bag.
As a woman who runs alone 99% of the time, and at night during winter, and as a mother who wants to keep her phone on her in case of an emergency and needs to be reached, I need to have my phone on me during my runs. Right now during winter, my tights and capri's work because they have a back pocket with a zipper, but right now with these freak 60 degree temps I would love to wear my shorts, but I need to keep my phone on me. I've been trying to find shorts that have pocket for phones, or even running shirts that have a zipper pocket big enough for a phone (I don't think my phone will fit in my shirts). I really don't want to carry my phone in my hands dang it.
Comeback #19 Comeback # 20 ... 5/12/18 Ice Age 50 Miler
I use this: http://www.rei.com/product/808618/runners-world-run-lite-pack
I normally only take it on my long runs, but I've had to with all my runs recently since my iPod went through the wash. I also wear it souring longer races so my wife can keep an eye on how far I am from the finish.
Current PRs:
Next race: Ashland 4th of July 10K
There is only one time in the last 10 years that I have carried a phone, and that's when my wife was out of town, and it was like 5 AM, and I didn't want my kids to wake up early and freak out since no one was there.
Yeah, I told them the night before anyway, and even left a note, but still, I felt uncomfortable.
As it ended up, after a 15 mile run, I still got home before they woke up. But, still, it made me feel better having it.
I just put it in my pocket.
In my bra under the top left strap. I wear a compression top as well. I also have a cover on my phone. Works for me.
For you folks that have the FlipBelt, how do they work in wet/rainy conditions (or during particularlly sweaty workouts)? Do they have any sort or water/moisture resistance?
I haven't worn in during rain, but on a very long run (18 miles) it eventually gets sweaty. I keep kleenex and gun in a baggie inside it to make sure they stay dry, but it hasn't gotten wet enough to bother the ipod or phone.
Running is stupid
Kleenex and gun.
Kleenex and gun.
Don't mess with Ilene's running time!
I have run with ilene before. I was not aware she was packing heat.
Proboscis Colossus
SPIbelt, phone in front, where the omentum can help keep it in place.
Need to give that company a little shout-out: at the expo for my last marathon, I was checking out the SPIbelt booth, as the water-resistant lining in mine mine had begun to deteriorate and separate from the pouch. I'd had it for a little over a year and put in quite a few miles with it, so I just figured it was time to get a new one.
The representative saw me poking around and came over to talk, at which point I related the reason I was thinking about picking up another one. Her brow furrowed a bit and she cocked her head a little, and said, "do you have it with you?" I said it was out in the car, and went to fetch it.
Anyway, after a very brief inspection, she hands me a brand-new one in the color of my choice. When ten minutes earlier, I was all set to hand over money for one.
That made an impression, one I won't soon forget!
"God guides us on our journey, but careful with those feet." - David Lee Roth, of all people
Oops, typo, meant to type gum, not gun
Oops, typo, meant to type gum, not gun
I leave the phone in the car or at home. My kids can call their dad.
I know this is a little off topic, but is a cell phone really necessary for safety on a short urban run? It is not going to stop an attack like a whistle or mace might and you are probably not far from a business or someone's house if something does happen and you need to make a call. I used to run after work with a co-worker (a man) who wouldn't run without his phone because he did not want to miss a work call in case there was a network outage. I see running as the one time of the day I don't have to answer the phone and I refuse to carry one, but everyone's needs are different.
I didn't use to take it with me, but having a baby and being a paranoid mother, I want to have my phone with me if something were to happen and I needed to race back to my vehicle. I would be in a fit of rage if I were out running my 5+ miles having a good time, while my son began choking or stopped breathing, or fell on something and was going to the ER and nobody could reach me. I don't run distances shorter than 5 miles, if it's 3 and I plan on being under 30 minutes then I won't. Some of my runs aren't near a business or a house that I am willing to walk up to, most of the time I try to set my routes so I run past my vehicle a couple of times. And my runs mostly on our Greenway River Trail, which runners (women) have been attacked, assaulted or raped. I am not so worried about that part, I carry pepper spray and I change my routes often, and my running times. So yes, a phone is necessary for me, not so much for my safety, but for emergencies.
*Do It For Yourself, Do It Because They Said It Was Impossible, Do It Because They Said You Were Incapable*
5k - 24:15 (7:49 min/mile pace)
10k - 51:47 (8:16 min/mile pace)
15k -1:18:09 (8:24 min/mile pace)
13.1 - 1:53:12 (8:39 min/mile pace)
26.2 - (Debut) - 4:48:10
I've always used the ArmPocket things to carry my phone which is also my mp3 player and also my GPS and also my watch. I rarely wear headphones, I usually just have the volume turned up on my phone and run in areas where I rarely see another person, but if I do wear headphones I have bluetooth headphones so I'm not tied down to a cord. I rarely look at it though and have had a couple occasions where it overheats and shuts down if it is in the direct sunlight too long and was just thinking the other day that running with it on my arm for an entire marathon might get old.
Anyone used one of the armband type things and one of the waist belt ones and have a preference one way or the other?
Thanks, Nathan
Age: 49 Weight: 202 Height: 6'3" (Goal weight 195)
Current PR's: Mara 3:14:36* (2017); HM 1:36:13 (2017); 10K 43:59 (2014); 5K 21:12 (2016)
Hobby Jogger Especial!
I run with just my dog and am sometimes a fair distance from houses or other people. I turn the sound off on my phone when I run and only carry it "just in case".
There was someone in our area last summer that was only about 1/2 a mile to a mile away from anything but fell and broke her ankle. She did a lot more damage to it because there was no traffic and no one to help her and she had to hobble quite a way.
Not dead. Yet.
I use an armband and carry it for music. Its comfortable for the most part, but starts to itch on longer runs. Might have to start switching arms every hour or so.
How can we know our limits if we don't test them?


text:
Backyard Gazebo
In the summer of 2010 my husband and I decided we wanted to build something wonderful in our rather boring back yard. What started out as a patio and bench in the back yard turned into a 12ft Gazebo. It is our pride and joy and we worked very hard that summer to get it done in time to enjoy it, at least for a little while, before the snow came. I still get a thrill each time I see it, knowing we did it all ourselves everything from removing the sod to putting on the shingles. I am a big fan of Ryobi tools and we used just about every one we own when doing the project. We have many of the One+ tools including the drill/driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, flashlights and more. We also own a Ryobi compound miter saw and many of the lawn care tools.
I blogged about my project at http://diydames.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-summer-project-building-gazbo.html throughout the entire time. This is the final blog entry, http://diydames.blogspot.com/2010/09/gazebo-project-end.html
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text:
• • •
It was a bad week for our hometown. Whenever we lose a young man like Wade Walters, there is a sadness that hangs heavy over the city.
As you know, Wade was killed on Easter Sunday in the industrial accident at Arkansas Nuclear One.
Eight others were injured, but all have now been released from the hospital after receiving treatment.
On Saturday, I sat on Mount Nebo looking across the Arkansas River Valley at ANO.
The view was spectacular, and a peace came to me that I hadn't experienced in quite a few days as I gazed at both God's and man's handiwork.
Yes, I felt sadness over the loss of a young man's life, but then, I felt the hope that comes from the promise that the Creator has His hand on that young man, and on all of us.
And as I gazed at the beautiful Arkansas River and Lake Dardanelle, I also remembered a lyric I first heard in the early 1970s where the singer said our Heavenly Father made all that we see just for our own pleasure, and I again understood how blessed I am.
I didn't come down from the mountain with some great and powerful message to share with each of you today, but I did have a feeling of peace and love that I have not known in some time.
• • •
My best buddy, David, was in town for a visit late last week.
David stopped to see me on his way to Austin, Texas, from his home in Charlottesville, Va.
Our friendship goes back to 1973 and Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield, Va., to a time when we were just pups who thought we knew something.
I gave David a great tour of the market, and we ate way too much food at several local restaurants.
He agreed with me that Lake Dardanelle, the lake's state park, and Mount Nebo and that park, are jewels that set Russellville, Dardanelle, and the Arkansas River Valley apart from many places he and I both know.
We had just a couple days together, but it felt like old times in many ways. We shared stories, some memories, and maybe a few hopes and dreams.
We updated one another on family and friends, and we had some moments of silence where friends communicate in unspoken words and simply savor the time spent with one another.
Our friendship has endured much, and has grown in some mighty ways as we grew into adults, and now are just a couple older guys.
Talking to David on the phone and communicating through social media is great, and we get together via those devices on a regular basis, but there is nothing better for me than hearing my friend laugh in person at some story I've been telling since we were both 17.
As I write this piece, David is driving west and southwest, heading to Texas. But in my mind's eye, we are sitting together, somewhere, talking about all those things that we talk about.
Thanks, my friend. I love you.
Mike Roark can be contacted at email@example.com.


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Hang on a tick..
I seem to recall a remote control pterodactyl glider model thingy on TV a long while ago, and I do believe it was in America...is it still flying?
Maybe he DID see one...??
A 29-year-old Washington driver who last Thursday night drifted into the oncoming lane before crashing into a light pole failed to convince police officers that flying dinosaurs were to blame, HeraldNet reports. The 29-year-old Wenatchee man apparently wandered off course "for less than a block" while oncoming traffic …
I seem to recall a remote control pterodactyl glider model thingy on TV a long while ago, and I do believe it was in America...is it still flying?
Maybe he DID see one...??
could be there are a lot of dangrous dinos at this time of year
yes my coat and the elephant gun pls it is a long dangrous way home
... so why not?
...and he had that stuffed tiger on the backseat?
T9's the way to go my young American, follow the pterodactyl into the land of holy Darwin
Is this more even proof that some "extinct" animals simply haven't been seen in a very long time..?
(hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...padded cell...hahahahahahahahahahahahaha)
Yes, they are both diapsids that lived at the same time, but pterodactyls are not dinosaurs! I expect a better level of technical detail from a tabloid of this distinction.
See http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/archosy.html for details.
I believe you're referring to a short film, with that chap who played Sam in Lord of the Rings in it. It was one of those 'Masters of Science Fiction' films.
They must be based on real life!
in the space/time continuum.
<end obligatory Douglas Adams quote>
Sounds like something you'd see on a hollywood blockbuster: the officers of course didn't see the guy driving through the tropics of pangea avoiding dinos, explosions and tar pits, before he barrel rolled through a time rift and hit that lampost in washington.
Wrong login, man from mars.
You may be thinking of the 1983 movie WarGames, in which John Wood's character flies a model Pterodactyl in one of the scenes.
1980's cult classic film Wargames had a scene early on with a radio controlled pterodactyl. I remember it clearly because I wanted one!
... Wargames!!
Where they go to the island to find the Doc responsible for building WOMPR.
Professor Falcon is flying a remote controlled pterodactyl when we first meet him the movie 'Wargames'.
One presumes that, since he claims that he saw an animal that's been extinct for 65 million years, he doesn't believe in "Intelligent Design" or the literal truth of the Bible?
Great story, but where exactly are the IT and/or Paris Hilton angles?
I remember Professor Falken flying a Pterodactyl glider in the film Wargames back in 1983!
A radio-control pterodactyl was commisioned by the Smithsonian Museum, and created by Paul MacCready. It flew by flapping its wings. I've seen the film, and seen the pterodactyl itself on display in the Air and Space museum.
Perhaps this driver saw a secret military version of same. Was it black? Gotta watch out for them black pterodactyls!
I think the movie "Wargames" had a radio-controlled pterodactyl, but I think that it was also in some documentary, built by some hobbiest or researcher, and not made specially for the film.
Well, they tested him for alcohol. But what about other, more er... interesting substances more apt to produce hallucinations?
You're thinking of Wargames (with a very young Matthew Broderick).
Ally Sheedy and himself go to find a Dr. Stephen Falken on his private Island, trying to hunt down 'Joshua' (ahh, so many people's passwords after that), and they get 'buzzed' by a flying pterodactyl (well, radio controlled).
Hmm, need to get out more to remember that film in that much detail....
I have seen this recalcitrant animal several times. The first time it made me fail my maths O level, then some years later it made me drive my dad's car into a Rolls Royce that some fool had parked on the piece of road I was driving on,soon after that it made me drink a vast amount of Jack Daniels during my lunch break, causing me to go back to work and urinate in the corner of my bosses' office. It's true I tell you!
what is worse are the other members of the family , the Mastodon, the sabre tooth tiger and the monkey that keeps talking to me.
No, it was years ago, a Horizon Programme..called "nova" on the wrong side of the pond?
Anyway, the skies may be full of them..
Isn't Mexico renounce for having people spotting Pterodactyls? Maybe this flying reptile was on holiday? Sorry - vacation.
all right, so maybe I did watch Fear and Loathing one time too many. Now where did I leave my coat...?
it's been a while but they do have some nice fungus in Washington. Ahh, for the furry taste in my mouth once again.
No, really, our chickens are that big. Plus we really do have a Church of God,Zilla. (In Zilla, WA, there is the Church of God. And yes there's a large inflatabile reptile on the roof.)
Maybe he was thinking of dinosaurs after he "rapter" around the lamp post.
Occasionally some "extinct" animal is found to still exist after all. Or maybe it was some sort of odd-looking bird he'd never seen, and he could only relate it to a pterodactyl.
OTOH, that doesn't mean you crash into a lamp post. I mean, let's say it was a hawk instead of a pterodactyl. Would that have been excuse enough? I don't think so.
I'm thinking maybe it was a vulture...
... for the upcoming series of Primeval.
Why has no-one else twigged ?
The Great Blue Heron in flight has been confused (by some who may be otherwise impaired) with pterodactyls. Perhaps this is an explanation of the events? Their range includes that of the subject in question...
Yes, but its not practical enough to fly down the street to frighten drivers. It has to be flown off the side of a hill ("slope plane").
If you recall the opening lines from "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" -- about driving across the desert when the dinos hit or whatever -- then a more likely explanation is that he was suffering the effects of whatever he washed down with that "minimal amount of alcohol".
Ah. Is he? Is He?
He may have been stunned by the impact and was in fact trying to say "tell a doctor" but it came out wrong. (or wong, even).
No need to call me a cab, I never got out of it.
Obvious answer really. The Pterodactyl repellant emitter on his car had failed. All cars are fitted with this as standard. Easy to prove, stand next to a busy highway and count Pterodactyls. See?
Pterodactyl with a prestidigitateur using a von neumann machine, then apply a reductio ad absurdum, you may be left with the letters D and T.
Maybe that's what he saw: DTs.
Man drives into pole. Police interview man. Man gives bizarre answer. Any chance of a head injury being at the root of this dinoclastic storm?
Perhaps he saw one of these:
After all, Pterosaur/Pterodactyl ... what's the difference?
Hopefully someone will tell me.
Often seen hovering around the home (fortress) of Bill Gates. It's believed to be a scavenger of carrion such as the Vista OS.
Type your comment here — plain text only, no HTML
The man saw a Pderodactyl. Pderodactyls are secretly gathering to take over humanity. Nobody believes this man. We are here, all laughing from him.
Then, the pderodactyls strike. Millions of people die. This same man escapes from the sanatorium, gather a group of crazy people coming from all sectors of society (including the obligatory very hot bimbo, a rebel adolescent and a black man). All these people were absolutely normal, living normal lifes, but all of a sudden, they'll become expert in guns handling, ace drivers and explosive masters. They'll take down the pderodactyls. The black man, rebel adolescent, hot bimbo and a lot of extras will die so this man can accomplish his mission. The only survivor, besides him, will be a beautifull woman that doesn't like him, but as the days passes by his side, begins to love him madly.
All of this will happen in the USA, that we all know is the center of the world, so all invasions must start here. And, on the other hand, when the invaders in the USA are aniquillated, all of a sudden the invaders in all the world are destroyed too.
You'll see. Now, we laugh of this man. After a few months, the few of us that survive will praise him like a savior...
The Chances of pterodactyls coming from Washington are a million to one, he said.
Does Hollywood know of Ismael?! - i think he may have a bright future there.
All hail Ismael!
OK, Bollywood then.


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Manly Sea Eagles fans don't really like to cross the harbour, so will they if they have to?
Russell Crowe was expected to make the long, hard journey from Woolloomooloo to the SCG on Friday night to watch Souths take on Manly, but cancelled at the last minute.
Will Sea Eagles fans do the same? Whether they like it or not, whether they receive a $20 million upgrade to the ''shithole'' of Brookvale Oval, they better get used to making the long trip to the city.
It emerged last week that Manly's spiritual home was set to receive a long-overdue facelift. Half of that money has been pledged by Prime Minister Tony Abbott – who is, coincidentally, the Member for Warringah. The other half is set to come from NSW Premier Mike Baird – who is, coincidentally, the member for Manly – although we have been told that nothing is assured.
It appears to fly directly in the face of the state government's stated policy of ensuring the larger Allianz and ANZ stadiums are dragged into this century instead of pumping millions into decaying suburban grounds.
Upgrades of Brookie have been mooted and even promised for decades, oddly around election time, but there's a belief this one will actually happen. We're told it will resemble a beefed-up version of Redfern Oval: more centre of excellence and community hub than regular home ground.
So where does that leave Manly fans? It leaves them in the same position they're in for this blockbuster against Souths: jumping on a ferry or bus and coming to Moore Park. Like Jim Carrey's character in The Truman Show, Sea Eagles supporters have a real fear when it comes to travelling over water – but it is something they must overcome because the NRL wants Manly's headline matches played at Allianz Stadium.
Having relocated to ANZ Stadium years ago, Souths are using this match as a litmus test to gauge support closer to the CBD. The Rabbitohs faithful who remain furious that their club calls Sydney Olympic Park home should respond with their bottoms, placing them in the comfy green plastic seats of the cricket ground. But how many Manly fans decide to turn up will determine the crowd size.
Given it's one versus two, in a potential grand final rehearsal, between a side favoured to win the premiership and one that has dramatically shot into contention, between two sides that despise each other, at a new-look SCG, where you can order beers and food to your seat from your phone, the crowd should nudge the capacity of 50,000. Instead, it is looking more like 30,000. If it's less than that, it's a failure.
Comparisons to the AFL and Melbourne, and arguments that rugby league is better watched on TV are too simplistic when wading into the murky waters of Sydney crowd figures.
The NRL does not entirely endorse a two-stadium policy, as the AFL does in Melbourne, but there is a concerted push towards the headline matches being played in the bigger stadiums.
Melbourne doesn't have the conundrum of Manly: a powerhouse club with a suburban home ground sitting on the faraway northern peninsula that can feel as far flung as Botswana in peak hour. But Brookvale Oval and Pittwater Road will require a Joan Rivers-like facelift if it's to be a stadium worthy of hosting NRL blockbusters.
Sydney's sporting landscape will change dramatically in the next few years. The introduction of light rail to Moore Park and Royal Randwick, and the $3.4 billion WestConnex motorway that will allow those in the city to be parking at ANZ Stadium within 20 minutes, means the Sydney sports fan will soon start to feel the love.
Neither, though, helps the Manly supporter, who will still be faced with the bane of every Sydneysider's existence: lots and lots of other people.
Former Sharks strength and conditioning coach Trent Elkin broke an 18-month silence to Fairfax Media last Saturday to tell his side of the supplements story.
I called the elusive sports scientist Stephen Dank. It was a short but interesting conversation. ''We know the truth,'' Dank said. ''If anyone tries to write or say anything outside the lines of the truth ... I'm just giving you a friendly warning.''
I gave Dank plenty of opportunities to tell his version of the truth, but he declined.
It seems Dank's lawyer, Greg Stanton, is tired of the entire episode. ''Is this about Stephen Dank?'' Stanton said when phoned last week.
Yes. Yes it is.
''No!'' Stanton said abruptly, before hanging up.
From partying on yachts with Justin Bieber in Ibiza, Victoria's Secret model Shanina Shaik shot a Just Jeans commercial with Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams on Wednesday. Williams posted an image of the genetically perfect pair on Instagram.
That's all well and good, but I can tell you all of them are lucky to be alive after this column spotted the shoot while driving along Campbell Street, near the Surry Hills cop shop.
Production staff were basically blocking off half the road, much to the chagrin of the slobs making their way to work.
Waratahs players celebrated their Super Rugby victory at The Bucket List, the bar du jour of Bondi hipsters and other types with perfectly manicured beards and shirts with the top button done up.
Kurtley Beale was in the finest form – according to witnesses in the bar – but given the football revolution he's undergone in the past year, from outcast at the Rebels to Waratahs hero, he deserved to enjoy the moment.
A week ago, Wests Tigers management and fans were condemning reports about the club being at war with itself as nothing more than media-driven craziness. The interview with captain Robbie Farah on The Footy Show last night confirmed 'twas all true.
One line being pushed by the club is that coach Mick Potter placed pressure on himself by demanding a new three-year deal last month.
This is incorrect, according to people close to Potter.
As for Farah, many supporters are losing patience with him in much the same manner they lost patience with Benji Marshall.
He doesn't help himself with selective morality.
Farah is furious at Gorden Tallis for ''giving him up'' on Triple M about his views on Potter, but then tweeted a private text message from the club's media manager he received in the lead-up to Monday night's match against Melbourne about not speaking at the post-match press conference. What's the difference?
Sydney Olympic Park will turn into Norton Street on Sunday when Alessandro Del Piero steps out for the A-League All Stars against his former club Juventus at ANZ Stadium.
The precinct will be filled with Italian food stalls, street theatre and budding Pavarottis as Del Piero prepares to play his last match on Australian soil against the Italian powerhouse.
While the game won't sell out like the Manchester United fixture last year, expect something around 65,000.
We speak with Brisbane Roar's German superstar before the A-League All Stars match against Juventus at ANZ Stadium.
German reporters at the World Cup said your name whenever I mentioned I was from Australia. Does that surprise you?
Yes and no. To this day, I still get a lot of interest. German journalists still call.
Thoughts on Germany winning? They celebrated well.
They won it in style, too, especially the semi-final [when Germany beat Brazil 7-1]. That is a legendary game. It felt unreal watching that. Seeing them demolish them was outstanding.
You played with a lot of those players in the German under-21s team. Do you allow yourself to think what could've been?
Now and then. Back then, we were in the same team. I wasn't far off. Some moved on to achieve a lot of big things. Some didn't have the quality, and I guess I was one of them. That's just how life is. I have no regrets.
It's been a different career for you.
I think the fact I ended up here in Australia. More than anything, happiness matters. To be fair and frank, I wasn't happy in the Bundesliga. I wasn't happy with the pressure and was quite frustrated. I found my passion for the game playing here.
What's it mean to be playing with Alessandro Del Piero in his last match on Australian soil?
It's not just his last game, but it's against Juventus as well. That makes it even more special. It's a really cool occasion.
You played against Man United last year, now Juventus. Get star-struck at all?
Not at all. You're mindful that they have a different quality than your usual opposition. But it's more about enjoying it. It was more excitement than nervousness. You get to measure yourself against the best. For a split second, the result goes around the world and people take notice on what's happening in Australia.
Who do you admire the most in that Juventus side?
I love Pirlo. I guess everybody does. He's just so majestic out there. I really rate Vidal.
''My money is on the Crusaders.'' – All Blacks great and Tahs kicking coach Andrew Mehrtens in the Herald last week. Oh the irony, then, of Bernard Foley's 45-metre penalty to seal the Super Rugby deal for NSW.
Sally Pearson maintained a dignified silence after Eric Hollingsworth's calculated and public attack on her before the 100-metre hurdles at the Commonwealth Games. Then she ripped out a win – and then ripped into the disgraced head coach.
The AFL gets so many things so right, but its match review panel is so very wrong. Richmond's Reece Conca ran after GWS's Devon Smith at the weekend, then delivered a flying elbow to the back of his head – and receives a measly two-match ban?
Adam Scott, as he attempts to turn strong performances in majors this year into victory at the PGA Championship at Valhalla. This is his last chance for the year.
Ricky Stuart. The Canberra coach comes up against his last club, Parramatta, in Darwin. The Eels are trying to force their way into the eight; the Raiders are trying to avoid the spoon.
Chief Sports Writer, The Sydney Morning Herald
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text: I have a three year old Scott's 25 hp tractor (orange) with a 46 inch deck. I believe it to be made by John Deere. It is a lawn tractor but seems to be really heavy duty and well made. I have a problem now that seems insurmountable, at least to myself. I was in the process of cleaning it up really good and had taken the belt guards off each side and in that process also removed a small forked support of some type. It had been contacting a belt because it had belt markings on each of it's two contiguous, curved sides. I removed it and forgot from where and now I can't figure out where it went. My wife and I have pored over the manual which came with the tractor and still can't spot it in the drawings. It attaches to the mower deck with a screw that is the same size of the guards that were around the two outside pulleys. Today, I thought I would just go out and try it with the guards on and the little piece left off. It took about 15 minutes for the belt to break into, which of course made the blades stop turning. It has three blades. Has anyone had a similar experience to mine on a tractor like or unlike mine. I am at the end of my rope. I have already torn up a perfectly good mower belt. But, I also need to be able to fix it myself when I get a new belt without it tearing up again. I would sure appreciate it if anyone could give me a word of knowledge on this. It also is what they call a 46 inch mower deck.


text: Rand: What is that thing? Sulu: I don't know, but it goes 'zip' when it moves and 'bop' when it stops, and it 'whirrrs' when it stands still … Scotty: I think that I shall never see, a switch as beautiful as thee! Bones: You mean it's as cute as a button? Losira: When I over-heard you guys talking about how you have always wanted a three-some, I thought I'd join you ... Sulu: But then it wouldn't be a three-some. Kirk: He's right. Sorry, but it's simple mathematics.