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Best Of :: Sports & Recreation
No offense to the only competition in Westminster and Yorba Linda, but the Rinks Anaheim Ice wins this award as effortlessly as Jonathan Quick kept the Ducks out of the Stanley Cup. (Yee-ouch!) There are two rinks inside the arched, Frank Gehry structure, which, on the inside, resembles something between a Quonset hut and the overturned hull of a wooden ship: one Olympic-sized, the other NHL. The Ducks train here, and on a recent visit, we spotted coach Bruce Boudreau making the rounds. There's plenty of public skating—up to three times per day—wedged between all kinds of hockey and ice-skating madness. Just remember to dress warm; unlike other rinks whose interior temperatures vary widely depending on the weather, this place is always as cold as a keg of Labatt. Speaking of beer, it doesn't hurt that the snack bar serves Sculpin IPA.
Pole dancing has left behind its seedy nightclub taboo to be embraced by Orange County suburbanites as legitimate exercise, and it's awesome. The crepuscular interior of Smoke and Mirrors Pole Fitness, adorned with twinkling lights and chandeliers, has exactly the kind of mood lighting needed for budding pole dancers to learn the trade. The instructors are chipper, encouraging and impossibly flexible. They guide OC soccer moms and young people alike through lithe, sexy versions of classic warm-up exercises, and then impart their pole knowledge by demonstrating a bevy of spins and flips. The classes are fun, racy and an exhaustingly good workout. Be prepared for soreness and bruises: You are worming your body around a hard, metal pole after all.
Orange County is a consumer's dream, inundated with food and shopping options for nights out. But instead of gorging yourself and emptying your wallet for date night, take advantage of the beautiful scenery that makes OC so damn expensive to begin with. South County is home to some of the prettiest beaches, as exemplified by Calafia Beach in San Clemente. There is ample (free) street parking at the top of Avenida Calafia, then take the windy road leading down to the beach, so long as you don't mind ambling with your special so-and-so. Join countless other sappy couples and carve your initials into the sand cliffs, or venture into the private nooks formed by the imposing slabs of sand. The beach is deserted during off-season, when the gray skies manage to make the views even more beautiful.
This family-owned bowling alley is downright retro in these hipster, lounge-obsessed times. The bar offers a simple list of classics: beer, wine, shooters and cocktails that your Aunt Bess would order. There is no gastropub, just a snack bar stocked with pizza, nachos, pretzels and popcorn. You can hear the arcade room's beeps and bloops, as well as the occasional clink of billiards. The sign advertising laser tag reminds you of your misspent youth. And, lest we forget, there are 32 lanes down which you can hurl a green-and-orange-swirled ball. Leagues take over some of those glimmering aisles daily, and there are Rock-N-Bowl nights for kids and adults on weekends. It all comes together to remind you what drew you to Tustin Lanes in the first place: a fun night out with friends. Simple and classic and perfect.
What started as just a few friends of Elsa Stephen doing yoga in a park once a week in 2008 has grown through word-of-mouth at a tremendous speed. I Heart Yoga In the Park now meets every morning of the week and two evenings at Lantern Bay Park in Dana Point. Although you really can't beat the sweeping coastal views from the classes at Lantern Bay Park, there are also I Heart Yoga In the Park classes taking place three days a week at Historic Town Center Park in San Juan Capistrano. Stephen and four other expert instructors rotate leading the classes. Each of the women teach at brick-and-mortar studios as well as private classes. Dropping in at the park on different days is an excellent way to find your ideal teacher, if that's what you seek. Whatever motivates you to show up, know that newcomers are always welcome. And who knows what good might come just because you got up off your butt one day and decided to go to donation-based outdoor yoga.
What could be more hilarious than seeing dogs running full-tilt into the ocean to navigate the shorebreak with agility or total goofiness? Their impetus may be chasing down a thrown ball, or they may just be plain out of their minds with joy. Even if you have no pet, it's just so much fun to loll about and watch the show, especially the dogs who are first-timers on the scene. Technically, it's against Huntington Beach ordinance 13.08.070 for dogs to be off leash, but for quite a while, only out-of-control or aggressive pets have been given citations or kicked off the beach. By the way, how's your dog's balance and coordination? Do you think you could teach it to surf? If you start now, you'll have about 11 months to train your pet for the next Surf City Surf Dog contest, which usually takes place on Dog Beach the last weekend in September.
Salt Creek Point gets the nod this year because, back in June, a sandwich-board sign was seen on the beach that read, "This area is for SURFING ONLY: No Stand-up Paddleboarding. Go North of Lifeguard Tower for Swimming, Wading and Bodyboarding." 'Nuff said. This is a point break with mostly lefts that gets consistent waves in most swell directions. Salt Creek is excellent for watching surfers up close while in total safety. Because of the deep curve of the shore, spectators standing on the point are very close to the lineup. You'll see lots of photographers there when the surf is big. No big surprise, but there are third- and fourth-generation surfers who've paddled out here since toddlerhood. So don't be a douchebag: Stay out of waves beyond your capability, respect the lineup and never drop in on anyone. If you're not into lefts, you can paddle out farther north at Middles or Gravels, but you'll have to contend with bodyboarders and the occasional international tourist from the Ritz in over their heads. If you don't mind a hike, there's free street parking to be had on Stonehill Drive.
Students commute several times per week from as far as Pasadena and Oceanside to study with Sifu Adam Williss, who is an inductee into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. His teachers' lineage traces back to grandmaster Ip Man, Bruce Lee's teacher. Known for its real-world, close-quarters self-defense application, the Wing Chun form is especially effective in its defense against larger, stronger attackers—so any age, strength, size or gender have the potential to excel. One thing is certain about today's Wing Chun: It is not a competitive sport. Sifu Adam teaches the self-defense principles in a way that, as you progress, allow you to apply those principles to all aspects of life's challenges—not just the physical ones.
Dana Point location, www.ocwingchun.com
Irvine location, www.wingchunirvine.com
Bored with the gym? Hit the Mark Fitness takes to the streets of Old Towne Orange, with encouraging coaches telling young and old(-ish), strong and weak(-ish) they can do this! They can reach that next stop sign, then go beyond. Owner Mark Gonzalez, a graduate of Cal State Fullerton, believes in pushing his boot campers toward not only better bodies, but better health, too. And don't we all want that?
Because hiking from the hills to the beach is like going to God's personal heaven.
Chapman University was designed for two purposes: higher education and the adrenalin rush that comes with taking off all of your clothes and running as fast as you can. Look no further than the face of the university, the group of buildings that sits behind the Chapman sign. The walkway forms a perfect U shape opening up to Chapman Avenue: easy access, prime visibility and, most important, a way out. Have a friend pull the car up to the start of the U, then burst out like a nervous, sweating, naked banshee and complete the path—by which point your friend will have inched the car forward to the end of the loop. You'll be out of sight and down Glassell before the "tackle and ban" instinct strikes any onlooking authorities.
In terms of sheer intimidation, your first day at a bouldering gym is on par with starting a new job or meeting a significant other's parents. It may actually be a bit worse—for starters, it's the only one in which the thought "Everyone can see my balls right now" is not completely irrational. Add to that the overwhelming sensation that everyone else seems to know exactly what they're doing, and you've got a nearly infallible recipe for sweaty palms. We say nearly infallible specifically because of the Aesthetic Climbing Gym, where veterans happily assist newbies in both top roping and bouldering. For the uninitiated, top roping includes a harness. It's comparable to long-distance running—strategy and endurance—whereas bouldering is a sprint. There are no harnesses, and the paths are much shorter. The color-coded levels range from V-B (basic) to V-14, and the top-out section—the area you reach at the top of the wall—is spacious and expansive.


text: Saget, you're the best! Quad should be here tomorrow, KK board early next week. Can't wait! Thanks for the help! Nice snow machines, O2TAC. I bought some floats for my E-Flite UMX Carbon Cub but of course, after I did, the weather decided to warm up and the snow melted.

subset: commoncrawl


text: UT:TFV - Part II - Scorched Earths (Chapter 7 continued) Chapter 7 <cont'd> Commander Xerix stared at the assembly of Ferou ships with hooded eyes, leaning forward very slightly in his chair like a perched bird of prey. He hadn't tasted combat since the end of the Dominion War, a conflict he'd been secretly ecstatic at entering when the star empire had finally joined the fray. He was a soldier, bred to war and honed like a fine blade through decades of training to a razor's edge. Never to employ such a specialized weapon would have been a waste of resources and talent, and in combat Xerix had at last found himself in his element. Where others experienced indecision or fear, Xerix saw the raging battles with a kind of hyper-acute clarity, and was able to divine the enemy's plans even before they'd put them in motion. The end of the war had left Xerix feeling somehow crippled, as though he was no longer whole without the furor of warfare raging around him. Days, weeks, and months crept past as though in slow motion, one day melting into another with nothing to differentiate them but an endless string of meetings and mind-numbing data-work. The desperate mission to the Delta Quadrant to stem the tide of refugees was a new lease on life for Xerix. More than the accolades and medals awarded for his exploits, Xerix yearned for the adrenaline and action of combat, the opportunity to match his skills and intellect against that of alien commanders in a frantic winner-takes-all contest. "Commander," the ship's sensor officer addressed him, starting him from his reverie. "There's been a forty-seven percent increasing in the strength and duration of sensor sweeps on our location by the Federation starship. I'm also seeing an increase in sweeps in the vicinity of Tolovana." "They've seen us," Xerix breathed. "Still, we are nearly in position." "Vexam and Roakel report that they're approaching the other side of the fleet at one-eighth impulse. Distance, twenty-three million kilometers." "Understood," Xerix said as he assessed their tactical situation. "Maintain distance to Europa and have Tolovana do the same. If they're busy watching us, perhaps they'll be less apt to see the others." Moments passed, and despite their being on the cusp of initiating hostilities with a well-armed opponent, Xerix's crew maintained admirable discipline in the tense atmosphere. "Now detecting sensor sweeps in our vicinity by multiple Ferou vessels, Commander," reported the sensor officer, breaking the thick silence of the bridge. Xerix's jaw rippled with barely repressed outrage. He glanced at his first officer, murmuring in a low voice, "Our allies have apparently given away our position to the Ferou." "Signal incoming from Vexam, Commander." "Put it through, audio only." Chalois' spoke, the urgency in her tone unmistakable. "Commander Xerix, if we do not launch our attack quickly, the Federation diplomatic team will have transported aboard before our strike." "They've already betrayed our presence to the Ferou, Sub-Commander," Xerix replied icily. "We can't know that for certain, sir," Chalois protested in vain. "If we attack and Federation lives are lost—" "Enough!" he barked. "We will wait until the others are in position, and then we will strike. I will not sacrifice our tactical advantage for a handful of Starfleet lives." He jabbed the comms control angrily, severing the link and ending the conversation abruptly. "Yowaen and Suralar are moving into flanking positions, Commander. Another five minutes until we're all in place." Xerix let out a slow, deliberate breath, steadying himself for what was to come. "So shall it be." "I'm detecting a Federation transporter signal…" ***** The near weightlessness of the Ferou's environment was disconcerting enough, but the electrical field by which their species moved and manipulated their surroundings caused significant static electricity throughout the ceremonial chamber that literally made the away team's hair stand on end. The Ferou themselves were beautiful, elegant creatures that moved like wraiths through the great chamber. Though they possessed a definite physical form, their tissues were sufficiently elastic that they undulated and drifted gently along not unlike a sheet blown free from a clothesline by the wind. The cavernous compartment was ovoid in shape, and the rounded floors and walls only served to heighten the Starfleet contingent's sense of disorientation. Try as they might in their first few minutes to control their bodies in low-g, the humanoids drifted awkwardly off the floor whenever they jostled into one another. Taiee couldn't suppress a fit of giggles as Shanthi lost his balance and grabbed frantically at Lar'ragos for support, sending the both of them spiraling into the air with their arms flailing helplessly. "This," Lar'ragos muttered sardonically, "is going to go down in the annals of diplomatic history as how not to represent the Federation." Shanthi was unable to reply, struggling gallantly to keep from vomiting as his inner ear and visual cortex sent conflicting messages to one another. Delicate carts moving along rails set into the walls began to slide into the great room, filling the chamber with the alien scents of various exotic foodstuffs. "For obvious reasons," said GentleFriendSeeker-(Diplomatic-caste), "our physical limitations make it awkward and painful for us to visit higher gravity environments. We understand that it is equally unsettling for you to suffer the indignities of low gravity in order to be among us, and we are grateful you have been willing to do so in the name of friendship and peace." "Our Federation is comprised of hundreds of diverse species," Lar'ragos answered as casually as possible as he drifted slowly towards the floor head first. "So we are experienced at meeting others in a variety of environments. We are honored that you have allowed us to stand among you so that—" he pushed off the floor with his arms, tucked, and rolled upright, "—we could explore one another's cultures." StarGuideFarSeer-(Navigator-caste) asked, "Do these Romulans you spoke of not feel similarly? Is that why they have chosen not to contact us?" Counselor Liu, the only one of the team who'd insisted on wearing gravity boots, stood fixed in place as the others fought to stay upright. He replied, "The Romulans are our allies, but they do not always share our willingness to extend the possibility of friendship at first meeting. They are a cautious people who likely wish to project strength through silence." "So they mean us no harm?" FleetGuardianStalwartDefender-(Protector-caste) inquired pointedly. "It is typically not their way to strike without provocation," Lar'ragos answered. "But I cannot speak for them with absolute certainty. At present your fleet's projected course does not take you into Romulan territory, and as we're enjoying this friendly get-together as they watch, I can't see any reason they'd have to harbor you ill will." ***** The tight-beam encrypted signals flashed between Vexam and her sister ship, Yowaen. "Are we really going to allow this to happen?" Chalois wrote to Commander Ejiul tr'Aimne. "Europa has already spotted us. If we attack with their crew aboard the Ferou ship, they'll have no choice but to engage us to safeguard their diplomatic party." "I, too, regret that it has come to this," Ejiul replied, likewise by text. "However, Xerix is carrying out the explicit orders of the Galae. We must set our personal objections aside and do our duty. As has been often said, 'obedience is our portion.'" "And if the starship opposes us by force of arms?" "That would be most unfortunate," Ejiul answered, "for them." ***** All six Norexan-class warbirds decloaked simultaneously, raising their shields an instant before disgorging a withering volley of torpedoes that swarmed downrange among a brilliant wash of green disruptor bolts. The lead Ferou vessel was savaged, and despite the strength of their hull composition, the ship's superstructure blistered and ruptured in the face of such sustained aggression. Gouts of flame and escaping atmosphere jetted from the stricken ship as the lights from its many large viewports flickered spasmodically. ***** USS Europa "Six Romulans warbirds," 2nd Lieutenant Tiedermeyer announced from Tactical. "Their weapons and defenses are active." The ensign manning the Ops console blurted, "They're firing on the Ferou!" Juneau stood abruptly, her jaw dropping open at the sheer absurdity of what she was witnessing. "Get a transporter lock on our people and get them out of there!" An agonizing few seconds groaned past as they watched the great cylindrical Ferou ship mauled by the Romulans' opening salvo. "We can't get a lock," Ashok growled from Engineering. "The interior portions of the ship that aren't burning are rife with EM interference, and all the weapons discharges are creating a—" Juneau shouted in reply, cutting off Ashok mid-thought, "I don't care why. Just find me a goddamn alternative!" She blinked, clearly overwhelmed by the dynamic pace of events. "Raise— raise shields… sound red alert." "Incoming signal from the Romulans, Lieutenant. They're ordering us to stand down and withdraw." ***** USS Masada "It would seem their First Contact mission has taken an unfortunate turn," Parlan observed coolly as he and Ramirez watched the pyrotechnics on Masada's main viewer. "Oh, but it's about to get so much worse," Liana Ramirez chuckled darkly. "Set course to three-two-nine, mark zero-four-zero. Bring us right in on top of the lead warbird and prepare to decloak. Warm up the quantum torpedoes and phasers, gentlemen, we're going to draw some green blood today." Parlan looked askance at her, his expression troubled. "What of the events we've set in motion aboard Europa?" "The timing couldn't be more perfect, my mechanical friend. First we start a war with the Romulans, and then we'll bring Sandhurst and his crew to their knees." She made a show of glancing all around. "I think we need some new digs, don't you? This little ship really is rather claustrophobic." Parlan actually looked impressed for a fleeting moment. "For a biological," he noted, "you never cease to surprise me, Ramirez." *****


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Round 1 -
Donta Hightower, ILB - Alabama.... Giants have "good" linebackers, not great. This kid has the ability to be great and for a long time.
Lamar Miller, RB - The U.... This kid could turn out to be the gem of the draft. He is fast, patient and surprising power. Bradshaw can't carry the load all year and Jacobs is all but done.
Dwayne Allen, TE - Clemson.... I happen to be a fan of Fleener, but Allen is by no means a player that you overlook. Giants need TE help badly and Allen can be an instant mismatch for Eli.
Round 2 -
Brandon Washington, OG - The U..... He is built to play Guard in the NFL. Did a great job his sophemore year and earn ALL ACC. Due to injury he was forced to move out to Tackle, where he struggled at times.
Nick Toon, WR - Wisconsin.... Perfect WR for the Giants organization. He is a tough and gritty kid that is use to playing in the cold. Does a great job going over the middle and is a big target for Eli.
Trumaine Johnson, CB/S - Montana..... Love this kids versitility... He can play CB and Safety and does it well. I know he played against 1-AA competition, but he was above and beyond a star on the field.
Round 3 -
Chandler Jones, DE - Syracuse.. I've been a huge fan of this guy for some time now. He doesnt get a lot of exposure at Syracuse, be he does a great job getting after the QB and is built like JPP. Also, his brothers are "Bones" Jones (UFC Champ) and Arthur Jones (DT, Ravens)... good gene's.
Senio Kelemete, OG - Washington... Giants need to address the interior of the offensive line. Snee is solid, but DD and Petrus are expendable. If the Giants pass up on Washington in Rd. 2, they need to consider one in Rd. 3.
Leonard Johnson, CB - Iowa State... Along the same lines of Kelemete. The Giants need to address the CB position and if they pass on Johnson in Rd. 2, they need to address it soon after. Johnson is a gamer and plays big.
Round 4 -
Mike Martin, DT - Michigan... Martin is a bully. Doesn't get pushed around all that much. Did a decent job getting the backfield, but did a better job plugging holes. Great choice for the Giants defense.
Ladarius Green, TE - Louisiana Lafayette... Big specimen, with the athletism to bea serious mismatch for linebackers and safties. Not much of a blocker, but his offense contribution should not be overlooked.
Vick Ballard, RB - Miss. State.... Juco transfer that put up good numbers for Miss. State. He had no offense around him, so opposing defenses game planned around him. He finished his senior year strong and blew up in the bowl game.
Round 5 -
Brandon Mosley, OT - Auburn... Mosley is a raw talent. Juco guy that played TE and DE before going to Auburn where he was thrown in at RT and did a pretty good job. His versility and athletism are attractive attributes.
DeQuan Menzie, CB - Alabama..... overlooked guy that played fantastic this season. He does a wonderful job shedding WR blocks and making open field tackles. Must get if still there in Rd. 5
Eric Page, WR- Toledo.... smaller guy that catches everything. He put up phenomenol numbers in the MAC and could be an instant play maker for Eli and the offense.
Round 6 -
Donte Paige-Moss, DE - North Carolina.... super talented guy that really got overplayed by Quinton Coples, but lets be real. Coples is a potential top pick in the NFL draft. Moss had times where he was great and then you didnt hear about him the rest of the game. Giants locker room is just what he needs.
Case Keenum, QB - Houston.... we all know the numbers this kid put up and some part of the success has to be on pure talent. He maybe coming from a spread offense, but he wont be asked to play and he seems like a smart kid that can learn any offense.
Jerrell Young, S - South Florida.... Giants need depth at Safety. Grant is gone and Sash needs someone to push him and make him better. Young is talented, but raw. Needs some solid coaching and mentoring.
Round 7 - All about Value!
Nick Provo, TE - Syracuse.... Good offensive player and the only offensive threat for Syracuse this past season. Good hands and good athletism.
Janzen Jackson, CB/S - McNeese State.... remember him at Tennessee? I do! He was a flat out beast and all over the field. He has some issues and drug problems, so he left school and then was not welcomed back.
Montell Harris, RB - Boston College.... had a bad injury this year and lost his season. One of the most talented RB's in the ACC before he got injured.


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KEXP Reviews
|Browse by one of the following:
- (Merge)
The 9th album from this veteran Nashville band led by Kurt Warner is one of their strongest efforts to date. The country and soul influences are more subtle than before, the orchestration less prominent. The hushed, austere sound sets in stark relief this collection of remarkable, deeply personal songs. 8/3/2006 - Don Yates
Other Lambchop album reviews:
Aw Cmon/No You Cmon - 2/9/2004
What Another Man Spills - 10/15/1998
Thriller - 9/15/1997
How I Quit Smoking - 2/15/1996


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The Pursuit of Happiness Is Hazardous to Your Health
Everyone just wants to be happy, but psychologists at the University of Wisconsin found that people who search out happiness for its own sake tend to live shorter lives and are at greater risk to develop depression and other mental illnesses. Yes, the pursuit of happiness can lead to unhappiness.
Psychologists say that people should chase after "eudaimonic" happiness, the good feelings that come from volunteering, raising children, or having a purpose in life other than making money, being fabulous, and watching reality television programs. This is the sort emotional activity that will lead to a longer life and general sense of well-being. And it doesn't work if people are forced into it either, so your court-appointed community service doesn't count. You better get yourself to a soup kitchen, or you're as good as dead.


text: I think most would clearly consider Borg as the best player in 1977. Of course we are looking at the top ranking instead, which is not exactly the same thing, but the two are also related. I do think head to head is important as well when the records are this close in terms of pure accomplishment for the year. It's not the only thing to be considered, but it is important to factor in. Now, how much of a factor it is can be debated. Regardless, with Connors, Borg split their two big matches, but Borg's Wimbledon win trumps the Masters loss and he did go 2-1, with wins on grass and clay. You have Borg going 3-0 versus Vilas, including his Masters win. So, if you count the Connors win as significant because it was at a big tourney, you have to also concede that Borg beat Vilas at a big tourney. Borg beat Vilas on both clay and carpet. I think Borg #1, with Vilas at #2, and Connors at #3 would be my order.


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Sony Corp. Reports Third-Quarter Loss
Sony Corp. Reports Third-Quarter Loss
Sony Corporation reported a loss of $2.04 billion and a 17.4 percent drop in sales to $23 billion for the third quarter ending Dec. 31. The company attributed the loss to the October floods in Thailand and weakening global demand. Sony's music division, which includes Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Japan and a 50 percent stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing, reported an 11.7 percent drop in sales to $1.6 billion, while operating income decreased 21.7 percent to $196 million. The decrease was attributed to fewer significant new releases during the quarter. (2/2)
Facebook Files For IPO
On Feb. 1 social networking service Facebook filed a $5 billion initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to the filing, Facebook's revenue totaled $3.7 billion in 2011, an 88 percent increase compared to the prior year. Advertising revenue increased 69 percent to $3.2 billion, accounting for 88 percent of total revenue. Facebook added 237 million monthly active users in 2011, bringing the total to 845 million. (2/2)
Music Startups Funding Up 27 Percent In 2012
Investors contributed a total of $65.55 million to music startups in January, an increase of more than 26.5 percent compared to funds contributed during the same period last year. Audio distribution platform SoundCloud received the highest amount of investor funding among music startups in January with $50 million, followed by Next Big Sound ($6.4 million) and Moontoast ($6 million). (2/2)


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The chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, described that suggestion as "preposterous" and "utter nonsense." During an interview with MSNBC, she said the party wouldn't stoop to the same levels as Republicans.
"Let's remember that President Obama has had so many things hurled at him — birth certificate questions, whether he is or is not a Christian," Wasserman Schultz said. "For them to suggest that religion will be injected by President Obama and the Democratic Party, I mean, I think they need to take a look inward at the accusations that their party and their supporters have hurled before they take that step."
Hatch made the remark in response to a question at a political event Tuesday night in northern Utah, and repeated the point Wednesday night after a debate in Draper, Utah. Hatch, also a Mormon, is seeking a seventh term in the Senate.
"For them to say they aren't going to smear Mitt Romney is bologna," Hatch said. "It's way out of bounds, but that's what is going to happen."
More than 60 percent of Utah residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Romney won the state's 2008 Republican primary with 91 percent of the vote.
The claim by Hatch reflects poorly on Democrats in Utah, especially those who are Mormons, said Craig Janis, who is working for Utah Democratic Party to recruit LDS Church members.
"Divisive and unsubstantiated claims about religion have no place in our debate," Janis said. "This is a country that was founded on the principles of respect and freedom for religion ... we hope that, going forward, Sen. Hatch will remember that, as a statesman, he is held to a higher standard of conduct, and will choose his words more carefully."


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Cowlishaw: Nolan Ryan's silence hurts everyone, most of all his reputation
Columnist Tim Cowlishaw answered questions in a chat Thursday. Here are some highlights.
The Magnificent Jack Crow ... Do you see Robbie Ross taking the fifth rotation spot, or will the Rangers make a deal for Porcello?
Tim Cowlishaw: Not knowing how the Derek Lowe thing is going to factor in -- I don't think he starts -- my guess right now is that Ross is the No. 5 starter in April. Then we will see if he keeps that job after three or four starts, if Lewis is ready or if other options seem better.
Duncan ... World Baseball Classic ... more detrimental to its pros than the Pro Bowl? At least if you get hurt there, you have an off-season to come back.
Tim Cowlishaw: I suppose but they could never play the WBC in November. No one would play.
The Magnificent Jack Crow ... How much longer is Nolan going to pout and leave JD hanging in the wind? "No Comment" is hardly helpful.
Tim Cowlishaw: I agree, in so many words. Writing column along those lines this afternoon. This is not a fundamental change. Ryan hasn't been involved in day to day baseball decisions to this point. The owners simply spelled out what has been going on and gave Daniels a new title to prevent teams from coming after him which makes sense for the Rangers. Nolan's silence hurts everyone, most of all the reputation of Nolan Ryan.
Alan ... I was listening to a commentary last night by some local sports folks who were going over all of the financial losses a Ryan resignation would bring on himself. Is this a part of the equation that is being overlooked in much of the banter (partial ownership, CEO salary, concession partnerships, etc)?
Tim Cowlishaw: That's why I don't think he's walking away. Makes no sense.


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Spring Fever and Bad Policy Engulf the Capital
Spring fever is in the air. Or hay fever. Some kind of fever has policy makers in Washington not thinking very clearly.
Though not specifically discussing the credit union tax exemption, President Barack Obama called for a reduction in "tax expenditures" so that there will be enough to lower tax rates and the deficit. By tax expenditure he means your credit unions' tax-exempt status, among others. Yes, the government is now going after not-for-profits to prop up its ludicrous spending. The president framed it as $4 trillion in savings over 12 years.
This would be a bad public policy move. President Obama's campaign promise was about change for a better America now and into the future. Taxation of credit unions would serve to decrease their services and service areas, including areas that are not being served by other regulated financial institutions. Credit unions branch into areas that banks wouldn't touch because the return on investment is not there. That is credit unions' purpose–to care more about the people they're serving than bolstering profits. Credit unions still need profits and should follow ROI, but making money is not their sole purpose. Texas Dow Employees CEO Ed Speed, who is a reformed banker, recently said that he enjoys working in credit unions because it allows him to be a good business person and ethical.
At this particular time in history, taxation would crush many credit unions that are on the verge of trouble because they are too small or unsophisticated to handle the change. Some credit unions could adjust their business model to write off enough so they wouldn't have a tax obligation, like Bank of America and other large corporations. (A tax return for a credit union? It could happen!)
Many would simply have to merge. Following the economic and housing crisis, the corporate credit union system implosion and subsequent assessments, many credit unions are facing slim to negative return on assets. Even at the lower Subchapter T (cooperative) rates, it would seal the fate of many credit unions.
Credit unions not only create jobs with their own hires, but they also make it possible for small businesses to start or hire more employees. Banks would never touch these loans, as they've already demonstrated. Better employment numbers is what this administration needs if it wants to stay in power.
Credit unions also serve as a regulator on bank rates and fees. CUNA has estimated that credit unions save American consumers (many of them voters) over $6 billion a year. When credit unions save their members that kind of dough, they feel wealthier with the money in their pockets and can spend, which is needed to help boost the economy. If instead the government takes that money in the form of taxes, it's essentially gone in the consumer's mind. Consumer spending accounts for the bulk of the U.S. economic engine.
Others have a strategy in their back pockets, and from what I've gleaned, it's most that of the larger credit unions. They're prepared for the day taxation might come with a plan to convert to banks. This would also be disastrous to the industry. But if credit unions are taxed, what benefit to the charter would be left? Arcane capital and business lending rules? The credit union charter merely would become a bank of the 1930s. How long could it survive?
CUNA and NAFCU have vowed to oppose a repeal credit unions' tax exemption, and they should for the above reasons. But, it could also be used as a leveraging tool. If the repeal of the tax exemption becomes inevitable, then possibly it could do some good in the fight for capital reform and expanded member business lending powers.
As you can imagine, the bankers are back in their offices drooling over the prospect of credit unions being taxed. Keith Leggett, senior economist for the American Bankers Association, took it one step further–a kick 'em while they're down approach. He recently noted in his blog that the federal government may lease land or facilities to federal credit unions free of charge under the Federal Credit Union Act. He called for the immediate repeal of this section in the name of the deficit. Yes, that's what will save Social Security. Never mind that the on-base credit union keeps the financially inexperienced, newly enlisted servicemen and women from going to the title loan company just outside the installation gates. How well will they be able to do their job of defending our freedom if they're sidetracked because they became ensnared by some unscrupulous 'lender?' What does that save the Uncle Sam?


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Create an Optimized Facebook Page
Create and Optimize a Facebook Page (19:42)
Top 5 SEO Tips for your Facebook Page (4:39)
How to Change Your Facebook Page Category (1:36)
Keywords 101 (17:06)
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Optimize your Facebook Images
What Makes your Facebook Page Awesome (8:10)
Facebook Apps 101
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How to Find Audiences Similar to your Target Audience on Facebook
List of Cheapest Countries for Facebook Ad Clicks
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Step 1 Facebook Ads - Campaign Marketing Objectives (5:56)
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Step 2 Facebook Ads - AD SET - Facebook Ad Targeting (18:17)
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STEAL competitors -- BRAND awareness vs REACH (9:45)
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Submit News
UK Judge Rejects Apple's Patent Claims, Says Galaxy Tab "Not as Cool" as iPad
Jason Mick
July 9, 2012 3:40 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
Ban is rejected, judges say no one is mistaking Samsung's tablets for Apple ones
U.S. Design Patent D504,889
and its corresponding patents in Europe, Australia, and elsewhere have stirred up a lively debate about patent law in relation to competition. The Apple, Inc. (
) design patent contains precious little text, so it's left to Apple's lawyers to interpret it, and is up to international courts to decide how broad the protected design space is.
I. Does D'889 Grant Apple a Monopoly?
Apple claims D'889 is essentially a blank check to a tablet monopoly. While the pictured device in the 2004-era patent:
...has no buttons and is substantially different from the iPad in bezel size and form factor, Apple says none of that matters. It says it has "invented" the minimalist tablet -- in Apple's words a tablet with "slightly rounded corners,'" "a flat transparent surface without any ornamentation," and "a thin profile" -- and that competitors should not be allowed to produce rival designs of any size. The only unspoken exception is
Windows 8 tablets
, as Microsoft Corp. (
) owns a favorable cross-licensing deal with Apple.
In the U.S., Apple's claims of monopoly ownership were backed by the
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
who decided in a May 14th
[PDF] that Apple's design patent was valid and that Samsung infringed on it. The ruling led to
Judge Lucy Koh
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
(San Jose/San Francisco) to institute
a nationwide sales ban
on Samsung Electronics Comp., Ltd.'s (
) Galaxy Tab 10.1, despite her personal opinion that the patent was invalid.
Overseas in Britain, Apple's broad claims met a far different fate. Judge Colin Birss stroked Apple's ego, while offering it a stinging court defeat.
II. UK Judge Rejects Design Infringement Claims
He writes, "[The Galaxy Tab line] do not have the same understated and extreme simplicity which is possessed by the Apple design... They are not as cool."
Despite the kind words, the Judge says that 50+ examples of prior art both in the industry and in fictional works show that Apple's 2004 idea was hardly "original". The Judge considered it ludicrous that Samsung be expected to differentiate the front of its device, given that extra face buttons hinder the user interface and that the hardware form factor is almost entirely constrained by the multi-touch display, an industry standard.
Judge Birss says where tablets need to differentiate themselves is in the back face and profile. He found that "unusual details" on the back of the Samsung devices, as well as a thinner profile, made them trivially distinguishable from the iPad.
The Galaxy Tab (left) is substantially different from the iPad (right) according to a UK Judge.
[Image Source: Gadgets and Gizmos]
In short, he argued that Apple's lawyers were completely wrong in their argument that customers would confuse the Galaxy Tab 10.1 for iPads.
His ruling means that there will be no bans and no damages on a design basis. A London court previously ruled that three of Apple's most-asserted EU technology patents
were invalid
on the grounds of obviousness and prior art, while a fourth was too narrow to sue Samsung and others.
Apple has 21 days to appeal the ruling to higher courts in the UK. Otherwise it risks a complete loss in its UK efforts to kill Android in court. Such a loss could spell a permanent end to the company's slew of suits in the European Union.
Amid the losses in the EU, Apple's bet at banning the competition may be in the U.S. However, it faces some tough tests, such as
Judge Richard A. Posner
who argues that the U.S. patent system is broken and that Apple is using the broken system to its advantage as a weapon to kill free market competition.
"Well, there may be a reason why they call them 'Mac' trucks! Windows machines will not be trucks." -- Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer
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Dear Members,
Abhidhamma View : Sense Bases and Noble Truths
[Presented by Dr.Tep Sastri @ SariputtaDhamma/JTN/Mult]
CMA VII, p. 286-289:
The twelve bases are: 1. the eye base, 2. the ear , 3. the nose base, 4. the tongue base, 5. the body base, 6. the mind base, 7. the visible-form base, 8. the sound base, 9. the smell base, 11. the tangible base, 12. the mental-object base. The twelve bases offer another perspective of the whole. From this perspective the totality of concrete entities is viewed by way of the doors and objects of consciousness. Bases 1-5 are identical with the five kinds of sensitive material phenomena and bases 7-11 with the five kinds of objective material phenomena. The mind base 6, however, has a wider range than the mind door. It is identified with the aggregates of consciousness in its totality, comprising all eighty-nine types of citta. The mental-object base does not completely coincide with mental object (dhammaaramma.na), but includes only those entities not found among the other bases. Thus it excludes the first five objective bases, the five types of sensitive matter, and citta, which is identical with the mind base. It also excludes concepts(pa~n~natti), since the notion of base(aayatana) extends only to ultimate realites, i.e. things existing by way of intrinsic nature(subhaava), and does not to things that owe their existence to conceptual construction. The mental-object base comprises the fifty-two mental factors, the sixteen kinds of subtle matters, and Nibbaana.
The Four Noble Truths are: 1. the noble truth of suffering, 2. the noble truth of the origin of suffering, 3. the noble truth of the cessation of suffering, and 4. the noble truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
The noble truth of suffering is expounded as twelvefold: the suffering of birth, ageing, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, association with the unpleasant, separation from the pleasant, not to get what one wants, and the five aggreagates of clinging. Concisely, the noble truth of suffering comprises all phenomena of the three mundane planes of existence except craving.
The noble truth of the origin of suffering is a single factor, anmely, craving(ta.nhaa), which is identical with the cetasika of greed(lobha). Craving, however, has three aspects: craving for sense pleasures(kaama-ta.nhaa), craving for continued existence(bhavata.nhaa), and craving for annihilation(vibhavata.nhaa). The Abhidhamma texts explain craving for continued existence as lust accompanied by the view of existence(bhavadi.t.thi), i.e. by the eternalist view; craving for non-existence as lust accompanied by the view of non-existence(vibhavadi.t.thi), i.e. by the annihilationist view.
The noble truth of the cessation of suffering is also singlefold: it is Nibbaana, which is to be realized by eradication of craving.
The noble truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path. In the teaching of the four truths, this is the collection of eight cetasikas corresponding to the eight path factors arisen in the cittas of the four supramundane paths. It should be noted that while in the section on the requisites of enlightement, the eight path factors may be either mundane or supramundane, in the teaching of the Four Noble Truths they are exclusively supramundane.
Love Buddha's dhamma,
Abhidhamma View : Sense Bases and Noble Truths
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Discussion in 'Odds & Ends' started by oscar_2424, Jul 18, 2006.
Great stuff, IB1.
You too, JBF.
Maryna Zanevska
Monica Puig
Marta Sirotkina
Bojo & Mladenovic
Come hither look?
Kristyna Pliskova
Karolina Pliskova
Corinna Dentoni
Thanks RP...and I think you'd like these:
Elina Svitolina vs Kerber
Arina Rodionova
Let's all sing the Jelena The Body Jankovic song! Which I hereby write, and is sung to the tune of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
C'mon now. Guys -- and ladies, you too:
Double match point, third set fight
Melbourne gasps in awe
The ball is tossed with hearts on pause
Unheard or met with sight
JJ's skirt is raised in air
What lies beneath more earns our stare
JJ. Jelena The Body Jankovic. One of the few who can make an utterly uneventful tennis match a true happening. The one, even in defeat, who unerringly walks off the court the winner.
Go JJ! Go! Go! Go!
I love that pic of Agnes Radwanska and the dogs-I don't think I'd want to walk dogs in high heels. Is it just me or does Madison Keyes look like Marion Bartoli after falling asleep in a tanning booth?
This has to be the best time of year for this thread.
I think any time of the year is the best time of the year for this thread.
Agreed, but the slams bring out an influx of pictures and the AO is probably my top slam. It was sort of barren leading up to it.
Olga Govortsova
A Rad
She's stunning
i miss pet-ko :cry:
Tamira Paszek
Separate names with a comma.


text:
Get to Know the Disney World Pools, Part Three: The Moderate Resort Pools
by Erin Foster on May 16, 2013
We've taken a look at the general pool situation at Walt Disney World, as well as the pool specifics about the value level resorts. Now it's time to dig in to the details about the pools at the Disney moderate resorts: Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Port Orleans Riverside, as well as the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds. (Disney classifies the Fort Wilderness cabins as moderate level accommodations.)
- How many pools are there? There are seven real pools. The main feature pool, Fuentes del Morro, is located in Old Port Royale Centertown. There are also six smaller quiet pools, one each in the Martinique, Barbados, Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad South, and Trinidad North guest room areas.
- What is the pool themeing? The feature pool has an old fashioned pirate theme, with faux pirate outpost ruins.
- What's the kiddie pool situation? There is an aquatic play area, reserved for children under 48″ tall, adjacent to the main feature pool. The water around the play area is shallow and appropriate for the smallest children. There is also a small traditional kiddie pool.
- Are there water slides? Yes, there are twin mini-slides in the aquatic play area. There are two medium-sized slides in the feature pool, appropriate for older children.
- Is there a nearby playground? The aquatic play area functions much like a playground, with interactive elements. Traditional playgrounds are located in the Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad South village areas.
- What's the nearest food option? The Banana Cabana bar is located directly adjacent to the main feature pool. The Market Street food court and Shutters full-service restaurant are located in nearby Centertown. Other than vending machines, there are no food options near the quiet pools.
- Are there showers at the pool? Yes, there is a locker room with showers located next to the main feature pool.
- Are there hot tubs? Yes. There is a small hot tub located next to the main feature pool.
- Are there towels available at the pool? Yes, there are towels available at the main feature pool. Towels are typically not available at the quiet pools.
- How deep is the pool? The main feature pool is four feet, ten inches at its deepest point. The quiet pools average four feet, six inches at their deepest point.
- Are there zero entry pools? Yes, the main feature pool has a zero entry access point. The children's aquatic play area is also zero entry. The quiet pools are standard entry.
- Are poolside cabanas available? No.
- Are there poolside activities? Yes. All activities take place at the feature pool area. Schedules may vary seasonally, but recently there were planned events from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. every afternoon, plus a movie under the stars in the evening. Events may include: Dance Parties, "What's in Your Beach Bag," "Mickey Who?," Notable Quotes, and others. Weather permitting, there is a free campfire with s'mores.
- Anything else? There are laundry facilities near the pool in each village area. There are often hair wrap artists located at the Dig Site pool mid-day. While there are plentiful beaches here, there is no swimming allowed in the lake.
Read the rest of this entry »


text:
Game 7: That Ain't All, I Lost My Mind in Oregon
As the Beavers come calling, the Trojans are out to prove - again - that last season's baffling performance in Corvallis was just one big mistake.
The USC Trojans (5-1, 2-1 in the Pac-10), ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press and USA Today coaches' polls and No. 7 in the BCS, return home on Saturday, October 24 to face the Oregon State Beavers (4-2, 2-1) at 5 p.m. (PDT) in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and in front of a regional ABC television audience. It is the 73rd meeting in the series, with the Trojans holding a commanding 58-10-4 edge. However, the Beavers have won two of the past three meetings (after USC had won 30 of the previous 31), including a shocking 27-21 upset of a top-ranked Trojan team a season ago in Corvallis, Ore. In the previous Los Angeles meeting, the Trojans recorded nine sacks in a 24-3 victory in 2007.
While the Beavers enjoyed a bye last weekend, the Trojans had to fight to - and through - the final second in a 34-27 road victory over then-No. 25 Notre Dame. True freshman quarterback Matt Barkley threw for a career-high 380 yards, but a late run by the Irish closed a 34-14 Trojan lead to just seven before USC held on three consecutive Notre Dame pass attempts from the USC four-yard line in the final seconds. In its last outing, on October 10, Oregon State rolled up 463 total yards in a not-as-close-as-it-appeared 38-28 home win against Stanford. Sophomore running back Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 189 yards and four TDs.
Trojan Coach Pete Carroll is in his ninth season at USC (93-16, 60-11 in the Pac-10), having led the Trojans to seven consecutive Pac-10 crowns, 11-win seasons, BCS bowl appearances and top-4 national finishes, including two national championships. Meanwhile, Oregon State headman Mike Riley (60-44) is in his ninth season in Corvallis (1997-98, 2003-current). Riley's teams have qualified for (and won) bowls in five of the past six seasons, and have won more Pac-10 games the past three seasons than anyone not known by the initials USC. However, the Beavers have not defeated USC in the Coliseum since 1960. What could make this Saturday night in the Coliseum any different? Riley would definitely start with the Rodgers brothers. Jacquizz and his brother James Rodgers, a junior flanker, are the spice in Oregon State's attack. The Beaver defense is - as usual - strong against the run, but has struggled against the pass and ranks dead last in the conference in sacks.
Oregon State Offense
The Beavers, under offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf, remain a three-receiver, single-back attack. Senior quarterback Sean Canfield, who was the starter for much of the 2007 season before injuries derailed him a season ago, has flip-flopped with classmate and 2008 starter Lyle Moevao, who has been sidelined by off-season shoulder surgery. Moevao is now healthy and could see action, but Canfield has been incredibly effective thus far in 2009, completing nearly 68 percent of his passes, with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He's done this even though the Beaver offensive line has allowed 19 sacks, second most in the conference.
The Beaver passing attack ranks second in the conference (No. 32 nationally) thanks, of course, to the Rodgers brothers. James has caught a team-leading 43 passes from his flanker spot, including a career-high 11 against Cincinnati on Sept. 19. He's averaging more than 12 yards per grab, and is a threat to take it to the house on every touch (he has scored three times). Jacquizz has 38 catches from his tailback spot. Senior Damola Adeniji has 26 catches, including two scores. It's a major drop off after that trio, with slotback Aaron Nichols and H-back Joe Halahuni next with eight grabs each.
It's somewhat surprising to note that, though Jacquizz Rodgers ranks second in the conference with 697 yards rushing so far in 2009 (with a 5.4 ypc average and 13 touchdowns), Oregon State ranks just seventh in the conference in rushing. Perhaps that's because Rodgers carries nearly the full load at tailback (only freshman Jovan Stevenson, with 15, has more than 10 carries from the spot) and the Beavers have suffered big losses from sacks allowed. James Rodgers remains a popular option for Oregon State on the flanker sweep. He's gained 145 yards on 23 attempts.
One reason for the inconsistent running attack and poor pass protection is a new left side of the offensive line. True freshman Michael Philipp is learning on the job at left tackle, and sophomore walk-on left guard Grant Johnson hadn't started before the 2009 season opener. Returning starters fill the other spots, with junior center Alex Linnenkohl, senior right guard Gregg Peat and sophomore right tackle Mike Remmers all experienced. Depth is an issue, making this the Beavers' weakest offensive line group in a number of seasons.
Oregon State Defense
A season ago, defensive coordinator Mike Banker's unit had to replace its entire starting front seven. So the idea of replacing eight starters from 2008 when this season kicked off couldn't have seemed too daunting. It seems like one thing you can count on from the Beavers during the Riley era is that they will be tough against the run - and that's true again in 2009, as Oregon State ranks third in the Pac-10 (No. 18 nationally), allowing less than 98 yards per game on the ground. However, the Beavers have forced only one turnover per game, are last in the conference with just four sacks, and have allowed more than 275 yards per game through the air, better only than Washington State among Pac-10 teams.
Up front in the Beavers' traditionally pressure-driven 4-3, only junior right tackle Stephen Paea returned as a starter. He's a solid performer, with 15 tackles and a fumble recovery. For years, Oregon State has rotated at least four players regularly at defensive end. The nominal starters are senior Ben Terry and sophomore Kevin Frahm. They've combined for 27 stops, but only one sack. More intriguing have been reserves Matt LaGrone and Gabe Miller, both juniors. LaGrone has 13 tackles, a fumble recovery and forced a safety against Cincinnati. Miller has 10 stops, a sack and two forced fumbles. At the other tackle spot, junior Brennan Olander has overtaken senior Latu Moala.
Senior strong-side LB Keaton Kristick is the defense's emotional and physical leader. He has 50 tackles (4.5 for loss), an interception and a fumble recovery. A heady player, Kristick is an excellent tackler with a knack for big plays. Sophomore middle linebacker David Pa'ahluhi looks like he might be next in the long line of stud Oregon State LBs. He has 36 stops, and outstanding speed and range for an MLB. On the weak side, juniors Dwight Roberson and Keith Pankey split time, with Roberson as the starter, combining for 45 tackles.
Oregon State had to replace its entire starting secondary heading into 2009. Only senior right cornerback Tim Clark, who served as the team's third CB a season ago, had any starting experience. He has 25 stops and, as the season has gone on, has been splitting time with the Beavers' third CB of choice this season, sophomore Brandon Hardin (who has one of Oregon State's three interceptions). Junior James Dockery has returned from a season-ending knee injury a season ago to notch 16 tackles and six pass break-ups from the other corner spot. Three safeties share two spots in the Beaver secondary, as well. Sophomore Cameron Collins has 34 tackles to lead the group, while classmate Lance Mitchell has 31 stops, an interception and five pass break-ups. Junior Suasei Tuimaunei has 26 tackles, including a career-high 10 against Arizona.
Oregon State Special Teams
Junior placekicker Justin Kahut has been much more consistent in 2009, making eight-of-10 field goals and 19-of-20 PATs. Sophomore punter Johnny Hekker's leg is as big as advertised, averaging a solid 42.6 yards per boot. And James Rodgers is one of the conference's biggest threats returning kickoffs and punts. He averages nearly 23 yards per kick return and is second only to USC's Damian Williams in Pac-10 punt returns, averaging 15 yards per chance - part of the reason why he leads the conference in all-purpose yards.
USC Offensive Gameplan
Another week, another few pages of the playbook cracked open by John Morton and Jeremy Bates for Barkley. Oh, how it must kill Jimmy Clausen that his younger friend completely outplayed him on his home field in what was supposed to be the spotlight game of his junior season. However, while USC rolled up 502 total yards against the Irish, they still came up a little short on points, settling for two field goals, struggling for consistency inside the red zone and stalling themselves a few times. So, while the growth has been steady, the positive viewpoint on the remaining issues facing USC's offense has to be that there's no reason for anyone - coaches or players - to rest on their laurels.
This week, against Oregon State, look for Barkley to have even freer reign over the Trojan offense's fortunes. The Beavers are very green in the secondary and the lack of a consistent pass rush has left them extremely vulnerable. Banker has been left to choose between blitzing to try to pressure quarterbacks - and leaving his secondary vulnerable - or dropping seven into coverage and giving opposing quarterbacks all day to throw. He's had little success, as Oregon State's four sacks in six games are embarrassing compared with recent seasons. With USC's solid offensive line - and how the Trojans have slowly been incorporating all of their weapons into the passing attack - this appears to be a recipe for disaster for Oregon State.
At the same time, the Beavers have yet to face a rushing attack like the Trojans'. Expect Joe McKnight to get feature-back carries, with Allen Bradford (as long as the ding on his shoulder suffered Wednesday is minor) serving as a bruising accompaniment. Still, it's Williams, Anthony McCoy, the emerging Brice Butler - and perhaps even D.J. Shoemate, who is in line for his first start at fullback - who should shine in the passing game this weekend if the Trojans are to gain revenge for last season's defeat.
USC Defensive Gameplan
The Trojan secondary will be looking to bounce back from a difficult second-half performance at Notre Dame a week ago. Clausen and his receivers really heated up, making plays against the USC back four that hadn't been seen so far in 2009. Part of that had to do with the Trojan brain trust sticking with a four-man rush through most of the second half, even though it appeared the defensive line was wearing down a bit as the game dragged on.
Canfield and the Beaver passing attack have performed well, and the way Oregon State mixes up its attack, utilizing receivers as rushers and running backs as receivers, can cause consternation in even the best defensive minds. Just a season ago, the Beavers jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead based simply on the misdirection embedded in their offense and near-perfect execution.
There are two keys to this Saturday's game for the Trojan defense: play assignment football and slow the Rodgers brothers. USC failed miserably at the first a season ago, as freelancing players continually ran themselves out of position, allowing Oregon State's misdirection and zone plays to work over and over again. The Trojans' defensive line and linebackers need to forget chasing the ball and play their lanes properly. If they do so, then the talent differential between them and the Beaver offensive line will become apparent. Regarding the second key: when you watch Oregon State play, it seems like a Rodgers is in on 90 percent of the plays. When you look at their statistics, it becomes clear that it's only slightly less. Jacquizz leads in rushing and is second in receiving. James leads in receiving and is second in rushing. In both categories, no other Beaver skill position player is close to their productivity. Contain the brothers and Canfield becomes much less productive, making his lack of mobility stand out behind the Beavers' so-so offensive line.
The Pick
Though the Beavers have dropped USC twice in the past three years, both of those victories came in Corvallis. The problem is that Oregon State's performance against the Trojans has differed from home to road more than just about any other conference opponent. There's a reason USC is more than a 20-point favorite going into Saturday - and it's not just because the experts know the Trojans will be much more focused against the Beavers than they were a season ago.
Two years ago, USC absolutely stifled the Oregon State offense in the Coliseum. Could it happen again? With Canfield throwing more accurately than many recent Beaver quarterbacks, and a player the quality of Jacquizz Rodgers in the backfield, it is unlikely - but not completely out of the question. Canfield can be rattled, and the Beaver front five is one of the weaker ones USC has faced thus far. At the same time, expect the Trojans to have a laser-like focus on slowing Quizz and his older brother - from the looks of things, the Beavers don't have another "go-to" player who could consistently make the Trojans pay for such a plan.
Offensively, I expect USC's growth in the passing game to continue against Oregon State's defense. The Beavers have been wholly unsuccessful in pressuring quarterbacks - something they've been known for in recent seasons - and haven't been able to force many turnovers. They've been forced to become a more passive group than recent Oregon State defenses, and it doesn't fit them. If Barkley continues to make good decisions and his playmakers continue to make plays, the Trojans should have more than enough to gain a measure of revenge for their 2008 defeat.
USC 31, Oregon State 10
Tom Haire has been writing for USCFootball.com for nine years. He is the editor of a monthly trade magazine in the advertising industry. He grew up watching USC dominate the Pac-10 and the Rose Bowl and ended up a Trojan journalism school alum ('94). He's traveled from Honolulu to Palo Alto to South Bend to New York to Miami to watch college football, and has also covered the Pac-10 for both PigskinPost.com and CollegeFootballNews.com. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Hey guys... Is it possible for me to switch from IMM GSM where I am doing a BBA degree, to Tuks and do a BBA or B(com) Marketing, will I be able to use credits from my first and second year at IMM and just finish my 3rd year at TUKS?
I studied Bsc(IT) at Tuks for 2 years but that failed epiclly, so I do have some subjects such as entrepreneurship and also the leteracy subjects.
Thank you!


text: If I had to guess, I'd say he's either (a) on assignment for a story( which I doubt) or (b) the fortress is still in the Artic and he's either working his passage there by working on the boat or he's working on the boat to escape Smallville and accidentally finds out that the Fortess is near and leaves the boat. Either way, he has to hide his powers while on the boat. The third option is he's just on the boat temporarily and then moves on to some other job.


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Rectal prolapse repair is surgery to fix a rectal prolapse \, in which the last part of the colon (called the rectum) sticks out through the anus.
Rectal prolapse may be partial, involving only the mucosa. Or it may be complete, involving the entire wall of the rectum. It can occur in children, but is much more common in older people.
Surgery is needed to correct rectal prolapse in adults and some children. Most surgical procedures for rectal prolapse are done under general anesthesia. For older or sicker patients, epidural or spinal anesthesia may be used.
There are three basic types of surgery to repair rectal prolapse. Your surgeon will decide which one is best for you.
For healthy adults, an abdominal procedure has the best chance of success. While you are under general anesthesia, the doctor makes a surgical cut in the abdomen and removes a portion of the colon. The rectum may be attached (sutured) to the surrounding tissue.
Sometimes a soft piece of mesh is wrapped around the rectum to help it stay in place. This procedure can also be done with laparoscopic surgery (also known as "keyhole" or "telescopic" surgery).
For older adults or those with other medical problems, an approach from below (perineal approach) might be less risky. However, with the perineal procedure, the condition will be more likely to come back (recur).
While you are under general, epidural, or spinal anesthesia, the prolapsing rectum or colon can be treated from the pelvic floor (perineum). The doctor will remove a portion of the colon, suture the rectum to the surrounding tissues, or both.
Very frail or sick patients may need a small procedure to reinforce the sphincter muscles. This technique encircles the muscles with a band of soft mesh or a silicone tube. This approach provides only temporary improvement and is rarely used.
For children, rectal prolapse does not always require surgery. However, children whose rectal prolapse does not improve over time may need surgery. Infant prolapse often disappears without treatment.
Surgery to repair rectal prolapse is advised for most adults.
Risks for any anesthesia include the following:
Risks for any surgery include the following:
Other risks include:
During the 2 weeks before your surgery:
The day before your surgery:
On the day of your surgery:
How long you stay in the hospital depends on the procedure. The average stay for open abdominal procedures is 5 - 8 days. You will go home sooner if you had laparoscopic surgery. The average stay for perineal surgery is 2 - 3 days. You should make a complete recovery in 4 - 6 weeks.
The surgery is usually effective in repairing the prolapse. The long-term outlook is good. Constipation and incontinence can be problems for some patients.
Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Colon and Rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Townsend: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 50.
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Allen Park, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - The Detroit Lions claimed safety Isa Abdul-Quddus off waivers from the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.
Abdul-Quddus appeared in 11 games last season as a reserve safety and on special teams, recording 13 tackles. Over three seasons, all with the Saints, he's played in 42 games with 74 tackles and two interceptions.
The Lions also named Tony Oden secondary coach and Matt Raich defensive quality control coach on Tuesday.
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text: The city's economy is based mainly upon lumbering and fishing. A pulp mill was built in the early part of the 20th century, and the manufacture of pulp and boxboard continues to be the major industry. Since 1953 the mining of local base-metal ore deposits has been of growing significance. The Sacred Heart Church became a cathedral in 1942 after the episcopal see was transferred from Chatham. Youghal Beach, a popular summer resort on Nepisiguit Bay at the entrance to Bathurst Harbour, is about 7 miles (11 km) north. Inc. town, 1912; city, 1966. Pop. (19912006) 1412,409714.


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Ariana Grande is returning to Manchester to headline a special 'One Love Manchester' benefit concert on Sunday 4 June.
Related: Ariana Grande Posts Heartfelt Letter to Bombing Victims
Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Take That and Niall Horan are all confirmed to perform.
Proceeds from the show will go directly to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which was set up by the Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross, in aid of grieving families and victims of the horrific attack on Grande's concert on May 22.
The live stream is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm ET.


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Eight expectations as Wallabies get heads together over scrum
IF Robbie Deans was a less phlegmatic public figure, he might have snarled at journalists' suggestions the Wallabies' try-less draw with New Zealand last month was a dour affair and offered the following rebuke: ''Wait until we hit the northern hemisphere, mate, go looking for tries there.''
For as returning flanker David Pocock warned this week, on the eve of the Wallabies four-Test tour of Europe, the French, the English, the Italians and even Britain's running rugby enthusiasts the Welsh, love their forward play.
''It's such a big focus over there, they love scrums,'' Pocock said. ''In Australia crowds just want to see tries and running rugby, whereas over there people get pretty excited about scrums and rolling mauls. It's a different mindset.''
Judging by the mixed reaction to the third Bledisloe match, those remarks will keep many in bed when the Wallabies kick-off against France for the first time in two years at 6.45am next Sunday.
Whatever the expectation, this should be clear: there will be no greater test of improvement in the Wallabies pack than back-to-back fixtures against some of the biggest forwards in the international game.
The last time Australia played England and France was on this same tour in 2010. The first encounter ended in a record-equalling loss at Twickenham and the second looked on track to go the same way until the Wallabies flicked the razzle-dazzle switch and sprinted away with a 43-point victory. There were wins, too, against Wales and Italy, but the Australian forwards came under intense fire.
''That game we won in Paris, I wasn't particularly happy with how the scrum went, particularly in the first half,'' said Stephen Moore, the Wallabies' starting hooker that night. ''We were under a bit of pressure, so we sort of squared it up in the second half. We just needed to be consistent.''
Moore's return from injury this week is a boost ahead of the tour. He will provide crucial support for Tatafu Polota-Nau and guidance for rookie James Hanson. He also knows exactly what to expect from the northerners.
''They put a lot of time into their forward play, and part of that is the nature of the way rugby is played over there,'' he said. ''The Heineken Cup is probably a bit more similar to Test rugby than Super Rugby is, so these guys are playing that style of game week in week out, so the forwards battles in these Test matches are certainly going to be very important to the result.''
Pocock and Moore believe the pack has come a long way from the inconsistent showings of 2010. It is clear new forwards coach, former Test prop Andrew Blades, has been working them all hard. ''Scrums have obviously been a focus for us in terms of development, and that's showed over the Rugby Championship, it hasn't been an issue for us,'' Pocock said.''[Former scrum coach Patricio Noriega] and Andrew Blades have made a big difference.''
Blades said he had emphasised the need for players to work hard for each other every minute they're on the field. ''You really need that when you go up to the northern hemisphere, because this time of year the weather can be pretty foul and it can be suited to tucking under the jumper and playing some fairly tight rugby at times, so you have to be ready for that expectation,'' he said.
Depth helps a lot. Nathan Sharpe's dominance this season overshadows quality understudies in the second row. This tour will be another opportunity for Sitaleki Timani, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons and Dave Dennis to prepare for life after their talisman lineout caller.
The props, too, are growing up fast. Benn Robinson's 52 Test caps will be invaluable alongside the work rates of Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper and Paddy Ryan.
The back row will cause selection headaches, but in the best possible way. Deans is delighted to be taking on tour three fit and aggressive No.7s, one of whom, Pocock, can play at No.8. The imposing presence of Wycliff Palu and Radike Samo at the back will also cheer Australian selectors as they stare down Les Bleus this week and England the next.
''The French have got a very heavy tight five and they maul a lot off lineouts in the game and they have a very attacking scrum,'' Blades said.
''England … will present quite a different threat because they've got a very big, athletic back row; Italy were a very much grind-you-down game in the past, they changed in the Six Nations a little bit but they'll be good; and everyone knows the challenges Wales brought [to Australia] with their big pack. They're four of the best packs in world rugby at the moment.''
Which brings it all back to consistency, according to Moore. ''Everyone can scrummage well but you've got to do it over one Test, two Tests, three Tests, four,'' he said. ''That's going to be the big theme of the tour as far as the scrum goes.''
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Jessica Alba Pregnancy Style
Hot Mama: Jessica Alba Gives Birth to a Baby Girl!
Jessica Alba gave birth to a baby girl, Haven Garner Warren, on Saturday, August 13th. We couldn't be happier for the gorgeous family, and it was only days ago that we were busy digging Jessica's chic maternity style. In honor of Jessica becoming a mom again, take a look at her chic maternal style from the past nine months.
As tempting as it may be to hide your pregnant body in baggy sweats and oversize sweaters, baby bumps actually look chic and adorable swathed in fitted knits, empire-waist frocks, and bright, bold hues. Jessica Alba nailed maternity style with confidence and an effortless aplomb, whether she was hitting the red carpet or hanging in LA. Regardless, she made it look easy and cool alternating between an off-duty uniform of wide-leg denim and Prada stripes, then stylish via appearances in Dolce & Gabbana maxis and bright Summer hues. Click through for the breakdown and see Alba's impressive spin on maternity style — then shop our inspired picks.


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The following books were used as references and are recommended for further reading. NWS is not endorsing these books, merely providing the information for your convenience.
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Byrnes sees Headley as part of Padres' future
By Adam Berry / MLB.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The search for bullpen help was the dominant story for the Padres on Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, but it wasn't the only one.
As expected, another round of rumors began circulating about third baseman Chase Headley, with several linking the Padres and White Sox as potential trade partners. But it seems unlikely that San Diego will trade Headley, an MVP candidate in 2012, after a down year in '13. Padres general manager Josh Byrnes did his part to quell those rumors when asked about Headley's future.
"We won 76 games two years in a row. We all know the story. We've had injuries," Byrnes said. "We feel like we've kept a lot of our good players and obviously added Josh Johnson. We're trying to take that step forward in 2014, and we view Chase as part of that."
Byrnes also said his focus on the Padres' bullpen hasn't kept him from looking into ways to improve the rest of the roster.
"We've been pretty focused on the bullpen today. But ideally 12 months out of the year and certainly this week, you want to be open-minded," he said. "If there's a trade that we think ultimately improves us, now and in the future, we'll always take a look at it. But for today at least, we spent most of our energy in the bullpen."
Padres line up bullpen upgrades at Meetings
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Padres general manager Josh Byrnes hadn't completed any trades or signed anyone as of Monday evening, but the club is set up to move quickly after spending the first full day of the Winter Meetings focused on upgrading the bullpen.
Byrnes said his crew worked through "six or eight ideas that made some sense," a mix of potential trades and free-agent pickups, at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort. They had several meetings lined up for later Monday night as well.
The Padres' needs are obvious: They could use a lefty reliever, maybe two, and they'd like another right-hander who can pitch later in the game.
But will they leave Disney on Thursday with any of that in tow? Stay tuned.
"We're beyond the tire-kicking stage. We're trying to go back and forth with proposals and try to get some deals done," Byrnes said. "But obviously it's hard sometimes to predict when that's going to happen.
"We're close on a number of discussions, but whether it actually comes to fruition while we're here, I'm not sure. But we're definitely focused on that area of our roster right now. We feel like we're having good conversations, but whether we'll reach a deal in the next two or three days, I'm not sure."
It was a relatively slow first day of the Winter Meetings, at least in terms of actual transactions taking place, but Byrnes expects that to pick up by Tuesday or Wednesday. He said the Padres were probably closer to acquiring a left-handed reliever than a late-inning righty, but "on all fronts we've made progress."
Byrnes was asked specifically about free-agent lefty Oliver Perez, who pitched for the Padres in 2002-03, and the GM's answer provided a glimpse at just how wide a net San Diego has cast in its search for relief-corps reinforcements.
"I won't go into specifics, but I think most of the left-handed [reliever] free agents, we've at least touched base with," Byrnes said. "I can't really say how far we've gone with some of these guys."
Other free-agent lefty-relief options likely include Scott Downs, who split last year between the Angels and Braves, former Dodgers reliever J.P. Howell and former Braves lefty Eric O'Flaherty, who's been connected to several other teams. Or they could stay away from that group of free agents entirely by making a trade or bringing in Minor League free agents.
Right now, the Padres don't have a left-handed reliever on their 40-man roster, making that the more pressing matter. Byrnes said he could envision some of the club's younger right-handers growing into late-inning relief roles, and San Diego's surplus of starters could force one of them into the bullpen.
Byrnes declined to divulge whether the Padres actually have any offers out to the available free-agent relievers. Instead, he simply said the club has made "proposals," noting that the catch-all word could apply to potential trades or free agents -- or a combination of both.
Hedges, Spangenberg earn AFL honors
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Two Padres Minor Leaguers were named to the Arizona Fall League 2013 Top Prospects Team on Monday: catcher Austin Hedges, MLB.com's No. 2 Padres prospect, and second baseman Cory Spangenberg, the club's 15th-ranked prospect.
Hedges hit .273/.333/.400 with six RBIs in 15 games, reaching base in 15 straight games beginning Oct. 15. The 21-year-old backstop also threw out two basestealers as the starting catcher for the West Division in the Nov. 2 Fall Stars Game.
Spangenberg, 22, hit .308/.357/.492 with two homers, seven RBIs and seven stolen bases in 19 games for the Peoria Javelinas.
Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Answers Sought in Treating Foal Respiratory Disease
- Aug 7, 2011
- Topics:
By Andrea Lin
If you weighed a thousand pounds or more and had lung disease, your doctor would have a hard time getting a look at the problem. That's because imaging techniques have size limitations: radiographs (X rays) are limited by the beam penetration as well as by the types of views possible with large animals; ultrasound waves also can penetrate only to a certain depth; computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are limited by the size of the gantry (frame) and the weight-limit of the table.
Such is the fate of horses: many imaging modalities cannot accommodate their large size.
Luckily, however, foals with lung disease are small enough to fit comfortably within the gantry of a CT machine. Foals up to 2 weeks old weigh between 100 and 160 pounds, which is easily supported by the table.
Kara Lascola, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, an equine veterinarian at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, treats very young foals that have respiratory disease, a potentially life-threatening illness. Some respiratory problems, for example, pneumonia, originate in the lungs, while others are secondary to an infection originating elsewhere in the body. In either case, the treatment and prognosis for the foal depend on how severe the disease is and where in the lungs it is.
"Currently the main tools veterinarians use to assess foal respiratory disease are radiographs, ultrasound, blood values, and clinical signs," says Lascola. "Unfortunately, radiographs may lack sensitivity for revealing the extent of respiratory disease. In human medicine, CT has been proven more sensitive than radiographs for imaging lung disease."
To see if this holds true for foals as well, Lascola is conducting research on the value of CT imaging for diagnosing respiratory disease in young foals. Her first step is collecting data on CT imaging of healthy foals.
Although CT works well in people with lung disease, foals are definitely not the same as people. They are similar in weight to human adults, but their body mass and shape are quite different. In foals the lower areas of the lungs are compressed by gravity and by the animal's weight. These varying areas of density can be seen on a CT scan, but until now there had been no data to define what is normal and what indicates disease on a CT image of foals' lungs.
In addition to improved sensitivity, CT scans also offer greater speed. It takes only five minutes to position and scan a foal using the spiral CT machine at the University of Illinois veterinary hospital. Although longer procedures may require use of intravenous sedation to keep the patient still, in many cases a sick foal won't need any sedation to be scanned. Because sedation poses certain risks, especially in sick patients, a speedy, sedation-free CT scan is safer and causes less stress on the foal.
"Not only will CT imaging be useful for initial diagnosis of lung disease," says Lascola, "but follow-up imaging will enable veterinarians to determine whether the treatment is effective so we can alter the treatment plan, if needed."
Lascola's findings will help set standards for use of CT imaging in foals with respiratory disease so that this new imaging tool can improve diagnosis and treatment.
For more information about horse health, please contact your local equine veterinarian.
Reprinted with permission of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Extension/Office of Public Engagement.
About the Author
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Learn more about the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at vetmed.illinois.edu.
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