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Bill de hÓra replies to my exception comments. His article has a lot of interesting details to think about, more so because of the external links:
A very interesting article by Bruce Eckel on Java and Checked Exceptions and notes by Robert Di Falco in this thread.
Bill de hÓra has started a very interesting thread in Exceptions considered pointless. Bill says:
Three rules of thumb are forming in my mind around exceptions:
don't swallow exceptions (with two exceptions)
avoid using exceptions
avoid inventing exceptions
The first many Java developers will understand. Rarely, you know an exception is not going to be thrown, but you have to catch it anyway, and sometimes you have to catch InterruptedException as part of normal program flow.
The last two are maybe controversial.
Three rules of thumb are forming in my mind around exceptions:
The first many Java developers will understand. Rarely, you know an exception is not going to be thrown, but you have to catch it anyway, and sometimes you have to catch InterruptedException as part of normal program flow.
The last two are maybe controversial.
Although I understand where this feeling comes from, I disagree with the whole darned concept. Exceptions are one of the more powerful and well done refinements that C++ introduced to C. They allow us to enforce the idiom of one entry point, one return point unless things go badly wrong. When done well, they also allow method level determinism of what can and can not be dealt with, and for more advanced applications, turning a problem into a solution.
I agree completely with the comments by Bob McWhirter, where he says:
I truly think that the idiom of using String messages as parameters for an exception and the getMessage() method have contributed to the uselessness of many exceptions.
Our solution to this problem has been a complex exception type (that builds its getMessage() string based on internal data, whatever that might be). We also override printStackTrace(), so that we can capture the original stack trace of the primary exception (when an exception is created from another exception). There is some overhead associated with this that we'd like to avoid, namely capturing stack trace data that we may not use, but as it turns out, we nearly always use it because getMessage() sticks the first line of the stack trace onto the end of the message data; and the nice thing is that we capture the data the first time we need it, minimizing the impact the next time around. My understanding is that 1.4.1 solves this particular problem, we shall have to see.
All of our exceptions (in one current 60K+ line application, we have three exception variants) descend from the complex exception. Unlike your typical Java application which has catch blocks from hell (or just passes on everything), we have the ability to make judgments based on the exception type (generally, we only catch one or two types at a given module level) and the semantic data within. Which leads to ...
Swallowing exceptions is not unusual at all. Consider anything which implements a try/catch/finally block. I certainly hope that you swallow all exceptions in the finally block, or else the original exception is going to get lost in the noise. Also, if you throw away rules of thumb two and three, you are going to have normal operations (hopefully rare), in which an exception is simply a way of communicating a normal error condition, so you'll swallow it and try something else based on the context information in the exception.
The single biggest problem with rich exceptions is that everything starts to bubble into them. You need to be careful to keep things well defined and when exceptions become too complicated, factor them back into an inheritance tree that everyone can live with.
If you are the delicate type, I'll warn you ahead of time; don't venture below. Animal kingdom does not have shots like this, that's for sure.
With that warning out of the way, I offer you Crab and Pipeline. Somehow, it reminds me of the phrase: "livin' in a world of hurt". (thanks Kurt!)
Sometimes I guess I need a kick in the rear end to get things onto the weblog. This week, it wasn't really my fault. I was all set to put up the previous story about Jon and the family at Magic Mountain on Sunday when the vomiting began.
First it was Jonathan. Every twenty to sixty minutes, for hours. We tried Pepto a couple times but that wasn't staying down any longer than anything else. We (mostly Sarah) finally got him calmed down enough to get to sleep and first thing in the morning, Stephen joined in while Jon moved back into full rejection mode. By Monday evening when I got home from work, Adam was part of the crowd. We had a pack of sick kids, so I worked from home on Tuesday where we had a few interesting incidents before Sarah came home to rescue us all.
By Wednesday (yesterday) morning, things had more or less settled down, but Adam and Jonathan were sore and wrung out from stomach gymnastics, so they stayed home again. Adam ended up having his seventeenth birthday while feeling pretty blah. He was happy non the less when we talked just before he went to bed; he'd gotten his present two weeks earlier (we are insane, we bought him a car; then again we are also tired of being a chauffeur service, and he wants to work part time).
So anyway, a friend sent me something funny today that I wanted to post. To do that, I had to clear the stop bit, and get all this stuff out of queue so that I could move on.
I believe that I've mentioned before that my family in crazy about roller coasters, especially Stephen.
On Sunday, they outdid themselves. I knew that Steve was a member of American Coasters Network (ACN), but now I've learned that we have added a family membership in American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) as well. Sarah took the two younger boys to Magic Mountain and they joined up with a bunch of fellow ACE members.
Apparently, some of the kids were filming Point of View (POV) movies during the rides. Somehow, someone talked Jonathan into doing a POV filming of Goliath Jr. (he's still just six so he can get on) which he did. From what I've heard (we still don't have the movie), it's a little shaky, and sometimes dark as the camera points down, but it works. Later in the day, Jonathan was in the first car on Ninja with an ACE member who was filming a Point of View (POV) movie there and had a blast.
Jon came home very proud of his work to support their efforts...
This Reuters story appears to verify earlier (and often fuzzy) reports that the "SQL Slammer" worm (given its operation, it seems more like a viral agent than a worm) hit Korea hard.
As to the why? I'll hazard a guess.
High broadband penetration means that there are a lot of Windows based systems sitting on the net with little or no protection. The same kinds of systems often used for other types of DDoS attacks because its easy to get control of a process there.
Microsoft has officially divorced itself from responsibility, stating that everyone should have applied SQL Server Service Pack 2 six months ago. What's not completely clear yet is whether this would have been effective. Service Pack 3, released eight days ago seems to work, but we'll have to wait and see if the claims from Redmond are valid. This particular incident could have political ramifications for Microsoft.
Comments (
I don't remember where these came from, but here they are:
Motivational Quotes of the Day
Thanks to Phillip Pearson and his Comment Monitor [via Nicholas Riley], I understand the format used by the Radio comment server a whole lot better.
Here are the Ztuff Comments and the raw dump from the Radio comment server.
Comments (
I just realized that we're going to have to listen to John Madden for three plus hours if we want to watch the Super Bowl. I listened to one Monday Night Football telecast this year and it was depressing. After a little while I switched to the radio feed from Green Bay. Sarah can't decide whether she wants to go to Magic Mountain tomorrow or stay home and watch the show (and under the circumstances, I'm dithering a bit too, but I know I'll watch). I have no idea what the kids want to do.
The game has a decent chance of being good, although I'd venture that more than half the people who see some part of the game could care less who wins.
The Super Bowl has become an American mid winter party. In between nearly six hours of talking heads and commercials, they'll actually show almost sixty minutes of American football (where feet are only infrequently used). If you count all the slow motion replays, there will be almost 70 minutes of football. The day after, the actual game will be forgotten by most, but discussion will rage about the best new commercials and stories will float around about all the crazy things that happened at the parties.
Some day, the football hype will fade and we'll have to come up with a new way to celebrate American Corporation Day.
Me? I just want to watch the damned football game.
Comments (
I ought to rename this the weekend blog, or maybe the once in every
blue moon blog. Oh, it's been busy.
This week I had jury duty, which was interesting. I was called to sit
through the jury selection process for one trial, but was never brought
into the inquisition phase. There went one day.
I finished reading "The Summons" (which was appropriate) and
have started back through the whole John Ryan series starting with
"The Hunt For Red October".
We had a new engineer in from Atlanta, and spent a lot of time with
him, just getting him up to speed on things.
We're having a department meeting in a couple of weeks to talk about
what we're all doing and where we are on it. So I've been working on
fleshing out a lot of ideas and putting together presentations on
several different things.
I spent most of yesterday reading and working on documentation and then
chasing down a rats nest of related bugs. I'll have to go back and work
on that some more later today.
Oh yeah, I learned how to put a custom icon on a page in a browser.
Browsers are looking for 'favicon.ico' (I'd been wondering about custom
icons and noticed all the icon requests in the server logs).
Comments (
This is timely (via Doc Searls)! I'm working on a presentation right now (and need to have two more ready by February 11). I'm trying for funny, I'll settle for corny or just about anything but dreary. Derek also reminded me to go read this by Doc, which I'd read a couple times before, but not while actually working on a presentation.
I'm interested in Keynote mostly just to see if it's templates are easier to do than those for PowerPoint. I've actually created a few PowerPoint templates and they are a bear.
Why templates? Because I still do most of the work in MORE and then pull it into PowerPoint. It's also a bear to get graphics to line up from one slide to another in PowerPoint (it's actually probably easy, but I haven't a clue). If can do in templates what I'd otherwise need to do manually, this is good.
If all else fails, I'll do it as Derek did using a localhost link. In many respects, it's more portable than PowerPoint.
Comments (
Thanks to Rogers Cadenhead I now know that I was playing Ship, Captain and Crew this past Friday evening (on a tie, we threw more money in the pot and started again with the last winner rolling first). It's also known as Ship, Captain, Mate and Crew. Here is another set of rules (although it's called Destroyer).
Finally, I'm really glad we weren't playing this variation!
Comments (
The sound quality on the Casio PS-20 Celviano is very good and when using the piano settings, sounds very much like the real thing. I especially like the "Grand Piano 1" setting, it seems to get left there most of the time. The piano also has MIDI in/out ports. For years I had a MIDI box and at least one Mac which could use it, but no keyboard nor interest in buying one. Now that we have a MIDI keyboard, we've retired all the ADB based systems. It seems like its time to go looking at the USB and/or Firewire MIDI products out there and see what might work.
The most surprising recent piano related event occurred last night when Jon sat down in the family room for about half an hour and wrote some music. This morning, he was upstairs playing something unfamiliar and Sarah said it was the music he's written last night. I'm still somewhat amazed, and just had him play it for me again. After dinner Adam was telling me that Jon is the one who showed him how to use his left hand properly.
At least one of us will really learn how to play the piano, perhaps more.
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Weather Underground sounds subversive but seems to be the commercial spinoff of a university project.
Here are links for Thousand Oaks and Pasadena.
The bad part is that their TO data kinda sucks. The data comes from Camarillo which is only about ten to twelve miles away, but it's also 900 (or more) feet lower in altitude (sitting on the Ventura coastal plain), which makes a big difference. Our wind patterns are different and we've usually got some sort of a temperature gradient (sometimes its hotter, sometimes not).
I looked around to see if they are looking to add amateur stations (that would be interesting), but it doesn't see to be the case.
Comments (
What a weird evening.
I decided to go out and have a couple drinks after finishing things up for today. As I was going out the door, Sarah and the boys were coming back from Lazerstar in Camarillo (and dinner). They completely startled me as I was heading into the garage (after turning out all the lights in the house, I open the garage door and one of my kids friends is standing right there in front of me).
So anyway, out I went to our local Elks Lodge to have a couple drinks and mingle with people who don't spend all day thinking about computers (it's nice sometimes to talk to people who aren't geeks -- it helps keep the balance).
I ended up in a very interesting conversation with my friend David Pearson (he got me into the Elks). He was explaining how his company Frank Stubbs Company, was expanding itself and making itself more flexible. David is a natural speaker; full of passion and can go on at length about things they've done over the years to get better, mistakes they've made, etcetera.
Over time, they've had to get and maintain all kinds of certifications. They have experience working as an OEM, and with doing custom SKUs and a thousand other things that sail right over my head. He was also explaining how they've changed things so the floor supervisors can collectively make better decisions; it seems like they get a lot more information about orders ahead of time (by removing all the middle management) and by keeping them in the loop on inventory. Here, David has something really interesting to say; raw numbers don't work automatically. By creating simple charts that show some combination of orders, popularity, parts inventory and a couple of other things the floor leads are now able to make good decisions early on about manufacturing schedules, while maintaining a high degree of flexibility. They're now seeing far less problems with jobs being suddenly interrupted to deal with an un-anticipated emergency which makes everyone happier.
They are also constantly looking for new markets that map to the manufacturing experience they already have. What they've been doing over the last few months is to find new opportunities, and make small test runs at it. If it doesn't work out, that's fine and they move on to something else.
After listening for a bit and asking a lot of questions, I told him about Agile Software Development and said that he seemed to have hit upon one way for small(ish) companies to do in manufacturing what many of us are trying to make happen in software. I called it Agile Manufacturing, and I think that's an apt term. From a quick check, many others agree with me.
I also talked to him for a bit about search engines and weblogs, I'll have to see if I can push him in that direction. I'd love to read about it...
As that conversation wound down, Annie (David's wife) asked me to throw a dollar on the table. I knew we were getting ready to gamble on something and normally, I don't gamble, but it's just a buck. I went to a casino once (I spent my $5 at a casino on the island of Curaco, that was it). I've driven through Vegas before but had no reason to stop. I've played poker at a few parties, and come out about even (my wife likes it more than I do). I think I avoid gambling because I am cheap and hate to lose. I will participate in bowling sidepots, although I have not been doing so this year (I'm still not quite right, although I'm getting closer after taking nine months off because of an elbow problem). Anyway, we played some sort of dice game. You start by rolling five dice, you need a 6-5-4 to have an eligible score, the other two die counts as your score. You need the 6, then the 5 and then the 4. You get three rolls (pulling out numbers you've already hit). I managed to win the first round or I might have ducked out (already lost a dollar, time to go).
After about an hour, everyone was leaving and I walked away with $24. I don't think I've won anything like that since back in the years I used to play pool for money. Weird evening indeed!
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|13th December 2001, 08:21 AM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Passive - Active Pre-Amp arguments
To Bare, and other interested parties,
I wrote this in response to a question Bare had, but perhaps others may also find this usefull.
Let us look at some technical issues when dealing with passive pre-amps and why active ones may just be better in some applications.
Occasionally there is a requirement to add some gain, reduce output impedance or convert an unbalanced signal into a balanced or visa versa. Thus some type of active stage is usually chosen to accomplish this. Even when such a stage is designed to very high standards it will still add some noise and distortion. For the most part however the added noise and distortion are extremely low and thus likely to insignificant at the line signal levels encountered at this point. There are times adding a stage will actually improve overall performance due to reduced loading on the prior stage and being able to overcome problems associated with driving long interconnect cables from fairly high impedance sources.
If a impedance translation is required to drive a fairly long set of cables for example then it may be beneficial to add a active line stage of some kind to do that job. This would reduce high frequency loss and the phase shift associated driving long cables that provide a high capacitive load significantly.
Thus to a large degree what is required for your system may come down to what your particular system requires to work properly and how your equipment is hooked together. Cable length, cable type and load impedance presented to the output end of the cables between the control console and power amplifier all enter into the equations as to what needed.
If you can avoid using an active line stage then it would be beneficial to do so. Measurements should be made on any system to see if there is a high frequency loss with the volume set at mid position. Measurements should also be made to see if the prior stage is bothered by the capacitive load that the cable running to the power amplifier may present to it. If this is the case the problem it will usually show up as an increase in distortion and or a lowering in its output level on the high end.
In other words you have to know all the facts before jumping to any conclusions as the sound of a passive control console versus an active one. Many passives roll of the high end by the time the signal reaches the power amplifier due to their high output impedances and thus also introduce phase shift if the cable capacitance is significant.
Let me provide a example of a passive preamp driving a power amplifier on the other side of the room in between the speakers.
Passive preamp has a output impedance of 10 K ohm at normal listening levels.
Power amplifier input impedance 50 K ohm.
Interconnect cable capacitance 1000pf
High frequency signal loss at 20 Khz will be down about: -3.1 db
Phase shift at 10 Khz will be around: 28 degrees.
Phase shift at 20 Khz will be around: 45.7 degrees.
Now I dont know about you but this does not appear to be very attractive to me. How many of you use long cable lenghts along with a passive Pre-Amp?
There are two primary solutions:
1: Move the power amplifier right next to the passive preamp to reduce the lenght of the cable and thus cable capacitance.
2: Leave everything were it is and add active line stage designed to drive this length of cable.
Other solutions involve changing the passives component values to reduce loading effects to minimum, but will very likely not eliminate the problem all together.
Thus in applications were the power amplifiers are located away from the passive preamp the passives do not work well. So if you use a passive Pre-Amp put it and the power amp very close together to reduce high frequency loss and phase shift.
I find it an error to call a passive device a pre-amp since this would indicate that it contains active components that amplify the signal in some way. It is more correct to call such a device a control console, not a passive pre-amp. The only time I have seen a passive device act as a pre-amplifier is in RF parametric amplifiers. Perhaps there are others but I have not used them.
It is also important to know the capacitance of your interconnect cables and circuit impedances. Without this information you cannot do any calculations of signal loss and phase shift and not truly cannot properly evaluate differences between equipment.
When all is done correctly you will have a matched and properly configured system.
I hope this information is helpful and provokes though on the subject.
John Fassotte
Alaskan Audio
|13th December 2001, 09:35 AM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Link to Level and Phase Graphs
I have added a link to show the effect of amplitude and phase for the approximation I mentioned above for the 10 K ohm output impedance passive Pre-Amp with cable and power amplifier load.
This PDF file is a single page of about 38KB. The upper chart on the page shows amplitude while the lower chart shows phase versus frequency.
Being revised. It will be available again in the near future.
http://www.audioamps.com/diyprojects...sive.pdf<br />
The -1.552 Db upper level at a referance frequency of 1 HZ is the voltage/power drop caused by the 10 K ohm output impedance of the passive Pre-Amp driving the simulated power amplifier input impedance of 51.1K. The input referance level was 0.
The charts for a active stage with 50 ohm output impedance driving this same load.
Being revised. It will be available again in the near future.
As you can see the there is a lot of potential difference between active stages driving the power amplifier and a passive device attempting to do the same thing.
So the next time you hear a passive line stage ask yourself how much of the highs are missing and how much additional phase shift is being induced due to loading and high frequency roll off. This is quite hard to judge because each system may get different results due to different cables or cable lenghts being used. A further variable is volume control position and power amplifier input impedance. If we wanted to reduce these variables to a minimum we would need some kind of active buffer on the output of the so called passive Pre-Amp and turn it into a active Pre-Amp.
To be totally honest there will be some phase shift and high frequency lost when a volume control is added to the input of a active buffer but it will be no where near as bad as with the passive setup. The buffer amplifier itself will also add a small amount of phase shift itself.
If anyone is interested I can plot some with a volume control of any value in its half point position front of the buffer amplifier.
Remember these charts only cover the differences in signals from the input of the Pre-Amps to the input of the power amplifier. They do not include any other segments of the audio path.
So if you insist on using passive Pre-Amps get the best lowest capacitance cable to run to your power amps you can find and keep the runs as short as possible. Hopefully less that 3 feet.
John Fassotte
Alaskan Audio
|25th December 2001, 10:33 PM
diyAudio Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Plotting volume control freq response
I was snooping around the internet today and found and interesting spreadsheet on the Danish Audio Connect web site.
This excell spread sheet calculates the actual frequency reponse of passive volume controls and plots their frequency response with various resistive and capacitive loads.
In any case if any one is interested in it can be download along with its manual at:
The only bad thing is the fact that they extended the upper frequency range way way to much to see any real detail in the frequencies of interest. A 100khz upper limit would have been sufficient. The second thing is that DACT opted to password protect the xls sheet.
John Fassotte
Alaskan Audio
|26th December 2001, 01:04 AM
diyAudio Member
Very Informative!
Hi John,
Glad you took the time to look into various impedance loadings in pre-amps.
I just finished my balanced line pre-amp and will do further tweaks in the near future.
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ERPENIUS (original name VAN ExpE), THOMAS (1584–1624), Dutch Orientalist, was born at Gorcum, in Holland, on the rith of September 1584. After completing his early education at Leiden, he entered the university of that city, and in 16o8 took the degree of master of arts. By the advice of Scaliger he studied Oriental languages whilst taking his course of theology. He afterwards travelled in England, France, Italy and Germany, forming connexions with learned men, and availing himself of the information which they communicated. During his stay at Paris he contracted a friendship with Casaubon, which lasted during his life, and also took lessons in Arabic from an Egyptian, Joseph Barbatus, otherwise called Abu-dakni. At Venice he perfected himself in the Turkish, Persic and Ethiopic languages. After a long absence, Erpenius returned to his own country in 1612, and on the loth of February 1613 he was appointed professor of Arabic and other Oriental languages, Hebrew excepted, in the university of Leiden. Soon after his settlement at Leiden, animated by the example of Savary de Breves, who had established an Arabic press at Paris at his own charge, he caused new Arabic characters to be cut at a great expense, and erected a press in his own house. In 1619 the curators of the university of Leiden instituted a second chair of Hebrew in his favour. In 162o he was sent by the States of Holland to induce Pierre Dumoulin or Andre Rivet to settle in that country; and after a 'second journey he was successful in inducing Rivet to comply with their request. Some time after the return of Erpenius, the states appointed him their interpreter; and in this capacity he had the duty imposed upon him of translating and replying to the different letters of the Moslem princes of Asia and Africa. His reputation had now spread throughout all Europe, and several princes, the kings of England and Spain, and the archbishop of Seville made him the most flattering offers; but he constantly refused to leave his native country. He was preparing an edition of the Koran with a Latin translation and notes, and was projecting an Oriental library, when he died prematurely on the 13th .of November 1624. Among his works may be mentioned his Grammatica Arabica, published originally in 1613 and often reprinted; Rudiments linguae Arabicae (162o) ; Grammatica Ebraea generalis (1621) ; Grammatica Chaldaica et Syria (1628); and an edition of Elmacin's History of the Saracens.End of Article: ERPENIUS (original name VAN ExpE), THOMAS (1584–1624)
ERROLL (or ERROL), FRANCIS HAY, 9TH EARL OF (d. 163...
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Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina smashed splendid half-centuries before Ravindra Jadeja broke the backbone of the Mumbai batting with 3 crucial wickets as the Men in Yellow thrashed Mumbai by 48 runs and made it to their 5th final in the Indian T20 League. After setting up a mammoth 192/1, Chennai cleaned up Mumbai for 144 in 18.4 overs.
MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat in hot and sultry conditions in Delhi. Chennai made one change. Albie Morkel came in for Jason Holder. Mumbai made as many as four changes to their playing eleven. Glenn Maxwell made way for Dwayne Smith and Dhawal Kulkarni for Munaf Patel. Pragyan Ojha and Mitchell Johnson also made a comeback for the Rohit Sharma led side. The big news at the toss was that Sachin Tendulkar was still nursing an injury and hence sitting out.
Chennai's innings
The Powerplay:
Michael Hussey began in ominous fashion sending the first ball of the match - a full toss on the pads by Mitchell Johnson - to the mid-wicket boundary. Murali Vijay got going with a stylish flick off Munaf Patel to the square-leg fence. He then lofted the next delivery over extra-cover for another four. The right-handed batsman was looking in great touch, timing the ball beautifully and invariably picking up the gaps. The ball was coming onto the bat and the Chennai opening duo were just using the pace of the Mumbai bowlers.
Harbhajan Singh was introduced in the 4th over. He bowled an excellent first over conceding just two. But Hussey wasn't to be kept quiet for long as he caressed Lasith Malinga for two consecutive boundaries in the Sri Lankan's first over. Chennai had got off to a flier and had moved to 47/0 after the powerplay.
The Middle overs (7 to 15):
Pragyan Ojha gave away just 5 runs in his first over. The spinners had pegged back the run-rate. Murali Vijay swung at Kieron Pollard's 2nd delivery but could only manage to hold out to deep square-leg. The West Indian struck in the 8th over of the match. Suresh Raina joined the Australian at the crease. Chennai had moved to 69/1 after 10 overs.
The Indian southpaw made his intentions clear clobbering Ojha over deep mid-wicket for a maximum before depositing Harbhajan over extra-over in the next over. Mr Cricket notched up a splendid fifty off just 40 balls. The Men in Yellow reached triple figures in the 13th over. Raina then slapped Johnson over backward point right into the stands. The pair had taken Chennai to 125/1 after 15 overs. The partnership was worth 73 off just 46 deliveries.
The Death overs (16 to 20):
Raina now decided to cut loose. He welcomed Patel by carving him between the two backward point fielders into the boundary. The next ball - a full toss - was hammered back over the non-striker's head for another four. He raised his fifty by launching into Pollard and smashing him over deep mid-wicket into the stands. The next ball was hammered to the deep square-leg boundary. The century stand came off just 59 deliveries. 14 runs came off the 17th over and 10 off the 18th from Malinga. Johnson was lofted over mid-wicket by Raina before being pulled by Hussey to the deep fine-leg boundary in the penultimate over of the match.
But the best was reserved for the last. Raina bludgeoned a full-toss from Malinga and smashed it into the stands. Hussey followed suit and scooped a low full-toss over short fine-leg helping the ball sail well back into the stands. He ended the Chennai innings in fine style repeating the shot for a one bounce boundary. 19 runs came off the last over. Chennai had posted a mammoth 192/1. Mr Cricket was unbeaten on 86 off 58 deliveries while Raina was there at the crease on a blitzkrieg 82 off just 42 balls including 5 sixes and 5 fours. 123 runs were scored in the last 10 overs and 67 in the last 5. Chennai had the advantage going into the break.
Mumbai's innings
The Powerplay:
Mumbai needed an aggressive start at the top and Dwayne Smith was keen on providing them with the same. He cracked the second and fourth balls of the first over by Mohit Sharma through the covers for two scintillating boundaries. However, his partner, Aditya Tare did not last for too long and fell to Albie Morkel in the next over, caught at mid-on by Vijay.
Dwayne Smith launched into Mohit Kumar and clobbered him back over his head before hooking him over fine-leg for 2 sixes off the first two deliveries of the 5th over. Morkel was smashed for 3 boundaries by the West Indian and was taken for 16 in the last over of the powerplay. Mumbai had rocketed to 56/1 after 6.
The Middle overs (7 to 15):
Smith was unstoppable now! He pulled Chris Morris for a breathtaking six before spanking him for another over long-on in the 7th. His fifty came off just 21 deliveries. Dhoni introduced Ashwin into the attack but that did not change much on the field as the off-spinner was butchered for a thunderous six by Smith - the ball hitting the sightscreen. 14 runs were taken off Ashwin's first over.
The Chennai skipper was running out of options. He threw the ball to the golden boy of the team - Ravindra Jadeja. And the all-rounder did not disappoint and struck off just his 2nd delivery getting the prized scalp of Smith. The Mumbai opener departed for 68 off just 28 deliveries. His knock included 6 fours and 5 sixes. A couple of quiet overs and the pressure was now mounting on Mumbai. Dinesh Karthik went for a wild sweep to Jadeja, missed the delivery and was plumb lbw. Jadeja had given Mumbai a double blow. Kieron Pollard walked in to the crease.
Chris Morris got the big fish - Rohit Sharma out in the next over and now Chennai were seizing the initiative. The boundaries were hard to come by and the required run-rate was soaring. 80 runs were required of the last 6 overs. Something had to give! Jadeja had bowled a fantastic 3 overs for just 17 runs and picked up 2 wickets. Pollard thumped Jadeja for 2 sixes off the first 2 deliveries of the 15th but the bowler had the last laugh sending Pollard packing for 24. That was, for all practical purposes the end of the Mumbai chase. The conclusion was now a mere formality.
The Death overs (16 to 20):
Bravo ran through the lower middle order accounting for the wickets of Harbhajan, Johnson and Malinga. Mohit Sharma also picked up a couple getting rid of Ambati Rayudu and Pragyan Ojha. Mumbai were cleaned up for 144 in 18.4 overs. Chennai had made it to their fifth final in the Indian T20 League. They had beaten Mumbai by a comprehensive margin of 48 runs.
Michael Hussey was adjudged the man of the match for his 86 off 58 deliveries. Mumbai now await the winner of the Eliminator between Rajasthan and Hyderabad which takes place in Delhi tomorrow.
Mr Cricket, Raina help Chennai storm into 5th final
Michael Hussey and Suresh Raina smashed splendid half-centuries before Ravindra Jadeja broke the backbone of the Mumbai batting with 3 crucial wickets as the Men in Yellow thrashed Mumbai by 48 runs and made it to their 5th final in the Indian T20 League. After setting up a mammoth 192/1, Chennai cleaned up Mumbai for 144 in 18.4 overs.


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We have no idea how Saint Jo flowers came up with this idea but it definitely is one of the best Valentine's gift ideas this country has ever seen. Presenting Pamatay na Valentine's Flowers, the only bouquet for that one person you're 'dying' to see.
Funeral flowers are so beautiful, don't you think? So why hasn't anyone made a smaller version and gave it as a bouquet? Think again! Thanks to this flower shop, you can finally give the person you owe your life to a sign of your overwhelming gratitude and love.
You have 8 designs to choose from though we're sure you can have them write almost anything you'd like, if you think you're wittier than them. Here are their ideas:
For that person you're just dying to date, and for your girl whose looks are just to fall for.
Flowers that scream Patay na patay na patay na patay na talaga ako sayo.
And if you're not into those cheesy lines, maybe treat him or her to a movie and give this bouquet. Just don't try to pirate the film you're watching! Baka mahuli ka ni Derek Ramsey. Mahirap na.
*All photos are from the Saint Jo flowers Facebook page
For orders and other inquiries, visit them at Market! Market! Stall #3, Fiesta Market, BGC, Taguig City or contact the number stated above. Feel free to visit their Facebook page for more witty and punny flowers for any occasion.


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The PG-250 is a portable stack gas analyzer that can simultaneously measure up to five separate gas components using the same proven measurement methods used in Horiba's line of permanent CEMS.
The PG-250 is ideal for CEMS certification testing (RATAs) or for use when stack gas emissions must be monitored periodically at one or multiple stacks.
The PG-250 uses non-dispersive IR detection for CO, SO2, and CO2; chemiluminescence (cross-flow modulation) for NOx; and a galvanic cell or an optional zirconium oxide sensor for O2 measurements.
The 37 lb. (17 kg) analyser can be supplied with an optional rugged carrying case. The instrument can interface directly with a laptop computer through an RS-232C interface to record measured values. Major features include a built-in sample conditioning system with sample pump, filters, and a thermoelectric cooler. An optional auxiliary thermoelectric pre-cooler (PS-200) is available to condition samples which contain excessive water vapor.
The performance of the PG-250 has been tested and verified under the U.S. EPA ETV program.
Performance standard ranges
Gas Range (min.)
NOx 0-25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, and 2500 ppm
SO2 0-200, 500, 1000, and 3000 ppm
CO 0-200, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 ppm
CO2 0-5, 10, and 20 vol%
O2 0-5, 10, and 25 vol%
Other ranges are available
Zero Drift ± 1% (full scale) per day (SO2 ± 2% F.S/day)


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Carey Mulligan Covers 'AnOther' Fall 2012!
Carey Mulligan suits up as she graces the cover for the autumn 2012 issue of AnOther magazine, on newsstands September 12!
Here's what the 27-year-old actress had to share with the mag:
On her next film The Great Gatsby: "Gatsby is the biggest film I've been in. It would be quite bad if I was terrible."
On working on set of Gatsby: "The most famous person on set sets the tone for how everyone behaves. If Leonardo DiCaprio is being lovely and working really hard, then No 15 on the call sheet can't be a dick."
FYI: Carey is wearing Prada and Miu Miu.
For more from Carey, check out AnOther.com!


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DHCT's celebrated Church Crawls offer you the opportunity to learn more about our wonderful architectural heritage. Two of our Trustees are experts in the fields of church history and architecture and of painted and stained glass. They lead a group of up to 30 Friends and their guests around a small selection of rural or urban churches sharing their enthusiasm and knowledge of their subjects. We meet at 10.30 and usually visit two churches before sharing a pub lunch, which provides plenty of time to meet Trustees and other Friends. Several more churches are interpreted in the afternoon before a cup of tea to round off the day. The Crawls take place 4 or 5 times a year and have become very popular.
Programme for 2018:
Wednesday 9th May Piddletrenthide - report
Thursday 7th June Purbeck Crawl - report
Thursday 13th September – report
Full details will appear on this website about four weeks in advance of each event.
- Prev
- Next >>


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On October 6, 2008 the Canadian Securities Administrators (the CSA) published CSA Consultation Paper 11-405 entitled "Securities Regulatory Proposals Stemming from the 2007 – 08 Credit Market Turmoil and its effect on the ABCP Markets in Canada" (the Consultation Paper). The Consultation Paper is divided into two parts, with the first part providing a narrative overview of the background to the credit market turmoil in the United States, its spread into Canada and its impact on the non-bank sponsored portion of the asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) market in Canada. The second part of the paper sets out proposals made under the Concept Paper to deal with the credit market turmoil and related issues in Canada.
The Consultation Paper is the work of a working group or a subcommittee of the CSA which was formed on December 20, 2007 to consider securities regulatory issues stemming from the turmoil in international credit markets that began in August 2007 (the Committee). The Committee consists of representatives of the securities regulatory authorities in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and the Concept Paper states that the recommendations contained in it have not been approved by any securities regulatory authorities or the various provincial or territorial governments in Canada.
The Consultation Paper makes a number of proposals to deal with issues arising out of the credit market turmoil and invites comments on these proposals on or before December 20, 2008. Among the proposals included in the Consultation Paper are proposals to implement a regulatory framework for "approved credit rating organizations", which would require credit rating agencies to comply with "comply or explain" provisions of the IOSCO Code of Conduct Fundamentals for Credit Rating Agencies, and proposals to amend the current short term debt exemption (available under section 2.35 of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus and Registration Exemptions) to make it unavailable for distributions of asset-backed short term debt, as well as to reduce reliance on credit rating agencies in Canadian securities legislation. Other proposals include a separate policy review to consider the appropriateness of the net financial asset threshold of the "accredited investor" exemption, and the "$150,000 minimum investment amount" exemption, for prospectus exempt distributions. The Concept Paper also proposes coordinating with IIROC various regulatory initiatives focused on addressing the role of intermediaries that are registrants in distributing asset backed securities such as ABCP. Also proposed is a review of the terms "related issuer" and "connected issuer" in proposed National Instrument 31-103 – Registration Requirements, to ensure these definitions capture issuers of ABCP and similar products. It is also suggested that the CSA should review whether the concentration restrictions contained in National Instrument 81-102 – Mutual Fundsfor money market funds are appropriate, whether further restrictions on the types of investments a money market fund can make are required, whether assets such as asset-backed short-term debt are appropriate as eligible assets in the definition of "cash-cover" and "qualified securities" and whether short-term debt investments, including ABCP with a specified credit rating, should be permitted to be aggregated in a statement of investment portfolio.
Comments on these and other proposals discussed in the Concept Paper are invited to be made in writing, again, by no later than December 20, 2008.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.


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We'd like to see 55% of household waste recycled by 2020 – but we need your help. Below are some tips to help you reduce the amount of waste your household produces and help make Newcastle a greener place to live.
Love your blue bin
You may be surprised by the amount of waste you can recycle in your blue bin. Did you know you can recycle clean foil trays, biscuit tins, batteries and empty aerosol sprays? Find out what you can put in your blue bin.
Love Food Hate Waste
The average person in Newcastle could save up to £200 a year simply by not throwing away good food and drink. Find out how you can reduce food waste and save money.
Greener gardens
Sign up for garden waste collections and we can collect your garden waste for you. Garden waste is used to produce high quality soil conditioner for local gardens, allotments and farmland. Apply for garden waste collections.
You could also try home composting – 20% of an average household waste bin is made up of food waste. Home composting is the best environmental option for dealing with food wastes. For more information on home composting, including how to get a reduced price compost bin, visit the home composting webpage.
Use a Household Waste Recycling Centre
You can take your extra recycling and rubbish to one of our three Household Waste Recycling Centres in Newcastle. At the Centres you can recycle fluorescent lights and energy saving lightbulbs, waste wood, gas cylinders, vegetable oil and much more. Alternatively, find your nearest supermarket recycling point where you can take metal tins and cans, paper, plastic bottles, cartons, clothes, shoes, glass bottles and jars. Please note that these sites do not accept general waste.
Donate or re-use unwanted furniture
Use free websites such as Freecycle to give away or get unwanted furniture locally. There are also local charities who will collect your unwanted furniture or household items to help local people in need:
Support local charity shops
Donate your unwanted textiles, clothes, shoes, books, toys and bric-a-brac to shops or door-step charity collections. Find your nearest charity shop.
Donate unwanted food to a Food Bank
Food banks accept donation of usable food. The received food is sorted, stored and made available to people who are in crisis.
For everything else…
Visit the Recycle Now website for a comprehensive list of where and how you can recycle household items such as carrier bags, printer cartridges, mobile phones, spectacles, bicycles and more.
You could also:
- Register with the Mailing Preference Service to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.
- Try to buy items that don't have a lot of packaging. For example, buy loose fruit or vegetables in supermarkets or buy items in bulk or family packs.
- Around 20% of rubbish in a general waste bin is food waste. In addition to composting, why not sign up to Love Food Hate Waste for top tips on understanding food labels, portion sizes and clever recipes.


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The Lighthouse is the weekly email newsletter of the Independent Institute.
Subscribe now, or browse Back Issues.
Volume 6, Issue 16: April 19, 2004
- Outsourcing and Adam Smith
- Why Counterterrorism Took a Back Seat
- DRUG WAR CRIMES -- featuring Jeffrey Miron, Joseph McNamara, and Ethan Nadelmann (5/06/04 in Oakland)
1) Outsourcing and Adam Smith
The current outcry against business outsourcing is as flawed as the protectionist tariffs and subsidies that economist Adam Smith discredited more than two hundred years ago, according to award-winning business executive Robert W. Galvin.
In a new op-ed published in the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Galvin -- former CEO of Motorola Corp. -- argues that just as the free-trade policies inspired by Adam Smith's theories led to increased wages and living standards, so today's much-discussed practice of outsourcing business services to low-cost subcontractors overseas also helps foster prosperity.
"As individuals, we benefit from outsourcing in ways ranging from better customer service to ever-improving technology at ever-decreasing prices," writes Galvin. "As services such as X-ray reading are becoming more competitively provided overseas than at home, consumers are likely to benefit from lower health-care costs or even greater choice of such services. For business firms, cost savings from outsourcing mean more money is available for new investment."
Especially noteworthy is Galvin's recognition of what 19th-century French economist Frederic Bastiat referred to as "the unseen" effects of everyday economic events. In this case, the "unseen" (or, more accurately, the under-reported) is the outsourcing by foreign firms that has increased commerce in the United States.
"Just as American firms have been increasing their presence overseas, foreign firms have been seeking access to American markets and talent by locating here," Galvin continues. "According to the Organization for International Investment, California has been the state benefiting most from this trend, garnering more than 700,000 jobs from foreign firms 'insourcing' to the United States. Nationwide, the creation of such insourced jobs is outpacing those outsourced by U.S. firms 2 to 1, and the pay for these jobs averages 16. 5 percent more than that at all U.S. firms."
Concludes Galvin: "Creating anti-outsourcing policy based on unemployment fears makes as much sense as bemoaning the loss of American careers in the stenographer pool, slide-rule assembly line or coal shoveling. The loss of such jobs has netted us more and better-paying jobs and extended higher living standards wherever the division of labor has been allowed, to paraphrase Adam Smith, a free, 'invisible' hand."
See "Sea Changes in the Corporate World -- Outsourcing and Adam Smith," by Robert Galvin (SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, 4/19/04)
For more about Robert Galvin, see "Wireless Visionary: Robert Galvin, Motorola Icon, Still Thinks Tech" (SILICON VALLEY BIZ INK, 4/16/04)
Information about "Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Global Marketplace" -- a gala dinner featuring Robert Galvin, Peter Thiel, and Daniel Edelman (4/21/04 in San Francisco)
2) Why Counterterrorism Took a Back Seat
"CIA and the FBI are investigating a call to our embassy in the UAE in May [2001] saying that a group of bin Laden supporters was in the U.S. planning attacks with explosives," according to the now-famous 8/06/01 memo, "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in the U.S."
Despite the ominous warning, and the large amounts of intelligence "chatter" intercepted that summer, a cabinet-level meeting on counterterrorism was not scheduled until one month later -- a week before September 11th -- because the White House had, as National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice told the 9/11 commission, "other priorities."
Those "other priorities" -- North Korea, the Middle East, the Balkans, China, and missile defense -- received attention at the expense of counterterrorism because those issues had organized interest groups "howling for the U.S. government to address their pet concerns," writes Ivan Eland, director of the Center on Peace & Liberty at the Independent Institute, in his latest op-ed.
"For example, the missile defense contractors receive billions to construct what promises to be a white elephant.... Similarly, the Middle East is always a concern because the oil companies want to ensure that the U.S. government is defending their interests in the region, despite the skepticism of economists -- on both the right and the left -- of the need to defend oil supplies. And China is always high on the presidents docket because of all of the economic interests involved there. You get the picture.
"The laziness with which the administration treated a potentially fundamental threat to Americas citizens and their homeland occurred principally because there were no vested interests pushing action," Eland continues. "Instead, interest groups were pressuring for U.S. interventions in far-flung places overseas. Such pre-September 11 sloth was so embarrassing that for two years after acknowledging the August 6th intelligence briefings existence, the White House has stonewalled its publication. Now that the briefing finally has been released, such chagrin was well-founded."
See "Laziness in the Face of Mortal Danger," by Ivan Eland (4/13/04)
3) DRUG WAR CRIMES -- featuring Jeffrey Miron, Joseph McNamara, and Ethan Nadelmann (5/06/04 in Oakland)
Each year, the U.S. government spends over $30 billion on the drug war and arrests more than 1.5 million people on drug-related charges. Currently more than 318,000 people are behind bars in the U.S. for drug violations -- more than the number of people incarcerated for all crimes in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain combined. Have current drug laws deterred drug abuse and reduced crime? What are the real costs of this countrys war on drugs? Is there a link between the homicide rate and the amount of resources given to drug prohibition?
Please join us as Boston University economist JEFFREY MIRON (author of the major new book, DRUG WAR CRIMES), former San Jose police chief JOSEPH McNAMARA, and drug-policy expert ETHAN NADELMANN examine these questions and explore real alternatives to Americas War on Drugs.
JEFFREY A. MIRON is a Professor of Economics at Boston University and author of the new book, DRUG WAR CRIMES: The Consequences of Prohibition. His articles on Drug Policy have appeared in SOCIAL RESEARCH, BOSTON GLOBE and the LONDON OBSERVER. He received his Ph. D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
JOSEPH D. McNAMARA is a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former Chief of Police, San Jose, CA and Kansas City, MO. He has published articles in the NEW YORK TIMES, the LOS ANGELES TIMES, the WALL STREET JOURNAL, the WASHINGTON POST, and other publications. He has been a commentator for NPR and has appeared on "Meet the Press," "Good Morning America," "60 Minutes," and other television programs.
ETHAN NADELMANN is founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs. Nadelmann received his PhD from Harvard, and a Masters degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics. His speaking and writings on drug policy have attracted international attention and appeared in SCIENCE, AMERICAN HERITAGE, NATIONAL REVIEW, and elsewhere.
Thursday, May 6, 2004
Reception and book signing: 6:30 p.m.
Program: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The Independent Institute Conference Center
100 Swan Way
Oakland, CA 94621-1428
Map and directions
TICKETS: $15 per person ($10 for Independent Institute Members), or $25 for admission and a copy of DRUG WAR CRIMES. (37% off cover price!) Reserve tickets by calling (510) 632-1366 or ordering online at http://www.independent.org/tii/forums/040506ipf.html.
Praise for DRUG WAR CRIMES: The Consequences of Prohibition, by Jeffrey A. Miron (The Independent Institute, 2004):
Mirons arguments are lucid, well-reasoned, and powerful. Everyone can benefit from reading this important, insightful work.
-- Margaret M. Russell, Former Vice President, ACLU; Professor of Law, Santa Clara University
A highly significant improvement to the canon of drug war literature ... can well be used as the standard for judging all else in the field. A reasonable mind will find this book exceedingly valuable. It has been needed for a very long time.
-- John L. Kane, Jr., Senior Judge, U.S. District Court
More information about the event "Drug War Crimes" -- featuring Jeffrey Miron, Joseph McNamara, and Ethan Nadelmann (5/06/04 in Oakland), see
More information about the new Independent Institute book DRUG WAR CRIMES: The Consequences of Prohibition, by Jeffrey Miron.


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Retail sales in the first quarter of this year were mixed, with some areas showing modest gains while others continued to decline, City Finance Director Brian Butler said this week.
Sales at the Glendale Galleria continued down, with a drop of 10% compared to the same period a year ago. Officials attributed the continued decline to the recession and vacancies in the mall.
Car sales among dealers on South Brand Boulevard were down 5% compared to the first quarter of 1991, but the decline was the smallest since sales peaked in 1989, Butler said.
Some other areas, including Montrose and the Glendale Fashion Center near the Civic Center, recorded modest increases in retail activity.


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I absolutley love these markers. What can I say??? They have many sets where you can get match to many different layouts. They last a long time too. The price is ok. I compared with the stores and they're about the same price, but the quality is better with these.
Love the fine tip on one end and the medium tip on the other!
Haven't used yet but love thecolors
These markers are good but I found the colours very light, lighter than I thought they were.


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from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
- intransitive v. To fall or lie down heavily and noisily.
- intransitive v. To move about loosely or limply: The dog's ears flopped when it ran.
- intransitive v. Informal To fail utterly: The play flopped.
- intransitive v. Slang To rest idly; lounge.
- intransitive v. Slang To go to bed.
- transitive v. To drop or lay (something) down heavily and noisily: flopped the steak onto a platter.
- n. The act of flopping.
- n. The sound made when flopping.
- n. Informal An utter failure.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- v. To fall heavily, because lacking energy.
- v. To fail completely, not to be successful at all (about a movie, play, book, song etc.).
- v. To pretend to be fouled in sports, such as basketball, hockey (the same as to dive in soccer)
- n. An incident of a certain type of fall; a plopping down.
- n. A complete failure, especially in the entertainment industry.
- n. The first three cards turned face-up by the dealer in a community card poker game.
- n. A place to stay, sleep or live. See flophouse
- n. A ponded package of dung, as in a cow-flop.
- adv. Right, squarely, flat-out.
- adv. With a flopping sound.
- n. A unit of measure of processor speed, being one floating-point operation per second.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
- n. Act of flopping.
- intransitive v. To strike about with something broad and flat, as a fish with its tail, or a bird with its wings; to rise and fall.
- intransitive v. To fall, sink, or throw one's self, heavily, clumsily, and unexpectedly on the ground.
- transitive v. To clap or strike, as a bird its wings, a fish its tail, etc.; to flap.
- transitive v. To turn suddenly, as something broad and flat.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- To clap or strike, as the wings; flap.
- To cause to fall or hang down.
- To flap.
- To plump down suddenly; turn or come down with a flop: as, to flop on one's knees.
- To collapse; yield or break down suddenly.
- To go over suddenly to another side or party; make a sudden change of association or allegiance.
- n. The act of flopping or flapping.
- n. A fall like that of a soft outspread body upon the ground.
- n. Something that flops or is capable of flopping or striking, as a fluid, semi-liquid, or gelatinous substance, against the side of a vessel containing it.
- n. A sudden collapse or breakdown, as of resistance.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- n. a complete failure
- adv. with a flopping sound
- n. an arithmetic operation performed on floating-point numbers
- n. the act of throwing yourself down
- v. fall suddenly and abruptly
- v. fall loosely
- n. someone who is unsuccessful
- v. fail utterly; collapse
- adv. exactly
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
The potential for this film to be a flop is already in existence, although I sincerely hope that the film is good.
Then again, the use of the word if 'flop' is relative, I use it to label movies that performed abysmal.
Has the Downfall of Mike Myers Truly Begun? « FirstShowing.net
The best part about this being such a notorious flop is that the crew and cast looking back can be a little more honest than they sometimes are in such cases.
March 19th, 2010 at 11: 09 am spearNmagicHelmet says: dudes are just flat out flailing in flop sweat desperation.
Think Progress » Rep. Paul Broun: The ramifications of health reform will be like 'the Great War of Yankee Aggression.'
Really, though, has there ever been a contestant so drenched in flop sweat for so long?
IE: Doing a belly flop from the high board hurts one hell of lot more than falling face forward into the water from pool side That said Im not half bad with numbers but the abilty to prove that mathmatically is beyond me,
UPDATE: One way to disguise an imminent flip-flop is to camouflage it by changing the subject.
Think Progress » RomneyCare 'Sort Of Similar' To ObamaCare, But Only Obama Will Acknowledge It
Webster says a flip-flop is (among other things) a sudden reversal of policy or strategy.
Think Progress » After Saying That Big Banks Should Be Made 'Smaller,' Cornyn Votes Against Breaking Them Up
The flip-flop is just hard wired into the conservative brain.
Think Progress » New Study Estimates Mass Deportation Of Undocumented Immigrants Would Cost $285 Billion
His desperate last-minute flip flop is designed to mislead voters on his true feelings about the war.
Think Progress » GOP Congressmen Say That 'Everyone' In Congress 'Would Agree That Iraq Was A Mistake'


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We strive to inform our stakeholders on our activities in a timely manner. Sign up on our Contact and Shareholder Information page to receive our latest news by email.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 23, 2017) - Dalradian Resources Inc. (TSX:DNA)(AIM:DALR) ("Dalradian" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its 2017 annual meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held today in Toronto, Ontario.
At the Meeting, all director nominees listed in the Company's management information circular dated May 12, 2017 were elected as directors of the Company. The detailed results of the vote by ballot are as follows:
In addition, at the Meeting, shareholders reappointed KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Company. The formal report on voting results with respect to all matters voted upon at the Meeting will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Annual Meeting Presentation can be found on the Company's website at http://www.dalradian.com/investor-centre/investor-briefcase/default.aspx.
About Dalradian Resources Inc.
Dalradian Resources Inc. is a gold exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its high-grade Curraghinalt Gold Project located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
This news release contains "forward looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its subsidiaries and its mineral project, the future price of metals, test work and confirming results from work performed to date, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of future exploration, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage, the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory matters and the realization of the expected economics of the Curraghinalt gold deposit. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are based on various assumptions such as the continued political stability in Northern Ireland, that permits required for Dalradian's operations will be obtained on a timely basis in order to permit Dalradian to proceed on schedule with its planned exploration and development programs, that skilled personnel and contractors will be available as Dalradian's operations continue to grow, that the price of gold will be at levels that render Dalradian's mineral project economic, that the Company will be able to continue raising the necessary capital to finance its operations and realize on mineral resource estimates and current mine plans, that the assumptions contained in the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment are accurate and complete, that results from the infill drilling program continue to be positive, that the mineral resource update is positive, that the results of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and the Feasibility Study will be positive and that a permitting application for mine construction will be approved.
Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Dalradian to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; the actual results of reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.


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Space is one of the most critical resources aboard Starfleet vessels and battleships and is no less important when it comes to choosing gear to stow in your RV.
Every inch counts. But, even in such a small space, there are still hard to get to places and this little collapsible step stool brings them all within easy reach!
For less than $20 the E-Z Foldz 9 High folding step stool can add almost 9 inches to anyone's height. Better yet, when you're done with it, you can fold it up and stow it in a space that's just more than two inches wide! Try that with your Little Giant ladder.
The top folds up to reveal an integrated carrying handle for easy stowing or transporting. Made from rugged plastic, the stool has a 9 by 12 inch top and non skid padded feet for sure footing on any type of flooring.
The stool has a weight limit of 300 pounds.


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Kristen Stewart Talks About Adopting A New Dog Named Bernie
Kristen Stewart is set to play an entirely new role in Breaking Dawn Part 2. Not just a vampire, but a mother as well. And it turns out, Kristen recently became "mother" to a new addition in her life, a rescue dog named Bernie.
[Click here to see a photo that MIGHT be Bernie with Kristen]
In a new interview with Kate Spencer from VH1, Kristen explains her real-life maternal instincts, admitting that she's protective over her two dogs: Bear, the dog she adopted with Robert Pattinson that thankfully did not end in a nasty custody battle and Bernie, who she kind of mentioned in this recent Japanese TV show interview when she was asked what her treasure is. But in the new interview below, she confirms the happy news.
"I do have two dogs," Kristen tells Spencer of her second canine addition. "I adopted Bernie when she was a bit older, so I feel like she's kind of a roommate."
The term 'roommate' is also exactly how she described her relationship with her cat Max to us during our interview with her in London for Snow White and the Huntsman. In that interview, she also described Bear as her child, which she repeated to Spencer.
Other outlets such as Radar and The Huffington Post reported early this morning that Kristen is set to adopt another dog in the coming weeks, but clearly it's already happened with the addition of Bernie to her family with Bear and Max, also known as Jella.
Fans will get to see Kristen's maternal instincts on full display when Breaking Dawn Part 2 opens on November 16th. As for Bernie's first public appearance, we'll just have to wait for that.


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AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Tom Craddick today announced that Caterpillar Inc., a Fortune 50 company, will move one of its primary global assembly, test & paint facilities to Texas, creating more than 1,400 jobs. The state will invest $10 million through the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) in the company as a deal-closing incentive for the consolidation and movement of its manufacturing and testing facilities to Seguin, which will generate $169.7 million in capital investment. The project is the second largest in terms of job creation and investment this biennium. Texas was in competition with South Carolina and Mexico for this facility.
"In these uncertain economic times, companies across the country are looking to Texas as the place to grow their business thanks to a reasonable regulatory environment, educated workforce, and economic incentives that bolster Texas' capital and competition in a global marketplace," Gov. Perry said. "This investment in Caterpillar will not only create high paying jobs for Texans, but will strengthen our state's overall economic situation and further diversify our state's economic makeup."
Caterpillar is a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and medium and high speed diesel engines. The company has several operating locations across the state, including Amarillo, Channelview, Coppell, Dallas, De Soto, El Paso, Fort Worth, Garland, Houston, Laredo, Mabank, McAllen, McKinney, Midland, Sherman, Waco, and Waskom.
"Caterpillar's decision to invest and create jobs in Texas is proof that our efforts to attract businesses and grow our economy are working, even in the face of a troubled U.S. economy," Lt. Governor Dewhurst said. "By keeping taxes low, removing roadblocks to growth and business, and maintaining a skilled workforce through our commitment to education, we will keep Texas moving forward as a national and global economic leader."
"Companies around the nation are taking notice of the great climate for business we have in Texas," Speaker Tom Craddick said. "By holding the line on taxes and promoting growth, we've created an economic climate that is the envy of America. Because of our strong economy, state government has a budget surplus at a time when most other states have a shortfall. This did not happen overnight, and it did not happen by chance. I congratulate the people of Seguin and South Central Texas on this great news."
With this investment, Caterpillar will consolidate and relocate its assembly, paint and testing operations from Illinois and South Carolina to Seguin. The facility will provide engines for Caterpillar machines and electric power generation, as well as petroleum, marine, and industrial customers.
"The incentive package assembled to recruit Caterpillar Inc. was by far the largest and most aggressive the community has ever developed," said Seguin Mayor Betty Ann Matthies. "Given the capital investment and the number of jobs committed, Seguin, in coordination with the state, delivered the most attractive incentive package to complement the area's strategic location and excellent workforce. Without our regional and state partners, we would not have been as competitive."
At Gov. Perry's request, the legislature created the TEF in 2003 and re-appropriated funding in 2005 and 2007 to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state. The fund has since become one of the state's most competitive tools to recruit and bolster business. To date, the TEF has invested more than $365 million and closed the deal on projects generating over 52,000 new jobs and $13.7 billion in capital investment in the state.


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Sometimes I want to be a kid again.
Okay, ALL the time I want to be a kid again. Everything was Magic.
To them, everything has the potential to be a game and all they had to worry about was playing it. Imagination abounds morning, noon and night and they don't give a rat's ass who looks on while they battle dragons or fret over princes rescuing them. Only the adventure matters.
As adults, we lose this magic. Real life interrupts the adventure and evil villains like Bills and Work appear to shackle us with eternal slavitude. (Seriously Disney, make a Bills and Work Villain. Make kids NEVER want to grow up!) Thankfully, we have at least one saving grace, besides questionably healthful drinks like whiskey and coffee.
Yep. BOOKS. (Surprise, surprise 😉 )
Anyone can be an arm-chair traveler! We can sleuth as Sherlock and spelunker with a sexy tour guide in our mind, make dinner, pay bills, and come back to the adventure whenever we're able. We can visit France, eat pan au chocolat, sip une tea citron and water the garden at the same time. Probably the only bonus to being an adult. We've learned to multitask. Reading is a wonderful escape from reality and a piece of recaptured childhood.
There's something about being a kid that is so magical and carefree. But parts of it really should stay as magical memories. The neighbor girl that you played with and moved away (that you later found out became a crack whore). That trip to Disneyland where you only remembered Mr. Toad's wild ride (and not getting lost in the mirror maze and screaming your head off till someone rescued you), or going to watch a movie with your parents on a SCHOOL NIGHT (then getting sick later from the popcorn and red vines).
As an avid writer and reader, I can extend this concept to books as well. Books that really should have stayed in my childhood out of self-preservation.
A few years ago I started to re-collect all the books I'd read as a child. The ones teacher's used to read to us in class and book series I read that I enjoyed. I was so excited to have them again and share them with my own kids. I felt it was important to preserve these friends of mine and even re-read a few to refresh my memory.
This was a mistake.
It came with a price. Cuz all Magic does, right Rumple?
The price was that my standards have risen.
Children are fairly easy to please. The bad guys are conquered and the hero wins. The guy gets the girl in the end. The lost puppy finds his way home. Throw in a little action and some kissy scenes and most of the demographic is happy.
We ENJOYED these stories so much. The simplicity of knowing everything will be alright in the end and that there was always another adventure waiting for us on the book shelf.
Not really so satisfying as an adult. Adults require puzzles and challenges and angst. Something a little more meaty than a kissing scene or a skirmish. We need characters that don't have all the answers immediately after they come up against a problem and that are multi-faceted enough to seem genuine. Adult readers demand more than children or Young Adult books often give.
But it's still nice to have the memories. Tread softly with childhood my friends. Preserve them like a rare first edition tome.
Alright! Moving on!
So we've covered the reader part of this great magical tragedy. What about the WRITER part of it?
Ahhhh yes let's flip this problem around on the authors.
How many times have you browsed book shelves and found a series you liked so much that binge read all of them in a week? The author held your attention the entire time and you became so engrossed in the plot you missed several meals and held your pee till the very last second? More than a few I bet. You've raved about these books to friends and family and wished the writer would come out with more but they don't.
Well alright. You move on and you shelve the series under "Most Beloved" in your mind. You might re-read them over the years, like visiting good friends and discover some things you never knew or had forgotten. Your opinions might change and characters that were once your favorite may be knocked off their pedestal in favor of the funny side kick or "one-liner Bob". You still wish there were more books to enjoy, that you didn't have to quit the adventure so soon.
What happens when the WRITER wishes this?
…..this is where it becomes tricky my friends. And this is where my heart feels so well–disheartened.
So a writer really enjoyed penning the series you raved about. It was well-rounded, poignant, action packed and maybe even won an award. They sweat, toiled, cried and bled and spun straw into solid gold. Probably thousands of dollars worth of gold. Once they finished the series, they sat back and smiled and got through the book hangover with a good long vacation and maybe a book tour a little later.
Jump forward ten years.
They have several more books or series under their belt now. They may or may not have been more successful with them. They may or may not have won awards or had more tours. Sitting in their grand houses in their special writing room, they look around, trying to drum up some inspiration.
Hmm….What next?
Then something catches their eye. It's THAT series. YOUR series. HMMMM. There was a lot of potential in that series huh? Things seemed to come together so well and there were a lot of things they meant to do with it. Characters they wanted to flesh out with a side story or two or maybe an origin story. And there was the one villain that didn't quite fit into the first part of the series but maybe with some tweaking—
I honestly don't know WHY this happens. Really. IT'S A TRAGEDY!!!!!!
I'm going to be truthful and say that I have NEVER come across a book series that has had a successful return to life.
They all were zombiefied versions of an author that was ten years younger, had a different mindset and different circumstances. I feel like when writers try to resuscitate a long dead series that they're looking at their tux or dress from prom and confidently thinking they can slip back into it with ease, ten years later. "Nothing much has changed! I'm still as fit as ever!"
Guuhhhh. Seeing fat authors in skinny jeans is something you can never un-read. Trust me. It ruins everything and it taints your previous enjoyment of the beloved book series.
They don't notice that particular brand of magic is gone and the price that has been paid is that they have become a different author.
I made my bestie Owen swear an oath to me. He had to swear to me that when I become successful author and in a decade I even THINK about trying to add on to a series I've written, he has to flog me until the idea passes. This is how passionately I believe that once dead, keep dead.
There ARE exceptions of course but this is where tricky comes in.
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" is one such exception. I say this because the book isn't about Harry, Draco, Hermione and Ron. It's about their KIDS. They're parents in this book and have minimal parts to play. Books written within the same WORLD I think have more success with resuscitation. Genuine "It LIIVVESSSSSS!!!" Frankenstein moments. If someone were to make a continuation of the Narnia series for instance or the Dark Crystal series with only peripheral mentions of characters past, that's acceptable. (Sorry I can only think of fantasy examples. It is my genre after all.)
Also tricky is when a reader first comes to the series and is able to re-read through the entire old and new halves of it in one go. It may not affect them at all and they simply cannot see anything wrong with the skinny jeans. But to me, it's like binge watching all the Star Wars. ALL of them. 1 through 7. (Or is it 8 now? I'm losing track.) There are huge glaring differences that CGI and flashy tech simply cannot dazzle me enough to forget.
I've learned to be wary when it comes to books from my past. Childhood should be preserved. You should be a kid again of course; just do it the adult way. Don't try to recapture what you had because you'll pay the price. It's not worth it, believe me. I'm writing this blog post to pass on what I've learned to you and to my future self. You can agree or disagree. We're human and have opinions and free will. I'd welcome a comment about your opinions if you feel obliged!
😀 Have a pleasant experience my friends and followers. Tread carefully.


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LOS ANGELES — A California appeals court on Monday rejected Roman Polanski's request that his decades-old sex case either be dismissed or reviewed again by the courts while he remains under house arrest in Switzerland, but it sharply criticized prosecutors for having failed to review evidence of official misconduct in the case and suggested that Mr. Polanski might be sentenced while still abroad.
The ruling, by a panel of three justices of California's second appellate district, opened the door to further legal action that might resolve Mr. Polanski's case without forcing him to be extradited from Switzerland or to serve further jail time.
Mr. Polanski, an Oscar-winning director famous for films including "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby," fled Los Angeles in 1978 after 42 days of psychiatric evaluation in prison but before he was sentenced for having unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer, then 13. Mr. Polanski had pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in an agreement that allowed him to avoid other, harsher charges, including sodomy and rape.
Ms. Geimer has since joined Mr. Polanski's appeal for dismissal of the case. He has been held by Swiss authorities since September on a request from American officials that he be extradited.
In a 70-page opinion written by Justice Laurie D. Zelon, with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Dennis M. Perluss and Justice Fred Woods, the appeals court ruled that Judge Peter P. Espinoza of Los Angeles Superior Court acted within the bounds of judicial discretion when, this year, he cited Mr. Polanski's fugitive status in refusing to consider his request for dismissal.Continue reading the main story
"We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in applying the fugitive disentitlement doctrine and refusing to consider dismissing the action," the appeals opinion said.
But at the same time the appeals court urged the Los Angeles district attorney's office to investigate whether possible misconduct by Judge Laurence J. Rittenband, who died in 1993, and one of the office's own deputies, David Wells, who has since retired, had compromised the case sufficiently to merit its dismissal.
"We are disturbed by the district attorney's refusal in the briefing submitted to this court" to address a series of allegations that Judge Rittenband had abused his powers while being coached by Mr. Wells, Judge Zelon wrote. In the 2008 documentary film "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," Mr. Wells described his contacts with the judge but later recanted his own claims.
"Such profoundly unethical conduct, if proven to be true, strikes at the heart of the prosecutor's role as a guardian of system integrity," Justice Zelon wrote. She continued: "This role as an administrator of justice should prompt the district attorney's office to internally investigate whether the allegations of judicial misconduct are substantiated."
Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, said she had not yet seen the opinion. She said the office, as a matter of policy, does not discuss internal investigations.
In suggesting a variety of remedies that might have allowed Mr. Polanski to correct any injustice done to him, the appeals court several times mentioned sentencing in absentia as a possibility. The opinion also suggested that Mr. Polanski could even be found to have served his entire sentence by having spent those 42 days under psychiatric evaluation before he fled.
"If Polanski presents admissible evidence leading the trial court to conclude that Judge Rittenband committed to the diagnostic study as Polanski's entire punishment, it is difficult to image that the trial court would not honor that commitment today," Justice Zelon wrote.
Chad S. Hummel, who represented Mr. Polanski in oral arguments before the appeals court on Dec. 10, did not respond to queries about the opinion or any planned next move.Continue reading the main story


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By R.H. Healey
Noah Fleisher (ed), Warman's Antiques and Collectibles 2014, F & W Media, 2013; 790 pp, profusely illustrated in color. Softcover $29.99 ISBN-13: 978-1-4402-3462-0. [CD available for $21.99]
The idea that there are trends in collecting has always baffled me (who or what drives these fashions?), but it is probably true that if as a dealer you buy "brown furniture" when it is cheap and unfashionable it doesn't follow that such furniture will eventually do well in the market. It might never return to favor—and there where would you be? Stuck with a warehouse of unsalable Georgian chests of drawers, that's where!
Of course, as a collector, you are probably guided by your own tastes rather than the market, but the clever collector is always aware of trends, even if he or she despises them. Currently (apart from brown furniture) the antiques that are cold, according to the panel of experts in this 2014 edition of Warman's, who include our own Karen Knapstein, are baseball cards, quilts and dolls. Some hot areas for collectors to consider are contemporary art and modern technology.
Collectors might also do well look at 20th century American ceramics. In the current Warman's it is difficult to ignore the 100-page section on this subject. As an Englishman more familiar with Beswick, Clarice Cliff, Susie Cooper and Moorcroft, I for one was pleasantly surprised by the stunning range of art pottery produced by such firms as Grueby and Fulper, examples of which I have yet to stumble across in Britain. An expertise in wonderful glazes, rather than the grotesque modelling of animals, is appreciated by someone who has long admired the experimental work of such British innovators as Coldrum and Ruskin, examples of which, unfortunately, are not included here.
Because American ceramics command so much space, other areas suffer less attention, which may be a reflection of the collecting trends we have mentioned. Hence, common 'brown' antique furniture of the type that so dominates salerooms and antique shops in the UK and America, is largely ignored in favor of beautifully decorated standout pieces, mainly from New England. Good Golden Age European silver and glass have a low profile too, which is a pity. Instead, perhaps too much space is given over to art glass of dubious decorative value, vintage memorabilia of all kinds, and costume jewelry.
Areas that could be expanded in future guides might be manuscripts and autographs, since these are unlikely to have a separate guide devoted to them, though perhaps they deserve such exposure. It was also disappointing not to find sections on textiles, Mayan and other pre-Columbian antiquities, and indeed ancient Roman and Greek artifacts. I also feel that Fine Art, which is excluded from the Millers guides in the UK, for obvious reasons of room, should also, I believe, be removed from Warman's and, as with Miller's, be covered in a specialist guide.
Finally, for those who wish to combine antique collecting with working out, I can highly recommend this latest edition of Warman's, which, coming in at a massive 5 pounds, is a handy addition to your fitness regime.
Robin Healey was born in London and earned his MA in Art History from the University of Birmingham. Healey is a professional blogger who has published five books and contributed to a further 10, and has worked in publishing, as a historian at London University, and in various art galleries and museums around the UK. Has been a freelance writer for many years, contributing to Rare Book Review and Book and Magazine Collector, Times Literary Supplement, Guardian and Independent newspapers, among many others. He is currently editing The Withers Correspondence (1842-68) at the University of Liverpool.