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My partner, whom I respect deeply and fully adore, isn't ready to talk publicly about her thoughts on all things Big Sister. I respect her choice. In many ways, she has been a compass for me as we both navigate these parenting waters. Her wisdom and humility are invaluable, holding clinical best interest and compassion over me in a world where I lead with passion and authenticity. We operate differently but not separately, oftentimes with polarity, but when we overlap, we complement each other well. When we disagree, we learn from one another. We have always been two voices here and now is certainly no different. I have some things to say now.
Each summer since the boys came into our lives has been transformative and 2017 is no different. While therapist mom teaches weekly, I'm with the boys, working on several side projects, soaking up some version of a maternity leave I'd hoped for back when we adopted. Quite the opposite from summer 2016 when all 4 kiddos were with us and she was primary parent while I worked long days.
This year, we've also been gifted access to a house near the beach, making our way to the shore as frequently as we can to discover the healing ways of the ocean. Its air is thick and damp, staining skin and hair with sweet salt and sunshine, ushering in much needed laughter, quality time together and breezy, sleep-filled nights. The tide's consistency anchors us to one another in ways more healing than anything I ever imagined. Our boys spend the mornings learning how to ride their bikes, sand dunes and conservation land lining the paths. Late morning is reserved for fantastic feats of daring during low-tide exploration, followed by long naps, afternoon adventures, poolside swims, seafood, cotton-candy ice cream and boogie boarding. We've discovered the waltz of lightning bugs, the joys of evening bubble baths and the weight of our exhausted heads sinking into pillows while sharing in the delight of bedtime magic through books on pirate treasure hunts, hermit crabs hunting for homes and the adventures of other little Black boys. If I oversaw the manufacturing of every kid's childhood, these would be the building blocks.
We are doing all the normal things we've waited so long to enjoy. Settling into our collective bones as a family of 4 who've had anything but a traditional journey to this point. And we were reveling in the finality that we worked toward and sacrificed deeply for so that every kiddo in this story would reach a happy ending. Until about 2 weeks ago.
When Big Sis left our home the first week of June 2017, much preparation, tenacity and sacrifice had taken place before that pivotal moment. From the onset of welcoming the boys' older siblings into our home, launching them was always our #1 goal. We were clear with each other and we were clear with them. We knew we could not possibly raise all four of them as we were not resourced to meet their individual and collective needs. Instead, we actively devoted our lives, at the cost of many things, to help ready them for pre-adoptive homes and forever families. Our commitment to them was to lay the best possible foundation on their paths to permanency by creating a home for them to heal, to get to know each other as siblings, to eat good food, to have routines and consistency, to have fun, to frame who the people and players were in their life, to advocate for them and ensure continuity of care across all channels; medically, educationally, after school and summer camps. And when the time came, to support their transition.
This wasn't a decision we made lightly, nor was it always a clear path. We were filed on. I lost my job. She put hers at risk. More than once we considered separating. Our community expanded and contracted, leaving a smaller group of friends and family who understood and stood by us. We invested in what we viewed as success at the cost of many things because we believed there to be no more important goal than security, safety and family for all.
We anticipated we would need to absorb more than we might be able to handle, which is, in part, why the boys' Big Brother left our home earlier than we would have liked. Our job has been to hold the reigns while raising the bar, working above and below radar, within and outside of the system, to reach a place of launch for all our kiddos. Because they deserve no less. For Tiny and Sweet, this place of was our little family of 4. For Big Brother, it has been with his pre-adoptive family. And for their oldest and most vulnerable sibling, the just and timely arrival of an adoptive family that would carry Big Sis into her 9th year and beyond.
There are no fairy tale endings in foster care, there are just families who work hard. There is always work and courage and patience and tenacity and the building of resilience. And occasionally, a good enough story of relative success. There is the understanding, every day, that the child in your arms has suffered deeply. Beginning often with the trauma of the separation of that kid from their birth parents and ending with no clear path in sight and a lifetime of shame for folks who could've done better.
Investing in kids is always worth it. Even without a return. There is no glory here. There is no easy road. If one seeks such a path, one should listen to the voices of adoptees and the lived experience of folks who've traveled these roads before making promises to kids only to steal them away. One should take care that the choices one makes are altruistically in the best interests of the child one seeks to lift or claim to love. Should a grown-up be unclear about their intentions or capabilities, have any doubts or an alternative agenda, my recommendation would be to just go get a fucking puppy. Or a plant. You can dress either of them up or put them on a shelf to take pretty pictures. That would be preferred. Someday, when she's old enough, I think she'll agree.
More later.
Artist Mom


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subset: commoncrawl


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September 2014
by Vanessa Lapins, Novitex Enterprise Solutions
Cloud technology has the ability to positively disrupt and transform business models and ecosystems; yet, many non-IT executives have misconceptions about what the cloud really is, as it is often surrounded by jargon. Developing an effective cloud strategy requires understanding what technology is available and where it can be used to determine your risk appetite and compare the spectrum of options available.
by Amy Weiss
I have often felt that there should be a special support group for people with loved ones who work in IT. Every job, of course, comes with its share of frustrations and complaints, but somehow the IT-related ones seem to be extra special.
by Jim Lyons
A new marketing research study sponsored by Mopria and completed by The Economist's Intelligence Unit sheds new light on the role of mobile technology in the IT world, and also how hard copy fits within the framework of that newly reshaped world.
by Robert Palmer
Businesses face a diverse set of challenges today when it comes to enabling an effective and productive workforce. Organizations are investing significant time, resources, and money in enterprise solutions aimed at optimizing and automating business processes. Disruptive technologies are completely reshaping traditional business transactions, and the desire to take advantage of these technologies is leading some companies to place transformation ahead of process.
by Michael Howard, HP
The mobile phone has come a long way from the green-screened device with a removable faceplate. Today's mobile phones are "smarter," playing multiple roles including video conference host, alarm clock and keeper of emails, bank account information and precious family photos.
by Larry Barrett
New — as it pertains to technology — is relative and fleeting. Regardless of where an organization finds itself on the digital business landscape, there is no shortage of emerging technologies available to help your company keep up with the expectations of your competitors, customers, employees and partners. But "new" and "emerging" can quickly become "wasteful" and "redundant" if these tools are misused or ignored within the organization.
by John Mancini, AIIM
Collaboration is key in organizations to speed up decision making, improve productivity and make global commerce easier. Technology
has become the control hub that makes this all happen.
by Patricia Ames
During ChannelCon, CompTIA's annual conference, Workflow magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Ken Staker, Chief Implementation Officer at MWAi, and talk about ERP roll-outs, managing growth, good timing and the importance of preserving those elements that make a company unique.
by Andy Jones, Xerox
New workplace technology equips workers with the tools they need to become more productive, resulting in higher efficiency, reduced business costs and enhanced customer service. In my opinion, and that of many global customers I work with, the workplace is not just evolving, but completely transforming for every organization, across every industry.
In June, Thomas Phelps Joined Laserfiche as chief corporate strategist and CIO to lead the company's Marketing and Information Technology organizations. We sat down to ask a few questions.


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Sunday Affair |3|
The sun it out, it's a bank holiday weekend and I'm cleaning. It's the first Sunday of the month of May, so it's time for a spring clean. Swooping the winter and summer wardrobe over, chucking things I never wore last year-and am most definitely not going to wear this year. It's not great fun during, but the results are so cleansing!
Tomorrow looks to be much more exciting. It's the first bank holiday in what feels like forever that the boy and I both have off. We've planned to go for a country walk around our area, we've lived here for 9 months and haven't really ventured further than the end of our road. We have heard of a rumored pub hidden in the woods near by that we plan to find and sample. Here's hoping the sunshine continues!
This week was mostly filled with working, washing and food shopping. None of this is exactly to excite to photograph, so no instagram post this time. We did go for a Wagama's on Tuesday and saw Iron Man 3. Which was bloody amazing, go see it now! Hopfully I'll have something much more exciting to report next weeek, I've also got a bundle of post lined up, so stay turned.
How has your week been, anything planned for bank holiday weekend?
Anna's Skincare videos have been a favorite of mine, hoping if I use everything she does I may, in say way achieve her perfect complication. Her newest offering, Skin Care Bolt-Ons has been compiling a long shopping list and dusting of some untried products.
I haven't been able to put down this months Elle magazine. Sometime I buy it a flick through, a couple of articles take my interest but mostly it's a bit blaah. But this month I've read it cover to cover. Also it came with a sample size of Benefits They're Real Mascara. Worth picking up.
After they've been splashed over most blogs, I can't help just have fallen for the Bourjois Little Round Post Cream Blushers. I've only a few cream blushers but love the few I have. The swatches I've seen show up a really lovely, wearable colours. Right up my street. I'll be waiting at the doors of Boots when the these launch on the 15th.
Labels: sunday edit
Fashion Lustin' | 1 |
1.H&M Bag - £24.99 | 2.Zara Earrinsg - £9.99 | 3.H&M 3 Stacked Ring - £5.99 | 4.New Look Coral Tribal Tank - £26.99 | 5.Topshop Silk Floral Tee - £70 | 6.Next Leopard Slippers - £40
Labels: Fashion, fashion lustin


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The Obama/Bush Tax-Cuts: Negotiating with Terrorists
I'm not sure why, but even though everyone expected it, even though I called it a month ago, I'm still extremely angry about Obama's decision to cave in to the Republicans on the Bush tax-cut issue. Perhaps I'd been holding out some hope until the very end. Perhaps it's because no matter how angry you anticipate you'll be when somebody does something you find despicable, you don't fully feel the anger until they've actually done it.
I won't spend too much time going into all of the reasons why extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans is a bad idea in terms of policy—I think most people already understand that trickle-down economics is bunk and that the more money we borrow from China the worse-off our country is—but it's a far worse decision in terms of politics. In this case, the politics are more important than the policy because this sets the tone for the next two years and will thus have a significant impact on every policy to be addressed during that time.
First of all, it's important to know what public opinion is on this issue. In a recent CBS news poll only 26% of responders said they believed the tax-cuts should continue for everyone. 53% said they should only continue for income under $250,000 a year, and 14% said they should all expire. If you add up the last two numbers, that's 67% of Americans who want the tax-cuts for the wealthy to expire to just 26% who want them to continue. Public opinion is overwhelmingly against extending the tax-cuts for the rich (even just among Republicans, the numbers are 52% opposed to 46% in favor).
There are those who say that making a deal with Republicans was a political necessity. Obama did what he had to do. It was the responsible thing. The Republicans would have blocked unemployment benefits for people badly needing them unless Obama agreed to a two-year extension of the Bush tax-cuts. Obama used an appropriate metaphor, painting the Republicans as terrorists holding the middle class and the unemployed hostage. He said that while you shouldn't negotiate with terrorists, sometimes it's necessary to prevent the hostages from being harmed.
But that's only half the analogy. If you cave in to the terrorists' demands they may release the hostages this time, but it only encourages more hostage taking in the future. The Republicans know exactly how to manipulate Obama. They've been doing it for the last two years and will continue to do it for the next two years unless Obama finally stands up to them. Sometimes you have to let the hostages get hurt to prevent harm to future hostages. Show the terrorists that taking hostages is not a winning strategy, and they'll have to find a different one.
So what could Obama have done? It's very simple, and it would have been a far better strategy than caving in:
Call the Republicans' bluff. Make them filibuster. Make them hold up every single piece of legislation until the 111th Congress expires, and at the beginning of next year all taxes would go up across the board, for the rich and the middle class alike. Make it clear that it is the Republican Party that is responsible for taxes going up, that their obstruction is the reason the unemployed have stopped receiving benefits, that the START treaty hasn't been ratified, and so on. Make it as clear as possible to the American people (most of whom are already on your side) that the Number One priority of the Republican Party is getting tax cuts for their rich friends, and that they're willing to let the middle class, the unemployed, and national security suffer just to help out the people who are least in need of help.
At the very beginning of the next legislative session, introduce new tax-cut legislation completely separate from the Bush plan. Cut taxes for the bottom 98% of Americans if you must, but refuse to include any cuts for the top 2%. Include an extension of unemployment benefits along with compensation for whatever the unemployed had been deprived of thanks to Republican obstruction.
Dare the Republicans to filibuster this. They probably will at first. But how long do you think they'd be able to hold out? Every single night, even the least informed Americans will turn on the TV and hear about how their taxes have gone up and the unemployed aren't getting the money they need to heat their homes because Republicans insist that the rich aren't rich enough. Do you think the majority of Americans will blame the president for not caving in? Or will they blame the Republican leaders whose shrill cries of "but…but…but the job-creators!" will grow increasingly hollow as this drags on.
The media may even decide to look deeper into the issue—to research the impact of personal income-tax reduction for the wealthiest Americans and actually inform their viewers that it doesn't create jobs! (Honestly, they'll still probably be too afraid of accusations of bias that they won't do it. If the facts come down solely on one side of a political argument, the media's tendency is not to report those facts.)
But if the Republicans are pressed, they will fold. They'll see which way the political winds are blowing, they'll notice their approval ratings plummeting, they'll hear from their staffers just how many angry calls they're getting every day from people demanding to know why they can't feed their children because the rich need more money, and they will end the filibuster and let the bill come to a vote.
Republicans are cowardly politicians just like the Democrats, and if someone stands up to them they will cave in. But Obama has yet to stand up to them.
If he actually did fight back and won this political victory, it would set a great the tone for the next two years. Republicans would know that they can no longer get away with blocking everything, and Democrats would know that if they're willing to fight they can win.
Furthermore, Obama's disaffected base would be completely re-energized. Hope would be resurrected. Change would be back on the table. Perhaps now would be the time to bring the public option back up for debate or to impose stricter regulations on Wall Street.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives may uniformly oppose these things, but if the people can clearly see which party is trying to get things done and which party wants to spend all of its time investigating the White House while the economy suffers, they'll reward the party that's fighting and punish the one that's obstructing. Obama will get a second term and fresh congressional majorities in 2012 and he can become the Change president we all hoped he would be.
Oh, but it's too late. The deal is done. Obama has decided to let the Bush tax-cuts continue, thus empowering the Republicans to get whatever they want for the next two years just by threatening to filibuster.
To make matters worse, the "Bush tax-cuts" will henceforth be known as the "Obama/Bush tax-cuts" and Obama will have no defense against the Republicans howling about the deficit in the next election. The tax-cuts will add an extra $700 billion to the deficit and the Republicans will put the responsibility squarely on Obama's shoulders in spite of their hand in it.
Obama won't be able to defend himself, because the responsibility was squarely on his shoulders, and he shirked it. He negotiated with the terrorists, compromised himself and the country, and when the terrorists come back and blame him for the harm to the country that they made him do, he'll have no excuse. It's over. The terrorists win.


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Parents, police worry marijuana dispensaries confuse kids
February 7, 2010
Steamboat Springs — Parent Julie Carta is concerned that the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries in Steamboat Springs sends a confusing message to children.
Since August, three dispensaries have begun offering medical marijuana to registered patients. The city instituted a moratorium, providing time to draft a policy that allowed it to regulate the businesses.
On Jan. 5, the City Council adopted an ordinance that allows two for-profit dispensaries and one cooperative to operate in Steamboat. They are D and C Medical Marijuana and Therapeutic Massage, 410 S. Lincoln Ave.; Rocky Mountain Remedies, 2750 Downhill Plaza; and Natural Choice Co-op, 1169 Hilltop Parkway.
That doesn't sit well with Carta, whose 13-year-old son is a seventh-grader at Steamboat Springs Middle School.
"I think it's a farce," she said. "I think it's going to make it a lot easier for people to get marijuana. It's still a drug. It's still illegal."
Carta said she thinks it's confusing for kids that licensed patients can legally obtain an illegal drug.
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Passage of Colorado's Amendment 20 in 2001 made medical marijuana use legal with restrictions and a doctor's recommendation.
The city's ordinance stipulates that dispensaries operate in commercial or industrial areas, be at least 500 feet from a school and not have signage that advertises the availability of marijuana.
Drug education
Since Routt County Sheriff Gary Wall discontinued the county's D.A.R.E. program in June 2006, only the Hayden School District has a D.A.R.E. program. D.A.R.E. stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education.
Hayden Police Chief Ray Birch said grant funding allows part-time officer Storm Fallon to teach D.A.R.E. classes every Tuesday at Hayden Valley Elementary School. He said Fallon, who recently joined the department after 15 years as an officer in Craig, taught D.A.R.E. classes there.
Birch said Hayden also participates in Red Ribbon Week, a national drug prevention program typically held the last week in October. Birch said students at each district school participate in activities during the week.
South Routt Superintendent Scott Mader said the district also has participated in Red Ribbon Week. He said drug and alcohol prevention education is provided in high school health classes. High school students also are given a presentation about the dangers of drugs and alcohol before prom, Mader said.
In Steamboat, police Capt. Joel Rae said School Resource Officer Josh Carrell work with the high school health class to provide education. He said Grand Futures Prevention Coalition, which serves Routt, Moffat and Grand counties, also assists the district with education efforts.
Rae said Carrell's employment as the high school's resource officer could open the door for drug and alcohol prevention at the middle school. At Strawberry Park and Soda Creek elementary schools, Rae said students are taught not to talk to strangers but aren't given instruction about drugs and alcohol.
The opening of medical marijuana dispensaries in Steamboat may lead to additional education efforts, Rae said.
"I think it probably does necessitate further education about the hazards and the harmful effects," he said. "I think the dispensaries opening up certainly does send a conflicting message. The bottom line is that marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, still illegal at state level and still illegal at a local level. The only exception is having a (license)."
Mixed message
Rae isn't the only local law enforcement officer who thinks medical marijuana dispensaries send a mixed message to children.
"If you ask me if it concerns me, the answer is yes," Birch said. "We have these programs we work so hard with, like Red Ribbon Week and D.A.R.E., and then to have kids walk a few blocks away from school and walk by a place that offers food products with marijuana definitely sends a mixed message to kids."
No medical marijuana dispensaries have opened in Hayden. The Oak Creek Town Board approved a conditional business license Jan. 28 for the town's first dispensary. The six-month license was a compromise to a proposed 60-day moratorium. The town plans to work in the next couple of months to draft a formal ordinance.
Steamboat Springs School District Superintendent Shalee Cunningham declined to say whether she thought the opening of dispensaries sent a mixed message to students.
"It hasn't been anything that we've discussed," she said. "It hasn't come up, I think, because it's an adult opportunity."
Mader also declined to say whether he thought dispensaries may be a confusing issue for students.
"We'll leave that up to the legislature, law enforcement and health officials to weigh in on the issues," he said.
Steamboat Springs City Council member Jon Quinn said the lack of agreement between medical marijuana laws at the federal, state and local levels creates confusion.
"I think right now, the truth is we have an awful mishmash of rules and laws at the state and local levels," he said. "It sends a mixed message to everybody. Right now, we're in desperate need for guidance from the state and federal level."
But he acknowledged that changes at the federal level might not come any time soon.
In October, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced formal guidelines for federal prosecutors in states that have enacted laws that permit medical marijuana use. Those guidelines include not prosecuting medical marijuana users who adhere to state laws.
Led by Sen. Chris Romer, a Denver Democrat, state lawmakers announced a bill Wednesday that would force existing retail dispensaries to operate as nonprofits, The Denver Post reported. The bill would place an 18-month moratorium on new dispensaries, require criminal background checks for owners and employees and prohibit people convicted of felonies or drug-related misdemeanors from getting licenses.
The Denver Post story stated that the bill would not require small-scale providers — with five or fewer patients — to be licensed and would qualify them for protection for medical marijuana caregivers provided by the state constitution. Large-scale providers, or dispensaries, wouldn't have the same protection, giving counties and cities broader authority to regulate or even ban them.
Medical marijuana advocates have filed a ballot initiative to take the issue to voters, according to a story Thursday in The Denver Post. The initiative would require about 75,000 signatures.
Quinn said Steamboat's ordinance governing medical marijuana dispensaries isn't perfect. He said the City Council may have to revisit the ordinance and that it could do so if new state legislation is adopted.
Rae said state laws governing medical marijuana dispensaries are a mess and that people are abusing the system. Birch agreed and said he fears that dispensaries could lead to robberies and break-ins at businesses that grow and store marijuana.
But Rae and Birch said they weren't opposed to marijuana use for legitimate medical reasons if it's done legally.
Carta is of the opinion that marijuana shouldn't be legal in any form, even for medicinal purposes.
"I don't understand how we as adults can say it's illegal, but it's OK for this," she said. "We have to, as adults in this city, whether we have kids or not, say no. This is wrong. It's an illegal, mind-altering drug. I just think it's important for the kids."


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Have you wished anyone happy holidays this week? Then you have joined the War on Christmas. Shame on you for having a little respect for your fellow man and wishing them general glad tidings at this time of year!
You're letting the terrorists win! Oh, wait, wrong religious fight? Excuse me, I get confused this time of year. There's a war on Christmas! No there's not! Yes there is! It's enough to make me want to curl up on the couch and ask Santa if he'd just bring me a bottle of wine and a neck pillow for the holidays. I wouldn't mind sleeping until the holidays are over. But first, some facts:
The War on Christmas is a theory that the economy is driving the "reason for the season" right out of December. According to its backers (largely right-wing Christians), the politically correct are forcing Jesus' birthday to the background in order to make this a commercial holiday. The truly hardcore go even further: it's an attempt to kill Christianity entirely in favor of pagan rituals like Yule.
Leading the charge is the American Family Association (AFA). There are 13 companies on the AFA list of Companies Against Christmas for 2010. That includes newcomers Banana Republic, Gap (which is technically owner of BR anyway), and LL Bean, all factions in the War on Christmas. So have they taken the sweet little baby Jesus and made him go diaperless? Let the donkeys poop in the manger? Oh no, my friends. They've truly gone over to the dark side. These are the kind of companies that have encouraged their employees to say "happy holidays" rather than Merry Christmas (or Happy Hanukkah or Merry Festivus for that matter).
They're the type of companies that set up "holiday shops" and sell "family trees" to all Americans, not just Christians. They're marked in red on a Department of Homeland Security-like color-coded watchlist from the AFA. Talk about ominous. After all, the AFA says these are the companies that "may use 'Christmas' sparingly in a single or unique product description, but as a company, does not recognize it."
If you're a "War on Christmas" devotee, you must see that these companies are absolutely killing the baby Jesus with every Xmas advertisement. It couldn't be the parents bringing guns to Toys R Us on Black Friday to protect their kids' greed. It's the PC police doing the real damage. They now throw holiday parades (not Christmas parades) in your towns and holiday shows at your kids' school. As Gretchen Carlson of Fox News reminded us just this week, they're "taking away" Christmas by, gasp, letting other people enjoy their own versions of the season right alongside us.
The nerve of these people! Enjoying this month when everyone knows Christians invented holly berries and poinsettias and big gaudy bows. Muslims couldn't be attending these parades with their kids, and Hindu people couldn't be out shopping for their families this time of year! Maybe we need to report them to the Grinch Alert, a list created by the latest nut jobs War on Christmas soldiers, the folks at First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, to rack up a boycott list of businesses and communities that dare to wish Americans season tidings that are not Christian in nature.
Or we could follow all this up with one more fact. Some celebrate Hanukkah. I celebrate Christmas. And some Americans just like to get through the year without a hassle. In the wonderful melting pot that is the United States, there's room for them all and then some. How about taking the greeting as it was meant: to wish you, whatever holiday you celebrate or not, a pleasant time of year. That means Christmas too.
If you don't want to be happy, then Bah Humbug to you! Next up: New Years -- no one owns that ... yet!
Image via Mykl Roventine/Flickr


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This weekend features the world's largest astronomy expo, the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF), in Suffern, New York.
The Sky & Telescope office is seeing a flurry of activity as our editors prepare for the annual pilgrimage to Suffern, New York, for the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) this coming weekend, April 18 and 19th. Billed as "America's Premiere Astronomy Expo," NEAF is celebrating its 24th year.
Founded by the Rockland Astronomy Club, NEAF began as a small affair held in a cozy corner of the campus of Rockland Community College. Now it fills the college's sports arena with the world's largest trade show for amateur astronomy gear, in addition to presenting all-day astronomy programs for the public.
This year's show will have more than 110 vendors and exhibitors providing lots of cool new products from telescopes to cameras. Many vendors offer discounts at the show.
NEAF also includes two full days of workshops and lectures by renowned speakers, including S&T's own senior editor J. Kelly Beatty, who will discuss Pluto and NASA's New Horizons mission, which is on the cusp of reaching this distant world after 9 years in space.
Marc Rayman, mission director at NASA/JPL and chief engineer for the Dawn mission to Vesta and Ceres, will present a mission update to attendees.
Other speakers include Bill Gerstenmaier, director of NASA's human space flight program, Alan Hershfield, author and professor in the physics department of University of Massachusetts, and Christopher Go, amateur astrophotographer specializing in Jupiter studies.
NEAF isn't just about booths and talks. If the Sun cooperates there will be a solar star party outside all day. Professionals and volunteers will share an array of telescopes and filters for close-up looks at our lively Sun.
If you're in town early, the Northeast Astro Imaging Conference (NEAIC) will be held at the Crown Plaza hotel in Suffern on Thursday and Friday ((the 16th and 17th), where astrophotographers will gather to learn the latest imaging tips and techniques from the masters, including Jerry Lodriguss. Be sure to check it out.
We're looking forward to making the journey to NEAF again this year, and we hope to see you at our booth!
P. S.: Stop by our booth — we'll have 20%-off coupons for every item in Sky & Telescope's online store.


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If anybody needs any information related to census 2011, please visit http://censusindia.gov.in or click here for contact details
Useful Links
National Institutes Links
Visitors Count
|Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Built Environment for Disabled and Elderly Persons
|Friday, 26 December 2014 11:53
Barrier-free environment enables people with disabilities to move about safely and freely, and use the facilities within the built environment. The goal of barrier free design is to provide an environment that supports the independent functioning of individuals so that they can participate without assistance, in everyday activities. Therefore, to the maximum extent possible, buildings / places / transportation systems for public use will be made barrier free. Central Public Works Department under the Ministry of Urban Development has issued guidelines in this regard.
|Last Updated on Friday, 02 January 2015 10:43


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In lieu of the Red Sox Opening Day on Monday, here are 10 reasons why you should be excited!
- It's officially spring time in Boston, which means summer is just around the corner!
Opening Day is a landmark event that reminds us warm days are on the way. Whether it's warm or not on Opening Day, we're ready to move on from winter in Boston.
- Fenway is open again
America's oldest and most beloved ballpark is up and running. When baseball isn't in town, Fenway is still packed with events and concerts.
- Wally is back (And his sister Tessie too!)
The man, the myth, the legend. When Wally is roaming around Lansdowne again, you know the Red Sox are officially in season.
- You can get an authentic Fenway Frank again.
Who doesn't love a good Fenway Frank?! And of course the rest of classic ballpark food (Peanuts and Cracker Jack anyone?)
- Bars & Restaurants in Fenway
Whether you're going to the game or not, Lansdowne Street is alive again when the Red Sox are back at Fenway. It's your perfect pre and post-game destination.
- The Patriots we're cordially invited to Opening Day
Enough said. 5x the fun. There's nothing better than Boston sports.
- More wins for Boston
We're a city of champions… and will hopefully add more victories to the list this Red Sox season.
- Sweet Caroline
Your favorite sing-along is BACK- SO GOOD SO GOOD SO GOOD
- Mr. Pin
Wally isn't the only mascot roaming around Lansdowne! Mr. Pin will be back roaming around Fenway with free bowling coupons all season long!
- Jillian's Boston Lucky Strike
And of course… right at the end of Lansdowne is your favorite game day spot. 34 TVs, full game day menu, multiple bars, tons of seating, bowling, billiards, and more. Be sure to stop in before or after all of the Red Sox games this season!


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A Scam Email with the Subject "INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY" was received in one of Scamdex's honeypot email accounts on Mon, 11 Jan 2016 05:02:07 -0800 and has been classified as a Advance Fee Fraud/419 Scam. The sender was "JIMMY NG"<firstname.lastname@example.com>, although it may have been spoofed.
Good day! I am Mr. Jimmy Ng, the Group Audit Officer, Development Bank of Singapore (DBS). I write to ask for your interest in a DEAL concerning one late Mr. Nusret Mahmood Syed fund which we just discovered as an unclaimed/abandoned fund in the escrow account of the bank since 1985.I do not know if you would like to cooperate with me in order to strike the deal amicably. If you are willing to cooperate with me and realize the fund we shall have a fair sharing ratio of 60% for me while /40% goes to you. I will unveil details and how to go about it upon your feedback if interested. Best regards, Jimmy Ng.


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Guidelines You Can Trust
Written By
Reviewed By
Clinicians trying to make decisions based on the current best evidence are faced with an overwhelming obstacle, Too Much Information (TMI)! With over 25,000 new randomized controlled trials published each year how can a provider critically appraise these studies, determine their internal and external validity, put these results into context with what is already known, and then make an informed decision? Some of these data are biased and have uncertain value in patient care. Consequently, high quality critically appraised systematic reviews provide the best opportunity for evidence-based healthcare.
In 2008 an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report Knowing What Works in Healthcare was presented to the U. S. Secretary of Health. As a result, Congress under the auspices of theMedicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 contracted with the IOM and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to determine the best methods for developing clinical practice guidelines and to help guide organizations developing guidelines to improve objectivity, scientifically validity, and consistency. This report, entitled Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust, was published in 2011. The committee who wrote the report also developed a new definition of a CPG as follows:
Clinical practice guidelines are statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care that are informed by a systematic review of the evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.
The committee proposed eight standards that should be assessed when evaluating whether a CPG is trustworthy. A shortened and edited version of these standards is listed below.
Standards for Developing Trustworthy Clinical Practice Guidelines
- The processes by which a CPG is developed and funded should be detailed explicitly and publicly accessible.
Conflicts of Interest (COI)
- Prior to selection of the guideline development group (GDG), individuals being considered for membership should declare all interests and activities potentially resulting in COI with development group activity, by written disclosure to those convening the GDG.
- Whenever possible GDG members should not have COI.
- In some circumstances, a GDG may not be able to perform its work without members who have COIs.
- The chair or co-chair should not have a COI.
Group Composition
- The GDG should be multidisciplinary and balanced, comprising a variety of methodological experts and clinicians, as well as patient populations expected to be affected by the CPG.
Clinical Practice Guideline-Systematic Review Intersection
- Clinical practice guideline developers should use systematic reviews that meet standards set by the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Standards for Systematic Reviews of Comparative Effectiveness Research.
Evidence Foundations and Rating the Strength of Recommendations
For each recommendation, an explanation of the reasoning underlying the recommendation, including
- A clear description of potential benefits and harms;
- A summary of relevant available evidence, description of the quality, quantity, and consistency of the aggregate available evidence
- A rating of the level of confidence in the evidence underpinning the recommendation
- A rating of the strength of the recommendation
- A description and explanation of any differences of opinion regarding the recommendation
Articulation of Recommendations
- Recommendations should be articulated in a standardized form detailing precisely what the recommendation is, and under what circumstances it should be applied.
- Strong recommendations should be worded so that compliance with the recommendation(s) can be evaluated.
External Review
- External reviewers should comprise a full spectrum of relevant stakeholders, including scientific and clinical experts, organizations, patients, and representatives of the public.
- The CPG publication date, date of pertinent systematic evidence review, and proposed date for future CPG review should be documented in the CPG.
- Literature should be monitored regularly following CPG publication to identify the emergence of new, potentially relevant evidence and evaluate the continued validity of the CPG.
- CPGs should be updated when new evidence suggests the need for modification of clinically important recommendations.
Many of the current CPGs used by clinicians in the United States do not meet these standards. It will take time for guideline developers to adopt these criteria and some may never adhere to all eight standards. If a CPG does not fully adhere to these recommendations, is the CPG invalid? Not necessarily. However, if the GDG did not perform a systematic review of the literature (Standard 4) or provide foundations for rating the strength of the evidence (Standard 5), you should be wary. The current ACCF/AHA guidelines and the VA/DoD CPGs perform well using this new quality rating scheme. However, we should carefully evaluate upcoming guidelines such as the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diabetes Guidelines, the Joint National Committee (JNC VIII) Hypertension Guidelines, and the Adult Treatment Panel IV Lipid Guidelines before automatically adopting their recommendations. Will they be trustworthy? And finally, remember, some of the highest quality CPGs are published by organizations from other countries. Evidence-based medicine did not originate in the United States!


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Flyers-Islanders PreviewNHL.com @NHL
The New York Islanders began their recent surge with a victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. They hope another win over their Atlantic Division rival will boost their confidence while playing without their leading scorer.
The Islanders look for their first victory without center Alexei Yashin as they host the Flyers on Thursday in the second meeting between the teams this season.
New York (12-8-3) rebounded from back-to-back losses with a 3-1 win Nov. 9 over the Flyers, sparking an impressive 6-1-1 run over its next eight games. The Islanders suffered just their second regulation loss in three weeks on Tuesday, however, and had a three-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Viktor Kozlov and Arron Asham scored for the Islanders, but they felt the absence of Yashin - who missed his first game of the season with a sprained right knee. Yashin, who leads New York with 28 points, was hurt in Saturday's win over Washington and is expected to be out two to four weeks.
"He was playing some great hockey, so it's a little setback for us," Islanders center Mike Sillinger said.
Yashin was the main catalyst in the win over the Flyers (7-15-3) with two goals, but the Islanders will need someone else to step up Thursday. New York's second-leading scorer, Jason Blake, has five goals and three assists in his last six games against Philadelphia. He has played well recently for the Islanders, totaling five goals and four assists during a six-game point streak.
New York goaltender Rick DiPietro was in goal for the win over the Flyers, but is just 2-6 with a 2.90 goals-against average in eight career starts against them. The Islanders are going for their fourth straight home win, but will face a Philadelphia squad playing well on the road.
Philadelphia went 1-7 on the road to open the season, but has since won three of last its last four. The Flyers are 12-3-1 with a tie in their last 17 games at Nassau Coliseum against the Islanders.
The Flyers are coming off a tough 3-2 defeat Wednesday to the Nashville Predators, though, which snapped a modest two-game win streak. R.J. Umberger tied the game at 2 with less than seven minutes left, but Martin Erat scored the game-winner for Nashville just 1:22 later off a Flyers' turnover in the Predators' zone.
"You make a play like that, you lose a game and there's nothing you can do about it," said defenseman Mike Rathje, who had the crucial giveaway. "That's the way the hockey is. You make a mistake like that and people are going to be upset about it."
The Flyers have had a lot to be upset about this season. They are currently in last place in the Atlantic Division with 17 points - nine less than fourth-place Pittsburgh - and lead the Eastern Conference with 15 regulation losses.
"We're in a deep hole," Flyers center Peter Forsberg said.
The Flyers hope to make up some ground against the Islanders, whom they have beaten in six of their last nine meetings. Philadelphia leading scorer Simon Gagne has a four-game point streak against New York with four goals and two assists in that span.
Mike Knuble scored his eighth goal Wednesday for the Flyers after signing a two-year contract extension earlier in the day. Goaltender Antero Niittymaki made 26 saves in the defeat, but dropped to 5-11-3 with a 3.07 GAA this season. He is 1-3 with a 2.78 GAA in four career starts against the Islanders.
Backup goaltender Robert Esche had groin surgery Wednesday and could be sidelined up to a month. Martin Houle was called up from Philadelphia's AHL affiliate to back up Niittymaki.


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Hieromonk Metodije elected for heugomen of Chilandar Monastery
Today on April 5/18 2010, on Sunday of the Myrrhgushers hieromonk Metodije (Markovic) was elected with a majority of votes by the brotherhood of the Chilandar Monastery for heugomen of the Nemanjic family. Father Metodije wa born in Cacak, on January 7,1970 by the parents Momchilo and Milka. Before he became the monk he had studed at the Electrotechnic Faculty in Belgrade. He has been in the monastery of Chilandar since 1994.
The election of the Chilandar heugomen was done by the Constitution of the Mount Athos and was carried out in two rounds of voting..
Around the premises of the Mounth Athos, in a month since the election of heugomen, there will be the enthronement of hieromonk Metroije for heugomen of the Chilandar by the Sacred municipality of Mount Athos. The new Chilandar heugomen in the picture holds the imperial staff of the Byzanthian Emperor Alexy II Angel, which was given to St. Sava as a symbol of the presence of the Emperor during the election for heugomen, because Chilandar was in a rank the Imperial Lavra, and in the left hand in the picture he holds the scripture of the founder of the Chilandar family: Chilandar Tipik of St. Sava
hierodeacon Dorotej


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birds breed bad publicity
December 6, 2008
While driving to the "Flying Wild" training a few days back I found myself behind a large SUV. In itself this is not so unusual. Neither was seeing a bird on a sticker on the tailgate, although it was weird it was a Piping Plover. As I pulled up to the red light behind the SUV I realized just what message the sticker was trying to convey….
The sticker stated that Piping plover tastes like chicken. This is not the first sticker I have seen in opposition to piping plover nesting habitat protection. I have seen one other anti-piping plover sticker. That sticker was on the back of an Apple Electric Company vehicle– a piping plover inside a red circle and slash across the picture. We all know that to be in universal NO sign. After google-ing Piping plover sticker–I found it is a widspread problem, from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras from the Hamptons to the Outer banks and all along the eastern seaboard. Upset people sporting stickers and wearing t-shirts to protest the amount of beach set aside in summer for the nesting needs of piping plovers. One of the googled articles I found was a man who debunked the idea that piping plovers really do taste like chicken he had lived with shorebird trappers in south America and told why they would not be eaten on their migration south.
When I saw the first sticker on the Apple Electric truck I called the number just above the sticker to ask why they didn't want any piping plovers. The woman was very apologetic and said it was only a joke. She stated that her husband, the owner of Apple Electric, thought it was funny. I explained I was new a to the area and a birder and why would anyone not like the piping plovers. She was mortified to have to answer my call. I expect her husband got a good tongue lashing that night.
I know it is a drag for me to go to Cape Henlopen State Park and not be able to get to the point to view birds because it has all been roped off for piping plovers. But I understand the birds and their issues. I can imagine how I would feel if I was ignorant of the birds and their needs and I wanted to fish and all my tackle was too heavy to carry.
I learned a lot doing this post & I hope never to taste piping plover. I'll stick to duck. I'd also like to thank everyone who does obey those little string fences for helping the piping plovers.
3 Responses to "birds breed bad publicity"
December 30, 2008 at 11:23 pm
I saw one of those stickers (sans picture) on an SUV belonging to someone here in Southeastern PA a couple of years back. Seeing it produced an irresistible urge to mutter "bite me" whenever I pass his house. Resistance IS futile.
July 16, 2012 at 12:32 am
maybe if you weren't trying to turn public recreation land into bird sanctuaries your delicate sensibilities wouldn't be offended.


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Projekt Vagabond Isn't Dead. I Swear.
I'm starting to get back to a point where I can start working on this thing again and it's like flipping through a kindergarten yearbook. Every now and then I'll find something that makes me think I had a stroke of genius. Other times it's like seeing a photo of that one kid you hated more than bees. Like you'd prefer taking nails hammered into your ears than listen to that twat for a single second more than you had to.
Tonight I had more of the latter instead of the former.
This thing has taken several forms starting out as a PoC Bash Script that was around sometime shortly before Ohio Linux Fest 2014 to a full-blown 15,000+ line C++ program which would have worked but I didn't realize how insanely asinine packaging software has to be (I don't have that kind of time, especially these days). But then I had the bright idea to simply make a Vagrant Box (I was already using Vagrant in the backend for handling a lot of things) and just distribute that instead of all this rigmarole. Funny thing here is that there are still quite a few snags.
As I'm typing this, the box is uploading to a cloud store that I'll make available to the public tomorrow. I ran into some problems during this process.
- I wanted to be a somewhat normal person and upload the Box to Atlas, HashiCorps repository of Base Boxes. I thought that would have been a great way to make this available to people. But nope! I don't know if there's a size restriction on the Box size or what but it just wouldn't take it. FYI – the Box is about 780MB in size. The goal here is that someone would have simply been able to issue "vagrant up gregfmartin/vagabond" and get the VM. Man that would have been nice…
- Google pisses me off to no end these days. Tonight was no exception. It still blows my mind that I can't update or configure an Android SDK Installation from the terminal without either (A) getting bitched at for some ridiculous reason or (B) having to press 'yes' to accept fifty licenses for these libraries instead of just being able to use an option that will opt-in to any license requests that would come up. The former makes it literally impossible to automate an installation. Some people on GitHub have described a work around for this but it's really hacky and I'm a little concerned about the platform portability of solutions like those so I'm avoiding them like the flu.
- This all lead to my idea of just making the Box and distributing the Box that I've manually tweaked. This has issues in and of itself in that (A) the bundled software is static unless the user wants to manually update or (B) wait for me to to update and republish an updated Box (which I REALLY don't want to do if I'm being honest). This leads into supplementary tutorial material that will be on the project's website.
In case anyone is wondering, the reason why the Box is so huge is because it contains a fully updated Ubuntu 14.02 64-bit base image, required prerequisite software to use the Android SDK and associate tools/IDE, the Android SDK installation with all 5.0.1 components as well as all Support Libraries that are compatible with Linux (important to note), and the recent version of IntelliJ Community Edition. So yeah, it's a little fat. That's the size it would be on your disk anyway.
Tomorrow I'll get all of the stuff up on the website like documentation and how to do things with it and what you can expect by using it as well.
Something tells me I'm going to have to make some changes to this before too long. 🙂


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Established in 1983 as a full service Export Trading Company (ETC), Worldwide Exporters is now in its third decade of the business of facilitating trade among willing international customers that seek goods and solutions from American manufacturers and suppliers. In our current worldwide market economy, we are dedicated to providing green solutions whenever possible to help in leading to a more sustainable world. With our varied experiences throughout the years, and from listening to customers and clients, we now have 4 divisions that are each unique in how they serve the international marketplace:
International Procurement Services
Supplying industrial goods from the USA to the world.Learn More
Export Management Company (EMC)
Experts to set up and handle international sales.Learn More
Industrial Automation & Technology
Packaged wastewater treatment and boiler control solutions.Learn More
Engineering Education & Research
Laboratory teaching tools.
Learn More
The sum of these divisions shows that after over 25 years in business, Worldwide Exporters, Inc. continues to be a full service and exceptional Export Trading Company. Our commitment is to provide excellent products with superior service.
Please click here or on the pictures below to view projects we have worked on.
|Hong Kong Power Plant
|Metro Madrid


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While looking for the perfect, single sized pumpkin….. I came across a beautiful, single sized Hubbard squash. The only thing I knew about Hubbard squash, was that they are starchy something like a potato and require a majorly sharp knife. Typically the Hubbard squash I have seen are massive, seriously huge – when you see them at the farmers market, sometimes they can be 20lbs. This little gem was the perfect size, it supplied me with enough of it's starchy meat for three palm sized tarts and about a cup and a half of extra puree.
I am all for pumpkin pie, all for it. I love the warm spices, the creamy filling, the whipped (vegan) cream on top – give me the works and I will be a happy girl. I had the privilege of eating a freshly baked sugar-pumpkin pie earlier in October, there was, I think six of us… sitting on the couch waiting for it to cook. We couldn't even wait for it to cool down enough to slice, all six pieces were inhaled. Essentially ever since, I have been dreaming of it – hence my search for the perfect single sized pumpkin.
I'm not ashamed to say, the Hubbard did not do it for me in tart form. It was good – but it wasn't pumpkin. It wasn't creamy and smooth, the starchiness of the Hubbard flesh was just that. Starchy. The left over puree, however, became the perfect autumn topping to the chia pudding I made for breakfast! Mmmm-mm. Warm spices, creamy chia, let me tell you – the squash was an excellent addition. It cut the creaminess of the pudding, added some sweetness (I never sweeten my chia pudding, I rely on fruit to do that for me!). Rich in vitamins A & C, beta-carotene and fiber, adding a gorgeous winter squash to the diet is a great way to eat seasonally, locally, and if it's something unusual – why not? I didn't know much about this gem of a squash but am so happy that I took the opportunity to buy one.
I ate the first one out of a martini glass, tricking myself into thinking I was sneakily eating a rich and indulgent dessert parfait. The second one (yes, I had two) was layered into a hand-sized mason jar and taken on the road! It could certainly be enjoyed as a dessert parfait, or a breakfast to-go. I love whole, real foods for their versatility; eating things that are pure any time of day. Chocolate avocado mousse, banana ice cream, or a seriously amazing parfait – these are not limited to special occasions or after dinner treats anymore!
Spiced Maple Hubbard & Chia Parfait
Serves Two
1 Cup Rice Milk (or other non dairy milk)
1/3 Cup Chia Seeds
1-1.5 Cups of Cooked Hubbard Squash
Juice From One Orange
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
Fresh Ground Nutmeg, Ginger, Clove, Allspice – to taste
1/3 Cup Coconut Cream
3-4 Tbsp Dark Maple Syrup
Optional Toppings
Bee Pollen
More Spices
Drizzled Maple Syrup
One night ahead, preheat the oven to 350. Add about one inch of water to an oven proof dish, slice the Hubbard squash in half and roast cut down for about thirty minutes (or until the skin is easily pierced with a fork). Once the squash is soft, allow it to cool, then chop and skin it. In a food processor or blender, add the squash, orange juice, spices, coconut cream and maple syrup. Blitz until it is smooth. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate. Next, in a jar or some container with a lid mix the rice milk and chia seeds. Give it either a shake or a stir, then let it form in the fridge for an hour or so. Just before bed, give it another shake/stir, and let it set in the fridge over night.
Scoop out half of the chia pudding into a bowl/jar/martini glass. Spoon the prepared squash puree, and top with slivered almonds, bee pollen & a quick swirl of maple syrup!


text: DigitalThe IOC, Stoli Vodka and NBC Respond to Boycotts/Petitions Stemming from Russian Anti-Gay LawsBy Elizabeth S. Mitchell|August 1, 2013ShareBy Elizabeth S. Mitchell|August 1, 2013ShareLast month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill into law that bans "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" and threatens openly gay or "pro-gay" citizens and foreigners with fines, arrests and possible jail time. Another new law restricts adoptions of Russian children by people in countries that allow same-sex marriage.With the 2014 Winter Olympics set to take place in Sochi, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) says it has received assurances "from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games." It pledged to ensure there would be no discrimination against athletes, officials, spectators or the media during the games.Many equal-rights activists are unimpressed with the IOC's response, and feel that whether or not the laws directly affect the games is far from the point. "They should be advocating for the safety of all LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people in Russia, not simply those visiting for the Olympics," said Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. "Rescinding this heinous law must be our collective goal."In order to make their voices heard, activists have been writing petitions and staging boycotts.The "Dump Russian Vodka" campaign, started by internationally syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage, has prompted bars across the US, UK, Canada and Australia to stop serving Russian brands like Stolichnaya. In response, Stolichnaya's CEO Val Mendeleev wrote an open letter last week condemning the recent laws and reaffirming the brand's commitment to the LGBT community. The brand's website has also undergone an overhaul, and now features a rainbow block of text boasting that the brand "stands strong and proud with the global LGBT community against the attitude and actions of the Russian government." (We'd call this a winning damage control response)Meanwhile, an open letter from the Human Rights Campaign to NBC, which holds U.S. broadcasting rights for Sochi, says it would be wrong to televise the games' opening ceremonies without reporting on the anti-gay legislation. A similar petition asks that NBC make Rachel Maddow a human rights correspondent during its Olympics coverage. In response, Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBC Sports Group, said, "We will address it [the laws] if it becomes an issue…If it is still their law and it is impacting any part of the Olympics Games, we will make sure that we acknowledge it and recognize it." (We'd call this a delicately-crafted yet rather lame "No.") Though most boycotts and petitions currently in the works fall shy of boycotting the Olympics all together, it's possible to imagine the momentum of these protests heading in that direction. Even if that turns out to be the case, the United States Olympic Committee likely won't be taking part in such a boycott. As the IOC points out, it is unlikely that the Russian government would be the institution to feel the negative effects of such a boycott. "History has proven that the only people that are negatively affected by boycotts are the athletes who have trained their whole lives to compete," said Patrick Sandusky of the U.S. Olympic Committee. "Past boycotts have not worked, and the USOC is not planning on boycotting these Games." Sharehttp://adweek.it/2jKYgMo copy Adweek Adweek


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Jesse McCartney is beyond busy with a new movie, upcoming tour and an album dropping, but he made some time to stop by Access Hollywood Live on Tuesday.
Here's what the 27-year-old star told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover:
On his Lifetime movie "Expecting Amish" role: "He just falls in love with a girl who doesn't need anything… It's a very cute film."
PHOTOS: Hollywood Heartthrobs!
On his own love life: "I have a girlfriend, I'm very happy… I just got a house a few months ago, life is good."
On indulging: "I like a good drink and I like to cook, I love food."
On his upcoming tour: "I'm about to hit the road myself. I'm about to do a House of Blues tour that kicks off on July 25... for like five weeks."
PHOTOS: Young Hollywood: Then & Now
On the influences for his new album "In Technicolor": "It's a reflection of what I grew up listening to as a kid, a lot of '60s, '70s, '80s pop music."
"Expecting Amish" premieres July 20 at 8/7c on Lifetime and his new album, "In Technicolor" drops on July 22.
WATCH: Jesse McCartney Brings A 'Retro Vibe' To 'In Technicolor'
-- Jesse Spero


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Texas News
KLBJ Video: Did Ed and Sgt. Sam Get Stumped? "Climatologists" Make Their Case for Global Warming
Mark Caesar says these callers "support Obama's unconstitutional effort for Global Warming". The Obama administration is working to forge a sweeping international climate change agreement to compel nations to cut their planet-warming fossil fuel emissions, but without ratification from Congress. Two callers to Austin's Morning News gave a different perspective towards the debate of climate change. The main idea circulated around the idea of the sun being the source of energy, and that the earth has 10 years of life expectancy. Do you believe there's such thing as climate change? Check out the video:
In preparation for this agreement, to be signed at a United Nations summit meeting in 2015 in Paris, the negotiators are meeting with diplomats from other countries to broker a deal to commit some of the world's largest economies to enact laws to reduce their carbon pollution. But under the Constitution, a president may enter into a legally binding treaty only if it is approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
To sidestep that requirement, President Obama's climate negotiators are devising what they call a "politically binding" deal that would "name and shame" countries into cutting their emissions. The deal is likely to face strong objections from Republicans on Capitol Hill and from poor countries around the world, but negotiators say it may be the only realistic path.
"If you want a deal that includes all the major emitters, including the U.S., you cannot realistically pursue a legally binding treaty at this time," said Paul Bledsoe, a top climate change official in the Clinton administration who works closely with the Obama White House on international climate change policy.
Lawmakers in both parties on Capitol Hill say there is no chance that the currently gridlocked Senate will ratify a climate change treaty in the near future, especially in a political environment where many Republican lawmakers remain skeptical of the established science of human-caused global warming.
"There's a strong understanding of the difficulties of the U.S. situation, and a willingness to work with the U.S. to get out of this impasse," said Laurence Tubiana, the French ambassador for climate change to the United Nations. "There is an implicit understanding that this not require ratification by the Senate."
American negotiators are instead homing in on a hybrid agreement — a proposal to blend legally binding conditions from an existing 1992 treaty with new voluntary pledges. The mix would create a deal that would update the treaty, and thus, negotiators say, not require a new vote of ratification.
Countries would be legally required to enact domestic climate change policies — but would voluntarily pledge to specific levels of emissions cuts and to channel money to poor countries to help them adapt to climate change. Countries might then be legally obligated to report their progress toward meeting those pledges at meetings held to identify those nations that did not meet their cuts.
"There's some legal and political magic to this," said Jake Schmidt, an expert in global climate negotiations with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group. "They're trying to move this as far as possible without having to reach the 67-vote threshold" in the Senate.
The strategy comes as scientists warn that the earth is already experiencing the first signs of human-caused global warming — more severe drought and stronger wildfires, rising sea levels and more devastating storms — and the United Nations heads toward what many say is the body's last chance to avert more catastrophic results in the coming century.
Continue reading the main story
At the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month, delegates will gather at a sideline meeting on climate change to try to make progress toward the deal next year in Paris. A December meeting is planned in Lima, Peru, to draft the agreement.
In seeking to go around Congress to push his international climate change agenda, Mr. Obama is echoing his domestic climate strategy. In June, he bypassed Congress and used his executive authority to order a far-reaching regulation forcing American coal-fired power plants to curb their carbon emissions. That regulation, which would not be final until next year, already faces legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed on behalf of a dozen states