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[O]pponents of abortion have split over South Dakota's approach, a fact that [Governor Michael] Rounds acknowledged in recent weeks as he weighed whether to sign the legislation.I think Rounds and others sense that they are making a terrible misstep. The very harshness of this law will remind ordinary people why they have quietly, over the years, accepted the individual's right to make a private decision about whether to continue a pregnancy. More modest efforts at constraining the right may have been tolerated. But this remorseless intrusion on the individual should backfire on abortion opponents. Even if they manage to get the Court to overturn Roe v. Wade -- and I don't think they will -- the political support for abortion rights should make that victory Pyrrhic.
Some, including those who led efforts to pass the ban in South Dakota, said they considered this the ideal time to return the central question of Roe to the Supreme Court. State Representative Roger Hunt, who sponsored the bill in South Dakota, pointed to the appointments of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., both conservatives, and what he described as the "strong possibility" of the retirement of Justice John Paul Stevens in the near future and the naming of a conservative as his successor.
"This is our time," Mr. Hunt said on Monday.
Other national anti-abortion groups, though, have quietly disagreed with the timing, pressing instead to cut down on abortions by creating restrictions that may be more palatable to a wider audience, restrictions like parental and spousal notification laws and clinic regulations. If the Supreme Court upholds Roe, they have argued, the damage for those opposed to abortion rights will be grave.
"As much as this isn't the best strategic thing to do, it's there and it's the law of South Dakota now," said Daniel S. McConchie, vice president of Americans United for Life, another group. "We'll defend our position now — which is to oppose abortion."
Cristina Minniti, a spokeswoman for the National Right to Life Committee, said no one from her organization was available to be interviewed on the South Dakota law. Instead, she issued a one paragraph statement which stated, in part: "Currently there are at least five votes, a majority, on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade."
Mr. Rounds, who became governor in 2003 after serving in the South Dakota Senate for a decade, declined to speak with reporters after the signing. In an earlier interview, he said that he personally felt uncertain about the timing of a challenge to Roe, but that he was leaning toward signing the bill, in part because he did not wish to divide the people who, like him, oppose abortion.
IN THE COMMENTS: I'm happy to say there is civil conversation among readers with very different views.


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3 heads broccoli (about 3 pounds)
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1 lemon, juiced
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Trim about 1 inch off the ends of the broccoli stalks and cut the broccoli lengthwise into spears. Arrange the broccoli on a nonstick cookie sheet, drizzle with some olive oil and season with a little bit of salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Toss to coat evenly. Transfer to the oven and roast for 10 minutes.
Remove the broccoli from the oven and sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top and bake until the cheese melt and forms a crisp shell over the broccoli, about 10 minutes. Lift the broccoli out onto a platter with a spatula and drizzle with fresh lemon.

subset: commoncrawl


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Most of the day spas create a theme for the spa. Design a theme or layout that inspires you. There are a variety of themes, like "Spiritual," "Health and Wellness," "Cultural," or one conducive to your environment. The important thing to remember is that this spa is a part of you , your aspirations and your dreams so it needs to be something you feel passionate about.
Wi Spa
Olympic Spa
UNWIND Mobile Massage & Spa
Crystal Spa
Dtox Day Spa
Beverly Hot Springs
Wilshire Spa
Pho-Siam Thai Spa
Voda Spa
Grand Spa
The Raven Spa
Bliss Los Angeles
Blue Medi Spa
Kinara Skin Care Clinic & Spa
DuBunne Spa Club & Massage Centre
Massage Therapy Center
rA Organic Spa
Chakra Cleansing Spa
Burke Williams
Hankook Sauna and Spa
Ona Spa
Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel
Hugh Spa
El León Spa
Yolanda Aguilar Beauty Institute & Spa
Spa Girl
Riviera Health Spa
The Lounge Spa
Spa Montage Beverly Hills
Super Spa
Eagle Rock Thai Spa
Carasoin Day Spa & Skin Clinic
Massage for Healing
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles
Montage Beverly Hills
Leelavadee Thai Wellness Center
City Spa & Health Center
Daengki Beauty Spa
Doorstep Day Spa
For more Spas in Los Angeles ,click here: http://us.wowcity.com/losangeles/?what=Spa
Spa plays an important role to us,. We tend to seeek for the perfect place wherein we can relax our tired mind and body from the everyday stress brought to us by our works and studies. Relax once in a while and try spending some time from the Spas listed above. It could surely help.


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Sooo... somebody wanna tell me who HE-RO is?? Of course I know the name, and I've seen the old figure, but I never actually knew anything about him.
Commence throwing of rotten tomatoes..... now!!!
( Seriously though, who is he? )
Sooo... somebody wanna tell me who HE-RO is?? Of course I know the name, and I've seen the old figure, but I never actually knew anything about him.
Commence throwing of rotten tomatoes..... now!!!
( Seriously though, who is he? )
Odd Man Out
Whereas He-Man was a warrior, He-Ro was a wizard. He is the Most Powerful Wizard in the Universe. However, he is nowhere to be found in the present...
And he actually appears in the last vintage mini-comic in shadow. However, MOTU was cancelled before the line could take off in that new direction.
Last edited by MegaGearMax; April 1, 2009 at 12:57pm.
The Official 200X Sorceress vs 200X Evil-Lyn 2 Pack Support Thread
The Blonde Teela Thread
Sagitar (Jetlag) Azdar Belzar Chazdar 200X Evil-Lyn 200X Teenage Prince Adam 200X Teenage Teela 200X Sorceress General Rattlor (MYP) 200X King Randor and Queen Marlena 200X Battle Armor King Randor and Battle Armor Queen Marlena Ice Armor He-Man WMD Roboto
The Official 200X Sorceress vs 200X Evil-Lyn 2 Pack Support Thread
The Blonde Teela Thread
Sagitar (Jetlag) Azdar Belzar Chazdar 200X Evil-Lyn 200X Teenage Prince Adam 200X Teenage Teela 200X Sorceress General Rattlor (MYP) 200X King Randor and Queen Marlena 200X Battle Armor King Randor and Battle Armor Queen Marlena Ice Armor He-Man WMD Roboto
Comparison time! Now I want that classic prototype even more!
I also have lots of questions now, hope someone can/will answer them:
01. He-Man is send back in time through a warp portal, was this done on purpose? Was he sent by the Sorceress? Was he supposed to help He-Ro in the battle against King Hiss? And if so, was that the first encounter of He-Man with King Hiss or did he already fight him in say the future/present day? Like in the 2002 series? That would be weird! I'm so confues with the time-line, which brings me to my 2nd question...
02. Miro is Randor's father. Since Keldor is Randor's half brother doe sthat make Miro Keldor's father or did they have the same (mysterious) mother and so Miro is in no way related to Keldor?
03. Is He-Ro King Grayskull's son? Or is there a large gap between King Grayskull + He-Ro and Miro and Randor? Or is He-Ro Miro's father? Hahah!
Where can i find out more on these burning questions?
Is there a family tree posted somewhere maybe?
I didn't wan't to say anything incase I got flamed, but I was thinking exactly the same thing. But feet wrong way around or not I still love this figure! PS what does the txt say next to those 80's prototype pictures in the cataloge picture?
Last edited by Angel-T; April 3, 2009 at 08:30am.
"New! Travel back in time to Preternia and meet He-Ro, the most powerful wizard in the universe! His power staff opens up to reveal his "magic crystal". For ages 5 and over. Four colour blister card."
And thanks Jukka for your PM! I see there are still some mysteries left to solve for us. And I better read that mini-comic Powers of Grayskull - Legends Begins. I never had any POG dino's so I never read the comic that came with them.
I'm still confused about Eldor though ... Is he Miro's father?
We need a timeline/family tree haha.
Oh and the text on dino-boxes says the following
"Travel back in time through a secret time portal- and discover the origin of the powers of Grayskull.
Learn how He-Man became so strong! And explore the magical world of Pre-Eternia home of He-Ro, the most
powerful wizard in the universe.
Monstrous dinosaurs and fierce giants- both good and evil- struggle violently for control of this strange
and hostile land. The dinosaurs in the time of He-Ro Tyrantisaurus Rex, Bionatops, and Turbodactyl- each
possess a fantastic mechanical power. Can He-Ro master all the good magics of the ancient wizards, and protect
future eternia from forever falling into the claws of evil?
Look for He-Ro and the Powers of Grayskull coming your way in 1987!"
He-Man & She-Ra fan and contributor to official Dark Horse MOTU/POP books
· ToonJukka - Youtube Channel with He-Man/She-Ra videos; Origins, Trivia, Top5 lists and more!
If I remember rightly, Randor and Keldor have different mothers, but the same father (Miro).
As far as I know, there is no relation between He-Ro and Grayskull. Apparently, He-Ro isn't even from Eternia.
- 1. you can read the mini comics at the .ORG mini comic section.
- http://he-man.org/primary_sects/comi...tu/index.shtml
- 2. They share the same father, Miro and have different mothers. It has been said a few times, but you'll forgive me if I don't recall exactly when and by whom. (some old Q&A's from the news archive or on the DVD commentary track I'm sure.)
- 3. He-Ro and King Grayskull have never coexisted in the same story before other then Val and Emiliano's comic series. The new bio's on the action figures will most likely not reference that comic series.
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40).
The He-ro license from back in the day says that He-ro is She-Ra's ancestor.
My feedback: http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/...=125066&page=2
Awesome Traders List: http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/...d.php?t=135253
The Cradle Will Rock As I'm Drivin' Down Highway 40 In My Big Ol' Pick Up Truck.
He-Man & She-Ra fan and contributor to official Dark Horse MOTU/POP books
· ToonJukka - Youtube Channel with He-Man/She-Ra videos; Origins, Trivia, Top5 lists and more!
For anyone who does not know who He-RO is, and I am surprised there are many, I made a quick and simple video to explain his toy origins.
Now you might dig deeper yourself and learn more about the actual back story
Last edited by Mye-Kah B; April 10, 2009 at 04:53am.
Nice job on the vid! I am actually one of the guilty of not fully knowing the whole story. I understood he was a previously unrleased character from the old series, and I saw the prototype photos, but I didn't realise it was as late as 1988. I thought the line had died long before that, actually. Thanks for putting this together! I can't wait to get the MOTUC figure of him!
I was also guilty of not knowing. Thanks for the video and great pics of the proto.
first time i herd the name it was here on ORG main site were he was hemans son( dare)
he seems ok but still not as cool as he-man and skelly
Eternian Beastmaster
Nice vid duder. Well that's Mattel's version of He-Ro.
Filmation had totaly different plans for He-Ro as you can read here
I like that video a lot. The music is good and kind of sets the mood nicely.
Nice video, I was away from MOTU until the past two years so the org is the first place I heard of He-Ro. Not personally in love with the figure, but it seems to be something a lot of people have waited a long time to see so it is cool they are finally getting it.
Nice work with the video (other than the minor spelling errors and such, but no one is perfect!). I can't wait to nab this bad boy at SDCC! I'm really loking forward to his Bio!
MOTUC Most Wanted: Skeleteen, Prince Keldor, Captain Randor, The Great Black Wizard, Lady Slither, Spirit, Tuvar, Baddra, Cursed Marzo, Tug-O-War, Scrollos, Songster, Mini-Comics Spirit of Castle Grayskull, and for the love of the Sorceress and Julie Winston, ODIPHUS!!!
Instagram: Just_Thommy


text:
Promoting the Postal Service
The U.S. Postal Service uses a variety of strategies and media – including direct mail, television, radio, and sponsorships – to advertise, market, and promote its products and services. These efforts also help to build brand awareness for the Postal Service. Some campaigns have succeeded, such as the Priority Mail Flat Rate box campaign, "If it fits, it ships®." Other efforts have been less successful.


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There have already been some references nationally to the Raiders' release of Stanford Routt and how it relates to the salary cap.
It doesn't.
The whole term "cap-related" is a myth, as Tim Brown once explained to me years ago.
It's never the productive player that gets released. It is the one the club deems to be overpaid, with the player determining he'd rather move on and cash a check somewhere else rather than take a salary the team feels is more in line with his contribution.
We've been hearing for years about all the damage the Raiders have been doing to their financial structure in terms of the salary cap, yet through it all, it never stopped Al Davis from spending as much money as he saw fit to bring in players.
The problem was never the cap, it was the players he selected and the sometimes inflated salaries he paid them.
Routt's release had to do with general manager Reggie McKenzie thinking the compensation was, as he put it on Jan. 30, "out of whack."
We'll find out soon what other salaries are out of whack, and with the end result of players being whacked from the roster.
The two highest paid players in terms of salary are Carson Palmer ($12.5 million) and outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley ($11 million). McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen both spoke glowingly of Palmer on Jan. 30. Hard to see him going anywhere, especially with Cincinnati selecting at No. 17 as a result, with second-round pick likely coming next season.
Wimbley had seven sacks after posting nine in 2010, but four of those came in a single monster game in a 24-17 win over the Chargers in San Diego. He was among the NFL leaders in pressures according to some stat-keeping services.
Linebacker Aaron Curry, acquired by trade, has a $5.7 million salary the Raiders surely never intended to pay next season. It will be up to McKenzie and Allen to make an offer to bring him back.
As for Michael Huff (due $8 million this season in roster bonus and salary), Tommy Kelly ($6 million in salary) and Richard Seymour ($15 million, half of it guaranteed), only McKenzie and Allen know for sure.
If the Raiders make moves with any of these players, it will have everything to do with production and little or nothing to do with the salary cap.


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Welcome to the CRG Discussion Forum!Forum registration problems: Make sure you enter your email correctly and you check your spam box first. *Then* email KurtS2@gmail for help.Classified ads are not allowed on the forum.
By clicking the CRG logo in the upper right hand corner of the forum page, it will take you to the Home Page for CRG. There you can find the links to the reports, etc.The answer to your question is "sort of". Look HERE, and you will find 3912597 listed as the left frame mount bracket for a 67-68 396.
Please post some pre-restoration pics for us. You've got my attention!


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2012 Court News Events
The Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) provides information and brief write-ups about newsworthy events happening in and around the Florida court system.
News & Initiatives
- Family Members Honor James B. Ueberhorst, First Florida State Courts Administrator
- Reflections - Musings on Court Administration Past and Present as OSCA celebrates 40 Years
- Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Family Members Honor James B. Ueberhorst, First Florida State Courts Administrator
Posted August 31, 2012
The Office of the State Courts Administrator recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary (1972 - 2012) as an integral part of the Florida court system. On July 27, judges and many former OSCA staff joined the current OSCA staff in a two hour celebration in a packed Supreme Court Courtroom.
However, the celebration did not end there. On August 28, Jenny Ueberhorst Phipps, daughter (pictured at far left), and Cathy Ueberhorst, daughter-in-law (pictured at far right) of James Bernt Ueberhorst visited the Court to honor their relative. Mr. Ueberhorst (below right) was the first State Courts Administrator, serving in that capacity from 1972 - 1974. In addition to his service in the Florida courts, Mr. Ueberhorst was an assistant general counsel for the Central Intelligence Agency, worked with the United States Supreme Court for four years as chief of the division of management review, and served as a special assistant to the assistant director for the administrative office of the United States Courts. He also owned and operated a consulting firm before his death in 1996.
In the photo above, current State Courts Administrator, Lisa Goodner, displays the framed document that proclaims the 40th Anniversary of the Office of the State Courts Administrator. Ms. Phipps and Ms. Ueberhorst were given documents related to the celebration, as well as a tour of the Supreme Court Building.
Reflections . . . Musings on Court Administration Past and Present as OSCA Celebrates its 40th Birthday
By Beth C. Schwartz, Court Publications Writer, OSCA
Posted July 18, 2012
Forty years ago, more than two-thirds of Florida voters approved reforms to Article V of the state constitution that sought to bring greater consistency and uniformity to the judicial branch. The ultimate goal of these reforms was to ensure that litigants receive similar treatment under Florida law, regardless of where they live. The 1972 constitutional revision had seismic effects on the judicial branch: outcomes included the reorganization of Florida's 16 different types of trial courts into a two-tier system of 20 circuit and 67 county courts; the institution of a series of requirements designed to ensure that judges would be qualified and impartial; and the requirement that all judges' salaries be paid by the state, rather than by local governments. Because it simplified and consolidated the structure of the trial courts, creating uniform jurisdictions with clean geographic divisions, this Article V rewrite is generally celebrated for instigating the process of unifying and shaping what we now know as the Florida State Courts System.
Less known, perhaps, is that these reforms also defined clear lines of administrative authority and responsibility in the judicial branch. Specifically, the Article V revision designated the chief justice as the chief administrative officer of the entire court system, and it created the position of chief judge, making the chief judge responsible for the administrative supervision of his or her court.
Even in 1972, in a Florida that was, in many ways, far simpler and more rustic than it is today, the compass of the branch's administrative responsibilities was prodigious, far too sweeping to be accomplished by a single sitting member of the state's highest court. So, to serve the chief justice in carrying out these responsibilities, the supreme court established the position of the state courts administrator. The initial focus of the state courts administrator's office was handling administrative matters for the appellate courts and developing a uniform case reporting system to glean information about activities of the judiciary. Eventually, the duties of the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA) grew to include budgetary, intergovernmental, statistical, technological, educational, programmatic, and legal responsibilities related to the operations of, as well as ministerial duties for, the state courts.
For many years, the DCAs and trial courts have also had professional court administrators: each of the 20 circuits has a trial court administrator (TCA) who assists the chief judge in his or her role as the administrative supervisor of the circuit and county courts, and each of the five DCAs has a marshal, a constitutional officer under Article V who assists the chief judge in implementing administrative policy. Because court administrators and their staff attend to the effectiveness and efficiency of court operations, judges are able to concentrate on adjudicatory, rather than administrative, tasks.
This year, OSCA turns 40 years old. To mark this milestone, this article looks back at some of the more pronounced and interesting changes that have transformed court administration in Florida over the years. The article is based on the reflections of seven people who, since the mid-80s, have held court administrative positions in various courts in the state (they will be introduced later in the story). Taken together, their anecdotes and musings create a colorful, richly-textured panorama of court administration past and present.
The Courts Grow Up
Within the last 30 years, three transformations have been so profound and far-reaching that all seven interviewees discussed them at length. One of the first everyone mentioned was how dramatically the court system has grown in nearly three decades. When the interviewees first began their work with the branch, courts did not yet have court interpreters, trial court law clerks, staff attorneys, case managers, or hearing officers, for instance. And although some neighborhoods had citizen dispute settlement centers, court-based mediation hadn't yet transformed the court system. No one gave much thought to emergency management or strategic planning or performance and accountability in those days. –Or to specialized dockets: teen court, drug court, mental health court, veterans court, elder court, and business court weren't on the radar yet. Most everything about the branch was less copious back then. For instance, in the mid-80s, the state had just more than half the current number of judges—but the faces of justice were not particularly diverse: most judges were white, middle-aged males (the racial and ethnic bias study, the gender bias study, and the ADA-inspired court facilities survey had not been conceived yet).
Over time, Florida's population burgeoned and diversified, and its communities became more interdependent. Accordingly, court workloads increased, as did the complexity of the social and legal issues that came before the courts; simultaneously, people's expectations of the courts were heightening significantly. These were among the factors that propelled the need for professional court management, emphasized the interviewees. Administrative demands were becoming increasingly rarified and specialized, making it impossible for just a few people to continue doing all the administrative work of a court. For instance, in the 80s, to be a capable TCA, one had to be a jack of all trades who could, on his or her own, perform most all the circuit's administrative functions—e.g., finance and accounting, budgeting, personnel, technology, facilities management. But as the work of the courts became increasingly complex, court administrators had to hire people with specific expertise in these fields. One TCA remembers that, in 1985, his circuit had 14 circuit and eight county judges, and he and his office staff of three were able to complete the various administrative duties; now, for a population that's almost doubled, the circuit has 28 circuit and 12 county court judges, and it takes 138 court staff to perform all the circuit's administrative responsibilities. The level of professionalism of every aspect of court administration, from court interpreters to law clerks, has changed dramatically, a former TCA noted: "Court administration has undergone a real growing up," she reflected.
Technological Revolutions
Contemplating the technological changes they'd witnessed over the years, interviewees chuckled over the primitive tools they used to have to rely on to do their jobs. In the mid-80s, for instance, all of OSCA—which employed around 60 people then—had only four telephone lines; calls came in to a receptionist, who operated the switchboard and routed the calls to the appropriate person. A big old clunky rotary phone sat on everyone's desk. If someone needed to make a call, he or she would have to watch the lights on the phone to see when a line became available. And when calls came in while people were away from their desks, they'd return to find a passel of "while you were out" messages stuck to their door; everyone had a spindle on his/her desk for stashing these message slips. Also, for every long distance call people made—and, when offices eventually got fax machines, for every fax people sent—they had to fill out a log book, listing the date, the phone (or fax) number, and the reason for the call—"a time-consuming, antiquated system," everyone agreed.
The phones weren't the only dinosaurs in court administrative offices. Most offices had only one copier for everyone who worked there. OSCA had what was described as "a single, humongous 3M copier that had already made over a million copies in 1988." As one interviewee recalled, if she had a big copy job, she had to reserve time on the machine.
Naturally, very few people had computers back then—and those who had them usually had to share them; and what computers were able to do was rather limited. The sorts of tasks that we hardly think about anymore because they are now automated—like tracking bills, checking case citations, administering attendance and leave, advertising jobs, doing instant criminal background checks—were often painfully laborious manual processes that took huge chunks of time to accomplish. And of course it goes without saying that email wasn't even in gestation back then, prompting everyone to remark on the ease with which we now can access information and communicate with one another. But, as one interviewee pointed out, because she could never get instant information, data, or responses to her questions in those days, the pace of work, of life, was necessarily slower and more measured. Nonetheless, all the interviewees agreed that they can do many aspects of their jobs far more easily now, given the colossal advances in the equipment and tools that are available.
Revision 7
The third matter that all seven interviewees mentioned was Revision 7 and the changes that followed in its wake. Passed by voters in 1998 and implemented in 2004, Revision 7 brought about budgetary unification in Florida's courts. Since the 1972 Article V overhaul, the state had been funding the salaries of judges and their assistants, but the counties were paying most of the other costs of running the court system, which often meant substantial discrepancies in funding and services between one county and another. Revision 7 was designed to relieve local governments of the increasing costs of subsidizing the trial courts and to ensure equity in court funding for each county—thereby providing all Floridians with access to the same essential trial court services, regardless of where in the state they reside.
Interviewees remarked that Revision 7 significantly helped foster the system aspect of the Florida State Court System—and helped court personnel begin seeing themselves as part of that system. As several pointed out, we're still not fully unified—but all agreed that we're considerably more unified now than we were before the passage of this constitutional amendment. Because of this unification, the branch is better able to speak with a clear and consistent voice and can develop statewide policies in a more thoughtful and deliberate manner. This unification also has made it possible to embark on a range of ambitious statewide projects, like the construction of an electronic courts structure.
Other Changes
In addition to the three major metamorphosing issues discussed above, each interviewee also had observations about other, less dramatic changes they'd noticed over the years.
Nick Sudzina, who has been the TCA with the Tenth Circuit since 1985, talked about the significant changes in the jobs of everyone in the court system, both judges and court personnel. When he first began working in the courts, judges actually did some of the administrative work, like case management, themselves—"but that was before the courts had to deal with this amount and scope and complexity of litigation," he explained. He also described some of the ways TCA responsibilities have evolved over time: "This workplace is always changing, so the job of TCA has to keep changing with it. Now, TCAs need a background in areas like judicial administration, court management, managerial skills, and communications." Also different now is "the increasing presence of the news media; they seem to be watching government closely, especially the courts because of the funding dilemma." This reminded him of an aspect of his job that has not changed: "Funding is always a challenge," he conceded. Another unchanging feature is that his job is "always rewarding: I learn something new each day. The job is always challenging, but it's always a pleasure to come to work."
Like job responsibilities, court programs have also changed considerably. Susan Leseman has been with OSCA since 1985, first as a program attorney for what is now called the Court Education Section and then as the chief of Court Education; she is now the managing attorney for OSCA's Publications Unit. Over the years, she's seen great changes in the court education programs—which recently began including programs for court personnel too: "The education programs have grown to meet the complexities of the jobs that judges and court personnel do," she explained. For example, in the early 80s, the agenda for the circuit judges program had a criminal and a civil track; now, there are also tracks for juvenile, family, probate/guardianship, and general interest, such as evidence. In addition, new programs had to be developed to meet the expanding educational needs of judges, so now there's a pre-bench program, a program for new appellate judges, the Advanced Judicial Studies program, and distance learning programs. "We have moved from chalkboards to overhead projectors to PowerPoint to LCD projectors to web-based programs—a huge technological leap that better facilitates learning," she added. Because her unit coordinated and staffed most of the programs, she often had to travel, and she remembers when the per diem allowances were a mere $3 for breakfast, $6 for lunch, and $12 for dinner; the mileage reimbursement was only 21 cents per mile. "You always lost money when you travelled," she observed.
Although state money has almost always been constrained, circuits were often able to find other sources of funding for cutting-edge programs.
Tom Long was the TCA at the Sixteenth Circuit from 1984 – 1989 and then at the Second Circuit from 1989 – 1999; following that, he became the OSCA general services manager until he retired last summer. For him, a big difference between his early days in court administration and now is that circuits used to have access to local grant money, which made it possible for courts to be highly pioneering. Grant money supported breakthroughs like the pretrial release program, management information systems technology, neighborhood justice centers, and some specialized court dockets. "What was innovative back then is standard now," he commented. But now it's much harder to get grant money, "So the progressive, innovative circuits are finding it hard to fund good concepts." As a result, "Innovation is more likely to come out of court committees; it's more likely to originate in Tallahassee, not at the circuit level."
However, some of these Tallahassee-based innovations have definitely been momentous. Debbie Howells, who has been with OSCA since 1988, is the executive assistant for State Courts Administrator Lisa Goodner. The state has undergone many changes since she first began working for the courts, when "Florida was still wild and woolly and rough and loosely-populated." And the court system has grown to accommodate those changes. She called attention to two in particular: the branch's increasing focus on intergovernmental relations and the growing cooperation between the court system and the clerks, who have recently been working together on projects like funding stabilization, e-filing, and the e-portal. But she also emphasized that some things haven't changed. For example, in all these years, "Florida's court system continues to be a trailblazer, a leader, nationally." Florida was a trailblazer with mediation, she remarked, and it was also "the first state to engage in a study about the economic impact on the state's economy of an under-funded court system." So, even with all its changes, "Florida continues to be resourceful and creative."
David Pepper also brought up the court system's relatively new emphasis on intergovernmental relations. Dr. Pepper, who has had several positions with OSCA's Personnel Services since 1987 (personnel manager, the chief of Personnel Services, and court operations consultant), called attention to the amount of time and energy that now goes into addressing legislative affairs as they affect the judicial branch. Years ago, "The court system generally got the resources it needed," and only the state courts administrator and his deputies played a role in tracking legislation and meeting with lawmakers and their staff. "But with so much competition now for limited state resources, the courts have had to get more involved in the process," he explained: now, the justices, chief judges, the two budget commissions, and other judicial leaders participate; OSCA has an Office of Intergovernmental and Community Affairs; and most all of OSCA is involved in what has truly become a "team effort." Another significant change he noted is that "various employee relations issues are in the forefront now"—like sensitivity to diversity, sexual harassment, and ADA compliance.
Broadly speaking, all the interviewees expounded on the court system's growing professionalism, in one way or another—and Theresa Westerfield addressed it very emphatically. Ms Westerfield was with the Sixteenth Circuit from 1988 – 2005, first as the first director of the Pretrial Release Program and then as the TCA; then she moved to Tallahassee, first serving as the OSCA budget administrator and now as the chief of Personnel Services. She emphasized the "high level of professionalism I now see in every element of the court system," gesturing toward court interpreters as an example. When she was TCA, if a party needed a spoken language court interpreter, "you just grabbed whoever you could grab because there were no court interpreters." Also, back then, she recalled, "Court reporters were like judicial assistants in that they were assigned to a judge, not a courtroom," and they got paid by the transcript page—"The more they did, the more they earned," she explained. "Then, in about 1995, they became court employees, and that was a big deal; it really changed their relationship with the court," she reflected. Today's standards are truly high, she stressed—especially when compared to some past informalities: when she was in Key West, for example, "Lawyers didn't even have to wear socks to court," she playfully quipped (of course, she did add that that was probably only true in Key West).
Court facilities have also become more formal and more professionally outfitted over time. Glen Rubin was the OSCA purchasing director from 1984 – 1995 and has been the marshal with the Fourth DCA since then. He remembers when it was perfectly acceptable to smoke in the supreme court building—and when brass spittoons were among the items in the property inventory. He was there when the first woman was appointed to the supreme court in 1985: like the other justices, Justice Rosemary Barkett had her chambers on the top floor. But that floor only had a men's room; in those days, women—judicial assistants and some of the law clerks—had to go downstairs for a restroom. Building personnel quickly "had to figure out how to get a bathroom for Justice Barkett." But one of the most significant changes over the years was the adoption of security features for the building. At first, "The building had no metal detectors or scanners: anyone could walk in." There were only two security guards, one at the front entrance and one at a side entrance; the rest of the entrances—and there were many—were unsecured. (Back then, he added, to be a security guard, "The only requirements were a sixth grade education and the ability to follow directions.") This conspicuous security lack wasn't addressed until a rather controversial supreme court decision led to death threats against some of the justices.
In this impressive vista of changes that the interviewees shared—some of the memories humorous, some astonishing, some instructive, some nostalgia-provoking—one other point came up again and again. Over the last few decades, the court system has definitely become more open, more transparent, more accessible—think about cameras in the courtroom, for instance, and about the astronomic amount of information available on each court's website. Paradoxically, however, it has also become, to an extent, more closed off, less personal, and less intimate, they remarked. While praising the ease and speed of communication, they also bemoaned the disintegration of social contact, of connections, of warmth. That reality seemed to give everyone pause for thought....
Florida 1972 Versus Florida Today
Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, expanding from a population of 8 million in 1972 to 18.8 million in 2010.
In response to the stunning growth in residents, tourists, businesses, and caseloads over the years, the court system has had to expand. From 1972 to 2012, district court of appeal judgeships increased from 20 to 61 judges (Florida had only four DCAs in 1972). During the same timeframe, the number of trial court judges more than doubled, with circuit court judgeships increasing from 261 to 599, and with county court judgeships increasing from 135 to 322. Florida's highest court has had seven justices since 1940.
According to the Eighteenth Annual Report of the Judicial Council of Florida (Feb. 1973), in fiscal year 1971/1972, Florida's judges disposed of just under 400,000 cases. These days, Florida's judges dispose of over 4.5 million cases a year. (Please keep in mind that the methods for capturing statistical data have become increasingly more reliable over time. In addition, the kind of filings data the court system collects has changed over the years. Therefore, these numbers are not precisely comparable.)
Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
Posted May 3, 2012
The U.S. Congress issued a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of "Take our Daughters and Sons to Work" Day and designated April 26, 2012, as the date to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this program. Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is intended to expose children to the workplace allowing them to learn more about what their parents or mentors do during the workday as well as learn more about themselves and opportunities for their future.
As a result, this year, many OSCA employees participated by bringing to the office their daughter, son, relative, or mentee. The age range for children who could participate in the program was 8 to 18 years of age.
Justice Barbara J. Pariente took time out on this day to invite children to her chambers. Justice Pariente described how the highest court in Florida operates, and she also discussed her role as a justice and what that involves. Above she poses a hypothetical question about whether or not imposing a dress code (wearing a uniform to school) violates the children's First Amendment rights. At right, three attendees ponder their answer


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WI Orchestra™
WI Orchestra is a full orchestral library and composition tool for iPhone and iPad.
You can now create and record your own orchestral music on the iPhone, layer by layer, using the instruments and built-in recording features of WI Orchestra. Choose between a full range of orchestral strings, brasswinds, woodwinds, saxophones and percussion.
When starting WI Orchestra for the first time, press the "play" button to listen to the included demo song, which was made with the WI Orchestra app in only a few hours!
WI Orchestra features a velocity sensitive keyboard (requires iOS 4.0 or higher) allowing you to play different dynamics by touching the keyboard harder of softer. The simplest way to use WI Orchestra is to choose one of the dynamics presets (pp, p, mp, mf, f or ff) and play only using the keyboard.
You can work on as many as 98 different projects at a time, and export your songs to your computer, as *.wav files, via the "Apps" tab in iTunes (requires iOS 4.0 or higher). iOS devices with less than 256 MB RAM are capable of 1 minute length projects (iPhone 3GS and earlier) while iPhone 4 and iPads are capable of 5 minute length projects.
For those who are unfamiliar with orchestral music, each instrument in WI Orchestral comes with a picture and description of the instrument.
For the brave, you can also choose to use the microphone as a breath controller!
WI Orchestra is a universal iOS app, with a native full-screen iPad version and beautiful high-resolution graphics on iPhone 4 retina displays.
Technical Specifications
All wind instruments in WI Orchestra are based on the WIVI technology, an additive synthesis/behavioral modeling pioneered by Wallander Instruments with the professional music production software WIVI.
Strings and percussion in WI Orchestra uses a new patent-pending filtering technology by Wallander Instruments, that allows seamless dynamic changes of any sampled instrument in real-time.
WIVI technology is used on a daily basis for producing music for movies, TV and writing classical scores, by composers all over the world.
Price: Free + $2.99 per section via in-app-purchase (iTunes Link)
Requirements: iPhone®, iPod Touch® or iPad® running iOS 3.1 or newer
Audio Demos
Created directly in the WI Orchestra app!
Demo Song.mp3
Instrument Contents (marked with * are included for free)
- Violins*- Violas- Cellos- Double Basses- Violins Pizzicato- Violas Pizzicato- Cellos Pizzicato- Double Basses Pizzicato
- Trumpet*- Piccolo Trumpet- Trombone- Bass Trombone- French Horn- Wagner Tuba- Tuba- Cornet- Flugelhorn- Euphonium
- Flute*- Piccolo- Alto Flute- Bass Flute- Recorder- Clarinet- Bass Clarinet- Oboe- English Horn- Bassoon- Contrabassoon
- Sopranino Saxophone- Soprano Saxophone- Alto Saxophone- Tenor Saxophone*- Baritone Saxophone- Bass Saxophone
- Timpani*- Harp- Mixed percussion (Bass Drum, Toms, Bongos, Castanets, Triangle, Cymbal, Gong, Snare, Tambourine, Wood block, Tam-tam)- Glockenspiel- Xylophone- Marimba- Vibraphone- Celesta- Piano
Press Graphics
WI-Orchestra-App-Images-Logotypes.zip (10.2 Mb)
(Compressed ZIP archive)
WI Guitar™
WI Guitar™ is the first truly playable virtual acoustic guitar app.
Based on revolutionary patent-pending sample technology, WI Guitar has the sound and expressiveness of a real steel-stringed guitar.
Does this sound too good to be true? It is not, and we can honestly say you need to try this app to believe it! This is why we also offer a free version, for everyone who wants to try this amazing instrument!
With WI Guitar, you can strum chords as softly or as hardly as you like, with ultra-realism. Hooked up to loudspeakers, WI Guitar is the perfect replacement for a real guitar at the party, or even in a band. Use headphones to play your favorite songs on the guitar, or write songs, on the way to work, on the airplane and everywhere else.
As an artist or songwriter, you can even use WI Guitar as a professional recording instrument. Add beautiful stereo guitar parts to your tracks!
WI Guitar includes 12 chord buttons, and the action buttons add9, sus4, 7 and maj7. In combination these give you instant access to more than 150 unique chords.
Price: $19.99/Free (iTunes Link, Free version)
Tips & Tricks
- Strumming harder or softer also makes the sound stronger or softer.
- Pluck or strum closer to the board to get a stronger sound, and play further down on the strings to get a softer sound.
- If you release all fingers from the screen, all playing notes also released. If you want chords to sustain, press and hold the chord buttons while playing.
- Holding both the add9 and sus4 action buttons transforms from a major to a minor chord, and vice versa. Use this feature to also access the Gm, Fm, Cm and Bm chords.
- Holding both the 7 and maj7 action buttons produces an add6 chord.
Live Videos (in-app audio)
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Hotel California
Round Here
House Of The Rising Sun
All By Myself
WI-Guitar-App-Images-Logotypes.zip (12.5 Mb)
Wivi Band 15-in-1™
Wivi Band 15-in-1 runs on the iPhone, using the microphone as a wind controller, and an easy-to-learn piano fingering with 5-octave range.
The app includes 15 expressive musical instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Oboe, English Horn, Bassoon and Contrabassoon.
Price: $9.99/Free (iTunes Link, Free version)
Requirements: iPhone or iPod Touch running iOS 3.0 or newer
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I get only little response from blowing at the Microphone of my iPhone 4.
A: If you see the microphone meter moving, but only a little, try blowing at the left corner of the phone instead. Also, make sure that microphone amplification is set to 2x in Wivi Band, on the main screen. Alternatively, you can always use the included headset. The reason why this occurs is that iPhone 4 has built-in noise cancellation, when blowing at the internal microphone.
Q: The octave keys sometimes let go when I play the keyboard?
A: Make sure your screen is as clean as possible! This makes it easier for the iPhone to detect multi-touches.
Q: Why is the sound low-fi on my 1st generation iPhone?
A: The iPhone 2G (1st generation) automatically locks at 8 kHz sample rate whenever the internal microphone is in use. To get high-quality output on 2G iPhones, you must use a compatible headset with microphone.
Q: How do I use it on my iPod Touch?
A: If your model supports it, you can use a headset or an external microphone. If you don't have a microphone, the Wivi Band instruments will lock at the highest dynamics and are still playable, but without wind controller support.
Q: Why are some keys blacked out?
A: Keys that are blacked out are outside of the natural range of the instrument. Most wind instruments only have a 4-5 octaves range.
iPhone®, iPad® and iPod Touch® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. App Store™ is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Copyright © 2009-2011 by Wallander Instruments and original authors.
Region: United States
Language: English


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Under $250: Affordable Metal Dining Chairs
Metal dining and accent chairs are an excellent alternative to conventional wood seating. In addition to offering a different texture to your space, steel and aluminum furnishings can help alleviate the pressure to match wood tones. Whether you prefer a distressed rustic finish or a shiny powdercoat, these classic metal chairs will give a warm industrial touch to your space.
An added bonus is that a couple of the featured chairs are stackable, making them small space friendly (Photo 1 and 5).
Shown above from left to right:
- Amelia Metal Café Chair from Crosley, $199.95
- Home Collection Bali Dining Chair, Yellow, Set of 2 from Mod Home Collection, $392.76
- Dark Distressed Jackson Metal Tub Chair from Cost Plus World Market, $109.99
- Modern Cafe Aluminum Dining Chair from Manhattan Designer Products, $133.00
- French Iron Rustic Teal Blue Cafe Chair from Kathy Kuo Home, $216.00
(Images: As credited above.)
Apartment Therapy supports our readers with carefully chosen product recommendations to improve life at home. You support us through our independently chosen links, many of which earn us a commission.


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Last month, Disney attempted to cash in on the Navy SEAL Team 6 name fame by submitting a US trademark application for "SEAL Team 6." The US Navy countered with their own trademark submissions and Disney backed down by abandoning its applications.
However, there are several other companies and individuals who continue to file applications in an attempt to trademark SEAL Team 6 and other variations of the name. In examining the USPTO database, such companies and individuals filing applications include Metrogames, Justice is Done, AAAA World Inc., RESCO Instruments, The Outdoor Recreation Group (and this one), John Brokaw, and Jon Narmi—even a German company is trying to cash in. There are others as well, but you get the picture.
It is not coincidental that all of the application file dates range from early May 2011 until present–obviously a direct link. Additionally, Disney was met with public scorn and the Navy did strong-arm Disney to protect its rights:
Navy spokeswoman Amanda Greenberg said the Navy already had rights to the SEAL trademark but recently submitted two new applications for trademarks of "Navy SEALs" and "SEAL Team."
"The Navy is fully committed to protecting its trademark rights as it pertains to this matter and is currently examining all legal options," she said.
Disney/ABC spokesman Kevin Brockman said the company pulled the plug on its bid "in deference to the Navy's application."
It is fair to ask, in light of the outcome with Disney, how will the Navy handle these companies and individuals who continue to file trademark apps using Navy SEAL Team 6 and will the public rebuke these companies and individuals?


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Many people lost a lot of things when Snor'eastercane Sandy hit the Mid-Atlantic states. But when public safety people lose equipment, destruction-related problems become compounded.
The West Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department, located near John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, lost everything: two pumper trucks, two ambulances, and a brush truck.
The Hooversville Volunteer Fire Company, located outside of Pittsburgh, wondered what they could do to help after the storm devastated much of the New York City area. They found out about the West Hamilton department's loss and decided to donate a 1981 Mack pumper truck they'd been trying unsuccessfully to sell.
The truck is fully kitted out with a 500-gallon tank, hose, a generator, and lights, so it looks like it'll be doing someone some good after all. At a time like this, every fire truck counts. We'd hate to see another Breezy Point disaster.
Photo credit: Associated Press


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Asparagus from Navarre
Navarran asparagus
Asparagus from Navarre, protected by the Denomination of Origin, is white and of an extraordinary quality. This makes it one of the bases of the gastronomy of Navarre.
Asparagus from Navarre are fleshy stalks from the 'Asparagus Officinalis, L' asparagus plant, cultivated on the banks of the river Ebro. The asparagus recognised by the denomination is white (which indicates that it has remained underground with absolutely no exposure to the sun), smooth in texture, little or no fibres and a perfect balance of smoothness and bitterness on the palate. This vegetable has a system of roots that emerge from the vine from which the hearts form that will become the asparagus. Cultivation of this plant requires great care to avoid exposure to the sun, which would turn them into green asparagus. The harvest takes place between the months of April and June. Once at the factory, the asparagus are classified by size and packaged. They are consumed either fresh are preserved. This food is low in calories and protein and high in vegetable fibre. It is very diuretic and easily digestible, though not very nutritious. Its culinary applications are diverse: it is excellent in soups, omelettes, grilled, as a garnish, in salads or cooked and accompanied by all types of sauces.
More information
Product information
- Type of product: Vegetables
- Season: Year-round, but especially for fresh consumption in spring and summer.
- Origin: The production area of the Asparagus of Navarre comprises 211 towns in the southern half of Navarre and the adjacent regions of Aragon and La Rioja, all in the middle valley of the river Ebro.
- To drink with it: They are delicious with a refreshing Sparkling Wine or Dry White Wine, prepared simply without excessive dressing.
- Recipes: Vegetable stew
- According to colouring: White or purple, depending on the colour of the shoots. Only the white ones are covered by the Denomination of Origin.
- According to their category: - Extra: of superior quality, well formed and straight, with a firmly closed bud. - First: of good quality, well formed and with the bud closed. - Second: those which cannot be classified in higher categories, but which meet the minimum defined characteristics.
- According to their size: - Measured lengthways: the length of the asparagus varies between 17 and 22cm - Calibrated by diameter:: it must be between 12 and 16mm.
Nutritional information
- Energy: Low
- Cholesterol: Low
- Comments: Rich in iron, vitamin C and fibre.


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AmeriCares appoints new CEO
AmeriCares, one of the world's leading disaster relief and humanitarian aid organizations, on Monday announced it had hired a new president and CEO following a lengthy search process.
Michael Nyenhuis, a veteran nonprofit executive who has specialized in global health initiatives, will succeed AmeriCares' longest-serving CEO, Curt Welling, later this month.
In April, Welling said he had decided to step down after 11 years of service.
Nyenhuis, 52, is the CEO of Medical Assistance Programs International, a Christian health organization based in Brunswick, Ga. where he has worked for the past 19 years. The nonprofit, which like AmeriCares distributes donated medicines, last year provided $350 million in aid internationally.
In a telephone interview Monday, Nyenhuis said the wider scope of AmeriCares' reach appealed to him. Unlike AmeriCares, MAP International does not operate domestic programs.
"It's such a perfect fit for me," he said. "It's in the same general space that MAP operates in, but its work is distinct enough that it presents an opportunity for me to grow further."
In a news release, Dean Maglaris, the chairman of AmeriCares' board of directors, cited Nyenhuis' "distinguished record of achievement at MAP International" and his "deep knowledge of global health."
The appointment comes during an especially prolific fundraising and program development period for the Stamford-based nonprofit, which raises money from private donors and receives contributions from pharmaceutical and medical-supply companies.
According to its count last year, AmeriCares distributed more than $500 million in aid to more than 90 countries. On a local level, the organization has opened free health care clinics in Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk. On Tuesday, the nonprofit was scheduled to launch its fourth, a free mobile clinic that will serve low-income adult residents of Stamford and Darien who are without health insurance.
Nyenhuis was among more than 200 candidates considered for the job, according to Donna Porstner, a spokesman for AmeriCares.
Welling, who has said he plans to pursue other professional interests, leaves behind a formidable record at AmeriCares, which began in New Canaan. Since its founding in 1982, the nonprofit has delivered more than $11 billion in humanitarian aid to 164 countries. Of that $11 billion, $9 billion came under the leadership of Welling.
Nyenhuis said he was honored to follow in Welling's footsteps.
"AmeriCares is one of the most respected relief and development organizations in the country," he said. "It's a great privilege to have the opportunity to serve there in the next part of my career."
Asked about the managing the transition to Stamford, Nyenhuis, who is set to start Jan. 27, said he was a little worried about the frigid Northeast winters. He added, "But I have Minnesota roots, so I know how to handle that."
email@example.com; 203-964-2265; http://twitter.com/lizkimtweets


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Saturday, 7 April 2012
Happy Easter/Passover
overcast, temps 14
Threatening some showers today in London, but so far nothing. We had a lovely Good Friday. As I've said, I've realized I'm most relaxed and happy when I've written in the morning - about a thousand words - and that gives Michael and me lunch and the afternoon in London.
Yesterday I thought we might just have a quiet day in the flat. One of the great pleasures of having a whole month or more here is that we don't feel we need to rush around. We can find a nice, gentle rhythm to our days. We've also spent so much time here, it really does feel like another home.
I've also discovered something surprising about myself. I'd always harboured the belief that, given a chance, I was at my core an adventurous free spirit. But guess what? I'm not. Indeed, I'm the opposite. Most of my energies, such as they are, are bent toward pushing through anything adventurous and landing on the comfortable and familiar.
This isn't to say I never want to leave home. I actually like traveling....though I adore being home. But I will never, ever be the one who signs up to go camping in Butan. Or rafting down the Colorado. Or hiking....anywhere. Though, come to think of it, I do like walking. I could see myself on a nice walking tour through the countryside - as long as each day was bracketed by fabulous Inns, with great food and a spa.
that's as 'roughing it' as I want to get.
I like finding a local restaurant, and returning there. I love the familiarity, a sense of belonging. I like knowing the owner's name, and what the daily special on Tuesday will be. My idea of adventure is to order something different off the same menu.
I think that's why Michael and I rent flats or cottages or apartment wherever we are. So we can unpack, relax, and live like a local. Not because we're bohemian, but because we love the familiar. We're so lucky to have each other. No many people would find traveling with us very interesting. But it suits us.
Yesterday we left the flat in search of any newspapers that might be published on Good Friday. It turned out to be a beautiful day - sunny (we knew that) and mild (which we didn't realize). Perfect for walking through London. Now, in this part of London, you don't stroll. too hectic, too many people (and prams) on the sidewalk. You weave in and out and around. But it's fun and invigorating.
We went off to Harrods, just to look at the amazing food course. Room after room of delicacies. Michael got a Bento box of fresh sushi to bring back to the flat for lunch. I was sort of overwhelmed by the choice, and ended up not getting anything. But wow, I just love looking. Food from all over the world. And small 'bars' set up in the corners of the rooms, serving some speciality - like the Oyster Bar.
And, it being Easter, there were wonderful displays of traditional Easter food - chocolates, and these eggs you see in the photograph. Real eggs - not chocolate or hard boiled - but dyed. I thought if we had children or grandchildren, it would be magnificent. So cheerful. And so British.
Then we walked along the Brompton road to Marks and Spencer's and picked up some newspapers - then took back streets home, where we could stroll and marvel at the buildings. One of the great things about London is that there are very few skyscrapers. Or even tall buildings. Most are five or six stories at most. Apparently Queen Victoria complained when builders started putting up tall buildings - so rules came in....and are still imposed in many areas of london. With some notable exceptions. The tallest building in Europe is just being completed in London....known as The Shard, it stands close to another remarkable modern London building called The Gerkin.
But for the most part, London is bright and airy, with lots of parks and sunshine...and mad traffic!
We're having Easter Lunch tomorrow at the Captial Hotel, just down the street. A place we've been to before - of course.
time to hop in a shower then out into the city. Hope you're enjoying your long weekend of Easter and Passover.
8 comments:
Wishing you and Michael a Blessed Easter.
- 7 April 2012 at 08:05
i'm with you on the 'familiar' travel thing. kind of like a contemplative way of traveling - preferring depth over breadth...plumbing the relationships, the repetition; combining the rituals of your own life with the rituals of the culture as you learn them - they both are richer for it. i travel like you....and am learning not to be apologetic. my idea of a great trip is to find one great hotel, and use it as a locus for everything that follows. I have made some great lifelong friends this way - in nearby coffeeshops, and artgalleries. blessings to you as you learn about loving who you are, and the places in which you find yourself. & may I suggest - don't underestimate the edge and risks you take in your writing....you're doing lots of whitewater rafting in there!! (don't forget to wear a helmet) :) MelodyG
with a hug
- 7 April 2012 at 08:59
- lil Gluckstern said...
I did a lot of camping, and traveled around, but I never felt better than when I was making my "house" wherever we landed. I think you enjoy making a home wherever you are and are kind enough to share it with us. This also allows you to write -wherever you are. Lovely trip so far.
- 7 April 2012 at 11:38
I've always thought of camping as "sleeping in the dirt" - why do it when hotels exist??
- 7 April 2012 at 12:32
Actually this sounds like a lovely way to travel! Cheers!
- 7 April 2012 at 15:36
I was only in London once, and I loved it--but, then again, I really loved Paris more.
- 7 April 2012 at 18:06
- Qli said...
So much fun to be following your time in England! Sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
- 8 April 2012 at 07:33
"...gentle rhythm to our days". What a great mindset, Louise, something we should all strive for. Personally, I've been able to accomplish this one day in a row.
- 15 April 2012 at 05:59


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Local leaders outline their priorities for New Year
With new faces in county government and the possibility of new faces in city government, local leaders are looking toward a busy 2013.
"I would say, in 2013 some of our priorities will be customer service, street resurfacing and continuing our redevelopment efforts," Kinston Mayor B.J. Murphy said Monday, in the waning hours of 2012.
The 2012 elections left the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners with a new chairman and vice chairwoman in Commissioners Reuben Davis and Jackie Brown, respectively.
They also have a new face in freshman Commissioner Craig Hill and the still-to-be-determined replacement for long-serving Commissioners' Chairman George Graham — the local Democratic Party has nominated Roland Best for the seat, but the commissioners will have the final say.
"I know both of those folks are committed to serving the citizens, and I think they'll fit in very nicely and I think we'll work together very well," Commissioner Linda Rouse Sutton said of Best and Hill.
She said the commissioners would "miss George (Graham)'s leadership," but bringing in new people can bring in new ideas and new perspectives.
Sutton expected the commissioners' main priorities in 2013 would be balancing the budget and not raising taxes.
"We're determined to come out with a good balanced budget and not raise taxes, and hang on to as many services as possible, as closely as we can," she said.
City goals
On the city of Kinston's side, the mayor's and two City Council seats will be up for election this year.
In 2013, city elections will be nonpartisan, meaning candidates will run without a political party label.
"I am looking forward to the wishes of the people being carried out in the form of nonpartisan elections," said Murphy, who was a strong supporter of nonpartisan voting.
The mayor said he hoped the council would continue to work toward building up $500,000 in the budget for street repairs and resurfacing.
Murphy acknowledged it was a challenging goal to meet in times of lean budgets, "but continuing to make that progress toward that goal is important."
The mayor also expected the city's policy of "proactive policing" would continue due to the success of removing major criminals from the streets in 2012.
He also saw as a priority continuing to follow the relationship between Duke Energy, which completed its merger with Progress Energy in 2012, and public power communities in North Carolina.
Kinston is among the 32 member communities of the N.C. Eastern Municipal Power Agency, which owns power plants along with Duke Energy. The "generation assets" owned by the cities provide power to the member communities, which took on billions in debt 30 years ago to buy into those assets.
"Selling the generation assets, I think, should be part of our discussion in coordination with how to handle our debt load," Murphy said.
David Anderson can be reached at 252-559-1077 firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter at DavidFreePress.
County priorities in 2013:
– Balance the budget
– No tax increase
– Maintain services
Source: Commissioner Linda Rouse Sutton
City priorities in 2013:
– Improved customer service
– Street resurfacing
– Continued redevelopment
– 'Proactive policing'
– Monitor relationship between Duke Energy and NCEMPA/ElectriCities
Source: Mayor B.J. Murphy


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Washington to join Penn State Coaches Caravan
Washington to join Penn State Coaches Caravan
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Lady Lion basketball head coach Coquese Washington will be joining the 2013 Penn State Coaches Caravan on May 1 during stops in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Building on Penn State's "One Team" inaugural year momentum, highlighting the highly successful first season under football coach Bill O'Brien and looking ahead to 2013, the Penn State Coaches Caravan tour begins another road trip April 30 with visits to 12 locations during two weeks this spring.
Joining Washington and O'Brien at the May 1 events will be men's basketball head coach Patrick Chambers and wrestling mentor Cael Sanderson. At each Coaches Caravan stop, Penn State alumni and fans will have the opportunity to hear from O'Brien and at least one other head coach and ask questions about the Nittany Lions' nationally recognized 31-sport athletic program at a lunch or evening event.
O'Brien will headline the bus tour of many Penn State alumni strongholds across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. The 2012 Bear Bryant and Maxwell Football Club national Coach of the Year will participate in all 12 Coaches Caravan stops and will be joined by other head coaches at each event. The April 30 event at Penn State Berks and the May 7 stop at Penn College are sold out.
Jointly sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and the Nittany Lion Club, Coaches Caravan registration is under way at www.alumni.psu.edu/coachescaravan and www.GoPSUsports.com. More than 2,600 Penn State alumni and fans signed up for Caravan stops during the first three weeks of registration, with the April 30 Reading event reaching capacity in four days. Advance registration is required for all Coaches Caravan events.
Washington was named Women's Basketball Coaches Association Region 6 Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season after guiding the Lady Lions to their second-straight Big Ten regular season title with a 26-6 overall record and 14-2 mark in conference play. For her efforts, Washington was selected as the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second-straight season by the media. The Lady Lions have increased their Big Ten win total each of Washington's six campaigns. Additionally under Washington's tutelage, Penn State has claimed a Big Ten Player of the Year honor (Maggie Lucas) and seven All-Big Ten first team accolades (Alex Bentley-3; Lucas-2; Tyra Grant-2).
The 2013 Penn State Coaches Caravan events and coaches attending (subject to change):
April 30 Penn State Berks; Reading (lunch-SOLD OUT)
Coaches: Patrick Chambers, Bill O'Brien
Philadelphia (evening reception)
Coaches: Patrick Chambers, Bill O'Brien
May 1 Baltimore (lunch)
Coaches: Patrick Chambers, Bill O'Brien, Cael Sanderson, Coquese Washington
Washington, D.C. (evening reception)
Coaches: Patrick Chambers, Bill O'Brien, Cael Sanderson, Coquese Washington
May 2 Lancaster (lunch)
Coaches: Bill O'Brien, Russ Rose, Cael Sanderson
Harrisburg/Camp Hill (evening reception)
Coaches: Bill O'Brien, Russ Rose, Cael Sanderson
May 7 Penn College of Technology; Williamsport (lunch-SOLD OUT)
Coaches: Char Morett, Bill O'Brien, Mark Pavlik
Allentown/Breinigsville (evening reception)
Coaches: Char Morett, Bill O'Brien, Mark Pavlik
May 8 New York City (lunch)
Coaches: Patrick Chambers, Char Morett, Bill O'Brien, Mark Pavlik
Scranton (evening event)
Coaches: Patrick Chambers, Bill O'Brien, Mark Pavlik
May 9 Penn State DuBois (lunch)
Coaches: Bill O'Brien, Mark Pavlik
Pittsburgh (evening reception)
Coaches: Bill O'Brien, Mark Pavlik
For the second consecutive year, Fullington Tours will provide a customized coach to transport all the Coaches Caravan participants throughout the 12-stop tour.


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Recently, I've been blogging about the inevitable dominance of ebooks over dead tree books.
My own experiments show I can make more money selling ebooks than print.
I talked about how Amazon was losing money on Kindle ebooks sold, and envisioned a new publishing system involving estributors.
I refuted some of the common arguments against ebooks.
I predicted what the future of ebooks might be like. And how format is largely the reason we haven't fully embraced ebooks yet.
I considered the new agency model in selling ebooks, and came to the conclusion that publishers seem to care more about selling paper than connecting writers with readers.
I talked about the perception of ownership and the perception of value with print and ebooks.
Barry Eisler put forth a terrific argument about the inevitability of digital dominance.
And finally, I considered the difference between destination value and journey value, and concluded that the sentimental connection people have with print books will likely change, as it is no more compelling than an attachment to any other outdated method of media.
The overwhelming conclusion I've come to is that ebooks will one day be the preferred method of reading. This day is inevitable, and is coming quickly. Print publishers don't seem ready for it, and their methods to delay this eventuality will only lead to annoying their customers, piracy, and alienating their authors.
When I first talked about ebook piracy, I made an argument that cheap sells, free sells even more, and the only way to fight file sharing is with cost and convenience.
The music and movie industries tried to fight piracy, and failed. As a result, companies not previously associated with music and movies have become rich by doing three things.
1. Understanding consumer need.
2. Giving the consumers what they want at a price consumers are willing to pay.
3. Making it as convenient as possible for consumers.
As a result of this, the biggest music player maker and music seller is a computer company, and companies such as Tivo and Netflix, along with services like Direct TV and On Demand, are changing the way people watch movies.
Apple, and the companies that rent TV shows and movies through subscriptions, have discovered something interesting about the media habits of humans.
It used to be thought that we really valued the physical object the media was presented on. As consumers, it was important for us to own VHS and cassette tapes, DVDs and LPs, CDs and BluRay.
And yet, consumers have shown, in greater and greater numbers, that they don't care about the delivery system, and they don't care about ownership of a tangible product. They just want a cheap and easy way to watch the damn movie and listen to the damn song.
Where did this trend begin? When did we start to realize that ownership of an experience didn't require a physical object?
Oddly enough, I think piracy plays a large part in the acceptance and adaptation of new technology.
Let's look at three types of media. Music, movies, and video games.
I've already yakked at length about the many different formats music has had over the years, so I won't recap it here. But when we did fully embrace CDs, it seemed to coincide with the invention of the CD recorder. Being able to share media, ironically, led to the sales of more media.
The RIAA says that the widespread adoption of mp3s lead to more piracy than ever before. But perhaps piracy is what lead to the widespread adoption of mp3s. While music companies tried to block it, Apple created a player for it, and a store to sell the media. Apple looked at what consumers were doing, and responded accordingly.
In the latest video game console wars, is it a coincidence that the only system that has remained hack proof, the PS3, has also sold far fewer units than the hackable Xbox 360 and the Wii? The PSP and Nintendo DS are also hackable, as is the iPhone. All are flourishing.
People like being able to do what they want with their media, and with their media readers. They like to share, and copy, and customize. And as a result, more units, and more media, winds up selling on systems where piracy thrives.
There's a lot of movie and TV show piracy online. But it's a very odd phenomenon. On one hand, there are those who sneak camcorders into films still in the theaters, and upload their copies. There are also those that make 1:1 copies of DVDs and BluRay disks, complete with cover art, so you have a perfect copy of something you'd otherwise pay for.
But, believe it or not, the majority of movie and TV piracy isn't with first run flicks and full DVD copies.
It's with rips and with recent TV shows.
A "rip" is taking a movie and stripping out most of the extra stuff so it's still good quality, but under 700mb (a DVD is normally 4.7 to 8.5 gigabytes.) 700mb fits on a CD, but more often than not, pirates will watch these directly on their computers.
Right after any TV show airs, the torrent sites and file lockers are flooded with people sharing the latest episode of Lost or House or The Biggest Loser.
The conclusion I draw from this isn't that pirates are interested in stealing media. They're more interested in file sharing as a cheap and easy distribution method. You search for what you want. You download it quickly. You experience it.
So along come Tivo, On Demand, Direct TV, and Netflix. What do they do? They allow consumers to experience media cheaply, easily, and quickly. And consumers have embraced these distribution methods to the point where Blockbuster Video--the same dominant force that squeezed out all the mom and pop video stores across the country--is now themselves closing stores left and right.
Consumers have shown us what they want. Ownership of a tangible product is becoming less and less important. Downloading a song, or a movie, or a TV show--either permanently or temporarily through a subscription model--is how many people are deciding to experience media.
I've said before that piracy is human nature. The internet was created to store and share information. It's directly tied to how we communicate. That's why we lend each other blooks and movies, and send emails linking to YouTube videos, and link to each other's blogs and then Tweet the link on Twitter.
How do books play into this? A hardcover book is a luxury item in today's market. It's eight hours of entertainment for $30. That's a month's worth of movies on Netflix, or thirty songs on iTunes. And a paper book is far from an instant delivery system.
If books are going digital, as most seem to predict, the ability to share media, and get it instantly, will help advance the adoption of ebooks by the masses. And as companies like Apple and Netflix and Gamefly (for videogames) have learned, the masses dictate what they're willing to pay for this service.
Not the film producers. Not the music producers. And not the videogame producers.
It's a third party that stepped in, saw the need, and exploited it.
So along comes Amazon. They already have a huge advantage over any other third party. They're the largest online book retailer. It didn't take a huge leap in faith for Jeff Bezos to realize he could also become the biggest online ebook retailer, if they only had an ereader device.
Now the Kindle is the market leader. The technology is only going to become more widespread, more advanced, and cheaper, as time goes on.
Where are the print publishers? Why aren't they making ereaders? Why aren't they allowing for cheap ebook downloads on their websites? Why don't they have customer forums and subscription models? Why are the clinging to an outdated model so tightly that they're now demanding to set both wholesale and retail price of their products?
The videogame industry got it. The PS3, Xbox, PSP, and Wii all allow for downloadable games and online subscription-based play. And guess what? The PS3 finally got hacked. I predict sales will rise as a result.
People want inexpensive media at the press of a button. Books will follow the same model as movies, music, video games, and TV.
It will be an ebook future. A cheap, instant, ebook future.
And we'll embrace it. We always do.
Friday, February 12, 2010
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