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Alibi Picks
Burlesque on Hump Day
That's right friends, international burlesque superstars Trixie Little and Evil Hate Monkey, among others, are coming to Albuquerque on Wednesday to Effex Nightclub (420 Central SW). Going out on a Wednesday sucks, but we've been assured the show is absolutely worth it. Details and ticket information are available at burlesquenoir.com. Since some of you might want to sleep off your hangovers before work on Thursday, the show starts at 8 p.m. See you there.


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pastortlj needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 46 designs submitted by 24 freelance designers.
We would like a new and fresh logo for our church. We would like something with a unique icon that could include our name or initials. It needs to be up-to-date, professional, and friendly...eye appeal is key.
Experience the Difference!
Desired Style:
Contemporary, professional, up-to-date, and warm.
Accepted File Formats:
jpeg, pdf, pagemaker
The colors don't matter that much to us...overall design is much more important. Please include our tag somewhere in the logo. Tag is "Experience the Differnce", and our church name is New Heights Church. We really are not looking for something traditional it should be contemporary in design and appearance. Thank you!
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.

subset: commoncrawl


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[20:04] <&butjam> .seen TheMessiah[20:04] <&fapfire> Looking for yourself, eh butjam?
Can we all just play the game and have a bit of fun please.
Angry butjam is best butjam.
Everything you say is boring and incomprehensible, but that alone doesn't make it true.
He had spent his whole life despised and hated for the mere triviality of wearing dresses and make-up despite possessing a (rather magnificent) penis, and this persecution had fostered within him both a desperate yearning to be loved and appreciated, and an iconoclastic desire to subvert and destroy the odious traditions on which society was built.


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- About Pullman
- SEWEDA - Palouse Business...Palouse Life
- Awards and Recognitions
- Pullman Video Tour
- Pullman Transit
- Pullman History
- Downtown parking map
- The Lay of the Land
- Sister City History
- Housing Resources
- Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport
- Neill Public Library
- City Statistics
- Welcome to Pullman
- Greening of Pullman
About Pullman
Last Updated on Friday, 01 December 2017 09:48
Welcome to your official Pullman city government website.
Pullman, with its historical roots in agriculture, was incorporated on April 11, 1888. It has matured into a community with small-town comforts and cosmopolitan amenities. Home to world class Washington State University, Pullman benefits from a diverse and international student population, PAC 12 sporting events as well as cultural and entertainment programs.
Business environment
The seeds of high technology are also flourishing in Pullman's fertile environment. View the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association's "Palouse Business...Palouse Life" video here.
Award-winning community
Pullman has received numerous awards over the years and has been recognized in national publications as an outstanding community.
A community of parks and paths
Pullman bears other fruits as a result of its well-educated, involved and generous year-round population. During fall 2002, voters approved the creation of a metropolitan park district for the purpose of improving, maintaining and acquiring parks and recreation facilities. As a result, Pullman enjoys 17 distinct parks and natural areas encompassing more than 145 acres as well as more than 15 miles of pathways to walk, run or bike--truly a community of parks and paths.
Pullman Community Update
Through the monthly Pullman Community Update newsletter that's mailed to your address, keep up with Pullman city government, WSU, Pullman Regional Hospital, Pullman School District, Pullman Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Pullman, Palouse Discovery Science Center, the YMCA, Gladish Community Center Whitman County Humane Society and more. The city government pages of the Community Update are linked here.
Pullman is a great place -- high tech, higher education and highest quality of life.
Come home to stay.


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The Real Dirt on Face Washing
With new facial cleansers promising mild formulas that won't dry out the skin, experts say don't overscrub, overcleanse
Washing your face seems pretty simple, yet dermatologists and beauty companies think there's room for improvement.
Easy does it is the message experts have for consumers, as a new generation of facial cleansers promises mild formulas that won't dry out the skin. New devices offer deep-clean claims but with a lighter touch. Some doctors even say that people with good skin should wash their face just once a day—at night.


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Your Browser is Not Supported
To ensure jobstore run smoothly, please use the latest version of the following supported browsers:
How close are we towards inventing the real flying car?
Engineers specialise in a variety of fields to analyse, develop and assess large-scale complex systems.
That means improving and maintaining the existing system or establish brand new projects. List of engineer jobs include agriculture,
biomedical, auto mechanic, project engineer, chemical, civil engineer, mechanical engineer, engineering intern, computer, electrical,
environmental engineer and software.


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The Jets swept Saturday's double header over Billings and split with Cody Sunday afternoon.
Sheridan Lady Bronc runners Gabby Edeen, Xiomara Robinson and Big Horn Lady Ram Bailey Bard Excel at Track Classic
Girls 100 Meter Dash
Classic: ! 11.76 4/26/2013 Jerayah Davis, Kelly Walsh
Name Year School Seed Finals Points
1 Carter, Hannah Kelly Walsh 12.45 12.38 10
Bronc /Lady Bronc soccer shut out Laramie,Broncs win 3-0 girls win 2-0.
They have Gillette on the schedule this week.
Sheridan Jets play a double header at Thorne-rider stadium at noon.
SHS Broncs defeat Cheyenne South, 3-1 Friday Afternoon.
SHS Lady Broncs defeat Cheyenne South, 3-1. Friday Afternoon.
2014 WyomingTrack and Field Classic - 5/2/2014
Kelly Walsh High School - Casper, WY
Girls 100 Meter Dash
Classic: ! 11.76 4/26/2013 Jerayah Davis, Kelly Walsh
COWBOY JOE - The Wyoming Cowboy Joe club will hosted their spring membership drive in Sheridan last night.
The basketball coaches, football coach Craig Bohl and wrestling coach Mark Branch all attended.
Dozens came out to visit with a listen to the coaches last night, it's been a little more than a month since the Cowboy basketball team played in the NCAA tournament and Head coach Larry Shyatt talks about their Mountain West and tournament run.
And he says the tournament experience was huge for all the players.
BRONC / LADY BRONC TRACK AND FIELD - The 2015 Wyoming track classic will be held in Casper tomorrow afternoon the all-star meet is being held at Kelly Walsh high school ten Sheridan high school athletes will compete.
BRONC / LADY BRONC SOCCER - The Bronc and Lady Bronc soccer teams get back into conference play this week. The lady broncs will play at Cheyenne South and Laramie the broncs play at home. JV's go at 4:00 tomorrow with the varsity match set for 6:00.
Peyton Bomar 100 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles, Triple Jump
Gabby Edeen 100m,200m
Riley Rafferty 100m
Pippin Robison 1600m
Xiomara Robinson 3200m
Janika Sweeney 800m
Dayton Bruney Long Jump
Jered McCafferty 3200m
MIcah Sweeney 1600m
JT Vrieswyk 1600m
SHERIDAN REC. DISTRICT - The Sheridan Recreation District is gearing up for another softball season. Robbie Spencer coordinates all the four leagues and says team registration deadline is less than a month away.
Over the last two summers the adult softball program has seen a big increase in participation and Spencer says the number of teams playing this summer should grow.
Following the registration deadline Spencer says play begins the first week in June.
Road & Travel


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Google's Street View leaves little to the imagination when it comes to seeing first hand the devastation of last March's Japanese tsunami.
The Mountain View-based search company is used to dealing with a lot of criticism with its mapping feature that allows users to view real-life images of almost any location in the world right from their computer.
But in a blog post Tuesday, the company said it hopes these images will do good. Google announced that it has posted images from 44,000 kilometers of Japan's ravaged Northeastern area.
"In the case of the post-tsunami imagery of Japan, we hope this particular digital archiving project will be useful to researchers and scientists who study the effects of natural disasters," Kei Kawai, senior product manager for Google's Street View, wrote on the company's blog. "We also believe that the imagery is a useful tool for anyone around the world who wants to better understand the extent of the damage."
The images offer 360-degree views of both inland and coastal regions devastated by the tsunami.


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is a minimal portfolio theme. It?s very clean, sleek and modern design. This theme also uses Masonry grid for portfolio layout and blog layout, It makes your website looks very cool. Also, with the admin panel and page builder in this theme, you can discover unlimited possibilities of what the theme can do. Moreover, responsive feature is applied as well. Now, you or your clients can explore your amazing works through phone or tablet easily
Localization Supported (We already prepare .pot file, you just need to translate it to .mo files)
SEOWe reconstructed about how to use title. We use heading tag(H1,H2,H3,?) for title which is good practice for search engine site. Main contents are moved above sidebars(including both sidebar layout), now search engine will easily fine your main contents first. Also, 'alt' tag for images is supported. This is also help search engine to analyst your site easily.
Setting Up as Demo SiteClick Here to See Video
Overall Features
- Retina Ready
- .pot file for localization available
- WPML Supported
- Woo Commerce Supported
- Nice UX – image fading-in when window scrolled down
- Drag Drop Page Builder
- Masonry for Portfolio & Blog
- Ajax Portfolio Filter
- Load More or Pagination for your options
- SEO Optimized
- Live Color Changer – Theme customizer supported. With this option, you can change colour easily in front end.
- Responsive – The site will look great on any devices.
- Unlimited Color – You can change almost every elements' colour via colour picker in admin panel.
- Unlimited Sidebar – You can have different sidebars on any pages you need.
- 15 BG Patterns
- 6 Footer Layouts
- 500+ Google Fonts Available
- Drag Drop Slider Manager
- Built-in Translator – If you don't want to use .MO file, you can translate the site easily via options in admin panel.
- Built-in Shortcodes – Select shortcodes directly in main content editor
- Font Uploader – You can upload your own Cufon in admin panel.
- Logo Uploader
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- Anything Slider
- Blog/Portfolio Thumbnail Options
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- Price
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- Process Bar
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- Social Share for Posts
- Social Link on Header
- Video Tutorial for Setting Up as Demo Site
Assets UsedImages are kindly provided by Michael Flarup – http://dribbble.com/flarup
Other than these are purchased at Photodune and Fotolia
Need Support?First of all, Thanks so much for purchased our items We?re really appreciated it and hope you enjoy it! If you need support, all support will be conducted through this website > http://support.goodlayers.com . We usually get back to you within 14hours. (except holiday seasons which might take longer).
Update List
==v1.20== 26/07/2018 fix shortcode spacing include/plugin/shortcode-generator.php update comments form to support privacy policy - comments.php - style.css fix https video resize - javascript/jquery.fitvids.js fix woocommerce sidebar - include/function-regist.php php 7 compatibility - include/plugin/custom-widget folder add no cookie option for youtube videos add websafe font and improve font uploading feature - include/style-custom.php - include/goodlayers-option.php - include/javascript/gdl-panel.js - include/plugin/misc.php - include/plugin/font-loader.php ==v1.14== 21/12/2015 fix ios6 bug javascirpt/gdl-script.js fix shortcode - include/plugin/shortcode-generator.php wp4.4 compat include/plugin/custom-widget folder ==v1.13== 29/01/2014 - fix invalid css stylesheet/foundation-responsive.css stylesheet/flex-slider.css include/style-custom.php style.css - remove header of woocommerce page. header.php - fix header title size include/goodlayers-option.php include/style-custom.php - change the link in portfolio category include/portfolio-option.php - fix duplicate contact form mail ( on some server ) include/plugin/misc.php - fix dropdown php 5.4 include/plugin/dropdown-menus.php ==v1.12== 1/10/2013 - fix the nav font size stylesheet/superfish.css - fix ie8 include/style-custom.php - Improve stability / Plugin compatible include/plugin/filosofo-image/filosofo-custom-image-sizes.php include/plugin/custom-widget/twitter-oauth.php - fix header border in single page header.php - fix the portfolio filter parent category include/plugin/portfolio-item.php - fix fancybox to fix video issues images/fancybox folder stylesheet/fancybox.css stylesheet/jquery.fancybox-thumb.css javascript/jquqery.fancybox.js javascript/jquqery.fancybox-media.js javascript/jquqery.fancybox-thumb.js ==v1.11== 3/08/2013 - fix the nav font size stylesheet/superfish.css - fix ie8 include/style-custom.php ==v1.10== 22/07/2013 - add new header style include/goodlayers-option.php header.php style.css include/style-custom.php javascript/gdl-script.js stylsheet/superfish.css ==v1.00== 17/07/2013 * initial released


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Web & Graphic Design
The creative team at Creative Link Studio has the ultimate responsibility for completing web development projects that translate into powerful sales and informational tools for the client. Although we strive to project an image that conveys each client's specific message and brand, we aren't just about aesthetic appeal. Each project incorporates business strategy, usability, functionality, marketing and user psychology so that the end result performs as well as it looks.


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University Park, Pa. – The UMBC men's tennis team traveled to Penn State to take on the 58th-ranked Nittany Lions and the young Retrievers dropped a 7-0 decision at the Indoor Tennis Center.
Penn State improved to 5-0 on the campaign, while UMBC is now 2-3.
The Retrievers proved to be no pushovers in doubles, but PSU would capture the Nos. 1 and 3 positions to capture the first point of the match. After UMBC sophomores Justin Carter (Randallstown, Md.) and Melker Svard (Gothenburg, Sweden) lost for the first time this season, 8-4, at the No .1 slot, junior Kamal Patel (Germantown, Md./Seneca Valley) and sophomore Eliott Loubatie (Paris, France) put up an extended battle, but fell, 8-5, at the No. 3 position. The No. 2 duo of junior Daniel Gray (Bowie, Md./The Bullis School) and Alex Drean (Bayonne, France) were trailing, 5-4, when their match was halted.
The Lions captured the No. 2 singles match to forge ahead, 2-0, but PSU sophomore Leo Stakhovsky, who just defeated the nation's 26th-ranked player, just managed to hold off Carter, 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 1 position.
Drean dropped a tough first set, 6-4, at the No. 3 position, but could not rally and fell, 6-4, 6-1, to Alex Fennell as the Lions clinched the match.
"Today we hit a buzz saw in nationally-ranked Penn State," said head coach Rob Hubbard. "The combination of not playing as well as we have been, along with their strong performances was not a good recipe for success today. Hats off to Penn State as they are a well-coached and talented squad who showed us we still have some things to work on in order to move to that next level."
The Retrievers return to action next Saturday, Feb. 15, when they compete against Morgan State at 40 West Racquet Club. The match is set for 2:00 p.m.


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'Donner said the Amerks are going to be as patient as they can be in waiting to see how the situation in Buffalo is resolved. And he is confident it will be resolved with the Sabres remaining in Buffalo. "We're going to be as supportive as we can be, but we're going to have to make some tough decisions on our own about the future depending on how the ownership situation pans out," said Donner. "I'm assuming now that there has to be a way to keep that team in Buffalo. The city has to have that team there and they're going to find a way to work it out."'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Family bonds run deep among AHL members


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With over 15 years' experience, of arranging athlete and spectator event travel & accommodation to IRONMAN events worldwide, Nirvana have handpicked and worked with hotels in and around the event area, to ensure the requirements of athletes and spectators are catered for.
Book your hotel
When booking any of the Hotels, Nirvana has arranged a host of athlete-friendly services which will be included in your booking:
- Race cancellation insurance, covering you against injury or illness
- Bike storage in your hotel or bike permitted in your bedroom
- Early breakfast on race day arranged
- Use of cycle track pumps in your hotel
- Event info, course maps and any event news updates direct from the race organisation
- Direct access to the experienced Nirvana event crew on hand 24/7 in resort
- Race day water temperature updates and forecasts
- Access to a range of bike mechanical services, exclusive to Nirvana clients
- That feeling of having the support of experienced operators around you.
Flight Booking Service
The Nirvana team can offer all athletes and spectators their dedicated flight booking service, to get you to and from your event.
- Bike carriage (if applicable) will always be pre-booked and pre-paid where possible. As airlines each
have individual carriage policies, Nirvana have the expertise to make sure your bike will travel
securely and correctly
- The best possible itineraries will be researched, taking into consideration your preferred departure
airport(s), costs and bike carriage
- All flights booked and departing the UK will be ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority,
Nirvana Europe Ltd, ATOL Holders 6985.
Airport Transfers
To smooth your transition from arriving at your destination airport to your hotel, book your stress-free airport transfers through Nirvana!
- From arriving in resort, the Nirvana team will be located in the arrivals hall of the airport to meet
and greet you, before transporting you swiftly with your bike and luggage to your accommodation.
- Airport meet and greet with return airport transfers can be booked alongside your accommodation
booking or as a stand alone
For available flight itineraries and/or airport transfer info, specific to your requirements, please email the Nirvana team [email protected] or call 0044 191 2571750 and their dedicated event team will be delighted to provide you with further information, options and costs.


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Spurs' Parker misses second half with ankle pain
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Spurs guard Tony Parker missed the second half of Game 6 of the Western Conference finals because of left ankle soreness.
Parker had eight points in the first half Saturday, then was sitting on the bench when the third quarter started. Cory Joseph replaced him in San Antonio's lineup.
San Antonio was trying to clinch a second straight trip to the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City led 49-42 at halftime.


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[1]The faithful of the Antiochian Archdiocese offer prayers and condolences on the passing of Metropolitan Nicholas [2] of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. May his memory be eternal!
Johnstown, PA – His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas (Smisko), primate of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the U.S.A. (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) reposed in the Lord today, March 13, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Metropolitan Nicholas was born on February 23, 1936. The son of the late Anna (Totin) and Andrew Smisko, he is a priestly vocation from Saint John the Baptist Church, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. After graduating from Perth Amboy High School, he entered Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, Pennsylvania to study for the Holy Priesthood. Upon graduation, he was ordained on January 11, 1959 by Bishop Orestes in Perth Amboy, N.J. His first pastorate was at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Windber, Pennsylvania, where he served until 1962.
A new phase of his life began when he embarked on a year's study at the renowned Patriarchal Theological Academy at Halki, Constantinople. During his stay in the city, the young priest was assigned by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras to serve the spiritual needs of the large Slavic Orthodox community in the Galata section of Istanbul. He also traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East, visiting the sacred sites of the Holy Land and living for a time on Mount Athos, the ancient monastic center of the Orthodox Church.
Upon his return to the United States, he resumed his studies at the University of Youngstown, Ohio, and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He was then assigned as Prefect of Discipline at Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown, and served several parishes in the Johnstown area, before relocating in 1971 to New York City, where he served as pastor of St. Nicholas Church.
He was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 1976, and was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as Auxiliary Bishop for the Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of America and was consecrated as Bishop on March 13, 1983.
Following the death of Bishop John (Martin) in September of 1984, Bishop Nicholas was chosen
as the third ruling hierarch of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese and was enthroned in Christ the Saviour Cathedral by His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos on April 19, 1985.
He was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan, by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on November 24, 1997.
Over his many years of service to Christ and His Holy Church, His Eminence has proven to be a worthy laborer in the Vineyard of the Lord. In recognition for his labors he was the recipient of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Award, given by the Orthodox Church of Czechoslovakia, the St Sava Award from Patriarch Pavel of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Holy Cross School of Theology.
His Eminence has been noted for his love for his flock and the liturgical services of the Church, and his devotion to the Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He was well-respected in Orthodox and Ecumenical circles as being a promoter of peace and mutual understanding amongst all Christ-loving people. True to his patron Saint, Nicholas the wonderworker, His Eminence was perhaps best known and respected for his pastoral sensitivity, generosity of spirit and compassion for the sick and suffering and the less fortunate.
May His Memory Be Eternal.
Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
Complete Biographical Profile official photos and other resources are available at http://metropolitan.acrod.org [3]
On OCN Now, Fr. Chris will share a word of condolences on the passing of Metropolitan Nicholas who was one of the Hierarchs who voted for OCN to become an agency of SCOBA and now working within the context of the Assembly of Bishops. Click here to listen [4].


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- Anthony Pisciotta
- 630-584-3388
Contact Dealer
Request A quote
Request A Test Drive
Make An Offer
Used 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Premier
Vehicle Description
We welcome all trades
Call us now for a complete walk around. We are here to help you with your purchase any way we can. We will be happy to give out the reserve price to anyone who calls.
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China said Thursday it had proposed a new initiative to solve the Syrian crisis. The Beijing's offer speaks on a gradual cease-fire by region.
The plan, presented to Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN and the Arab League envoy, visiting China, "is a continuation of China's efforts in the direction of a political solution to the Syrian issue," said a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The latest proposal for a cease-fire in Syria, which initiated by Lakhdar Brahimi, has failed. He proposed a mini-truce on the occasion of the Muslim holiday of Eid al Adha.
During the daily briefing of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hong Lei he said the sides discussed China's new and "constructive" proposals for "a step by step cease-fire by region " and the establishment of a "transitional governmental body."
Lakhdar Brahimi met Wednesday with Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi who called on the international community to support the efforts of Brahimi.
"More and more countries have come to realize that the military option offered no way out and that a political settlement had become an aspiration shared by more and more sides," said Hong.
"The new Chinese proposal aims at the establishment of an international consensus and support for the mediation efforts by Brahimi (...) and to ensure that the parties concerned in Syria can reach a cease-fire and rapid end to violence in order to begin a process of political transition led by the Syrian people (...). "
China has previously asked the Syrian government to engage in dialogue with the opposition and to take steps to meet the demands for political change.
© 2000 - 2019 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)


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Liftoff for latest REXUS flights
Three educational experiments sponsored by ESA's Education Office blasted off to the edge of space on 12 and 13 March during the latest REXUS sounding rocket campaign from the Esrange Space Centre in Kiruna, Sweden.
First to fly was REXUS 6, which soared to an altitude of 88 km before returning its payload safely to the ground for subsequent recovery and analysis. On board was the ESA-sponsored Nordic Ionospheric Sounding Rocket Seeding Experiment (NISSE), which was developed by a student team from the University of Bergen, Norway, the University of Oulu, Finland, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
The experiment was designed to spray 11 kg of water into the ionosphere to study the formation of a cloud of ice crystals and water vapour with the EISCAT radar system. The three EISCAT radars, located in Kiruna (Sweden), Tromsø (Norway) and Sodankylä (Finland) are normally used to study auroras and the properties of the ionosphere. On this occasion, it was hoped that they would be able to detect the signal reflected by the cloud in order to study the ionisation of the water molecules.
REXUS 5 was launched at 07:00 local time on 13 March, reaching an altitude 87.3 km. Its payload included two ESA-sponsored student experiments. Itikka, developed by the Castor Space Club from the Technical University of Tampere, Finland, was intended to test an inertial measurement unit to be used in Supikoira, a future sounding rocket project. It included a camera to capture pictures of the Earth from high altitude.
Unfortunately, although the rocket was clearly detected by the EISCAT radars, a malfunction in the spraying system prevented the water from leaving the nozzles. The student team and ESA experts are examining a failure of the pyro igniters as a possible cause.
The Vibration effects on Biphasic fluids (VIB-BIP) experiment was provided by the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Spain. Its objective was to study the vibrations in fluids containing gas bubbles, known as biphasic fluids, in low gravity.
The Itikka team reported that all of the onboard systems had worked well and initial analysis of the data indicated that some promising results had been obtained. The VIB-BIP team reported a partial success of their experiment with images of the fluid obtained, but unfortunately no vibrations in the fluid during the low gravity phase of the flight. A postflight analysis is ongoing. Reports on the outcome of all three experiments will be presented to ESA in June.
Some 20 students from the three student teams gained valuable hands-on project experience in realising their experiments from end-to-end over a one year period, including design, development, testing, participation in the launch campaign and postflight data analysis.
The next pair of sounding rocket flights with experiments sponsored by ESA's Education Office will take place in March 2010. After a lengthy selection process, three teams, comprising students from Sweden, the UK and Italy, were selected in February 2009 to fly their experiments during the REXUS 7 and 8 campaign.
REXUS is a bilateral German-Swedish cooperation between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB) that offers students opportunities to fly their own experiments on sounding rockets.
Half of the payload is reserved for German students, while the Swedish half has been made available to students from other European countries through a collaboration with ESA's Education Office.
EuroLaunch, a joint venture of Esrange (Swedish Space Cooperation) and the Mobile Rocket Base MORABA (DLR), is responsible for the campaign management and operations of the sounding rockets.


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HTC says Desire HD still getting ICS, refutes reports of update cancellation
Last week some troubling news seemed to be emerging from Canadian carrier TELUS, which put out an update schedule suggesting that the Android 4.0 upgrade for the Desire HD had been canceled. The schedule indicated that the ICS update had been canned due to "poor device performance in testing," which didn't make a whole lot of sense given that we've seen ICS running on even less powerful phones like the Desire C in recent months.
As such, we reached out to HTC for comment, and an the manufacturer has informed us that ICS updates for the Desire HD, and the similarly-spec'd Desire S, are still on.
An HTC spokesperson told Android Central --
"We remain committed to providing customers with the latest software updates when possible. As such, we are pleased to confirm we are still on schedule to deliver an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade for both the HTC Desire HD and Desire S."
So there you go. The Desire HD may be approaching its second birthday, but at least it should see one more OS update before it's put out to pasture.


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Meeting Jesus and Following Him: A Retreat Given to Pope Benedict XVI and the Papal Household
Available on backorder
Drawn from his retreat talks given to Pope Benedict and his associates at the papal household, Cardinal Arinze offers inspiring spiritual exercises focusing on the meaning of the priestly life. "The red thread which will run through all these meditations," writes Cardinal Arinze, "is the image of the priest who, called by Jesus, meets him, follows him and seeks each day to become a better disciple."
Although the Cardinal refers to "priests", he insists that much of what he says applies to anyone in ordained ministry – deacons, priests and bishops. In fact, even lay people and religious can greatly benefit from prayerfully reading his reflections on being a disciple of the Lord.
"For every human being, for every Christian, and even more for every priest, Jesus Christ gives meaning to life", writes Cardinal Arinze. "He gives a sense of unity to all the things in which we are engaged. Jesus indicates the correct direction for our life because he is the way, the truth and the life (cf Jn 14:6). In these meditations we shall have in front of us the priest who meets Jesus and follows him."
"Commenting on the Biblical texts, venerable Brother, you have communicated to us, with the gracefulness and the depth that we associate with you, the fruit of your personal experience of life and of your priestly ministry, of which you recently celebrated the fiftieth anniversary. In this way, with the authority that comes from personal experience, you have helped us to rediscover and deepen the primacy of the presence of Christ in our lives: Christ met, Christ followed and always again to be followed, inexhaustible source of joy and peace."
— Pope Benedict XVI
"Cardinal Arinze invites us all to discipleship of Jesus Christ and thus challenges us back to basics — he reminds priests and all people that we need to repent and believe to enter into a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ, and he shows us what all this entails. Do not read this book if you are not interested in changing, but do not miss reading this book if you want to grow in holiness!"
— Fr. Larry Richards, Author, Be a Man!
Cardinal Francis Arinze grew up in Nigeria, became the youngest Bishop in the world, and the first African Cardinal to head a Vatican office. He was the head of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. His biography, God's Invisible Hand, was published by Ignatius Press as well as Celebrating the Holy Eucharist.
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BWW Interviews: Rachelle Rak of Broadway-Bound FLASHDANCE
You've probably seen the movie, but what does Flashdance The Musical have that the movie doesn't? One word. Sas. That's right ladies and gents. Broadway veteran Rachelle Rak has taken on the role of Tess in this brand new musical that is currently sweeping across the US.
Featuring popular 80s tunes "Maniac," "Manhunt," and "What a Feeling," Flashdance The Musical tells the story of Alex Owens, an aspiring dancer who works at a steel mill in Pittsburgh, PA. I had the honor of speaking with the Queen of Sas herself about the show as well as her past theatrical adventures, her choreography career, and her video blog 'I Love Rak 'n Roll.'
So tell me, what is FLASHDANCE about?
Haven't you ever seen the film? No, FLASHDANCE, I'll tell you, FLASHDANCE was filmed in Pittsburgh in 1983. It was about a girl, Jennifer Beal played the character, her name is Alex Owens, and she was a steel worker by day and she was a dancer at night. And, some refer to it as, it was definitely a club where they performed. They didn't take all their clothes off, it was a dance club where they would perform. It's not like a strip club like we know today. Very different. And, she would do that by night. But her main goal was to try to get into, what we call in the show, the Shipley Academy, which was to go to college and be properly trained as a dancer. That was her dream. So it's kind of like, that's the main story. It's Alex Owens who, of course, you know eventually falls in love with her boss at the steel mill. That kind of thing. A love story. But really ultimately a story about a girl that has a dream. She comes from nothing and you know is working her way to try and get that dream, and you know I don't want to give away the ending, but in the end... My character is one of the girls who, I've worked, I'm from Pittsburgh, I've lived in Pittsburgh, my character's name is Tess, and I work in the club and I perform and I dance and I want Alex to have a chance to have a better shot at it than I did. I'm a lot older, I've been around the block, that kind of thing. And that's kind of where it all starts.
It's set in Pittsburgh, and you get the steel town setting, and all of the Pittsburgh bridges, and also the 80s which is when MTV was just happening. Music videos didn't exist until now. There was no music video. So it was the first of its kind, and Sergio [Trujillo] has done a wonderful job in bringing the 80s and 2013 together, which I think is really cool. We're not going back, you know, we're moving forward with both elements.
Your character is a performer and so are you, so are there any personality similarities that you have or things that you can relate to?
Oh yeah! Well yeah, just like, you know I finally played Sheila in A CHORUS LINE at Papermill this summer and I have so many similarities with Sheila, the character, and so many very different qualities about myself. So with Tess, she is a one-liner, you know a sassy one-liner, a zinger, tell it how it is, bossy... Basically she has every trait that I do, all of my good traits. And, she is a hard worker.
You know we create sometimes our little sub-stories, where you grew up, are you supporting a child, or you know you have all these stories that you bring into the play. They're not in the actual story, but that's your back story. And, you know, my parents happened to both grow up in Pittsburgh. One was from McKees Rocks, which is you know, lower-middle class at that time. And, my mom is from the West End. These were the two areas, and they both went to high school at different high schools. So I have a lot to pull from being from Pittsburgh, for me. Also Pittsburgh is such a town where there's Point Park College and Carnegie Mellon so you can relate to a girl that comes from nothing, is working in a factory job, that wants to be a dancer. The story still holds today. And that's what I think people are affected by. It's a simple story, it's straight forward, it's FLASHDANCE.
Tom [Hedley], who wrote the film screen play, created the one word "flashdance" before you ever heard of "flashdancers." This was the first time you ever saw "flashdance" put together as one word, one idea. So, in going back, the film has had a lot of hits. It has some major hits, you know "Maniac," "Manhunt," "What a Feeling." Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll" was in the film, but was not a production number. So, this is the first time, that happens to be the number I do in the show, it's the first time the number has ever been physically done in FLASHDANCE, so that's exciting. So all of these songs were, they were epic in the 80s. I mean Irene Cara's "What a Feeling" came on and you just stopped in your tracks. So now Robert Cary and Robbie Roth, who wrote the music and lyrics, have come up with over a dozen songs in the style of, uniquely created for this show to kind of frame the story and to still embrace the songs that we're using that are from the 80s. It's all become one kind of world that Sergio has created.
80s music is just so much fun! Now, you've done a lot of shows, you said A CHORUS LINE, and you've also done CHICAGO, WEST SIDE STORY, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN... shows that I think of as "classic Broadway." But, this show is a lot different than others that you've done before.
This is like a dream come true for me! This is like... someone said to me once when I did "I Gotcha" in FOSSE... they said, "Rachelle you're like Ann-Margret with a Tina Turner chaser." That was probably the greatest compliment I've ever got in my life. In this show I get to be the Tina Turner chaser. In this show everything that me, Rachelle, you know... I've done some classic musicals. I've worked with some classy people from Susan Stroman to Jerry Mitchell to Jack O'Brien... I mean the best of the best... Ann Reinking... God bless Gwen Verdon who was wonderful to me, and who I was fortunate enough to actually work with her and get it directly from the master... Chet Walker... some class acts. And, I've had a wonderful ride of a career.
Sergio and I met in FOSSE. It was the last show he ever performed in, and he had decided then he was going to be a choreographer. It was when he was first starting out, and I have never worked for him until now. This is the first show I've done for him. I did one Encores! of KISMET for him. Sergio's a wonderful choreographer, and this is his first time taking over the directorial and choreographic responsibilities. And, for me, to watch him do what he's done in the last, that's now, we just celebrated 14 years from when we opened FOSSEE... to see where he's come and what he's creating is exciting for me as his friend and his peer and his employee basically. I remember he called me and said, "Sas, would you do a sit down reading for Flashdance The Musical?" You know, we were just going to sit at a table. There's a lot of things people don't know. You know you just sit at this table with the director and producer there and a handful of people and you read through the play. And that happens many, many times. I remember the first time, he said to me, "Rachelle, you know when we get to this number, do you happen to know 'I Love Rock and Roll'?" And I was like I think so. And I think I got up on the table and was throwing my... I don't know what I was doing. I'm telling you the rock star in you comes to life. And that's why, with this show, I have a lot of similarities to Tess, but mostly I get to be the full-out, wild dancer that everyone, you know all of those classic musicals I've had to tame, tame, tame, tame, tame. Even Sergio was like, "Sas!" You know, he has to try to keep the leash tight because I like to go wild. But, he's allowed me to be a part of really creating Tess, which is something that I love to do.
I haven't replaced a lot of people in musicals. CATS was the only musical I went into when the show was already established. Every other show has been from the original company or original workshop, and I love that. Even if the show is a big flop. Even if it didn't do well, for me it was always about creating something. Even an ensemble character. So, I'm very happy to be a part of it all.
You also have these phenomenal costumes that you get to wear in this show! It's sparkles, and spandex, and heels, and hair. What is it like to wear those costumes?
Oh, it's a dream come true! It's like glitter and pumps! I mean, it's the greatest thing ever! It's every drag queen's dream. I mean it's... it reminds me of I've done a couple of shows where I didn't really fit it. Like, let's say OKLAHOMA for example. I remember I was in wool. Not only did we look like we were wearing wool, we were wearing wool. It wasn't made for dance comfort. I remember Susan Stroman said to me, "You're the only girl who looks like she's been to the big city." You know, I was the dark haired... I never quite fit in. She made me the athletic dancer, and I had a great time. It was wonderful, the revival, but there are shows that you do where you don't get to be you. Really, you're going the opposite way. And then a show like DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS was so much fun because it was all set in the French Riviera and we were all gambling and we were glamorous and we were with John Lithgow, so those moments were great.
But now, I've never done like a ROCK OF AGES. I've never done that type of a show. This show, not only having... You know, we're making the original company on the road. I've done, I think five table readings of this show. I mean it's been a year of my life of just... I would go and do other jobs and then go in and do a reading of FLASHDANCE, and then I'd go do another job and then do a workshop of FLASHDANCE. So, it's been a year of investing in these characters. So, to get to do it, to finally get to put them on the stage is wonderful. It's amazing.
And Emily Padgett and I have kind of been there from the first reading, you know in the table read. She and I have, I guess I feel like I've watched her grow in to the character Alex. She's not only a lovely girl, but super, a superb talent. She is well grounded and humbled by, you know she is a singer/actress who has become an amazing dancer. It's amazing to watch because I started out as a dancer. So to watch the transformation come from the other end, and the will this woman has to want to take class and be better... She doesn't want to just play Alex, she wants to be better every time she plays her. So I've been inspired by being around Emily Padgett. And she says these kinds of things to me, but for me to still be here and be able to do what I do and watch the next generation... You know my stepson said to me, "Are those girls really fifteen or twenty years younger than you?" And I said yep, some of them are! And it's so funny he's like, "You can't tell."
Well you should be very proud of the fact that some of these girls are still trying to keep up with you!
Oh my God! Thank you God! The life on the road, I'll say this... You know I haven't been on the road since 1996, since SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ. It's been a long time for me. Broadway's been good to me and off-Broadway and teaching and choreographing. I've felt like... there were five years there where I wasn't on Broadway, and I was trying to re-invent myself. After A CHORUS LINE didn't happen for me, I don't know if I had doubts or I wasn't the same or I needed to just heal or it affected me deeper than I thought, but it took five years to get back to CATCH ME IF YOU CAN. And it took so much work, and it took saying yes to every single job that was for a dollar, that was for no money, they were benefits, and it took a change. I would say that was my time in my life where the energy around me had to change. And once it did, then CATCH ME IF YOU CAN happened, and even though CATCH ME IF YOU CAN didn't last, it put me back on the map, back on the radar.
I was so disappointed that I was not able to go see that show! I was planning on seeing it in the Spring, but you guys closed so early!
It happened so fast. I know. It all happened, and it was so surprising. You know, usually I have... for so many years you think you know when you're in a good quality show. You know, you really... after that I was like well I apparently don't know anything. So 25 years I've been doing this and I don't know anything. So, you never know. And that's the thing that's hard to explain to most people. First of all they think just because you do one Broadway show that you'll do another. That's not how it works. And I'll get, "Of course you'll get this show! Look at all you've done, Rachelle!" And I'm like of course nothing! Of course it still comes down to the last man standing. You know, who's the last man standing? When it comes down to the last two, do they pick you or do they pick someone else? That's something that, you know now, I'm not afraid of that anymore. I say pick me, pick whoever you want, but this is who I am, this is what I do, and if I fit in your idea of a show then I'll be the right choice. This is, a year ago, for me on Easter Monday I auditioned for, I just saw Tara Rubin who is a casting woman in New York, but she also was casting for FLASHDANCE. She and I met, I was 17 years old in Pittsburgh in a high school, and they hired me 25 years ago this year for the national tour of CATS. And it's just amazing that, first of all, where she's come and that I get to say for 25 years I've been privileged to, not only perform with some of the greatest talents on Broadway, but you know to develop into this person and performer and woman. I hope to just keep growing and learning for the next 25.
So you've been doing this for a quite long time. What has been, two-part question, what has been the most challenging part about working in this business and what has been the most rewarding?
Well, they're so close together. The most challenging part is when you get your role and you try to do the best work you can and then you don't get picked. You know, this is not a business that just because you came in prepared, just because you were the best man for the job, or so you thought in your mind, that it's going to go your way. So I think the hardest part is learning how to pick up your bags and you know your purse and your shoes and your face and your ego and carry it out the door when you're not selected, because it does come down to someone else's opinion of you. And it's always... I always say this, but it's very true... Was I... Did I sing well enough? Do I sing high enough? Am I tall enough? Am I thin enough? Am I brunette enough? Am I funny enough? There are so many elements of being something for somebody else that... this is where you know it kind of comes full circle for me, to learn to just be. Do the work. Do the prep work, and that is where the reward is now coming in. Of course I want to please people and give them what they want. But ultimately, I no longer come from the place of doing it for them. I'm coming from the place now, when after all these years, of doing it because I want to be the part, I want to enjoy the moment. And if it's my turn, and if they pick me, then that's great. But, it's not going to define who I am anymore. And there was a time where it did, and it can. It can break you. Show business can rip your heart out and throw you to the curb. I know people that have talent, that have true talent and have been in New York and have never gotten their first Broadway show. Never! And it hurts. It blows my mind that the stamina, the endurance, and the heart that it must take to keep fighting, to keep in the game. Because that is... and it has nothing, sometimes it has nothing to do with talent. Sometimes it's just someone else beat you out of that one shot.
So ultimately, in the two-part question, the challenges are, when things are as well as they could possibly be and you don't know when your next job is, when you don't have... you know everyone in New York says, "What are you doing?" And they don't mean to make you feel bad, but you know the first thing I... I lived in Hell's Kitchen and you know you run into someone and they say, "So what are you doing?" And right away you feel like... hmmm and you choke and you're like I don't know what's next and you go into panic mode. And no one really means to make you feel that way. It's just a normal question. But as performers it's like, you know, it sets you off. So I would say now, and the lovely wonderful age of 42, I say calm down and do the work, be prepared, and go in and do your best. But I'm also, I'm a teacher, so I have a lot of students that come to me and say I haven't gotten a call back. And I'll say well how many auditions have you been to? And they'll say maybe three or four. And then I try to tell my students... and they're older, you know they come to me after they've gone to college sometimes... that sometimes it's time to look at what you're doing. If the group of people aren't calling you back, it's perhaps something you need to change. It's not always them. And a lot of my students will say well I did well, I sang well. And then I said well are you sure? And I'm sure they're ready to kill me. But my mother was my greatest asset in life. She was my teacher, and my friend, and she was honest. An honest friend in show business, and honest teachers who aren't blowing smoke and giving you the smoke and mirrors, that's... those are the people that will get better. Those are the people that will improve and get the callbacks, and then will start to reap the rewards.
Do you teach dance classes or at a school? Where do you teach?
Well for a while when I was trying to reinvent myself I was teaching at Steps, and then I stopped teaching there because I was doing an off-Broadway show and it conflicted. And then I started to teach a once-a-month 'Sas Class' through my friend at Broadway Workshop. I teach private lessons, I have a website for private coaching, I teach master classes. I'm teaching a master class here in Atlanta this week with a friend, her name is Paige Chambers. She left New York and came to Atlanta, so I'm teaching for her. I just went... I'm going to be on Dance Moms on March 26th. I went to teach the girls from Dance Moms last week. So, you know I love to teach. It's where I come from. That's all I know from my mom and from having a studio. You know, the one thing I can't say enough is embrace the music, embrace piano, embrace singing and harmonizing. All of the things I didn't know at a young age and was afraid of... I was a dancer and I could belt out a song, but I didn't know that you had to you know read music. I didn't go to college where you learned to read music and all of that stuff. The more skills you have, the better off you'll be. But if you can't get out there and stand still and let a song be a part of you, and become you, and you're just performing it, people will see right through that. Have you ever thought about choreographing for a show?
Have you had the opportunity or desire to do that?
Yes ma'am. Well, it's funny that you should ask because I have done some re-staging of some off-Broadway shows that I was actually in. But this last year I just started to choreograph for the Norwegian Cruise Line. I choreographed a show for them on their Pride of America ship, which is the Hawaii ship. And, I did a few... they need a number where like they pull away from the dock and they needed an exciting number for the cast to do on the pool deck. So I've become kind of a choreographer for Norwegian Cruise Line. I've also been in every kind of, I would say situation, with Jerry Mitchell, and some with Sergio on pre-productions of Broadway shows. I feel like I've been around the right company. And, now I've choreographed for Broadway Bares, which is a big benefit in New York. I'm trying now to expand and to think... you know I wasn't ready in any way of thinking that way, or I wasn't putting out any energy into a choreography career. And now that's starting to become more present. That may be a part of my future. So, yes.
So, the tour for FLASHDANCE... You guys are still pretty early in the tour, but the show is set in Pittsburgh, and you are from Pittsburgh, and you got to open the show in Pittsburgh. What was that like for you?
Well let's just say it was like Cinderella. It was magical. It was a Disney classic. No, it was amazing. First of all, yes I'm from Pittsburgh, the show... when I was watching the bridges, like the visual art that was used that the scenic design team did for the show I was affected because it was the bridges... every bridge I knew... the Three Rivers Stadium... so we're talking about my... it was my youth, it was my beginning, it was... FLASHDANCE was a movie I saw when I was 14 years old and it was the dream that you could do something. I mean I didn't know. I came from a small dance studio in a small suburb of Pittsburgh with an idea. You know, I saw CATS when I was 14 and I had an idea that's what I wanted to do. I didn't know how to get there. So it affected me. FLASHDANCE affected me at that age, and when I was 17 was when I started my musical theatre career, which is amazing. It's an amazing story and it's a gift.
So going back, I had not performed in Pittsburgh since 1989 in STARLIGHT EXPRESS. This was the first time I've returned to playing a lead role in a show about the town that I'm from, about a dancer. And I come out and sing, "in a world made of steel, made of stone." That's one of the lyrics in "What a Feeling," and no lyric has ever had more meaning to me because you know it's the steel town, it's all I knew growing up, it's 80s. This is an old steel town and it's also... I was singing to this young dancer. So I said to Sergio... he said, "What do you feel when you're standing there singing that song, Sas?" And I said I'm giving her all of my good energy... like every dream that I ever had I want this girl to have, and that's what's in the character. I felt that night, that opening night, every dream that I had as a young girl that has come true. You know, stardom has different levels and all of the ideas you kind of think you want to be, or you think what it is to be a star is totally different from where you really are.
How have your audiences reacted to this show? I know there's the music and dancing, but there's also a real story here, too.
You know I have to say I'm always surprised because they're affected by her [Alex's] story. She affects you. Emily Padgett, Alex Owens, the character and the woman, it affects you. Falling in love with someone from the other side of the tracks, also the rich and the middle class, that also has an affect on people. Seeing a factory shut down and having to fire people in the time that we're living in today, worried about jobs... so it's very present in the now, which is why I think people are so affected by it. Yet, women and men that are probably 45 or 50, or my age, 42, I would say 40s and 50s, are bringing their kids to see it. Now you're bringing a generation of your children to share in a story that you appreciated. So audiences, I think they're affected by the new music. They love it. They love the dancing. It's like, you know, people in their living room now get to be the judge and the jury of the talent that there is in the world because they get to vote. They get to vote you off, they get to pick the American Idol, they get to watch Dancing With the Stars. So when you come out and get dressed up and you spend money to go to a theatre, the bar has always been set here, you know, it's up high. So Sergio has set the bar for what I feel for us as a musical, a live performance eight times a week, he's set the bar very high. And, you're living up to the audience's expectations. So they're affected, they're moved, they're falling in love, they're falling in love again with the 80s, and they're falling in love with these characters. So by the end of the night when everyone's on their feet singing "What a Feeling," it has an energy. It has a presence, and I'm really happy to be up there.
And you also get to not only share your presence on stage and share this story with people, but you have been doing a video blog called 'I Love Rak 'n Roll.' It has been really fun to see all of the behind-the-scenes and the goings on of tour life. So, talk a little bit about what you've been doing for that.
Haha. Well. 'I Love Rak 'n Roll,' yes, Broadway.com came to me and said, you know, "Would you consider doing something?" Now I had no idea what I was in for, but I have a wonderful associate, David Gordon, because I am still stuck in the 80s with my computer skills. So he and I, I do a lot of the filming. You know, sometimes we talk about ideas, sometimes I'm winging it. Whatever is happening that week... I'm trying to capture what is happening, whether it be with a group of people outside the theatre... one time we went zip-lining, you know where you follow... This week's that's coming up, tomorrow, you know, I wanted to follow the ensemble. The ensemble means a lot to me. It's where I spent a lot of my career, and every ensemble member, so I follow the ensemble. Some of them change characters six times in the show. Some of the women play men. I mean it's crazy. So, 'I Love Rak 'n Roll' has been about Sas, me, Rachelle, being on the road, being... you know just being me. I think... that's what Broadway.com said... they said, "They want to see you, Rachelle. Get in front of the camera." Talk about what it's like. Talk about how hard it is, or how easy it is to be on the road. But, the more you can share that they don't know what's going on back stage, you know they don't know what a loading day is or what sound check is or what a travel day is. That's interesting to some people, and for us, we don't know that. You know, I didn't know that would be something that people would want to watch. And they definitely needed a lesson in "cha cha puus"!
Ok, talk to me about this. What is this phrase? You've kind of created a phenomenon!
That is a Rak-ism! These are Rak-isms! This is it. This is my own language. This is a Rak vocabulary. It's "cha cha puus," it's "bite the apple." It has nothing to do with New York City. It's the button of a number. I take a bite out of it. I give the widest grin you could ever imagine. You know, and "sassing it up" is everything from... A few years ago I met a young man, Daniel Robinson, and he said to me we should do a music video. And we went out and we shot a random music video and he said, "Why don't you write a song about Sas, about you?" He pushed me, this young kid, I was like who do you think you are? And he pushed me and inspired me to do something creative, and what came from that was a new image, a re-invented image of Sas. In my song I sing "I'm bring MOS with me," and everyone's like what's MOS? All of a sudden there was this like code world happening, and those sayings... you know... "cha cha puus" has nothing to do with anything dirty in any way. It's the way you walk, it's the way you talk, it's an energy, it's a snap, it's a head roll. You know, so there's a lot of people who are like Sas you're crazy, and maybe I am a little, but it's who I am. I am full out and full of energy for this life that we've chosen, and I'm going to give it my all for as long as I can. And if that means I have to "cha cha puus" over to the theatre and you know, strap my ankle on because hurting, that's what I'm going to do.
So I think, I'm hoping, you know, I think it's catching on, but people... they send me the funniest things and they're like what is 'I Love Rak 'n Roll'? You know, what does it mean? It's so funny. I think aren't I lucky that they're interested? I think it's good for the show. It creates a good buzz, and you know Broadway.com has been around as long as I have. You know, we kind of started together. And it's the same with BroadwayWorld. I was the second Gypsy of the Month ever for BroadwayWorld.com in New York. And that was when they first came up with the Gypsy of the Month, I think I was the second one, and that's amazing. That was a long time ago.
So all of these things matter. They inform people and they inspire people about theatre. We need people to buy tickets to the theatre all over the country. It's important to share it with the next generation because you can easily get caught up in watching everything on television and think that that's what theatre is, and it's not. And it's important, you know I say not everyone's meant to be on stage. There are some people that are meant to be writers of theatre, and there are meant to be critics, and there are meant to be just patrons. You know, everyone has a place. You can still be a theatre lover, you could have done theatre in high school and college and still not wind up on stage, and still love the theatre. That's the hardest part is accepting it.
I think that people that are going to college for musical theatre degrees, it's become very common, and I don't want to say that they're giving them out, people are earning them, but that doesn't get you a job. That's the difference. That's the hardest part, and then you feel like you failed. And ultimately, you didn't fail. It's just there aren't enough openings. My husband always says to me they have done a comparison, he works in finance, and they've done this comparison, a random comparison of the stock market to show business. And he said one in eleven thousand people will do a Broadway show. Not many Broadway shows. One Broadway show. And whenever I was offered this job he said you know that's the one in eleven thousand. He always reminds me of that because it's very true, and just because you want to be a part of Broadway, or a part of show business, it doesn't work that way. That's where it hurts. That's where the pain comes in, when they don't pick you. How do you continue to fight? That is where you surround yourself with good people, with good positive people that are your friends and that are truthful.
So that's my preaching of the day. Now I need to go put my lashes on. I have to put my eye lashes on here in my hotel room. I like to go to the theatre with it so when I get there all I have to add is the glitter and the lipstick. The fun part, the glitter and the lipstick. I'm like glitter Cinderella! Actually, I'm more like glitter Joan Jett maybe. Sergio said do you want to play Joan Jett or do you want to be Pat Benatar? And I said I want to be Tina Turner!
Cha cha puus your way to the Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans starting February 26 to catch Sas in Flashdance The Musical! For tickets and other information visit www.mahaliajacksontheater.com or call the box office at (504) 287-0351.


text:
Running with it
TORONTO — Oh the sights you'll see when running along the Toronto lakefront. Beautiful day out today, so I got in a cool five miles and stopped to say hello to Alan Ashby and his wife, waved as I jogged by Roy Halladay and strength and conditioning coach Donovan Santas and said hi to Marty Pevey later on when I was walking my dog.
Over at the ballyard, the Jays ran out yet another lineup. (See what I did there? Sticking with the running theme?) The cool new thing to do is to move Shannon Stewart into the No. 2 hole and slide Master of Grit David Eckstein to the No. 9 spot. That makes, ready for it? 28 different lineup in 33 games. That's an 85-percent new lineup rate.
"It's just a different look," Jays skip John Gibbons said. "We've tinkered here and there to try some different things. We'll just try this and see how this works."
Gibby said he'd try this lineup for a few days to see if it amounts to anything. He believes getting Stewart in the mix on a more regular basis can help get his bat going. Gibbons added that "it's too early" to be thinking this switch means Adam Lind (1-for-19 since being called up) might have a trip back to Triple-A in store.
There's been a whole heckuva lot of lineups used, but there have been factors involved — this isn't just Gibby flip-flopping John Kerry style. Consider that the Jays once employed a guy named Frank Thomas, shuffling people in and out of DH since he was released. Scott Rolen was injured and Toronto mixed and matched at third until he came back.
Once upon a time there was a platoon in left field…so there's been things forcing Gibbons' hand some. Not to mention the offense's struggles, leading Gibbons to switch things up to try to find some sort of consistency. So 28 out of 33 is high, no doubt, but it's not really too surprising when you think about it.
In other news — I hate that segue — Gibbons said that the Jays can now use B.J. Ryan in consecutive games. You probably won't see him in three games in a row yet and you won't see him used in multi-inning saves this year, but this is good news for the Jays. No more closer by committee every other day.
Today's lineups:
CHICAGO (14-15) at TORONTO (15-17)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Carlos Quentin, LF
Jim Thome, DH
Paul Konerko, 1B
Jermaine Dye, RF
Nick Swisher, CF
*Pablo Ozuna, 3B
Juan Uribe, 2B
Toby Hall, C
PITCHING: RHP Javier Vazquez
Alex Rios, RF
Shannon Stewart, LF
Scott Rolen, 3B
Matt Stairs, DH
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
Gregg Zaun, C
David Eckstein, SS
PITCHING: RHP Dustin McGowan
*Sox 3B Joe Crede scratched with a migraine
63 Comments
Nice way to work out of a nasty spot. I think a year ago, Dustin would have blown up in that situation. He seems to grow each and every outing.
I have been watching Overbay for a while now, and he seems to strike out every time he comes up to the plate with 2 outs. I have also noticed that Eckstein grounds out every at bat. I wouldn't even mind seeing a pop up from him, but it is always a groundout.
I don't mind the ground outs, I just don't like the ground into double plays which he seems to do a lot of.
Bad move by Rolen but Stairs hits a double play ball anyway.
One run may win this game so much for the Jays bats breaking out.
gsummer, well personally I don't like either one, atleast if it was a fly out we would know that he is atleast getting a piece of the ball. Eckstein is currently 2nd in the AL and 3rd in the Mlb in groundouts at 52.
Hey but Stewart actually got a hit against a rh. That's a good thing.
Yea it's just this guy though, if you read the preview to the game, he has a 350 average.
Lead off double by Wells! I hope this inning we can get something done.
I didn't realize that; that sounds like he's got a swing problem. That should be able to be fixed. One thing is for sure, I like him better in the 9th hole than the 2nd hole.
Man I like it when Wells is hitting to rf on that outside pitch versus pulling it and hitting those soft ground balls. I do not understand why he doesn't do that all the time. When he does, sooner or later they try to bust him inside and he takes them downtown.
Jacque Jones was cut by the Tigers today how much do you want to bet JP picks him up.
What do you think guys.
Garry, I wouldnt think that J.P would go after him, considering we released Thomas for the same reason they released him. Hey but J.P is crazy so you never know.
yah, batting .165, he'd fit in quite well. lol
Chops is bring the heat this inning, hit 99 twice on that last hitter.
The last three games Wells has put it all on the line it's good to see him play that way.
Iguess sumner can shove his stats up his you know what. Shannon triples guess he cant hit a right hander…. only been doing the last 10 years…..,.300 lifetime hitter. Thank god we put that idiot Lind on the bench. Hopefully back to trips next. I still cant figure out how after reading all of sumners crap he is not the manager of this team. He is not even a real fan…he hopes eckstein and Stewart fail so he seems like he is knowledgable. Eck with some great defense tonite. all of you can kiss his butt, but if you had any brains you would see he is simply a guy who is in love with his own opinion and nothing but an IDIOT>
Rshobie, this blog has been going really good as of late, with no fighting or stupid comments and attacks. Why do you have to attack gsumner and ruin it for all of us?
gsumner, please don't attack back, I am really sick of this.
Nice homerun by stairs!
It looks like the virus is back,
Don't worry Fredom no one cares about him it's like having a bad case of the crabs lol.
gsumner has all you guys trained well…………..He can tear apart all of your opinions but NOBODY can disagree with his idiotic comments about Adam Lind, Robinson Diaz. John Macdonald, Sergio Santos, Chip Cannon…….etc……etc. Now I'm hearing Shawn Marcum is next in line for the Cy Young………What a complete Moron!!!!!!!!!
freedom, if he really upsets you or anyone else; you can report him by simply clicking on the report any abuse or scam link and express your feelings to MLB.
McGowan did a good job tonight clap clap clap.
yep, another great outing by a starter. Lets hope they win it for him
Who's the dummy who said he lost respect for Roger Clemen's because he cheated on his wife???? What an idiot…LOL LOL LOL.. Don't you know that every wealthy man cheats on his wife ….Not just athletes!!!!! The only men who are faithfull are the ones who really don't have any options.
a ground ball would be nice right about now
rhobie, we all disagree with some of the stuff that everybody says on here including gsumner. But don't forget that he has a right to disagree with us and post an opinion just like the rest of us. After all I do believe that's why Jordan created this site. It's not that big of a deal if someone has a different opinion than the rest of us. Now I will watch and enjoy the rest of the game.
Where is this report button I would like to report to MLB that I have a virus on my computor.
Nice way to get out of a tight situation. Thats waht you call ducking a bullet
look right under your name and you'll see "Report any abuse or spam" in blue. Click on it.
Oops-click on that lettering under the post you want to report
gumner he asked you a question? Your pupils need some direction! My how they look up to you!!!! You really are their idol here. …….. SICK to here grown men cry like babies. If you dont like the comments dont read them. Its not hard to just skim over and ignore them….Maybe I shouldnt assume there are grown men out here maybe just a bunch of kids.
Wow what do you know Shannon gets his 3rd hit tonite…lol.lol. Not bad for a guy who cant hit RH's. The new Blue Jay wanna bee manage Gsumner woulda had .050 Lind in the lineup and .160 JM…..LOL LOL
If you read on the Jays site, our pitching staff has logged in the most innings than any other Mlb team. Pretty impressive. It's too bad that we don't have a record to show for it.
When somone calls me a dummy I make it a point to find out where they live and I can ensure you I am not a very nice person.Most people make sure they know who they are dealing with before they open their mouths and if you read the Sun you would see he was with a 15 year old girl witch makes him a creep and anyone who sticks up for him is the same kind of person a sex ofender.
You need help my friend…………Major emotional problems you appear to have.
Garry-dont feed the troll
I think we need a K here-maybe 2.
That was a nail bitter and a half.
Well that works too
I think that was the best game Stewart's played this year. I hope he keeps it up. I bet Chicago is wondering what hit them., we only gave up 5 runs on 4 games. Wow…
Great to see Mcdonald in defensively to replace Eckstein, I hope that continues, the same with Eck being at the bottom of the order.
Only 16.602 at the game today what a shame.
enigma-i agree
shame indeed garry…..the streak of increasing attendance the last few years seems to be in jeopardy thus far.
Maybe if they get over 500 the fans will come back we can only hope they control the payroll no fans no money.
It's early in the season and during the week. I think attendanace is always lower at this time of year and then picks up after schools out.
16.6 k is OK for a Monday night. There are a lot of teams don't get that.
How on earth did Gibbons stay with Ryan after walking the bases full? That took some big cojones.
BTW, Vasquez was lights out last night. Any team in baseball would have been lucky to score one run.
BBTW, when Mulineks, Fletcher, and Gibbons call JMac the best shortstop in baseball, I have to go with their opinion over some psycho that crawls out of his beer long enough to heap sh** and abuse on anybody within his myopic little field of vision. And I really take offense to his assertion that I agree with gsumner. LOL. Not all the time, anyway.
Always nice
Great game last night and I agree gnorman , Jays were very lucky to score one run off Vazquez.
I read somewhere that baseball scheduling is done by hand and when you look through it , I have to wonder what they were smoking or drinking. Jays get one day off this month after another three week stint , four days off next month and three days off in July before the all star break…just a little crazy.
Did anyone else notice that Frank Thomas is listed as the Jays DH on the MLB all star voting site ? Have a great day all and take care .
Gibbons stayed with Ryan because he is your closer, your paying all that money to get the save. You leave him in untill he blows it. If he gives up a run then you pull him, although I would have bet money on it he was going to blow it.
Looks like Eckstein is slowly losing his position. About time, I miss watching McDonald play. Really the only way I see Eckstein being more valuable if he is hitting 280-300 with a 350 OPB and he is far from that right now.
I agree, tothd, but the floor in the dugout got a new groove from Gibby's pacing. It seems BJ knows how to win games even if he doesn't have his best stuff. That's what they pay him the big bucks for.
One of my favorite Jay's pitchers of all time was David Wells, because in his second stint with the Jays, there were a lot of days when he was sore, or his best stuff wasn't there, but he still found a way to get the job done. I am starting to see that from our young staff now, too. Good sign.
Always nice
WOW this pitching we have is very impressive!!! Could take us very far if this offence picks it up a bit.
Eckstein will lose his job if his bat doesn't start picking it up. Although I am not a big fan of using cold players as D replacements late in the games, I think if anyone can handle it it would be JM. He is too good and too consitant on D for his focus to wonder. I think that if anyone could handle a demotion/diminished playing time it will be Eckstein… Too good of a team mate to let this be a distraction.
Wells when using the entire field is extremely dangerous!!!
You bring up a good point when you mention Abners pacing last year he used to half lay down on the bench in the dugout It used to make me sick when they showed a shot of him on the tube I thought what a lazy manager now this year he stands up a lot walks back and forth like he has an intrest in the game, I still don't think he is the right manager for this team but if he goes who do you turn to Butter…Whit…They wont pay big dollars to anyone and who can you get for less than JP gets because you can bet he came cheap..
Let's hope we deliver some payback to Tampa Bay after the rude way they treated us in April. 3 of 3 would be nice.
The Jays pitching is looking great. I'm sorry I missed last nights game, shouldn't miss tonights, unless my lack of sleep catches up with me from the night before. There is one thing I would like to see the club do, and it isn't signing Bonds. They are now a small ball team and it wold be nice to see them play like one, bunt to move runners over, hit and run, steal some bases. Thats how small ball teams win. The Jays need to do that, or go and get themselves a home run hitter. I can't see this club getting more than 100 of them this year. Small ball, small ball.
I'm with you on that G. Tampa has always been a thorn in our side so maybe we can give it to them this time.
Have you noticed how Abner is making all the right moves latley maybe someone higher up told JP to keep his nose out of it and let Abner manage the team his way and I like the moves he has been making so far now if the great [NOT] Denbo can get these guys to hit, Brantley was a much better hitting coach and he was nouthing but a scape goat for JP.
I don't think the problem is Denbo, although I'm not sure what it is. I like Denbo's methods.
mcdanny-I agree, lets see some bunts, some hit and runs, some base stealing. We now have a team era close to 3.5, so we don't need to put 6-7 runs on the board to win.
Garry it really does seem that way with Gibbons……last week J.p. ripped apart the idea that Mcdonald should be used as a defensive replacement late in the game, now I get home and lo and behold the jays plan on doing just that. I guess maybe with this being John's final year of his contract he probably thinks that if he goes down it'll be his way not J.P's.
Oh and Jordan i disagree with your comparison about Jeter. The guy is a great hitter and average defender where as Eckstein is a decent hitter and below average feilder so there is no comparison to make. The jays also have arguably the best defensive shortstop in the game. If I were in New York i'd still want Mcdonald late defensively instead of Jeter if they had him.
Oh and the problem I have with the attendance is that it's already below last year's average (at this point in time) and seems to me that there are less then 20thou. more frequently so far. It's already happened 5 times, last year it was twice at this point.
In case you're interested :
Does anyone know what is up with Travis Snider?
I belive Snider was injured and is working his way back but don't worry I'm sure he will be back in top form soon.
I don't like Denbo I said so when they hired him the Yankees had him for 1 year and dumped him if he was any good he would still be there the only reason he is here is they got him cheap.
One of the problems the jays have is they pick up cheap staff so we can't expect to much from them.
Will you be watching the game tonight or don't they heve TV way down in Tampa lol.
Thanks for that link on attendance.
Sounds like JMac is finally going to get some playing time. Thats a good thing.
Re: Gibbon's pacing–
There are signs that management thinks this is the year. Gibbons is more intense, and the team is running more, trying to manufacture more runs. They didn't do it up until now because of the potential to injure someone when they weren't going to make it anyway. Riccardi had a plan when he came here, and up until last year, pieces were still missing. Everything is there now, and if we can get the camel's nose under the playoff tent somehow, we should be able to do some damage with our P&D.
Here is a prediction: if this team looks good by the all star break, Ted Rogers will reach for the stash under his mattress and buy us another bat before the trade deadline.
Always nice


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