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Education -Birthstones
Why is that?
Because people still enjoy the folklore associated with the tradition of the birthstone. They like believing that wearing a birthstone brings them good luck and protects them.
Early civilization as far back as the Assyrians (1400 BC) invested rare and beautiful gemstones with magical properties. Some minerals were thought to contain a force or possess certain values and powers. For instance, amethyst was said to prevent intoxication.
Tradition associates a gem with each sign of the zodiac based on a color system. Color was thought to unleash the power attributed to the stone.
In time, birthstones became associated with calendar months rather than the zodiac. And people began to select birthstones in colors other than the original.
The Roman, Arabic, Jewish, Polish, Russian and Italian lists were all different.
The following list of birthstones, which is the one commonly used today, was adopted in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers, which later evolved into the Jewelers of America.
|Dark Red
|Pale Blue
|White (Clear)
|Bright Green
|Cream Pearl
|Pale Green
|Deep Blue
|Opal or Tourmaline
|Topaz or Citrine
|Sky Blue
|Turquoise or Blue Topaz
January (Garnet)
Garnet is the accepted birthstone for the month of January. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the second year of marriage.
When most people think of garnet, they picture the dark red bohemian garnet that was popular in Victorian times. You may be surprised to learn that garnets are found in every color except blue, including brilliant green tsavorite garnet, raspberry pink rhodolite garnet, and orange malaya garnet. Bright red "anthill" garnets are found in Arizona. The Tsars of Russia favored rare green damantoid garnets.
Garnets offer enough variety in appearance to suit every taste, as well as an outstanding price range to suit every pocketbook.
Legend holds that Noah hung a large garnet in the ark for illumination. It reportedly also gives its wearer guidance in the night, protection from nightmares, and according to the Egyptians, is an antidote for snake bites and food poisoning. It was also thought to have a special affinity with the blood.
Garnets are durable and brilliant and will give years of pleasure.
As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, and extreme tempera-ture changes.
Garnets are found in the U.S., Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil and India.
February (Amethyst)
Amethyst is the recognized birthstone for February and the accepted anniversary gemstone for the sixth year of marriage.
Amethyst is a variety of quartz, and comes in pale lilac to rich, deep purple shades. Ideally, it is a deep medium purple with rose-colored flashes that give amethyst its beauty and fire.
Because of its abundance, it is readily available in all sizes and shapes. It is durable and can be worn every day. Coupled with the folk legend of the Greeks that it will prevent intoxication when worn, it becomes a most desirable gem!
Amethyst was said to have a sobering effect on the wearer-not only those who indulged but on those over-excited by love's passion as well. It has symbolized peace, protection and tranquility. Some say it will
prevent baldness and improve the complexion, as well as protect from treason and deceit. Because royalty has always adored the color purple, amethysts abound in the ornaments of ancient Greeks and Egyptians, and in the British Crown Jewels.
As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches and sharp blows.
It is found mainly in Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia.
March (Aquamarine)
Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone for March. It is also the accepted anniversary gem for the 19th year of marriage.
The ideal color of aquamarine is a refreshing pastel sea blue. Stones with a clear blue color without green or gray are generally the most valuable.
If you are looking for a big, durable gemstone, aqua is readily available in larger sizes and is truly dramatic when cut in rectangular or oval shapes. It is a member of the important beryl family, which also includes emerald.
In ancient times, the stone was said to aid seafarers; thus it is an excellent gift suggestion for sailors or one who takes frequent cruises! To dream of aquamarine signifies the making of new friends; to wear aquamarine earrings brings love and affection. It is a universal symbol of youth, hope and health.
As part of the normal finishing process, some aquamarines are heated to remove traces of yellow.
To maintain the brilliance of this beautiful gemstone, it should be immersed in jewelry cleaner or in lukewarm soapy water and cleaned with a small bristle brush.
Do not use a home ultrasonic machine.
As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches and sharp blows.
Aquamarine is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar and Ukraine.
April (Diamond)
Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April. Besides being the most popular gemstone for engagement rings, diamond is the accepted anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage.
The name "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas" meaning unconquerable-suggesting the eternity of love. In fact, diamonds have been the traditional symbol of love since ancient Greece. Discovered about 2,500 years ago in India, the ancients believed they were splinters from the stars, perhaps crystallized lightening or hardened dew drops.
Although diamonds are associated with being a colorless stone, they are occasionally found with a strong, bright color-green, red, pink, blue, canary yellow and amber. These "fancy" colored diamonds are highly-prized.
Occasionally, to improve appearance, diamonds are laser-drilled and, sometimes, a foreign substance is used to fill surface cavities or fractures. Diamonds may also be irradiated and/or heated to induce "fancy" colors.
Even though it is the most durable of gemstones, care should be taken to protect a diamond from sharp blows. Household chemicals may discolor or damage the mounting. To clean, you may use a jewelry cleaner, lukewarm soapy water and a small bristle brush, soak in a half-and-half solution of cold water and ammonia for 1/2 hour, or use a home ultrasonic machine with its recommended cleaner.
May (Emerald)
Emerald is the birthstone for the month of May. It is also the anniversary gemstone for the 20th and 35th years of marriage.
Emerald is one of the most highly-prized of all the gems. The name comes from the Greek "smaragdos" which means green stone. The most prized is pure grass green.
Emeralds are often characterized by a garden of included crystals trapped within, known as the "jardin", because under magnification you will see all sorts of lovely patterns resembling foliage in a garden. A flawless, clear emerald is very rare and is usually found in only small sizes. Small to medium sized stones are often faceted in the "step" or emerald cut. The gem is also lovely when cut into a cabochon or dome shape. Sometimes emeralds are even carved.
According to legend, the wearing of emerald not only cured a wide range of ailments, including low I.Q., poor eyesight and infertility, but also enabled the wearer to predict the future.
As part of the normal fashioning process, most emeralds are immersed in colorless oil or resin so small voids are not as noticeable.
Care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, household chemicals, and extreme temperature changes. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine.
Emeralds are found mainly in Colombia, Brazil, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
June (Pearl)
Pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 3rd and 30th years of marriage.
A pearl is the product of an oyster's defense mechanism. When a foreign irritant is introduced either by man (cultured) or naturally, the oyster immediately surrounds it with layers of a substance called nacre. This forms the exquisite gemstone know as pearl.
Pearls come in a wide range of colors. They should be relatively free from skin blemishes. The more perfectly round the shape the better. The higher the luster, or "orient", the more valuable the specimen. The larger the pearl, the greater the value.
Besides the popular round shape, there are stylish mabe (large hemispherical cultured pearls), fresh water (elongated in interesting shapes and colors), and South Sea (large cultured pearls 10mm and up from Australia's and Indonesia's waters), to name a few.
Pearls have been recognized as the emblem of modesty, chastity and purity. They have come to symbolize a happy marriage.
Avoid household chemicals, cosmetics, hair sprays, and perfumes. Don't use ultrasonic cleaners. Wash with mild soap and water and store in a protective chamois pouch or tissue paper.
Moonstone is sometimes used as an alternative by those born in June since it physically resembles some pearls.
July (Ruby)
Ruby is the accepted birthstone for July. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 15th and 40th year.
Ruby is known as the "Lord of the Gems" because of its rarity and beauty. Derived from the Latin word "ruber", it simply means red. Ruby, like sapphire, is a variety of corundum and only exists as a true red in color. The finest color is a vivid, almost pure spectral red with a very faint undertone of blue, as seen in Burmese rubies which are considered the finest.
The highest quality rubies are said to protect their owners from all kinds of misfortune. A fine ruby assured the owner he would live in harmony with his neighbors. It would protect his stature in life, his home and land. Its protective powers were intensified when set in jewelry, and worn on the left side. Many believed rubies possessed an inner flame which burned eternally.
As part of the customary fashioning process, virtually all rubies are heated to permanently improve their color and appearance.
As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches and sharp blows.
The finest rubies emanate from Burma, having been mined there since ancient times. Other sources include Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Cambodia, Afghanistan and India.
August (Peridot)
Peridot is the accepted birthstone for August. It is also the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 16th year of marriage.
Peridot should be a lively lime green, without a brownish or olive cast.
Peridot is the child of volcanic action. Tiny peridot crystals are sometimes combed from the black sands of Hawaii.
Peridots were favored by pirates, considered powerful amulets against all evil, and when set in gold, were said to protect the wearer from the terrors of the night. They had medicinal uses, too. If fashioned into a chalice from which medicines were drunk, they intensified the effects of the drug.
ultrasonic machine.
Blue topaz has become a popular alternative in recent years for those who prefer faceted stones.
September (Sapphire)
Sapphire is the September birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gem for the 5th and 45th years of marriage.
Sapphire, a variety of corundum, comes in all colors except red (the red variety being known as ruby), but is especially popular in deep blue. Fancy colored sapphires-including pink, green, orange, and golden yellow-are magnificent when combined in a necklace or bracelet.
Prince Charles chose a blue sapphire for Princess Diana's engagement ring. The stone's durability, combined with its beauty, makes it the perfect alternative for an engagement ring.
Ancient priests and sorcerers honored sapphire above all gems, for this stone enabled them to interpret oracles and foretell the future. Ancients believed the Ten Commandments were written on a sapphire tablet. Marriage partners put great faith in the stone. If its luster dimmed, one knew his or her spouse had been unfaithful. Sapphire refused to shine when worn by the wicked or impure.
As part of the customary fashioning process, virtually all blue, yellow and golden sapphires are heated to permanently produce or intensify their color.
As with all gemstones, care should be taken to protect it from scratches and sharp blows.
Sapphire is found in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Kasmir, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China and the U.S.
October (Opal or Tourmaline)
Opal is the October birthstone as well as the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 14th year of marriage.
The well-known Roman naturalist Pliny described opal as "made up of the glories of the most precious gems... the gentler fire of the ruby, the rich purple of the amethyst, the sea-green of the emerald, glittering together..."
White opal has a white or light body color with flashes of many colors. Black opal has a black, dark blue, dark green or gray body color with vivid flashes of color such as red, pink and bright green.
Opal has symbolized hope, innocence and purity through the ages. In the Middle Ages, young, fair-haired girls wore opals in their hair to protect its lovely blond color. Medieval writers believed opal could render its wearer invisible when the need arose. It was also said to have a beneficial effect on eyesight. It was thought to banish evil spirits and favor children, the theater, amusements, friendships and feelings.
Care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, household chemicals, and extreme temperature changes. To maintain the brilliance of opal, it should be wiped clean with a soft cloth. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine or jewelry cleaner.
Opal sources are Australia, Mexico and the U.S.
Sometimes tourmaline is used as a birthstone for October and spans the spectrum from red to violet. It also occurs in color combinations in one stone which accounts for its popularity. It is not as fragile as opal and is sometimes selected by those who prefer faceted stones.
November (Topaz or Citrine)
Topaz is the accepted birthstone for November. Blue topaz is the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 4th year; Imperial topaz for the 23rd year of marriage.
Most people think of topaz as a transparent golden yellow gemstone. However, this gemstone occurs colorless as well as orange-yellow, red, honey-brown (dark sherry), light green, blue and pink.
The name topaz is derived from the Greek word meaning "to shine" and also implies "fire". Orange-red "Imperial" topaz and pink colors are rare and most valuable.
The lore, magic and romance of topaz goes back many thousands of years. It holds the distinction of being the gemstone with the widest range of curative powers. The Greeks felt it gave them strength. In addition, it supposedly cooled tempers, restored sanity, cured asthma, relieved insomnia and even warded off sudden death. Topaz is said to make its wearer invisible in time of emergency. It proved the loyalty of associates by changing color in the presence of poison.
As part of the normal fashioning process, most brownish to sherry brown topaz are heated to produce a permanent pink color. Certain types of topaz are irradiated and heated to produce shades of blue.
Topaz is found mainly in Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and China.
Citrine is often used an alternative to topaz because it appears in many of the same colors as topaz. Unlike topaz, citrine is readily available and inexpensive even in large sizes.
December (Turquoise or Blue Topaz)
Turquoise is the accepted birthstone for December and is the accepted anniversary gemstone for the 11th year of marriage.
Colors in turquoise range from sky blue (most desirable color) to blue green and apple green.
The name means "Turkish stone" because the trade route that brought it to Europe used to come via Turkey. The best qualities are found in northeast Iran (Persian turquoise). However, the United States southwest is now the world leader in production.
The deposits in Sinai were already worked out by 4,000 BC. At that time the stone was used for jewelry, amulets and in the preparation of cosmetics.
During the 16th century turquoise was used as currency by the Southwest Indians. They believed the gemstone could bring spoils to the warrior, animals to the hunter, and happiness and good fortune to all.
Although large quantities of beautiful turquoise which have not been color enhanced are available, today's turquoise is commonly stabilized with plastic to improve its color and durability. Chalky varieties of turquoise are normally impregnated with oil or wax to enhance color. This color change may not be permanent.
Care should be taken to protect it from scratches, sharp blows, hot water, and household chemicals. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine.
Blue topaz has become a popular alternative in recent years for those who prefer faceted stones.
To find out more about your birthstone, or any gemstone, consult us at Caribbean Gems. We will be able to show you the widest variety of colors, cuts and designs to suit every pocketbook. Your jeweler can also tell you how best to care for the gem, and will always be glad to service your jewelry.


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Normal Schedule to Resume this Weekend, Monday Service will be Announced Sunday Following Heavy Rain and Continued Testing
Crews modified existing equipment to remove salt water from track bed
BOSTON – January 12, 2018 – Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the MBTA's commuter rail operating partner, will resume normal weekend service on the Newburyport and Rockport lines. The service level for Monday will be announced Sunday. These lines operated a modified schedule this week to allow work crews to repair the signal system that was damaged by the historic tidal surge following the snow storm on January 5.
"Our teams have been working around the clock to restore normal service to the Newburyport and Rockport lines. We appreciate the patience of our passengers as we perform this critical work," said David Scorey, CEO and General Manager, Keolis. "Our teams will be monitoring this system throughout the weekend and taking proactive measures to minimize the impact of the heavy rain and continued melting expected over the next 24 hours."
An historic tidal surge damaged the signal system on these lines in the Saugus area along the marsh. A safe low voltage electrical current runs through the tracks as part of the signal system. If the current is disrupted, which occurs when a train passes over the tracks, the signals are designed to turn red. Salt water and salt-contaminated snow and ice penetrated the track bed, causing this current to ground and turn signals red when no train is present.
All the snow, ice and salt was removed, and the track bed was rinsed to restore proper operation. Keolis and MBTA teams utilized a ballast regulator, typically used in warmer months for track construction, to scrape snow and ice from this half-mile stretch of track. This equipment performed multiple passes across both sets of track and was followed by a wash train that sprayed water to further rinse away the salt.
The wash train is typically used in October and November to remove a film that builds up on tracks when leaves and other debris fall. Crews modified it to expand the spray area, which typically is focused on the rail, but this change allowed it to wash the entire track bed with 9,000 gallons of water.
"The teams re-purposed several pieces of equipment to clear an unprecedented amount salt water from the track bed following the tidal surge, and we made considerable progress," Scorey said.
Testing of the signal system will continue throughout the weekend to ensure all the salt was removed and that the system is operating reliably. Commuter rail service operates on a weekday schedule Monday, January 15. Passengers traveling Monday should check MBTA.com, follow MBTA_CR on Twitter and sign up for T-Alerts to stay informed of service.

subset: commoncrawl


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TechRadar Verdict
- +
Decent speeds
- +
Two Thunderbolt ports for daisy-chaining
- -
Really expensive
- -
No Thunderbolt cable supplied
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Any interface, especially a new one, is only as good as the things you can plug into it. This means that a lot of Thunderbolt's success will depend on how many desirable new products enter the market and show off its potential, and how quickly.
One of the first things you'll notice about the G-RAID with Thunderbolt isn't all the Thunderbolt-related goodness it offers, but the price. Sure, you get 4TB of drive space for your money, but costing around the £500/$700 mark, the G RAID With Thunderbolt will have to be a pretty special external hard drive to make it worthwhile for early adopters.
As Thunderbolt was originally a collaboration between Intel and Apple, the new Macbook Pros have been rocking the new ports for a while now. This means that a lot of the Thunderbolt drives on the market today come formatted for Macs. The G RAID with Thunderbolt is no exception here, so don't panic if you decide to splash the cash and nothing happens when you plug it in - you'll need to go into Computer Management, then Disk Management to format the drive and get it ready to use.
It comes with two disks, so from here you can choose to either use them as two separate hard drives, or set them up in a RAID array.
Cable news
The casing is solid, and while it doesn't look too bad, it is quite big. It can also run hot when you're using it for long periods of time.
Like any Thunderbolt product worth its salt, it comes with two ports so you can connect it to other devices in a daisy-chain. Sadly it doesn't come with a Thunderbolt cable, so you'll have to buy one before you can use it. A minor inconvenience maybe, but unlike USB, Thunderbolt hasn't been around long enough for us to have a drawer full of spare cables.
When you're already paying £500 for an external drive, not having a cable supplied is a little, well, tight.
Bolt from the blue
The real reason you might be willing to shell out this kind of money for an external drive (along with paying more for a cable and probably upgrading your motherboard to get a Thunderbolt port) is the speed. The G RAID with Thunderbolt had better be fast, right?
Well, it's certainly not slow. In our AS SSD benchmark tests the G RAID managed 143MB/s sequential write speeds and 144MB/s read, with access times of 15.6ms for read and 2.5ms for write. That's quick, but nothing spectacular considering the price. In fact, it's not much faster than USB 3.0 speeds.
The reason? It all boils down to the two hard drives inside the G RAID, which are spinning at 7,200rpm. This means that much of Thunderbolt's vaunted 10Gb/s bandwidth is all but redundant when running a single device.
The G RAID with Thunderbolt is supplied in a RAID 0 configuration for Macs, so we set it up in RAID 0 in Windows. The results were slightly better at 151MB/s write, and 153MB/s read. That said, it's still not worth the money.
Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. Ever since he got an Amiga A500+ for Christmas in 1991, he's loved using (and playing on) computers, and will talk endlessly about how The Secret of Monkey Island is the best game ever made.


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Kid Vishis—the Detroit native, and younger brother of Royce Da 5'9—has been hard at work since the days of less glamorous entries on his Rap resume like the NFL Street 2 track, "Can't Nobody Stop Me." The grind has paid off through mixtapes such as Sick Em Vol. 2: Bar 4 Bar, and on July 22, 2014 Vishis rolled out his debut album, Timing Is Everything. Packed with 11 tracks by four producers, Vishis says, "Emcee's are the underdogs now, and Hip Hop needs somebody to step up that's still considered new." Kid Vishis believes he is that new emcee.
His album title is a fitting one given Hip Hop's recent return to the culture's independent roots. Vishis has shown growth by honing his craft, yet he remains true to what he describes as his "aggressive style of delivery and beat selections." He hasn't changed so much as evolved with the times, which are hopefully ready to embrace his raw brand of Hip Hop.
For a debut album, Kid Vishis is armed with more experience than your average emcee. Vishis walks us through what it was like to tour with D12 in 2009 and how Detroit Hip Hop is always on point.
How Kid Vishis Made "Timing Is Everything" A Raw & Personal Album
HipHopDX: Let's talk about your new album, Timing Is Everything, which dropped July 22. What was the thought process behind the title of the album?
Kid Vishis: I just feel like now is the time to strike for me. I think emcees are the underdogs now, and Hip Hop needs somebody to step up that's still considered new but cut from that true lyrical cloth; and humbly, I'm that guy. I have been putting in the hard work that it takes to get some real results. More than ever, I feel confident in my craft enough to start releasing music that people will enjoy.
DX: What made you go stick with Chase Moore, Nemisis, Mr. Porter & Nick Zervos instead of utilizing different producers for each track?
Kid Vishis: I wanted to work with producers that I had chemistry with already and I knew I could depend on to come through for me and still make a dope album with. I didn't want to make it a situation where I reach out to producers and they take forever to send beats or want to charge you an arm and a leg. I just wanted a core, intimate-style album with producers I was comfortable with first, then branch off and build relationships with more producers to come with a more producer friendly album.
DX: Explain your album to the fans in 10 words.
Kid Vishis: Lyrical. Fun. Diverse. Raw. Exciting. Fresh. Powerful. Refreshing. Hard. Aggressive.
It's lyrical. It's fun to listen to, and it was very fun making it. It's a very diverse sounding album, and it still has the raw, tear your head off raps. It has exciting songs and bars that will amp you up. It's fresh like a new breath of fresh air compared to all the mainstream dummy Rap. I say it's powerful because it's the beginning of a very powerful movement. It's refreshing because it's more of a throwback style album where spitting bars were important to the artist and the fans. It's hard because most music out is just so soft that your have to call it hard [laughs]. And it's aggressive because of my style of delivery and beat selections. Overall, it's a dope first album that will make fans want to hear more from The Prince.
DX: Timing Is Everything is an 11-track album. What song sticks out the most to you?
Kid Vishis: Probably "Big Brothers," man. It's the beginning of me telling my story. I'm excited to be able to get personal and talk about my life and get people familiar with Kid Vishis as an artist and who I really am personally. I've never been a personal type rapper, but now I'm able to express the personal side of me. I think I have a really interesting story, similar to Royce, but much different.
Kid Vishis Calls D12 An Inspiration For Detroit; Recalls 2009 Tour
DX: Speaking of getting to know you personally, were you around Eminem & D12 at the peak of their careers?
Kid Vishis: I wasn't around Eminem and D12 back then. I was younger and wasn't even rapping back then. When I started rapping, those guys were already platinum, and I was seeing them on TV.
DX: Being a younger Detroit Emcee, they must mean a lot to you in terms of what Detroit Hip Hop has become?
Kid Vishis: Yeah, they are great inspirations for Detroit Hip Hop and Hip Hop in general. They are some of the best out, and nobody can ever take that away. I feel like D12 as a group that made it cool to be sarcastically clever in your rhymes. They made it okay to come unorthodox sometimes, but at the end of the day they will tear your head off lyrically. That's probably the reason why I say whatever the fuck I want on records—because these guys inspired it along with other legends.
DX: Let's take it back to 2009. How was it touring with D12 in the UK, Manchester, Glasgow, Dublin and London?
Kid Vishis: It was such an honor to be on tour with legends. I can't even really put it into words. It was a great learning experience for me and just an overall great time with those guys. They are some of the coolest guys you'll ever meet. I've been on tour with those guys like three or four times now, and each time it just seems more epic. Shouts out to the legendary D12. They're one of the most original groups ever in Hip Hop history.
DX: I can only imagine what you learned and experienced on tour. What was the craziest moment of the tour?
Kid Vishis: On tour, the first stop was a festival in Switzerland. So when our flight lands, we get to the baggage claim and our bags never come out. At this point, the show must go on and we have to perform in the gear that we just did an eight-hour flight in. Royce was fresh for whatever reason, and I on the other hand had on old basketball shorts, an old t-shirt—both with paint spots on them—and some Nike flip flops. Fuck it, I'm a soldier, and I'm going to do the show in flip flops one time. It's all good. That shit sounded good until it was time for me to walk on stage and it was like a million people out in the crowd. I was like, "What the fuck?" It was insane, but I still rocked out like I was fresh to death [laughs]. After the show, I did a disclaimer. I let everyone know that old hoop shorts and flip flops ain't my swag or nothing. I let them know our bags got lost and they went crazy [laughs]. It was like, "Damn, Kid Vishis and Royce some soldiers!" I got a picture somewhere of me on stage too.
DX: Taking what you learned on tour with D12, do you plan on touring for the release of Timing Is Everything?
Kid Vishis: I do plan on touring. Right now we are in the process of setting up a tour of the UK, Europe and Canada. I will travel anywhere to perform. I love to travel and I love to perform, so it's a win-win for me. I feel like I'm getting the most positive responses from overseas, so it would be a true honor for me to go to another country and perform in front of crowds that already take to my music or my style of music. The album came out July 22, so I plan to start touring some time in August. Until then, I'm in the studio being productive and I'm trying to put another album out this year.
Why Kid Vishis Advocates Detroit Unity & Applauds Fellow Emcees
DX: Detroit has always been known as a tough, hard working city. What are your thoughts on Rick Ross not being able to perform there recently?
Kid Vishis: From what I hear, it had very little to do with any issues between Ross and Trick Trick. It had more to do with an issue with the radio station that was throwing the event. Uncle Trick Trick just wanted to speak with [Rick] Ross to make sure that he is okay in Detroit. There is no beef with Ross from what I understand.
DX: The last 20 years in Detroit Hip Hop has been remarkable. What do you think of the emerging talent coming out of Detroit?
Kid Vishis: The Detroit scene is always on point. There's lots of different varieties of talent man—any style you like we got it: from Royce, Eminem, Doughboyz Cashout, Boldy James and King Gordy. We have every style you can think of, and these guys are all dope at what they do. If I could have it my way, the unity in Detroit's Hip Hop scene would be much stronger and more unified than it is. That's something that I feel hurts us as a city, but we are getting better at it as years pass.
DX: What upcoming Detroit rappers do you think are poised for big years in 2015?
Kid Vishis: Myself [laughs]. Boldy James, Icewear Vezzo, Fenkell Payroll, Seven The General and Ty Farris. I honestly feel like I could name you at least 10 more people. Marv Won—who is known for Battle Rap—but he is making some dope Hip Hop music right now. There's also Young Famous, Big Bus, Street Pacino, Sino, Young Roc—who produces and raps, Yung Blaz, Adubb Da Gawd, and Calicoe is working on dope music. I can go on and on, but I seriously rock with these dudes music.
Kid Vishis Speaks On Diversifying & Battle Rap's Popularity
DX: What are your thoughts on the Battle Rap scene right now? It's rumored that Eminem may battle Hollow da Don at the next "Total Slaughter" event.
Kid Vishis: "Total Slaughter" is the new big thing in Battle Rap. It's like a battle league on steroids [laughs]. I think it's really elevating the battle scene and will continue much more as years go on.
I'd love to see Arsonal versus Hollow. Arsonal is on a tear right now, so it would be a rematch from when they went at it at the Fight Klub event and Arsonal won. That would be the most disrespectful match of the century and I guarantee it [laughs].
Now Eminem versus Hollow da Don [laughs]? Yeah, right. Whoever said that was clearly making shit up. Em would destroy any battle rapper. If Joe Budden didn't drop the mic, Joe would've won the battle against Hollow. But Hollow is the truth though, real talk. He just not on that level with those guys.
DX: If you had to make your own Slaughterhouse group, who would be the other three members?
Kid Vishis: It would be five members: me and the Horseshoe Gang. There's not too many people that can keep up with these guys, and when we get on a track together it's always a high intensity, lyrical spazz session. I don't think the world is quite ready for something like that, because we could take on anybody and you don't even know. All rappers and emcees would be in grave danger. They always push me lyrically, and we both have older brothers that are legends who taught us well. We are the true problem for the future of Hip Hop.
DX: In 2011 you spoke with HipHopDX about your first Rap check. Has NFL Street reached back out or are there any plans to work with any other video games?
Kid Vishis: All they gotta do is give the word. Any video game can get a verse or a song, just let me know. I have been really thinking about getting on a video game soundtrack and movie soundtrack. Don't be surprised if you hear me on the next 2K or UFC video game; I'm sneaky like that. As soon as you hear, "Sick Emmm," you know who it is!
Timing Is Everything is currently available worldwide on digital and physical CD formats. Autographed copies can be ordered from the label at www.seven13ent.com.
RELATED:DXNext – Kid Vishis [Interview]


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Tire Soak - To Soak Or Not To Soak, That Is The Question
The Use Of Tire Treatment Is An Ongoing Battle Between Officials And Competitors
Related Video
The treatment of racing tires with various solutions has been a hotly debated topic for a number of years. During the last ten years or so, the art has become a science of sorts. Teams have become more know-ledgeable, dedicated companies have emerged and are prospering, and a whole culture of soakers has emerged. This secret group is much like the early moonshiners who plied their trade right under the noses of the authorities. The flip side of this coin is that the practice is opposed by the "soak police" who promote, operate, and sanction the various racetracks across the country.
Let's take a look at the evolution of this phenomenon, the specifics of the treatments and why they might be effective, and where we stand today on all sides of this issue.
How It All Began Soon after the development of dedicated racing tires, teams quickly discovered that the sooner a tire was raced after leaving the mold, the better it gripped the track and the faster the car could go through the turns. The longer a tire sat on the shelf, the harder it got and the less grip it had. That basic principle is still true of today's racing tires. Many manufacturers will advise you to store your tires in a dark, cool place and wrap them to help prevent deterioration due to the evaporation of certain chemicals that help maintain the elasticity of race tires.
As racers became aware of the shortfalls of advanced age in a race tire, they began to search for ways to introduce various ingredients into the tire so that it could live a longer life. In the mid-'90s, a few enterprising teams took advantage of the use of tire treatments to freshen up their tires. Most teams were not aware of the process. This left a select few winners who cleaned up each weekend. The soakers' world came crashing down when some of the sanctioning bodies declared that all teams were to purchase and use their race day tires on the day of the race. That ended the reign of many soak champions.
Almost overnight, teams that were considered unbeatable could not keep up and were struggling to finish in the Top 5 each race night. So, as it always happens in racing, everyone had to get smarter in order to circumvent the rules, and that they eventually did.
How Big Is It? In today's racing world, it is important for us to understand the magnitude of the "problem" in terms of the following: 1. In which classes does soaking exist? 2. What percentage of racers are in a particular type of racing soak? 3. Are the numbers growing? The answers to these questions will astound most outsiders and many who think they are in the know. The only people who know beyond a shadow of a doubt are the users themselves, who stay very quiet on the subject, and the actual manufacturers of the products, where discretion is mandatory. We talked with a number of people from both groups and discovered the real truth. We promised not to reveal their names, series, or any other information about them. We can say that the teams who use treatments are not who you would call outlaws or devout cheaters, but in most cases ordinary teams that are well-respected and only do what many others are doing.
A certain percentage of racers in virtually every segment of the circle track industry use tire treatments to enhance the grip properties and longevity of their tires. The companies who manufacture, market, and sell race tire treatments in various forms tell us that the number of users of their products is much greater than anyone would ever imagine. More and more, teams are discovering the advantages of soaking. They feel it is no different from seeking out the best engine or chassis builder in order to keep up with the competition.
Is Soaking That Effective?There are various claims made by those who use and sell tire treatments about how effective the treatments are. The real numbers depend a lot on the driver's experience level, the setup in the car, and the racetrack itself. Claims of lap times two- to five-tenths lower may be valid for a worn-out track, whereas you might not need to soak the tires at all on a newly paved track. True average lap time gains are in the two- to three-tenth range. That could be the difference between starting and running in the Top 5 or the middle of the pack.
Many companies claim the tires will run cooler and last up to 50 percent longer by using tire treatment. The lower temperatures, they say, are due to the fact that a tire that grips the track better will slide around less, causing less heat and generating friction. More grip also reduces the amount of wear because the tire is not scuffing off little pieces lap after lap.
Tire treatments generally do not make the tire sticky. Chemicals that would do that would also cause the tire to wear excessively and not last but a few laps. The modern blends will make the tire surface more flexible so that the face of the tire can conform to the track surface. The rougher the track surface, the more difference the treated tires will make. It's all about helping the tire make complete contact with the entire surface of the track instead of sitting atop the peaks and missing the valleys like a hard tire will do.
Used tires can be brought up to near-new grip capability simply by applying treatments to them. This allows a team to run the same tire for several weeks if the races aren't too long. For a track that runs feature races of 35-50 laps, a team might expect to use a set of tires for several weeks before needing to buy new tires and still be competitive.
Many teams on the low end of the budget scale will buy low-lap-count used tires from the teams who can afford new tires every week. They treat them, and then, with the right setup, are able to compete on a fairly even basis with the high-dollar programs.
Is This Good or Bad for the Sport? Depending on your conversation, racers who use tire-enhancing compounds are either ruining the sport or causing it to grow. Most racetracks forbid the use of tire treatments. Some are aggressive in enforcing the rules while others tend to look the other way, or worse, practice selective enforcement for whatever reason.
Irwindale Speedway in California went so far as to bring in a tire "dope"-sniffing dog that had been trained to sniff select chemicals that are used in most tire treatments. It worked; the first night, several hits were recorded and those teams were told to not come back with treated tires. (See sidebar)
Many tracks rely on tire durometers that are used to measure the indentation hardness of the tire. The use of these instruments is subjective and inaccurate at times. The tire must have been run and heated in order for most of the soaks to work. Therefore, on a cold tire, or one that has been allowed to cool sufficiently, the reading will be fairly normal.
The durometer reading itself is indicative of the age of a new tire. For a new batch of tires that may have just arrived from the tire manufacturer, the reading might just be near the softness limit, while a few months later with the vendor selling from the same batch, the reading might be much higher. Suppose I purchase a set from a newly "hatched" batch, wrap them in cellophane, and store them in a cool, dark place. When I go to use them later on, they will read a lot softer than other tires from the same batch that have hardened after being stored in a trailer, enduring high heat day in and day out. The difference can be substantial and I have not cheated by soaking the tires, but I may well be a target of suspicion and disqualified nonetheless.
Some tracks will penalize a team with tires that measure significantly softer than the majority of other teams' tires. The above example shows why this may not be the right thing to do. What is best for the sport is having close competition in which everyone is on the same page and all racers are doing the same thing-not something in between. Since some racers will always soak, that leaves little choice for the tracks.
Is Tire Soaking Dangerous? Just about all tire companies warn racers against the use of chemical treatment of their tires. The two largest manufacturers of racing tires in the U.S. include the following warnings on their Web sites:
Goodyear: Never attempt to treat or alter the tire carcass and/or tread compound of any Goodyear Racing Tire; such as tire "soaking" or use of tread "softener." This practice could result in premature or catastrophic tire failure with resulting serious injury or death.
Hoosier: Chemical Treatment of Tires-Hoosier Racing Tire Corporation strictly forbids any chemical alteration of the tire carcass and/or tread compound such as tire "soaking" or use of tread "softener."
These warnings carry a degree of validity for those who choose to mix up their own batch of tire brew in the backyard barn. Some types of chemicals will deteriorate the tire compound as well as the core structure and possibly cause the tire to fail with obviously dangerous results. The companies who publicly sell tire treatments all have a highly refined knowledge of the chemicals they use and exactly how those affect the tire in all areas.
Many of the early concoctions were made using, among other things, turpentine, kerosene, and creosote. Modern commercial race tire treatments do not use these chemicals. In fact, the argument that modern tire treatments use so-called dangerous chemicals that can cause health problems is absolutely true. The problem with that presentation is that these same chemicals are found in products we all use on a day-to-day basis such as gasoline, paint, and paint thinners and solvents.
Tuluene, Xylene, and Acetone may be used in some or all of the modern tire treatments. When asked if tire treatments may contain those chemicals, an expert in the industry confirmed it. At first glance, these sound like chemicals we should avoid, but do we really come in contact with these in our everyday lives? Let's see what the government has to say about their availability and uses.
Tuluene: The EPA states on its Web site that "the largest chemical use for tuluene is to make benzene and urethane. It is released into the atmosphere principally from the volatilization (vaporization) of petroleum fuels and tuluene-based solvents and thinners and from motor vehicle exhaust."
Xlyene: OSHA says, "Xylene is used as a solvent in paint, printing, rubber, and leather industries; as a solvent for gums and resins, rubber, castor and linseed oils and dibenzylcellulose; as a constituent of paints, lacquers, varnishes, inks, dyes, adhesives, and cleaning fluids; as a carrier in production of epoxy resins; as a degreaser and cleaning agent; as a constituent of motor and aviation fuels; in chemical synthesis; and in the manufacture of quartz crystal oscillators, perfumes, and insect repellents."
Acetone: From the CDC Web site: "Acetone is a manufactured chemical that is also found naturally in the environment. Acetone is used to make plastic, fibers, drugs, and other chemicals. It is also used to dissolve other substances. It occurs naturally in plants, trees, volcanic gases, forest fires, and as a product of the breakdown of body fat. It is present in vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and landfill sites."
There are some very dangerous and sometimes illegal chemicals that some racers try to incorporate into their homemade treatments. Legitimate tire-treatment manufacturers do not use ingredients that either hurt the tire or are illegal or overly dangerous to the user. Several representatives of these companies told us their products are no more dangerous to handle than gasoline or motor oil. A certain degree of care must be taken when handling all chemicals, even everyday cleaning products.
The facts about the safety of legitimate commercial tire treatments speak for themselves. All of the companies we contacted told us they would not be in the business of selling race tire treatment if they thought it dangerous. With our litigious society as it is, they wouldn't have to make that decision-the public would make it for them.
What Does The Future Hold?The fact is that most racers want to use tire treatments. A few don't want to use it but must because other top teams soak. Since tire soaking makes the tires perform better, the cars will handle better. When the cars handle better, we get better racing for the benefit of the spectators. Better racing means more attendance and more money to run the track, not to mention more profits for the track owners.
Racers are allowed to, within certain limitations, tune their carburetors, motors, setups, shocks, gearing, and so on, so why not the tires? Some have suggested that one reason tracks are adamant about stopping soaking is because they operate as the tire vendor, and that is a source of income for the track owners. If every team were able to use their tires longer through the use of soaking, then fewer tires would be sold.
If true, this mentality is directly contrary to what most promoters and sanctioning bodies say. Their stated goals supposedly include finding ways to save the racer money. Among the most expensive items a racer must continually buy are the tires. Many parts companies and race shops offer to treat a race team's tires for them at a cost of around $45 per set. You can do it yourself for less. Compare the low cost of soaking to that of a new set valued at between $400 and $600 per set.
Do the math: Example savings-for 30 weeks of racing, a team either buys new tires every week at $440 for a yearly total of $13,200, or soaks and uses the same tires for three weeks for a yearly total of $4,400 (10 sets at $440) plus $45 per week soaking costs, which totals $5,750 yearly. Soaking saves this team $7,450. That's enough to freshen most Late Model race engines or actually purchase a new Stock class motor.
There have been teams that could continue to race in part to the availability and use of tire treatments and the cost savings. So, does the future of racing really depend on the elimination or the allowance of soaking? The fact remains that you can only treat a tire to a certain level of durometer reading whether it is new or used. Soaking could possibly level the playing field in many cases.
Many racers feel it's time the promoters across the country were better educated and responsive to what the racers really want and need on all fronts. That means having the integrity to put the racer, who spends lots of money to show up and put on the show every week, at the top, instead of at the bottom, of the food chain. The more popular soaking becomes, the better the products will become. It is the opinion of many racers that when everyone is allowed by rule to treat their tires, no one will have an advantage in the area of tires. More teams will be able to afford to race more competitively, and then the sport will be better off.
The Nose KnowsIt's against the rules to soak tires at California's Irwindale Speedway, and it has been a tech inspector's nightmare to find the culprits. Due to the complexity of the checking process, some tracks don't even test for soaking, turning a blind eye to the process. That's not the case at Irwindale.
In March 2004 Sinbad jumped out of the SUV of his handler, Scott Edmonds, and went to work. The 10-year-old Belgian Malinois is coming out of retirement from his work as a bomb-sniffing dog to help the track. He has an official "hard card" identification (No. K9-1) and is a fixture in the pit area.
The idea came from Ed Branch, who runs the tire program at the track. Branch contacted Interquest Detection Canines in Pasadena after theorizing that if dogs can sniff out bombs, drugs, and other illicit materials, they might also be able to detect illegal tires. Edmonds confirmed that it could be done, and Sinbad was selected for the task. The dog went through countless training sessions to differentiate between official and illegal tires. Tests were conducted on hot afternoons and cool nights. Sinbad's final exam grade was 100 percent.
On the night of his first visit to the track's inspection line, Sinbad sat at three cars and followed that with a post-race sitting. After track officials visited the teams, there were assorted confessions of illegal activity. Sinbad's record is intact.
Racers may not consider him man's best friend, but his nose knows when something is amiss. Like all tech officials, who usually work like a dog on race nights, he's just doing his job.-Larry Jewett
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VIA NetNote "mashups" unveiled: 1080p HD capable ultraportables
VIA have announced their latest ultraportable reference design, the NetNote, which the company describes as "a mashup between the netbook and the traditional notebook." Based on VIA's Surfboard mainboards, using either VIA C7-M or Nano CPUs, the NetNotes will have screens ranging from 10.2-inches to 12.1-inches and play back Full HD 1080p video.
Other possibilities include an HDMI port, hardware video acceleration and integrated 3G, all from VIA's Surfboard platforms. Positioned as an OEM solution (rather than being marketed directly to end-consumers), the NetNotes could also have an FM transmitter, digital TV receiver with extendable antenna, or even an externally-controlled MP3 player which wouldn't require the NetNote to be booted up.
From our talks with VIA about the platform, it seems they're not so much focussed on kick-starting a new niche with NetNotes – in fact it's more of an internal name – but instead wanting to draw attention to netbooks with performance. The VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems will have their formal debut at ShenZhen TechForum Autumn 2009 next week, where the company is promising 35 designs together with pricing and availability information.
Press Release:
VIA Unveils SurfBoard Platforms and Turnkey Systems for New NetNote Category
NetNote blends the portability and affordability of netbooks with the functionality and HD video capabilities of notebooks to define a new sweet spot in the mobile computing market
Taipei, Taiwan, 16 September 2009 – VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced additions to its growing range of VIA Surfboard mainboards along with turnkey systems designed to enable a new category of NetNote mobile computing devices.
A mashup between the netbook and the traditional notebook, the NetNote combines the portability and affordability of a netbook with the functionality and HD entertainment capabilities of a notebook in a light, high performance clamshell mobile device with long battery life, screen sizes of between 10.2" – 12.1", and support for flawless playback of high bit-rate 1080p HD video.
"NetNotes are illustrative of the type of device that is possible after artificial restrictions on screen size, resolution and connectivity are removed," said Richard Brown, Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "Light, snappy ultra mobile devices with notebook-level functionality are what consumers want and what the NetNote category of device provides."
Combining the highly-integrated VIA VX855 media system processor with a choice of VIA C7™-M ULV or VIA Nano™ processors, two new VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition Platforms provide high-quality, energy-efficient and feature-rich "ready to build" solutions for manufacturing NetNote devices.
Additionally, complete VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems offer customers a quick, low cost approach to entering the mobile computing market or expanding their current product portfolio.
Along with support for hardware acceleration of a broad variety of leading video standards including H.264, MPEG-2/4, VC-1 and WMV9, NetNotes come with a host of other advanced features including an optional HDMI port and a choice of integrated 3G connectivity modules.
VIA GMB Alliance – Harnessing the China Growth Engine
The new VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition platforms and VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems have initially been made available to members of the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar (GMB) Program – an alliance of leading China hi-tech manufacturers focused on harnessing the country's emerging manufacturing base and rapid domestic growth to bring innovative mobile computing devices to China and other fast-emerging markets around the world.
Over 40 companies in the VIA GMB Alliance have developed more than sixty mobile systems based on VIA SurfBoard platforms since its establishment in October 2008. All have expressed support for the new NetNote category, and the first NetNote products are expected to be introduced into the market later this month.
Through the provision of high quality, high performance building blocks such as VIA platforms and turnkey systems, the VIA GMB Alliance aims to build up the mobile device ecosystem in China ultimately enabling manufacturers to offer innovative, affordable mobile solutions to global markets.
The new VIA NetNote platforms and systems will be on show at the next VIA Global Mobility Bazaar Alliance event to be held on Friday 25 September in Shenzhen, China. Further details can be found at: www.via.com.tw/en/company/events/2009gmb-techforum-autumn
About VIA NetNote Platforms and Systems
Designed for 10.2"-12.1" NetNote devices, the feature-rich yet highly power-efficient VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition Platforms feature a choice of VIA C7-M ULV or VIA Nano processors supporting an 800MHz FSB, combined with the VIA VX855 media system processor with its support for a wide range of digital media technologies and I/O.
The advanced graphics of the VIA Surfboard NetNote Edition Platforms is powered by the high performance VIA Chrome9 HCM IGP and allows for flawless playback of 1080p HD video at amazingly low processor utilization levels. The boards also feature HDMI ports that can be used to deliver HD content to external displays.
The latest high definition audio is supported through VIA Vinyl 8-channel HD audio, and a rich range of connection options includes support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G for unparalleled flexibility.
More information about the VIA SurfBoard NetNote Edition Platforms may be found on the VIA website at: www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives/spearhead/netnote-edition-platforms
VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems not only boast the full functionality and larger keyboard and screen sizes more commonly found on standard notebook devices, but also incorporate innovative features such as an integrated, externally controlled MP3 player that doesn't require the user to boot the OS, an extendable aerial used to receive digital video broadcast from both satellite and terrestrial transmitters, and the ability to act as an FM transmitter allowing users to tune in car radios or cell phones to pick up NetNote broadcasts.
More information on the VIA NetNote Turnkey Systems may be found on the VIA website at: www.via.com.tw/en/initiatives/spearhead/netnote-turnkey-system
About VIA Technologies, Inc.
VIA Technologies, Inc is the foremost fabless supplier of power efficient x86 processor platforms that are driving system innovation in the PC, client, ultra mobile and embedded markets. Combining energy-saving processors with digital media chipsets and advanced connectivity, multimedia and networking silicon enables a broad spectrum of computing and communication platforms, including its widely acclaimed ultra compact mainboards. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, VIA's global network links the high tech centers of the US, Europe and Asia, and its customer base includes the world's top OEMs and system integrators. www.via.com.tw


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MA, Stanford University
Teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area
Alissa is currently a teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area and Brightstorm users love her clear, concise explanations of tough concepts
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MA, Stanford University
Teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area
Alissa is currently a teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area and Brightstorm users love her clear, concise explanations of tough concepts
Simplifying rational expressions combines everything learned about factoring common factors and polynomials. When simplifying rational functions, factor the numerator and denominator into terms multiplying each other and look for equivalents of one (something divided by itself). Include parenthesis around any expression with a "+" or "-" and if all terms cancel in the numerator, there is still a one there.
Adding and subtracting polynomials is really just a fancy way of combining like terms, one thing you have to be careful with subtracting though of course is remembering that the minus sign applies to every term every polynomial. But first let's look at some different ways you can organize your work for adding and subtracting polynomials. One way some students like to do is to arrange their work vertically, another way is to group each term according to it's degree. Let's do the vertically one first, you're asked to simplify this polynomial plus that polynomial notice these are actually 2 trinomials, trinomials because they've got 3 terms and don't be confused when you parenthesis in your homework.
A lot of times we see parenthesis and we think okay parenthesis means probably multiplying but be careful this parentesy term is being added to that parenthesy term. It would multiplying if there wasn't that plus sign now this would mean multiplying. In our case there was a plus sign we know that we're adding. Okay let me show you how vertically these could be arranged. If I were to write these 2 trinomials on top of each other it might help a visual learner to see how to add them. For example, here's my first trinomial 3x squared plus 6x plus 7 and then to that I'm going to add 3x squared take away 9x take away 8. Now I'm just going to add vertically 3x squared plus 3x squared is, whoops not 9, we're adding. 6x squared, 6x take away or plus negative 9x is take away 3x's and then 7 plus negative 8 is negative 1, that's my answer right there.
This is one way you could do this problem by writing it vertically, just be really careful when you're lining up things that you line up your x squareds with your x squareds, your regular x's with your regular x's. Also if this had been a subtraction problem be really careful when you write it that you remember that this minus sign would apply to each of these terms. Let me show you another way to do this problem, notice this in blue here is the exact same problem as this guys here. I'm going to do this exact same problem another way and here's how the other way works. When you're grouping these problems according or grouping these terms according to degree remember degree means the exponent. So if I look I'm going to be looking for all my x squarederes I have 3x squareds and then 3 more x squared so altogether that is 6x squared that's going to be the first part of my answer then I'm looking for my regular x terms I have 6x here take away 9x so altogether that's negative 3x.
And then last but not least I want to look for my constant terms or the terms without any x's. Here's 7 take away 8, 7 take away 8 is negative 1 so that's my constant term and here is my final answer. You can see this is the same problem so I got the same answer that's good, this way it requires a little bit more writing so to be honest most of my students use this method. Just be really careful when you're doing this method that you account for every single term in both your polynomials. You don't want to leave anybody out. I personally like to use color or different markings like you see I did brown squigglies on my x squared terms I circled my regular x's in a different color and I did underlinings for my constant terms.
That just helps me as a visual person to not only show that every single term has been accounted for but also to see which terms are getting grouped together because they have the same degree. So when you guys see these kinds of problems adding and subtracting polynomials it's up to you if you chose to rewrite it vertically or if you like to do this grouping according to degree either way it's fine just make sure you're really precise with your positive and negative signs.


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Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Meet the Editor: Grace Bradley
What is your background and experience in editing?
I have been an editor at Ellora's Cave for two years. Prior to that I was doing the stay-at-home-mom thing and enjoying freelance editing on the side. I hold a degree in psychology, which I utilize on a daily basis. Plausible character motivation? Check. Walking author back from the ledge? Check.
How would you describe your editing style?
I try to make the editing process as painless as possible, while also urging my authors to delve deeper into their plot and characters. I leave a running commentary of my observations as a reader, not only as an editor, as I go through the book. My goal is for the author to see how their work is impacting me as a reader as I go along. I also explain grammar errors, and expect my authors to make note of them and improve moving forward. Whenever possible, I like to incorporate humor in my editing comments. I think edits should be fun, not dreaded. And I point out things I really like or that make me laugh (or cry). A little bit of praise goes a long way when an author is being shown all the things that are not working in their book.
What is your favorite thing about editing?
My authors. It is truly an honor to play such a vital role in their careers, and I'm humbled that they trust me with something so important to them.
As for the job itself, I'll say what most editors will say: I can't believe I get paid to read. A recent discussion at the dinner table revolved around careers—specifically what my children wanted to be when they grow up. They both said they wanted to get paid to do something they love…just like their mom. It was a very proud moment for me.
What are your pet peeves in books and submissions?
My number-one pet peeve from the slush pile is a messy manuscript. If the author does not care enough to present their best work, I will assume what they have submitted is their best work and it will be a No. If they're sloppy at this stage, the most important one in the process, how will they be if the book is contracted?
For established authors, my pet peeve is not learning from past mistakes and not following established guidelines. I respect my authors' time by working as hard as I can to get their projects complete in a timely manner, and I expect them to respect my time by improving as they move forward and observing the correct submission/editing procedures.
For personal reading, what are your favorite genres and all-time favorite books?
When I'm not reading for work, I choose non-fiction, primarily health-related, and magazines. A very short list of some of the books that have "stuck" with me is:
Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
Crazy, Sexy Diet by Kris Carr
Native Son by Richard Wright
Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell
Love Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark
12 comments:
- Unknown said...
Summer Sisters has stayed with me too.
I believe authors appreciate their editor more when he or she can incorporate the positives with the negatives. I know I do. :)
- November 9, 2011 at 9:00 AM
- Kele Moon said...
Great interview!!! It is awesome you've ended up doing something you love!
- November 9, 2011 at 9:15 AM
- Ann Mayburn said...
Now I'm wondering if your psycho analyzing me while you edit my MS.-lol- Great self-interview, and I love the part about being a role model to your kids, that really is beyond cool. :)
- November 9, 2011 at 6:50 PM
- Michelle Miles said...
Great interview, Grace! I enjoyed it :)
- November 9, 2011 at 9:26 PM
Yay! I love this interview, and concur. You do a FAB job making edits both painless and funny. MWAH!
- November 9, 2011 at 11:40 PM
- Cara Carnes said...
LOL, Ann, I thought the same thing. I can almost hear it now. Hehe
Great interview, Grace! I'm thrilled you're my editor.
- November 10, 2011 at 8:48 AM
- Dawn Marie Hamilron said...
Hi, Grace. I enjoyed getting to know you better through this interview. Thanks.
- November 10, 2011 at 11:26 AM
- Erica Anderson said...
You are totally a dream editor, Grace. Looking forward to when I have something new to send you!
- November 10, 2011 at 11:59 AM
- Shana Gray said...
How nice to get to know you a little more Grace :) You do an amazing job with edits and have the perfect touch getting the message across.
- November 10, 2011 at 7:44 PM
- Dawn Montgomery said...
Loves Music, Loves to Dance was the first murder mystery I ever read. It definitely stuck with me over the years. I have a pretty beat up copy :D
- November 10, 2011 at 9:48 PM
- Kaily Hart said...
I personally love those little comments you leave when you edit :). Humorous, informative and thought provoking. It's all godd!
- November 11, 2011 at 9:19 AM
- Marie Harte said...
Doing something you love and getting paid for it...priceless. :) I'm SO glad to have you as my editor, Grace. And no, she didn't pay me to say that. Really.
:) Marie
- November 19, 2011 at 3:07 AM


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Home » Apps with tag 'collision detection'
Jet Set Radio Review
Some games stick in your mind, not because they were particularly fun to play, but because it managed to grab you through its artistic expression. Strangely this isn't an uncommon thing, especially amongst games in the Indie scene, but Jet Set Radio is far from a small title and despite its age there's still something almost unquantifiable about its appeal. However, porting over a title comes with risks and challenges, especially when talking about the iOS platform and while much of t…Watch The Video Review
N.Y.Zombies 2 Review
N.Y.Zombies 2 by Foursaken Media is the sort of game that makes you glad that a developer is willing to listen to their fans. Building upon the original in just about every way, it's still a flawed experience, but one that manages to exploit the mixed state of realism and fantasy. No lengthy story set up is needed - zombies are here and you need to survive. What follows is a series of missions that follow a fairly basic story filled with protecting survivors and attempting to escape t…Watch The Video Review
Lili™ Review
If you're one of the handful of people who If you're one of the handful of people who missed out on hearing about Lili by BitMonster, then you're in for a treat. There was absolutely no question of how beautiful this game was going to be as it not only sports the Unreal Engine, but those who made it are ex-Epic and quite familiar with how to use it. However, what really counts isn't the presentation, but how it interacts with the gameplay - and on this score the…Watch The Video Review
Button Brigade iPad Review
In an action adventure game, coming across buttons to open up doorways and other passages to make your way around the stage is a regular occurrence. But what of these poor buttons? What do they think of their throw-away existence? Button Brigade answers that question, if only as a side note, thanks to a mechanical snake and a whole host of buttons that can manipulate the laboratory you're trapped in. By tapping on the screen you can achieve one of two things, either moving your 'snake…Watch The Video Review
Rocket Fox Review
Sometimes a game can fail to come together, even if most of its individual parts aren't particularly lacking in polish, due to one critical feature failing to deliver. Despite the cute premise, presentation and fun gameplay ideas in Rocket Fox by Namco Bandai, the controls fall horribly short of what the game deserves. As the cute foxy protagonist 'Guy' you must set alight all of the rocket-flowers by bouncing on them. Each flower has a different effect, ranging from bouncing you high…Watch The Video Review
rComplex Review
The App Store isn't hurting for variety in its gameplay. While some gamers bemoan the inevitable slew of titles that ride the coat-tails of a successful franchise, the upshot is a refinement of the gameplay in to something resembling a genre. As such there are often minimum expectations for such games, especially when so many have tried and failed already, making large missteps hard to forgive. rComplex by Interwave Studios has sadly fallen in to this situation and while its unbelieva…Watch The Video Review
Tweet Land Review
When someone tells me about a game that features 'randomly generated' gameplay elements, I can't help but cringe as it's either not as 'random' as the person suggests, or said randomness gets in the way of an otherwise decent title. Sadly Tweet Land by Why Ideas and Tree Interactive falls in to the second category and while the idea of having 'The Internet' influence your game may sound great, it invariably results in an inconsistent experience. Your task involves nothing more than ta…Watch The Video Review
Run Roo Run Review
Run Roo Run by 5TH Cell Media is almost daunting to approach at first - with 420 levels initially available you'd be wondering how on Earth you'd manage to complete it all. Thankfully each level only takes a few seconds to complete, though in fairness the first 300 levels are really just the teaser to real challenge of this one-touch platforming game. This cute and vibrant cartoonish title is split in to 20 chapters and follows the journey of a kangaroo out to save its kidnapped joey.…Watch The Video Review
Commander Pixman Review
As someone who had to slog his way through the 80s and 90s and the gaming obsession with platformers, coming across one of these genre classics these days is met with trepidation. I say this because we have a rich history of what does and doesn't work, including other less tangible aspects like how the should 'feel'. Commander Pixman gets the first part right as it smooshes Super Meat Boy with the visual stylings of the free game Star Guard, but something about this game by One Minute…Watch The Video Review
Evil Dead Review
I, for one, have nothing to complain about when it comes to the Bruce Campbell love of late. Clearly I'm not the only one craving more one-liners and Trigger Apps have released their twin-stick shooter re-telling of the Evil Dead movies (with a bit of artistic license thrown in). As Ash you'll need to beat back Deadites and possessed flora and fauna while trying to protect your friends from the evil slowly overtaking them. For much of the game you'll be limited in your available resou…Watch The Video Review
AlexPanda HD Review
Don't be fooled by its cute exterior - AlexPanda by Lakoo is the video game equivalent of a weapon designed for the soul-purpose of getting you to whip out your wallet. Should you take the plunge in to this cute, vibrantly presented arcade challenge, you'll need to take on the task of rescuing AlexPanda by dragging him through numerous hazards to the safe location on each level. Things start out easily enough as your panda is manipulated by touching and dragging him around the screen.…Watch The Video Review
DoubleDragon Review
If you're going to talk about Arcade beat'em-ups, you have to talk about Double Dragon - not only is it easily one of the most recognizable titles in the genre, it helped to define future titles thanks to its bone-crunching gameplay. Many consoles including the humble Atari 2600 were graced with adaptions of the game, but now iPhone gamers can claim something truly special - a full update of the game including improved graphics and additional gameplay and features. Players are locked…Watch The Video Review
Viking Tales: Mystery Of Black Rock Review
While purists may feel the need to ruin the fun of those who enjoy the idea of horn-helmeted Vikings, others like Ailove are happy to embrace the concept by releasing a fun game based around these vicious sailors. Viking Tales: Mystery Of Black Rock puts you at the helm of your very own longship, swiping the screen to move forward and swiping on either side of the boat to change directions. Double-fingered swipes will consume an available stamina bar, but you'll get a healthy speed bo…Watch The Video Review
Disoriented! Review
Although it has taken some time, platforming titles have slowly gained a bit more respect on the App Store. So much so that developers have started tweaking the gameplay with gravity-flipping mechanics that add an extra level of required skill. Disoriented by Vortex Games extends this concept to its extreme and while the idea is sound, it isn't without some rough patches. The main aim of each level is to make your way to the exit door of the level, which is simple enough, however addi…Watch The Video Review
Hedgehog Launch Review
If you're like me, you're probably a regular denizen of popular free Flash game haunts like Armor Games. If so, then you'll probably also be familiar with Hedgehog Launch and as such you'll need little in the way of convincing to spend some time flinging this fur-ball in to the wild blue yonder. In Hedgehog Launch your aim is to get the little bundle of spines in to space, breaking Earth's orbit once and for all. To initiate a launch you'll need to drag and release the sling holding y…Watch The Video Review


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1391.0.55.001 - Planning for Business, 2007
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/10/2007 First Issue
|Page tools: Print Page Print All
From the Australian Statistician
Know your market
Locate potential clients
Target promotions
Assess site location
Grow your business
Support your business case
Improve your marketing strategy
Estimate your market share
ABS has information on...
Contact the ABS for more information
Planning for Business is the first of a planned series of products which will provide case studies to demonstrate how statistics can be used to inform a range of decisions. Planning for Business will be enhanced progressively with the inclusion of additional case studies.
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When I saw this meatball soup from Peter of Souvlaki for the Soul, I was intrigued and I wanted to try it.
It turned out that TS had the same idea.
"You know that soup from Peter G?"
"Let's try it."
Most of all, I loved the fact that this was a soup made with water, not stock. I finally felt validated when I read Mark Bittman and Michael Ruhlman endorsing -- well, I guess not quite endorsing -- but telling us that it is okay to use water in some dishes (instead of using much disliked store-bought stock).
We had some ground pork in the house, but we couldn't seem to find the right insertion point for the soup. Last two weeks, for some reason, we actually mustered up enough energy to prepare semi-complete meals (that is, enough food) for every single day of those two weeks.
When we finally had the opportunity a few days ago, the ground pork was all gone. (It was made into CSC's ever-popular dumplings.)
After our weekly Saturday grocery run, ground pork was replenished. I wanted to try the soup with pork-beef meatballs, but come Sunday, I was too lazy to head out again for some ground beef.
We would have to make our version of giouvarlakia with just ground pork.
A bad photo post
A-ya! Such bad photos! We made this soup at night. We have no light source!
Anyway, I started by putting a pot of water to boil.
For the meatballs, I buzzed onions, parsley and dill in the food processor and mixed that with ground pork, eggs, olive oil and uncooked rice. Seasoned with salt and pepper too, of course.
To speed things up, I took the pot of boiling water off the stove and placed it beside my workspace. I rolled each meatball in flour and straight into the pot each went.
Then, back to the stove to boil and simmer.
It looked a little scary at first (see above), but don't worry!
When the meatballs were cooked, I added avgolemono to the pot: I beat a couple of eggs with lemon juice, then tempered that first with some of the hot soup before adding the whole mixture to the pot.
I think we have some Greek in us, because the meatballs really, really tasted familiar. It must be the onions and the rice. Because we used just ground pork for the meatballs, the soup was very mild-tasting, almost milky, so the lemon in the avgolemono added such a welcome high note to the soup. I couldn't stop sipping and sipping and sipping. . .
. . .until it was all gone.
The complete recipe is here: Giouvarlakia from Souvlaki for the Soul
On a photography note, HELP!
The darktimes have descended. We now have no light source, as it gets dark early (3pm or so). Any lighting/photography tips for taking pictures indoors?
Or I should say, any cheap-cheap-cheap tips that we can use?
We need all the help we can get! (As demonstrated by the horrendous photos herein.) Help us! Thanks in advance!
eatingclub vancouver Greek
"Greek" Calamari
Simple Greek Meal
Caper Salad
Greek Meatball Soup (Giouvarlakia)
Marinated Feta
Greek Shrimp with Feta
Greek Ribs with Tzatziki
Mushroom Ragu Pastitsio
Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach Rice)
Zucchini Ribbons Salad with Anchovy Dressing
Souvlaki (Pork and Chicken)
Tomato Bread Salad, Greek-style
Grilled Fish Fillet on Oregano
Pastéli (Greek Sesame Snaps)
We're submitting this to Regional Recipes, a blogging event created by Blazing Hot Wok that celebrates food from all over the world.
The inaugural event is hosted by Darlene herself! The region is Greece.
Regional Recipes information
Our Regional Recipes posts:
Greek Meatball Soup (Giouvarlakia)
Simmered Saba Mackerel with Daikon Radish (Saba Oroshi-ni)
Thai Fried Chicken
Roast Pork Belly with Puy Lentils
Beef "Ribbon" Kebab (Pasanda Kabab) with Cilantro Chutney
Canadian Onion Soup with Oka Cheese
Börek with Beef Filling
Korean Pork Bulgogi (with Muu Namul, Kong Namul)
Lobster Congee from a Lobster Feast
Pork Jowl (Pork Cheeks) with Brown Sugar Rub
Beef Salpicao
Cuban Arroz con Salchichas (Yellow Rice with Vienna Sausages)
Cuban Pastelitos de Guayaba y Queso (Guava and Cheese Pastries)
Vietnamese Spring Roll (Cha Gio)
Grilled Fish Fillet on Oregano
Pastéli (Greek Sesame Snaps)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Greek Meatball Soup (Giouvarlakia)
21 comments:
I'm so gad you made these! Admittedly they do look a little scary when cooking but it all works well in the end. Nicely done!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousSeptember 26, 2008 2:54 AM
I made a soft light box - not softbox - by using white cardboard paper, muslin cloth and a light bulb. I made two actually. Until I broke one. I am using the other one still. Works great. If you want, I can show you the photo. Or you can visit Darren Rowse' Digital Photography School. He has a post on how to make your own soft box. Mine cost USD 12.ReplyDelete
this sounds delicious! i have never tried a greek dish before. honestly, i'll definitely try this one of these daysReplyDelete
I'm more familiar with the Chinese meatball soup! This looks like meatball in cream-based soup....and sounds delicious.ReplyDelete
Don't worry - those were great pics and looks like a really tasty soup!ReplyDelete
This dish sounds so delicious!! As far as lighting for photos, I am dealing with the exact same thing. Don't know what I am gonna do when it gets dark early.ReplyDelete
What a beautiful and tasty dish!ReplyDelete
It's not the easiest soup to photograph but yours turn out real good.ReplyDelete
It's one on my favourite soups and it does eat like a meal.
I think you are turning Greek with your last two posts.ReplyDelete
I'm starting to have the same issue with lighting. I'm planning on building a light box but my husband says a desk lamp with a Revel lightbulb in it is really all I need.
Looks great, I never had Greek dish before. I'm facing the same lighting problem too.ReplyDelete
I can't even imagine it getting dark at 3PM. I have been so frustrated with the light going at 6PM here. I just got the Lowel EGO light which is a little less than $100 after shipping is included, but I love it and think it will come in handy for weekdays when I am never home before 6:30/7. The soup looks good and filling.ReplyDelete
It was delicious! Next time we're going to do it with beef (or mix) -- I do love my beef broth. Thanks for the recipe!
Thanks! We're looking it up now as I type.
Dhanggit / Little Corner:
For some reason we seem to have an affinity gor Greek food! Well, what we've tried so far. The whole family, even!
Although, it tastes familiar and homey... not quite Chinese but sort of? =)
CECIL / Kat:
I know, the darktimes! The darktimes! Starting to look into these lighting things (which are so foreign to us!). What's a Revel lightbulb? I gues those "sunlight" equivalent ones?
Peter M:
Hehe, I added some more cooked rice in mine to make it *EVEN* more hearty! =)
Wah, we're kind of still a little too cheap for that. But, if we get so frustrated, then we may just spring for one.
I LOVE this place! Can I get a reservation? Can I eat here? Hmm?? I don't know anything about photography in the dark (except: don't do it; I mean, I use a cell phone for goodness sake) But I am lad the soup was yummy and eaten all up.ReplyDelete
Oh, dear.ReplyDelete
I saw these over at Peter's and they looked fabulous. Seeing them again is giving me a craving.
Love Greek food.
And meatballs.
Sounds delicious. Love those Greek recipes. Lighting is tough at night!!ReplyDelete
The photos may not have been perfect, but they perfectly conveyed that tastiness of your soup.ReplyDelete
Have you though of getting a light box? I googled it and found this:http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent/
Oh awesome! The first entry for Regional Recipes, and a it looks great. I think this would be perfect for chilly autumn weather. But does it really get dark so soon??ReplyDelete
I don't know what kind of camera you have, but if it a little more advanced than a point-and-shoot, and you are using the manual settings, I'd get a tripod. It doesnt' have to be anything fancy. just one that can support the weight of the camera. there's really no way to keep the camera steady long enough to allow for a long enough exposure in low light, even if your lens has vibration reduction. My kitchen gets terrible light and I've had to do 3+ seconds at f8 just to get a decent picture. But with a tripod, you could literally have very low light and still get a decent picture. Hope that helps.
We're looking into that now. Soon enough we'll actually get into gear and make it! Thanks!
eptember 27, 2008 7:56 AM
We were excited when we saw that GREECE was the theme. I had just bookmarked both the Caper Salad and this soup!
re tripod: Ah, I see. I only have a vague notion of what you're suggesting. (That is, I sort of get it but I need to look into it more.) I do know that for slow exposures the camera has to be really still, or else the picture will have the motion. (Don't know how to describe it in photography terms.)
I just have a point-and-shoot, but I bekieve it has a variety of manual settings. I had just looked for the manual and am now starting to read it. (Wow, actual reading of the manual!)
That soup looks so comforting.ReplyDelete
As for photo tips, 90% of the photos on my site were taken indoors at night and I have no proper photographic lights, light tent etc etc - just to give you an idea of what can be done!!
Step 1, unless you have a very good camera, is to buy a tripod. Just get a little tabletop one - nothing fancy.
Next question is whether you have a camera where you can adjust the shutter speed or aperture (I know on my Canon compact you can - it's the Av and Tv icons on the control dial - lots of compacts have that feature). If you can control them, play with aperture (Av) rather than shutter speed which is more of a gamble. Set the Av to the smallest number your camera will allow (mine does 2.8 - the lower the number the better your camera will perform in low light). Then set up the camera on the tripod, compose and shoot. Set it to self-timer to minimise shaking from pressing the shutter.
If your camera is really basic, I guess you'd have to turn on all the lights in the room, deactivate the flash, and shoot with it on the tripod, hoping for the best - but this is a gamble!!
Jugalbandi had a great tutorial on how to make cheap lighting for shots http://jugalbandi.info/2008/08/photography-solutions-do-it-yourself-tabletop-lighting-system/, but even a tiny halogen desklight with an adjustable head from IKEA, and a sheet of tracing paper to diffuse the light, will improve matters.
If your camera has adjustable white balance (again, my Canon compact does), then be sure to set it to incandescent bulbs when shooting under artificial light to get rid of thet yellow cast.
If you lack light AND a white balance setting, the only other thing you can do is make best friends with Photoshop to fix colour casts post-shooting :)
Thanks! I'm in the process of reading the manual for our camera and soon will be fiddling with it. (It's a point and shoot, Canon Elph, I think.) I'll try out what you described. Thanks!
This soup looks delish. So they have congee in Greece!ReplyDelete


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(CNN) -- The Yemen-based arm of the al Qaeda terrorist network claimed responsibility Friday for last week's plot to send explosive devices on cargo planes bound for the United States.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which had been suspected in the plot, posted its claim on various radical Islamist websites, saying, "We will continue to strike blows against American interests and the interest of America's allies."
The statement also claimed the group is responsible for the crash of a UPS cargo plane in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on September 3.
Investigators said earlier this month they had failed to turn up any evidence that terrorism was involved in that crash, which killed the two pilots aboard, according to a U.S. government official.
About 45 minutes after UPS Flight 6 departed Dubai International Airport for Cologne, Germany, the crew declared an emergency due to smoke in the cockpit. They asked to return to Dubai, but shortly before the plane could get to the airport it crashed.
Officials in the United Arab Emirates have said -- and a U.S. official confirmed -- that the plane's cockpit voice recorder has been examined and nothing on it indicates an explosion. Explosions have distinctive sound signatures, and that would have been recorded on the device, the official said.
The UAE said it has "eliminated the possibility of an onboard explosion, following a detailed onsite investigation of the wreckage."
A U.S. counterterrorism official said Friday that while "there are very strong indications that AQAP was responsible for plotting last week's disrupted cargo plane plot ... we can't confirm at this point their claims about the early September incident."
White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan said Sunday that the United States is "looking very carefully" at the September crash to see if it could be related to the recent terror threat involving cargo aircraft.
The latest threat was revealed October 29 when authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Britain found two explosives-laden packages sent from Yemen that were addressed to synagogues in Chicago, Illinois.
The statement by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula said that since Western media did not link the September UPS plane crash to the group, "we decided not to announce it so we could carry on a similar operation."
"We did that this time using two devices, one of which was sent via the American UPS company and the other via the American FedEx company," the statement said.
The devices, loaded with the powerful explosive PETN, were packed in computer printer toner cartridges and designed to be detonated by a cell phone, a source close to the investigation has said.
Friday's claim of responsibility by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula warned that "since both operations were successful, we intend to spread the idea to our mujahedeen brothers in the world and enlarge the circle of its application to include civilian aircraft in the West as well as cargo aircraft."
U.S. investigators believe that al Qaeda bombmaker Ibrahim Hasan al-Asiri, 28, is linked to the packages, according to a federal official who was briefed by authorities. Al-Asiri, who is thought to be in Yemen, is a Saudi who ranked high on Saudi Arabia's list of most wanted published in February 2009. He is also believed to be the bomber who designed last year's failed attempt to blow up a U.S. airliner as it landed in Detroit, Michigan, on December 25.
A U.S. official said that the devices found in the packages last week were very sophisticated and could have exploded in flight, but it wasn't clear whether that was the intent.
The group's statement said the devices' designs "allow us the opportunity to detonate them in the air or after their arrival to their ultimate destination, and they are designed to pass through all detectors."
The packages were discovered thanks to a tip from Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials provided tracking numbers of the two packages bound for Jewish organizations in the United States, enabling quick tracing to the United Kingdom and Dubai, a source told CNN.
Friday's statement denounced the Saudi assistance in thwarting the plot, saying, "God has exposed you and showed the world that you are nothing but treacherous agents to the Jews because these bomb packages were headed to Jewish-Zionist temples, and you had to intervene with your treacherous ways to protect them, so may God curse you for being the oppressors."
But two U.S. officials said that the street addresses found on the packages were not the current locations of the synagogues and that the packages were addressed to historical figures from the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition.
After last week's incidents, U.S. government authorities grounded packages originating from Yemen destined for the United States.
Yemen has asked for outside help to thwart terror groups, but the country, the ancestral home of Osama bin Laden, is still used for operations, U.S. officials say.
CNN's Saad Abedine contributed to this report.


text:
Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge !! Thank you for joining us for the Patriotic Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too :-)
Be sure to check the post below for the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher !! :-)
This week the challenge is ,,,,,,,,
AND... speaking of PINNING.... Did you know that Simon Says Stamp has some really great boards stuffed to the brim with inspiration on Pinterest? Be sure to follow! And be sure to pin your favorite DT projects to your own boards, too!
Remember to click on the person's name or card to see all of the details and leave these wonderful girls some comment love! :)
Designer in the Spotlight
used Freckled Fawn Colorful Paper Clips
I've used Tim Holtz Trinket Pins
I've used Maya Road Vintage Pearl Butterfly pins
Used: BASIC GREY clip
used Hero Arts Little Clothespins
used Tim Holtz mini paper clip:


text:
Here is our weekly roundup of printable grocery coupons for 15 grocery stores for the week of March 27-April 2. Now in alphabetical order! My Coupon Database searches dozens of sites for all grocery and drugstore coupons available. New coupons added weekly!
Albertsons – Get the full list of Albertsons coupons from Save at Home Mommy.
Fresh n Easy – The Deal Fanatic posts this week's Fresh n Easy grocery coupons.
Giant Eagle – Lady Savings shares this week's Giant Eagle deals.
Harris Teeter – This week's Harris Teeter grocery coupons will be up later today on Capitally Frugal.
Kroger – Faithful Provisions shares this week's Kroger grocery coupons.
NEX – Military Wives Saving posts the best grocery deals at the Navy Exchange each week.
Publix – Southern Savers posted this week's Publix grocery coupons.
Safeway/Vons – Get all the Safeway/Vons coupons and deals later today from Saving Cents with Sense.
ShopRite – Living Rich With Coupons posted this week's ShopRite coupons.
Stop & Shop – Look for this week's Stop & Shop coupons from Coupon Divas on Friday, the beginning of their sale cycle. Or shop by Thursday for this week's sale. The deals will be up later today.
Trader Joe's – Healthy Life Deals shares this week's Trader Joe's deals.
Wegman's – Find this week's Wegmans coupons and deals on Capitally Frugal.
Winn Dixie – My Baton Rouge Mommy shares Winn Dixie grocery deals later today.
Whole Foods – Get Whole Foods coupons from The Thrifty Mama. Check out our tips for saving money at Whole Foods.
Grocery coupons – Get the latest grocery coupons from Coupons.com.
Redplum coupons – Get the latest coupons from Redplum.
New to coupons? Check out Bargain Babe's post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here's a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.
This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Any other site posting this content is violating the DMCA.


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How to look at someones desktop in XP
This tut is written by SilverCrow 16:57 22 november.
First you have to go to
then type mstcs. (SHOULD be mstsc and no period)
You will see a screen, you can enter a windows XP computer here, you will be
able to run files, and look at the victims desktop when you connect to a pc,
and alot more, just check it out.
1. click on options
2. here you can enter a username and password, there is a way to get arround
this: go to msdos and ping flood the target, untill he gets the blue screen
of death, now enter the pc without a username and password, now that your in
you have to quickly download his password file to ur pc and rip it for the
next time you want to enter, note: you have to be fast when you want to
download the pwl file, or he'll reboot his comp. I heard there is a way to
set up a telnet server with username and password with this trick... Don't
ask me, i don't know how :*(***** oyeah, you could also telnet to him on
some port when your connected, just scan him for the open port (above 555)
and when you are connected through telnet, you will end up in a mshearts
game with him, cool huh!?
hey I got to give the credit to the Astalavista people for this one. I tried it on my grandparents machine and it didn't work but may you might be affected with this. Seems a pretty simple way to get into a computer.