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Playbirds, The (UK - DVD R2)
The Wilson Bros & Playbirds? They're truly in their element with this one...
Following the mega-success of Come Play With Me, the race was on to create a follow up to keep the money machine rolling. Mary Millington was the hottest sex star ever to grace the screens of Soho, and punters would eagerly watch her read the shipping news, so what was wanted now was to appeal to a wider audience than just giving the dirty macs a few cheap laughs in the sticky seats. Imagine a British sex movie without gags? Dare you even dream one with a plot?? A sex thriller???
Along with British sex films, we also have a great love for movies from Butchers' and the like, makers of those neat little quota-quickies which hit their peak in the 50s and early 60s. One of our favourites was Cover Girl Killer, which saw a pre-typecasting Harry H Corbett murdering the models from the front page of Wow magazine. The owner of the magazine helps police track the homicidal fan by using someone on the inside as bait. With a plot so solid, it seemed the perfect basis to take David Sullivan's movie wing in a more dynamic direction.
The streets of London are littered with bodies as a sadistic murderer is slaughtering the glamorous starlets on the cover of porno-king Harry Dougan's Playbirds magazine, with a number to indicate the death toll carved into their foreheads. With a list of shifty suspects ever dwindling, Chief Superintendent Jack Holborne (Glynn Edwards) Inspector Harry Morgan (Gavin Campbell) needs to get someone on the cover to lure the killer into the open. WPC Lucy Sheridan (Mary Millington) finds herself at the heart of danger when she steps forward to volunteer. Time is running out as the body count rises and Sheridan is closer to the hands of the killer than anyone realises.
Essentially, The Playbirds is almost a hybrid of Giallo and police procedural thriller, with the expected elements from sex film of the time sewn into its' lining. As with most films which fall into the categories listed above, there isn't so much a plot more than a sequence of events which allows bad things to happen to nice people, followed by the chance for the 'good' to eventually catch up with the loony on the loose. If this sounds like is deviates too much from the British sex film aficionados know and love, just remember that there are lots of tits, arse and more than the odd bit of carpet to enjoy.
Gratuitous nudity accepted, there is a concerted effort to make The Playbirds more than just another tits and arse movie, attempting to raise the profile of the genre and aim for some kind of either recognition or respectability. This is set out early on, as the first killing looked like something from Frenzy, with the imagery clearly borrowed from Hitchcocks' penultimate movie in decision which serves Roe's film very well. Indeed, the thriller sequences are genuinely well handled, with the fourth murder being particularly good. Campbell stumbles upon the freshly-snuffed body of the girl he is supposed to be protecting, and give chase through the high-rise building. There is more than a flavour of Dario Argento about it, with the rickety elevator bringing to mind the climax of Profondo Rosso.
There is such a weird combination of smut and art throughout the film that it could be either read or mistaken as being ingenious. The use of models for 'glamour' shoots gives the opportunity to show naked birds whilst keeping things within the context of the plot. Indeed, some of the photo-shoots depicted in The Playbirds show something that would have been considered far-out back in the late seventies, and although more commonplace today, still comes across as pretty damned erotic. The imagery of a raving nymph riding a rocking horse in the raw is an arresting sight, as though combining both the adult baby fetish with bestiality. It's doesn't help refute accusations of animal lust when she slips underneath and undulates in a way strictly reserved for those who take the phrase 'animal husbandry' too literally. Mmm, arousing on two different levels…
The maddest of this sexual shoehorning is so brain-frying that you can't forget it if you tried. The photographer not above suspicion snapping away at witchcraft-inspired photo-shoot, where a young wench in inducted into a satanic circle. The Grand Wizard conducting the 'ceremony' sports a werewolf mask, a black cloak and nothing else. With his meat and two veg exposed, he slashes her flimsy dress from her body with a big knife. It is utterly surreal, and the closest you'll get to seeing Lon Chaney Jr with his nob out, apart from pissing up a wall during one of his later alcoholic binges.
With it being a Mary Millington/David Sullivan sex film, you'd rightly feel cheated if there weren't some decent sex scenes, and The Playbirds doesn't skimp on the sauce. Purely in the course of her investigations, our Mary has to get close to those under suspicion, and this provides Alan Lake with another chance for some more bedroom action with a stunning woman—it's nice that he and his wife Diana Dors were able to have something they could both chat about over dinner, if the rumours were true. Speaking of which, the Sapphic sexual predilection of Ms Millington are put to good use during a rather hot lesbian sequence, where she is seduced by a masseuse in order to get to Dougan's bed. This was the cinematic alpha and omega of Ericka Von Jump's big screen career, but it's certainly a turn to make the old palms sweat! There was an outtake from this piece during Mary Millington's True Blue Confessions, where Jump struggles to unzip Millington's pants—they just cut away in the end. The aforementioned sex scene between Lake and Millington is photographed with in very soft-focus, reflecting the porn magazines at the time, which is a nice touch of nostalgia.
Director Wily Roe makes much better job of deploying David Sullivan's money than George Harrison Marks did on Come Play with Me, as there is a much more spacious feel and larger scale to The Playbirds than the others made around the same period, with stop-offs at the races, sojourns at country estates and location work in London which goes beyond the usual confines of the rest of its ilk. The sequence at Speaker's Corner is particularly well handled, and makes you want to take a run out to Hyde Park and see what's become of the popular area for the zealous. On a craftsmanship level, we have to give our highest praise for one particular shot in the movie. To many, these films are a warm blanket of nostalgia for times and sights which will never come again, and we have a prime example here. Lake sits at his office desk at dusk, with the setting sun backlighting an operational Battersea Power Station. Sure, it's weird to see the long-derelict facility in its prime, but our compliments to Douglas Hill's cinematography, which actually transforms the familiar amalgamation of concrete, pipe and steel into a thing of beauty.
With our love of all things contrary to the obscenity of political-correctness, The Playbirds is full of numerous blasts of warm, foul air, akin to the almost sensual wake of a speeding garbage-truck. Any movie where a gorgeous bird gets to say the line: 'Oh goody, I'm going to be raped…' as a vicious prowler is about to attack her is one which will always nudge its way up to the top of our to-do list. With kids these days seemingly unbound by little things like manners and any form of respect, one of the genuinely shocking/amusing pieces has seen its power greatly diminished over the last few years. Paying a call at the home of a crucial suspect, a sweet-looking kid—almost ripped from the Cadburys' Fudge adverts—exclaims: 'Fuck me, the old bill!' While it's still amusing, there isn't the same surprise there was when we first saw it a couple of decades ago. The overall effect is also a little damaged by the kid in question clearly giggling as he gets the chance to say a dirty word. It's still pretty funny, though.
To this end, you have to admire the brass neck of using the plot device of selecting a policewoman to strip for the magazine as bait for the killer, where it gives the opportunity for a couple of women to perform a striptease within the confines of the script. Another way employed to squeeze as much filth into the movie as possible comes through an interesting POV shot of Marry Millington during a massage scene, which gives her fans the chance to see what it might look like to witness her face in the throes of ecstasy, as though having sex with Britain's most popular sex icon.
There are some other nice touches, including our favourite, where Windsor Davies is going over the murder of sex starlets as he muses: 'Remember that Stratton case?' No prizes for guessing which topical event it was referencing, but it doesn't come across as forced, nor reeking of desperation. Just compare it to the cloaked mention of the Manson killings in Dracula AD1972, where it sticks out like a sore thumb. When Davies is going through the rap-sheet of one of his key suspects, he reads out 'Rape… 68. Rape… 73'. We defy anyone not to watch that sequence and think: Boy, that's a Hell of a lot of rape! It would have more certainly been even more tasteless for Davies to have casually read out 'Rape... 69'.
Playbirds has the distinction of bringing the term 'Pornocrats' into the public domain, rather than that of the pubic one. It is a term born of resentment from either the morally righteous or police frustrated that smut was becoming more legal, and the very people they could easily bust were making seriously good money from the sex business. That Sullivan permitted its use in the movie might have been tied into his character's fate in the film, but you'll have to work that one out when you watch it, as we wouldn't want to spoil the ending, which really does surprise, with even whiskey-soaked cynics like us left pleasantly flummoxed by the coda.
Then we come to the tragic figure of Ms Mary Millington as WPC Andrews. With so few feature films on her CV, it's a shame that only at the end did she start to get things right. Her dialogue delivery in The Playbirds is really ropey, not yet having been giving the valuable acting tips from John M East which saw her right in Confessions From the David Galaxy Affair. On at least one occasion, she sounds exactly like the aging Criswell in Orgy of the Dead. As much as it sounds like griping, but she certainly doesn't walk like a policewoman, and pounds the beat around Soho as though she's touting for business. Ms Maxted isn't required to do all that much when it comes to dialogue, which is just as well, with her utterance that she is a dab-hand at self-defence sounding as though she hadn't heard of the concept until just being handed it on a piece of paper and reading it cold. As with many things during her short life, her charisma carried her a long way.
If ever you needed a good example of the way familiarity breeds contempt, you only need to look to Alan Lake's performance here. As Harry Dugan, Lake puts in a considerably better—or at least more consistent—turn than he did in the following Confessions From the David Galaxy Affair. Clearly he used the clout of playing the title character to turn in alcohol-fuelled, hammy work, secure in the knowledge that everyone knew him and wouldn't dare put him in his place for his behaviour. In] The Playbirds, he makes you realise that he was a decent thespian, but the combination of ego and drink impaired his abilities. Using real life as a leaping-point, Harry Dougan is essentially porno producer & movie financier David Sullivan, a man who loves women, horse-racing and good living. It all adds to the credibility of the conceit to see Dougan at the races watching his new nag, Mr Playbird, taking on all comers. Even those who don't know of Sullivan directly will be able to identify with the trappings on display, with the opulence being both enticing and almost repulsive at the same time. In this respect, Alan Lake was the ideal choice for the role. Make of that what you will…
Among the many familiar faces to pop up throughout the movie is that is Dudley Sutton, who makes his first appearance wearing a religious sign of repentance over his head. Given his character's fanatical nature, you might be forgiven for thinking that it should have been a neon sign rather than a wooden one. When the suspects are thinned out and Sutton is cleared, the plot just gets even thicker. This was only a couple of years after Sutton turned down the offer to be in Revenge of the Cybermen, so you wonder if he made a bad move to end up in a sex-thriller, regardless of how entertaining it turned out. Speaking of Doctor Who, Sutton's character is a dead ringer for Patrick Troughton's one he played in The Omen, with both roles being just a religiously zealot with heavy Irish brogue. In the eighties, Sutton garnered a new audience when he became a regular in the television series Lovejoy, endearing himself to pensioners everywhere as loveable Tinker—our dear old Nan would have been aghast to have heard that he did soft-core porno only a few short years prior to Lovejoy.
When watching the movie for the purposes of reviewing, one of our Missus stuck her head around the door as the pretty little woman brought in coffee. About to leave, she exclaimed: 'Blimey, is that Gavin Campbell?' Many don't realise that there is more to him than just being the guy from That's Life, with dramatic appearances in many popular TV shows, even turning up in On The Buses, which doubtless trained him well in the use of double-entendre. He acquits himself well in Playbirds, playing yet another police officer, but he's good at it. There are certain instances where Campbell uses some of Roger Moore's mannerisms when trying to be suave, and plays well off of Glynn Edwards. There is also a surprising amount of depth to his performance, particularly during on scene where he listens to the sob-story of one character and he responds and adjusts his performance to suit the delivery of his co-star's delivery, which is a crucial requirement to be a good actor.
If you need proof that there were winning elements at work, you need only look at how many shared themes there are between this and the following David Galaxy Affair. Aside from numerous returning cast members, we find Glynn Edwards as a police officer pursuing another suspect with an alibi involving sleeping with an MP. Inspector Holborne is a police officer in the typical 70s mould, with many of the character flaws which befall those who he seeks to put behind bars. This all ties into his interest in the affairs of the porno-publisher at the centre of things, with Holborn's love of putting money on the gee-gees making the pornocrat's new Mr Playbird horse an irresistible avenue to pursue.
As reliable as Edwards is, it came as a shock to us—as folk who regularly watched Minder—to encounter his foul mouth. There is a classic exchange between him and a lower-ranking officer who mocks his lack of success on the horses, asking him if he's going to put his money on Mr. Playbird, to which he responds with: 'Fuck off will you, and leave me alone!' We've quoted that line (complete with appropriately gruff tone) to each other for years, and it is a firm favourite.
An appearance to bring a smile to our lips comes in the form of Mr Kenny Lynch. Much better here than the numerous outings on the dreadful Celebrity Squares, or any other time you can drag him away from Brucie Forsythe's golfing mafia, but our favourite of his works comes in Dr Terror's House of Horrors, where we really dig that Calypso music, man. When we first saw The Playbirds, the sight of Kenny in a Parka struck a resonant chord in us, embodying a quintessential snapshot of 70s Britain.
That parasitic little pratt John M East turns up towards the end to interview Millington on her character's newfound sex-stardom, running a tape recorder as she talks. This is deeply ironic, as East used a recording of her final interview as the basis of his opportunistic 'tribute' True Blue Confessions. He really puts the Burke in 'Burke and Hare'.
With the pre-net generation brought up on ropy, washed out copies of filthy movies, one can only wonder just how a movie like The Playbirds will look on DVD. Is it from a copy off the shelf at your local video shop? Did they pick up it from a shady guy at a car boot sale? We think you'll be very pleasantly surprised as we take a look…
Much like Odeon's release of Come Play With Me, The Playbirds has been remastered from the original negative and the results are nothing short of stunning. When we first watched this film back in the early 90s, we had no idea that it could ever look as remarkable as this.
The general image is surprisingly sharp and detailed, with some vibrant colours and a pretty crisp look to it. One has to bear in mind that the low budget of the film means that it couldn't compete with the image quality of a big budget film from the same period, but it still looks comparatively amazing. In fact, the print is so good that it highlights the pretty lousy makeup on the actors, with thespians like Glynn Edwards, Windsor Davies and Gavin Campbell looking as though they just escaped from a mortuary.
It's not perfect—there are several instances in the first half an hour where an inferior print seems to have been used for a few second here and there, which is probably due to damage to the negative, but these moments are only sporadic and won't hamper your enjoyment of the film. All-in-all, this is another wonderful effort from Odeon that will make you wonder why all sleaze couldn't look this good.
Presented in Dolby Digital 2.0, there are no complaints about the audio; the limitations of the budget mean that the original recording of some of the dialogue wasn't as clean as it could have been, but this is not the fault of the disc. Odeon sprang for a full restoration of the audio element, and this pays of when watching, particularly when the irritating-yet-catchy theme song comes across with a pleasing degree of clarity, burrowing into you mind like a flesh-eating bug.
Odeon have lavished this release with a set of supplemental features similar to other more recent titles in their Slap and Tickle series.
Mary Millington's Striptease Extravaganza: To open our appraisal of this particular oddity, we feel that adopting the style of Dickens and misquoting him would be appropriate:
Mary was dead to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that... Old Mary was as dead as a door-nail.
Millington was very much residing in her grave by the time that this shameless cash-in on the former Ms Maxted was filmed and in order to squeeze just a little more out of the legend of Britain's first adult superstar, producers David Sullivan and John M East, along with director Roy Deverell cobbled together this cheap and nasty parade of second-rate striptease artists and wannabe starlets as a bizarre 'tribute' to Ms. Millington. The end result is something that would have probably had the sounds of revolving and splintering echoing across the little village of South Holmwood in 1981.
The always seedy-looking John M East (a gentleman whose facial expression always seems to say 'phwoar!') kicks off things by eulogising Mary and showing an out-of-context clip of her from Queen of the Blues, which shows her character stripping and hangs the shaky premise of a stripping movie upon it.
Join the white-knuckle thrill-ride as a major British television celebrity is your compare, introducing a gaggle of the world's most gorgeous gals as they battle it out in a series of exciting, well-choreographed striptease routines for a host of top prizes.
Well, that's how you would describe it if you were blatantly using your rectum as a mouth. Let's try for a more realistic description of the thing...
Endure the coma-inducing tedium as the washed-up half of a comedy duo makes racist jokes and introduces a mixed-bag of Britain's most willing women who take their clothes off for money in a series of routines that have the grace and co-ordination of a semi-tranquilised rhinoceros for non-existent prizes in a fictitious contest.
That's right—the contest (which author and smut scientist Simon Sheridan confirms) was non-existent, so there was no grand prize of a modelling contract, Jamaican holiday and money—it was all a load of cobblers in order to have some sort of reason for this thing to exist.
Bernie Winters was on the verge of becoming a celebrity in his own right after his brother Mike came to his senses; by this time, he had picked up a large St Bernard and was getting back on his feet, but it's a miracle that he became the lovable scamp of chat-shows and game-shows like Give Us A Clue after appearing in this scummy piece of junk. Winters leers over the girls and makes remarks that would have had toes curling back in the day, let alone in the 21st century. Schnorbitz' owner also cracks on or two racist remarks during his shtick and tries to pass them off by adopting the demeanour of schoolboy innocence. That sort of thing worked for Benny Hill, but it doesn't work for Winters—he just makes himself out to be more of an offensive twat than usual. Winters' jokes give the audience the full Virginia Rappe broken bottle experience. The audience reaction to Winters' gags seems as though generous quantities of nitrous-oxide had been pumped into the venue. We'd swear that some of the audience footage comes from Queen of the Blues, which would make sense, seeing as some people appear to be laughing heartily at Winters' tired routines.
We had a real problem with the patently phone nature of the nationalities of the contestants, just so as to justify the international angle of the concept. Worst of these is probably the woman purported to be Turkish when clearly Indian, even wearing a Sarong which Winters describes as 'a chapatti'. Prick. In spite of being hoodwinked as to our ladies' origins, you can't deny that there are some terrific multi-national dongers on display, and some interesting parings to be had. Possibly our favourite was the Turkey/Sweden lesbian act, which showed that two countries can come together when they can get their act together, but then again, Turkey and Swede have always complimented each other nicely...
Probably more accidental than planned, a clever piece comes during a Crying Game special, when one of a foursome of strippers isn't quite all 'she' seems. Clever use of music, with a totally arrhythmic baseline in complete contrast to the rest of the tune. An indicator that something with one of the contestants isn't right. Or maybe it was just luck in the choosing of a crap piece of music.
Stripper 'Chantelle' throws Winters a little when she turns out to be more than the vacant parrot he assumes, and resists setting up for a crap gag he wants to score over her. Forget it, Bernie, you have more chance of reanimating Mary Millington than getting off with these broads. Still, even if he was able to bring the former Ms Maxted back to life, he'd have to fight John M East for the privilege of having sex with her, as he has the exclusive necrophilia rights on that one.
Possibly the most interesting aspect to this short film (well, it's certainly not feature-length and it's too fake to be a documentary) is that it features the final appearance of superstar-in-her-own-mind, Julie East. The ambitious East was not one to let the fact that her desire for stardom eclipsed the amount of talent that she possessed; her previous appearance in Emmanuelle in Soho was disastrous from an acting point-of-view, but it got her noticed, but sadly, she ventured into murkier waters and her star was already waning before her demise. Lee appears in a stripping double-act, and her hunger for stardom is still in evidence, but this was a far cry from even the dubious feature film she appeared in, with Lee getting her togs off in an unsexy manner that would have had many real punters wanting a refund at the door. Lee does not win the non-existent prize in this fake contest, and it is with a certain eeriness that Lee would lose a real beauty contest and drive off in such a huff that she would suffer fatal burns in a car-crash.
It's interesting to note that the 'winner' of this striptease extravaganza was 'Kathy from Brighton', who was in actuality Kathy Green, Mary Millington's real-life lesbian lover. It's quite possible that the decision to have her be the recipient of the crown was as a way of commemorating Millington's memory in some way. It's worth pointing out that Julie Lee is nowhere to be seen in the final part of the contest. She clearly didn't want to be seen losing yet another competition.
Winters goes out of his way to praise the work of the two very talented musicians who provide the live music, and their efforts impressed us no end. Using just a set of drums and piano, they are able to belt out a brassy rendition of 'The Stripper' and a couple of disco tunes in spite of the physical impossibility of performing them without sufficient instruments or even a singer to do the vocals. In actuality, those familiar with that obscure sub-genre known as the 70s British sex comedy will recognise many of the music tracks that accompany the girls as they gyrate and stumble through their routines—that variant of 'The Stripper' was also heard in the wonderful Eskimo Nell several years prior; one or two of the generic-sounding disco numbers heard in Emmanuelle in Soho the same hear are also reused here.
The image quality is distinctly mediocre, in keeping with the shorter films that have been included as extras on Odeon's Slap and Tickle label. The print is almost-certainly sourced from videotape and there is noticeable interlacing. Colours are pallid and not vibrant in the slightest, but we're sure that some of you out there will feel that having such a lousy-looking copy of this film will add to the sleaze value.
Mary Millington's Striptease Extravaganza is one of those rare films that actual cause a split of opinion between us. Both of us thought it was crap, but we had conflicting degrees of crappiness—one of us thought that it was almost irredeemably awful, whereas the other summed up his feelings whilst watching it with the following words...
'I can feel my soul dropping through my arsehole.'
Response: You get more Millington for your money with this terrific 8mm short from 1974. Mirroring Mary's burgeoning Sapphic predilections, she plays a bored office worker who has a passionate fling with an equally stunning woman. It's not big on plot, but is very well filmed, enshrouded in a hazy mist of gorgeous, 70s photography, and is one of the few loops which is sensually erotic rather than merely pornographic. We absolutely guarantee a severe case of trouser arousal for the men when watching this one, not to mention a bean-flicking urge for any liberated ladies tuning in. The quality of rather nice, which given the 8mm origins, is something of a miracle. This is the version which was sold 'silent', which is a shame, but takes nothing away from the overall experience. Damn good stuff.
Stills Gallery: We get another exhaustive set of photos and other promotional material, courtesy of Simon Sheridan, and drops you right into the world of late 70s porn. Once again, there are much stronger photos here than ended up in the movie, produced for publicity and as photosets for Sullivan's magazines. The posters and video boxes brought a warm frisson as we sat through them, and will be a real curiosity-magnet for anyone with even the slightest of interest in the scene. Keep an eye out for a particular still, which shows one of the girls with possibly the widest baby-cannon you're likely to see in high-glamour porn.
Booklet Notes: Mr Simon Sheridan once again shines with his encyclopaedic knowledge of 70s filth as he takes you through all three projects contained on the DVD. Bursting with information and amusing trivia, the booklet is so full with seedy notes spewed into the pages that you expect them to be stuck together. Sterling stuff, once again.
The Playbirds is a wonderfully nostalgic slice of 70s sleaze; it's more enjoyable than Come Play With Me and Confessions From the David Galaxy Affair, as it has the added benefit of a coherent plot and some genuinely good performances by many members of the cast. Even today, the ending really packs a punch, and comes so far out of left field that it might have been thrown by a vegetarian member of Greenpeace, making you appreciate that they didn't go down the usual path most others lazily tread. The extras are plentiful, and the restoration job makes it all look and sound terrific. This is the last of the films in which Mary Millington had a significant role, and it is fitting that Odeon have saved the best still last—good stuff!
Review by Wilson Bros
Existing Posts
Cheeky sod!
The Wilson Bros
The Wilson Bros
I think the review is a bit light and just skimms the surface, maybe a bit more depth, background information and the odd joke or 2 next time please boys
I've added the review link on IMDb, but even there, only 60 people have rated the film, so it must be a very niche title.
Well, another in-depth, extensive review that nobody gave a f**k about. If we were reviewing the latest noisy, vacuous blockbuster, then people would all over the Goddamn thing. That's it - we've pretty much had enough.
Kevin & Nick Wilson
Kevin & Nick Wilson
Suitable only for persons of 18 years and over
Disc Details
Release Date: 9th August 2010
Discs: 1
Disc Type: Single side, dual layer
RCE: No
Video: PAL
Aspect: 1.78:1
Anamorphic: Yes
Colour: Yes
Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 English
Subtitles: None
Extras: Mary Millington's Striptease Extravaganza, Photo Gallery, Trailers
Easter Egg: No
Feature Details
Director: Willy Roe
Cast: Mary Millington, Glynn Edwards, Gavin Campbell
Genre: Thriller
Length: 90 minutes
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CM Sentinel Advance II Mouse and RX Pad Review
Cooler Master is at it again…we've seen so much from them lately on the peripheral side with two new keyboards in just the last month! Today we are going to take a look at a couple products that have been circulating the market since mid-March. We will be getting personal with the Sentinel Advance II and one of CM's speed RX mouse pads. Two products that cannot live without the other (and NO that does not mean you have to buy these two together) will be tested out and compared to some of my favorite mice and pads. I hope they can hold up to the task!
Some of you might recognize the Sentinel Advance name. This is because CM has really already released this mouse under a couple different names. The Sentinel Advance and the Sentinel Zero-G (I had the Zero-G Shattered Horizon edition) have both been released previously with pretty much the exact same outer body with a few inner changes for improvement. So if you had one in the past and loved it, this is likely just another birthing of the same thing with perhaps a subtle new feature. Either way, we'll work this thing hard to see what it can do. It's time we start taking a look at the mouse and pad.
Closer Look:
Taking a look at the mouse box, it is clear a lot of effort was put in to grab the consumer's attention at the store. To be honest, with a pretty high percentage of enthusiasts buying hardware and components online (other than those with a decent store locally), the packaging almost goes to waste. It's fancy and fun to look at, but once I've ordered the product and it's been delivered to my house, I just want to open it, not look at the features.
Anyway, the front of the box tells you right away what the difference is between this and the previous Sentinel mice – it has a "New Sensor". The mouse itself appears to be on fire, literally, and is glowing with ferocity. The back of the box lists a bunch of features, including the usual DPI limits as well as polling rates and even some on-mouse memory to recall profile settings rig-to-rig.
The box has one of those flip folds that gives you a nice plastic wrap version of the product to look at before you buy it. It lets you see the actual product rather than some super nice pictures of it; that shows Cooler Master's high confidence in the product alone. You can even put your hand on the mouse to test out size and fit – I really like this opportunity when buying something. I almost wish you could test more products before buying them (becoming a reviewer has really changed the way I look and decide to buy things). More features are listed on the inside panel here – we'll cover each one as we look closer at the mouse.
Before we tear open the box, my favorite task, let's take a look at the Speed RX-L (large) pad that showed up with the mouse as well. The box is a simple rectangular box that contains the mouse pad rolled up neatly inside. The box shows red-printed military figurines on a black background with an actual picture of the mouse pad (with the Sentinel mouse on it) just off to the right. The Cooler Master logo fills the upper left corner while you get the CMSTORM logo to confirm authenticity.
Taking a look at each side of the box we get a little more information. The front of the box is as explained above, showing the product name and company name in bold. The next side of the box has a bit of an "introduction", giving a brief rationale for the Speed-RX's creation. It is a pad for optical gaming sensors to work just as well with high-end laser sensors, while providing "excellent tracking" and "speedy glide". It is a pad worthy of any mouse design – not just for a CM mouse.
Rolling the box over one more turn reveals nothing much more than the term "Gaming Mouse Pad" in more languages than I want to count. The last side of the box gives a list of features, in English, and a quick set of specifications to give you an idea for size; 460 x 350 x 5 mm. A texture square is glued to the box to give you a quick feel of what you are getting into.
I decided the little square of fabric was quite nifty and got a closer shot for you to look at. It's like when you go to buy sheets and they have a little cut out window so you can feel the actual sheets themselves. I tend to always grab the package from the back – I hate thinking about all the people who've touched the little square (I guess it's only a fraction of the entire sheet, but…). Anyway, that is beside the point, train back on track; the patch here is on the outside, it's not actually the mouse pad (nor the same thickness), but it gives you the feel of the outer cloth layer. To me it doesn't seem to be anything too special; I do find it a neat sales tactic, but I do digress.


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The navy and gold with gold shoulder yokes was the look which defined the Bays for much of their first three decades, including a couple World Championships.
You wouldn't know that, however, from looking around the Packers Pro Shop. The Packers sell all manner of Lombardi Green and Gold, and they have recently started showing some love (if not historical fealty) for the Acme Packers of 1921. But there's an awful lot of history between those two points, and it's largely being ignored.
Sure, you can buy a blue and gold Favre throwback jersey, but that's a 1994 throwback, not 1944. Mitchell & Ness has at times made Tony Canadeo jerseys - a 1949 navy and 1946 white - but those have been out of production for years.
Enter HR Derby. They're an outfit in western New York state, near Niagara Falls, specializing in throwback jerseys of all kinds. Aside from their website, they also maintain a store on eBay.
HR Derby carries the standard Mitchell & Ness baseball flannels, but also a line of custom-made historical football jerseys in a number of styles, but - and here's where it gets good - they also do custom orders, which means they can make just about any classic football jersey you want.
For years, I've been lobbying for a 1940s Hutson throwback over at the Database, but never with any success. So, finally given the opportunity to own one, I couldn't resist.
It's absolutely stunning. Deep navy and vivid gold are a beautiful combination, sadly unused in the NFL today.
Now, the design's not perfect. The gold yoke should be higher in the front, exposing some of the gold collar, as seen on this 1943 photo of (left to right) Tony Canadeo, Irv Comp, Lambeau and Hutson:
This low yoke is more reminiscent of the first 1937 version, as seen here on Arnie Herber and Hutson:
This wouldn't be a problem, except that it probably means that my 1940s numbers are inaccurate for this jersey. But that's fairly fine nitpicking.
I can't recommend these guys highly enough. But if you're thinking of ordering one yourself, you should be aware that the process takes a long time. HR Derby has the base jerseys themselves manufactured by Southland Athletics (who outfitted, among other NFL clubs, the Cowboys of the 1960s and 1970s), before HR Derby sews on the letters, numbers and other insignia.
This results in amazing quality but also means you have to wait until HR Derby compiles enough custom orders to meet Southland's minimum. In my case, it was about six months from the time I placed my order until delivery. I've heard of others having to wait longer than that. But once you actually receive the jersey, you'll find they're well worth the wait.
And heck, since Mitchell & Ness no longer sells Canadeo jerseys, HR Derby is picking up the slack there as well. This beauty (perhaps the same Southland batch as mine?) recently sold on their eBay store.
If anybody over at the Packer Pro Shop is reading this, you should really work out a deal with the guys at HR Derby. I know I'm not the only one who's been wanting one of these for a long, long time.


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DailyDirt: Adapting To A TL;DR Future
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
With the ever growing amount of content to read/watch/hear, humans are going to need to figure out much more efficient ways to consume information. Speed reading will only get us so far, and then we're going to have to rely on ways to filter out irrelevant stuff so we can focus more on just the things that we really need to see. Here are just a few early attempts to get computers to help us out with information overload.
- Clipped is a software tool that tries to extract key bits of information from long pieces of text. Tanay Tandon, a 15yo kid, created it and also filed a patent for his algorithm.... [url]
- TLDR is a browser plug-in that tries to create short summaries for articles. These algorithms aren't perfect, but then again, neither is human comprehension. [url]
- Another teenager wrote news-summarizing software and raised $1 million for it. It was originally called Trimmit, but now it's Summly -- and 16yo Nick D'Alosio is looking for some "serious scientists" to help him improve his algorithms with that VC funding. [url]


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Reviewed by Diana S. (age 8)
My favorite part of this book is when the bunnies go fishing because I love fishing. My least favorite part is when they had to leave. I do not like to leave the park! I liked the book because it is fun and nice.
I am going to recommend this to Selina, Melissa, Jessenia, Kristal, Adrian and Toshiaki because it?s nice and it?s fun to read!


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|Vancouver, WA
|High School:
Notes: Finished her career seventh in school history with 176 career strikeouts.
2010: Honorable mention All-Ivy selection… Her 77 strikeouts tied for the eighth most in a season in school history… Led the Yale pitching staff in wins (6) and innings pitched (111.1)… Took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of a win over Marist… Named the Ivy League Pitcher of the Week following that performance… Struck out a career-high 14 against Quinnipiac.
2009: Led the Yale pitching staff with three saves... Appeared in 19 games and pitched 55.1 innings, which were both third on the team...Struck out two of the three hitters she faced to preserve a win over Marist... Also notched saves by tossing three scoreless innings against both Bryant and Columbia... Pitched a complete-game three-hitter with a season-high six strikeouts in a win over Fairfield.
2008: Finished with the fifth-best earned run average (2.45) in the Ivy League... Led the Yale pitching staff in strikeouts with 43... Walked only 11 batters on the year... Second on the staff in wins (5) and complete games (5)... Her two shutouts tied for fifth in the league... Pitched a two-hit shutout against Florida A&M... Blanked Columbia, allowing just four hits, while striking out six... Struck out a career-high 10 batters against Stony Brook... Earned saves in wins over Sacred Heart and Brown.
2007: An early-season injury hampered her development... Her first career win came in relief as the Bulldogs scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning against Manhattan... Struck out a season-high five batters in three innings of relief to earn a save against Sacred Heart... Tossed six shutout innings and earned a victory in the season finale against Brown.
Before Yale: A first team all-region and first team all-league selection as both a junior and senior at Skyview High School, which qualified for the state tournament in all four of her seasons... Named first team all-league as a sophomore... Earned second team all-league recognition in her freshman year.
Personal: Resides in Silliman College... Daughter of David Kuretich.


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Second Levitt Leadership Institute Inspires Students
In an effort to change our society for the better, former United States Ambassador Prudence Bushnell believes that we must train our leaders at an early age. While students at West Point, Annapolis and other military academies receive top-notch leadership training, most civilian students are not given these opportunities. To fill this void, Bushnell partnered with Hamilton's Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center to create the Levitt Leadership Institute (LLI).
"Hamilton students have much of what it takes to make a difference and the Levitt Center team, Chris Powers, and I are committed to helping them do so – starting with personal leadership skills," Bushnell said of the program.
In her second year at the helm, Bushnell provides a unique perspective on leadership through the lens of her experience overseas. Assisted by Christine Powers – a leadership development trainer who has worked extensively with the State Department – Bushnell guided a group of 19 Hamilton students through a rigorous weeklong training.
Students arrived for week one on January 13 and spent roughly eight hours per day refining their leadership skills. During this time, participants analyzed their Myers-Briggs personality types, Thomas-Kilmann conflict results and individual leadership styles.
Students then participated in team initiatives that tested their ability to function effectively within a group. Sam Sherman '15 – who plays varsity field hockey and serves on the HAVOC executive board – said of the exercises, "I have become significantly more self-aware and will apply the multiple lessons I have learned on leadership, followership, and conflict daily."
Dylan Wulderk '13 – who is deliberating on whether to pursue a job in politics or a master's program in public administration – echoed Sherman's beliefs. He said, "Self-awareness is absolutely critical in order to be successful, and by viewing myself on tape during interviews, leadership initiatives, and group activities, I was able to see myself through the eyes of others."
Other events during the week included a discussion with Mary Evans '82, director of the Career Center, interviews with local community leaders, a dinner with Larry Gilroy '81, president of Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy Insurance, and a reception with Hamilton President Joan Hinde Stewart.
Week two of the LLI will commence over spring break, during which the Levitt Leaders will travel to D.C. for "The Washington Challenge." In preparation, participants have been broken into five groups, each being responsible for a networking event in the nation's capital. The group will meet with members of various sectors – including the Foreign Service, national security, lobbying, non-profit and the media – to gain insight into leadership on a national scale. So, what comes after The Washington Challenge?
"Now comes the more compelling part - getting measurable and positive results by using skills and passion on a meaningful project," Bushnell explained. "What excites me…are the real life results Levitt leaders are going to produce over the next couple of years. Stay tuned."
These results will come to fruition via the "commitment projects," initiatives devised by each participant to improve a community of his or her choice. According to Kevin Tutasig '13, Bushnell has and will continue to help motivate students in their commitment projects and beyond. "Her passion to teach students the importance of compromising, listening, speaking up, and being respectful to others has truly influenced Levitt leaders to strive for goals that will help improve the world we live in."


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National Oilwell Varco And Robbins & Myers Receive Clearance
Feb 19, 2013, 01:15 ET
HOUSTON, Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) and Robbins & Myers, Inc. (NYSE: RBN) jointly announced today that the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice has closed its investigation of the parties' previously announced merger. NOV and RBN also received today a no action letter from the Canadian Competition Bureau. Having received clearance from the United States and Canada, NOV and RBN expect to complete the merger tomorrow, February 20, 2013. The transaction has been cleared without modification.
About National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
National Oilwell Varco, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of equipment and components used in oil and gas drilling and production operations, the provision of oilfield services, and supply chain integration services to the upstream oil and gas industry.
About Robbins & Myers, Inc.
Robbins & Myers, Inc. is a leading supplier of engineered, application-critical equipment and systems in global energy, chemical and other industrial markets.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements set forth in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. and Robbins & Myers, Inc., which could cause actual benefits, results, effects and timing to differ materially from the results predicted or implied by the statements. Readers are referred to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including National Oilwell Varco's and Robbins & Myers' Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and August 31, 2012, respectively, Robbins & Myers' recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by both companies, and Robbins & Myers' final proxy statement filed with the SEC on November 30, 2012 in connection with the transaction, which identify significant risk factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements. Neither National Oilwell Varco nor Robbins & Myers undertakes any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
SOURCE Robbins & Myers, Inc.


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5 Handled Serving Trays For Entertaining
A good serving tray is an essential piece for any host/hostess. Besides saving you the trouble of making multiple trips to and from the kitchen, serving trays are also a nice decor element when set up on a sideboard or coffee table to corral appetizers, drinks, or dishes. Here are five handled versions we really like:
- 1 Tim Love Wood Tray, $49.95 from Sur La Table
- 2 Outdoor Metal Rectangular Tray, $19 from West Elm
- 3 Grey Cornhusk Tray, $19.99 from Sur La Table
- 4 Core Bamboo Classic Tray $50 from JCPenney
- 5 Shindig Tray, $39.95 from Crate & Barrel
Related: Feeding a Crowd? Trays For Eating On Your Lap
(Images: as linked)
Kitchn supports our readers with carefully chosen product recommendations to improve life at home. You support us through our independently chosen links, many of which earn us a commission.


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A BlankTV Feature Presentation:
I Fought The Broad - "Backpack Full of Bitches"
I Fought The Broad delivers a blistering, crunch filled, thunderfest in their new video "Backpack Full of Bitches" from Director, Dakoda Jones and Colorist, Micah Jones.
The video immerses the viewer in the very raw perspective of attending an IFTB show. The music pounds, the crowd churns, and for a moment, you are there. And just when you thought it was all over, the surreal ending makes you wonder if you were ever really there, or if it was all just a dream.
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Tag Archives: Henry Juszkiewicz
Gibson Guitar Controversy Continues
The Gibson Guitar Controversy continues, and has fired up guitarists of all political persuasions. What do YOU think? Leave a comment below….We welcome your feedback!
On his cable TV talk show, Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas and a bass guitarist, talked recently with the head of the Gibson Guitar Company, Henry Juszkiewicz, about the raids on the companies' facilities and the resulting agreement with the Justice Department, which Juszkiewicz said was markedly unjust and resulted in $2.4 million in legal fees along with the… Read More
Acoustic Guitar Guide
Subscribe Now and get a special bonus gift "The Ultimate Guide to Acoustic Guitars"


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Arnason strike earns Dons win
United skipper Jon Daly had given his side an early lead when he
slotted the ball home after six minutes. But Mohamed Chalali
equalised with his first touch after 67 minutes only seconds after
replacing Rory Fallon. Iceland international Arnason gave the Dons
their second away win of the season three minutes from time with a
long-range strike which crashed off the crossbar and into the net
to the delight of the large travelling support. United kept with
the same starting XI for the fourth successive match with Irishman
Richie Ryan handed a place on the bench after gaining international
clearance following his move from Sligo Rovers in November.
Aberdeen made two changes with Peter Pawlett returning following
his two-match suspension for simulation and Fraser Fyvie started
after recovering from a knee injury. There was also a place on the
Dons bench for goalkeeper Jamie Langfield following his return from
a short spell on loan at Forfar as he continued his comeback after
suffering a seizure in the summer. The hosts almost broke the
deadlock within three minutes of kick-off when Scott Robertson was
afforded too much time to pick out Johnny Russell in the box but
the United striker's header deflected off Andrew Considine and
trickled past the post for a fruitless corner. But Peter Houston's
side did make the breakthrough with only six minutes gone when,
after a poor punch out from Aberdeen goalkeeper Jason Brown, John
Rankin's shot fell kindly to Daly and the Irishman slotted the ball
home in off the post for his 14th goal of the season. Aberdeen
midfielder Robert Milsom, who was celebrating his 25th birthday,
played an intelligent pass to Fallon on the edge of the area after
27 minutes but the New Zealander's low drive was ably handled by
Dusan Pernis in the United goal. The visitors almost handed United
a second when Considine's back-pass nearly caught out Brown but the
Welshman managed to clear the ball to safety before it crossed the
line. United had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when
Considine looked to have brought down Russell with the goal at his
mercy just before the interval. The first real chance of the second
half fell to United after Gary Mackay-Steven was fouled by Pawlett
on the edge of the area but Paul Dixon's shot from the resulting
set-piece deflected wide. Aberdeen made their first change after 60
minutes when Pawlett was replaced by defender Rory McArdle before
Mackay-Steven made way for Willo Flood for United. The Dons then
introduced Chalali for Fallon and the change had an immediate
impact when the Algerian headed the ball home with his first touch
only seconds after coming on after McArdle had flicked on an
Arnason long throw with 67 minutes gone. Milsom should have given
the Dons the lead after 74 minutes when, with the goal gaping, he
somehow missed the target with a diving header from a perfect Scott
Vernon cross. United threw Ryan on for his first appearance in
place of Stuart Armstrong with 10 minutes remaining as they looked
to regain the advantage. But it was the Dons who ended the game on
top and Arnason scored a wonderful winner after 87 minutes with a
thunderous shot from 30 yards, which Pernis could not keep out.


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Sites of worship and prayer these 3,000 Saint Patrick holy wells continue to be visited by those seeking miracles.
The counties of Ireland are scattered with more than 3,000 holy wells, each attached to their own saints, legends, and healing properties. These holy wells have been sites of worship and prayer for centuries and are still visited today by those who seek the miraculous cures offered by the waters.
Even before the coming of Christianity, the wells were known as sacred sites to those who worshiped pagan gods. They were then blessed and consecrated by the early saints of Ireland such as Saint Patrick.
In modern-day Ireland, thanks to Saint Patrick, one doesn't have to go very far to find a church, but in the saint's time, Patrick would have had to use the abundant wells and streams that populated the countryside to baptize his converts.
A legend abounds at St. Patrick's Well in Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh, that the site was once the domain of Crom Dubh, a dark pagan god of harvests, merry-making, and human sacrifice, whose altar was struck by the saint's staff, breaking it into pieces and expelling Crom Dubh thus transforming the site into a holy Christian landmark.
Stories, such as this one, are attached to most of the holy wells in Ireland, showing how the sacred sites of an older religion retained their sacredness but were conveniently converted to a newer faith.
Patrick's name has been granted to many of Ireland's holy wells, some of which are said to still hold the power to cure ailments and perform miracles. The celebratory dances and feasts that would have honored these sites have been replaced by the Christian ritual of the Stations of the Cross and this St. Patrick's day will see many Irish people visiting the ancient holy wells of Saint Patrick.
The St. Patrick's cures
The collective holy wells of Ireland were said to cure anything from a headache to mental illness and individual wells had their particular niche, however, a lot of knowledge relating to the various cures offered by the holy wells is lost to us now and many are simply said to have healing powers. For example, at St. Patrick's Well in Clonmel, Co. Waterford, one of the biggest holy wells in Ireland, pilgrims were said to have descended a flight of steps into the pool to receive a miraculous cure through the nature of the miracle is unsure.
Some local areas still record the history of their wells, however. St. Patrick's Well at Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh, reputedly has the cure of stomach and nervous complaints.
St. Patrick's Well at the center of Patrickswell town in Co. Limerick was restored in 2002 and it is said by Limerick scholar and historian Caoimhin O'Danachair that the water cured sores, toothache, and other pains, as well as cattle. It was also sprinkled on crops and churns while medals, rags, and drinking cups hung from the great elm tree that stood beside it. Formerly, the well was visited mostly on St. Patrick's day but devotions ceased about 1890.
When writing about St. Patrick's Well in Leitrim, Joe McGowan, local historian and native of Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, reported in a 1938 account of the well's curative properties: "For a cure for sore eyes the water is rubbed on, for a cure for a sick animal it is given to the beast to drink. Numerous cures have been reported. People have been cured of sore eyes, sore throat, toothaches, headaches and many other ailments. Cattle have been cured of murrain, redwater, milk fever, spine disease. Elf-shot cows have been cured and cows with chill or fever. Horses have been cured by applying the water to the affected part."
Blessings and curses
Legend tells us that Saint Patrick himself was known to curse as well as bless. The story goes that as the Saint made his way over the River Duff on the Sligo-Leitrim border, he asked some fishermen if he could have some salmon but they refused him, saying "They're scarce today".
Unhappy with the fishermen's mean reply, St. Patrick answered, "May they always be so", which resulted in the end of fishing in that region for a long time.
When Patrick asked the same question of the Cassidy fishermen on the River Drowes and was granted his meal, he blessed them with the words "May the Drowes never be without a salmon nor a Cassidy to catch them." SligoHeritage.com reports that the Drowes continues to be a popular fishing spot and generally produces the first salmon of the year.
Many people are skeptical about the healing powers of the holy wells but those that showed disrespect towards such sites were often left wishing that they hadn't. Joe McGowan tells a local story surrounding a well in Templeboy, Co. Sligo, which was filled in by an angry district Landlord, Captain King after he observed the parish people praying around it. The following spring, each of the Landlord's mares bore blind foals and he himself was later shot outside the Courthouse in Sligo town.
The rituals and traditions
Supposedly, one of Saint Patrick's favorite places was on the Sligo-Leitrim border in Tullaghan, Co. Leitrim where two wells now bear his name: 'Tobair Phadhraig' (Patrick's Well) and 'Tobair na Bheartha' (Well of the Shaving) where St. Patrick and his companions were said to have stopped to shave. Joe Mc Gowan writes that The Schools Manuscript Collection of 1938 records how this ritual should be performed around the well: "The pilgrim begins on the east side of the well at the statue of St. Patrick. Here he says 5 Our Fathers, 5 Hail Mary's, 5 Glorys and the Creed. He then goes clockwise and on reaching the cairn on the south side he says 3 Hail Marys and casts a small stone on the heap. He proceeds to the well on the west side where he kneels and says 3 Hail Marys and casts another stone on the cairn. On again to the north where he says the same and again casts up another stone. This is done 3 times casting up 9 stones in all.
Similar prayer rituals are performed at other wells dedicated to Saint Patrick.
At the site of many holy wells, it is also a custom to tie rags and handkerchiefs to the trees that surround the well. This is done with a specific request in mind and with the faith that as the piece of cloth wears away, so too does the illness that the person has prayed about.
This tradition is still carried out and many sacred wells sport the colorful and ragged remains of its devotee's prayers.
Some of the holy wells dedicated to Saint Patrick in Ireland:
- St. Patrick's Well, Patrickswell, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow
- St. Patrick's Well, Ballymurphy Road, Tullow, Co. Carlow
- St. Patrick's Well, Ballyshannon (near ruins of Assaroe Abbey), Co. Donegal
- St. Patrick's Well, Sheeplands East, Lecale, Co. Down
- Saint Patrick's well, Saul (Mearne well), Co. Down
- St. Patrick's Well, Nassau Street (in the grounds of Trinity College), Dublin, Co. Dublin
- St. Patrick's Well - Belcoo, Co. Fermanagh
- St. Patrick's Well, Mám Éan (Maumeen), Co. Galway
- St. Patrick's Well (Tobar na Mult - Well of the Wethers), Tubbrid More, Ardfert, Co. Kerry
- St. Patrick's Well, Glasealy, Co. Kildare
- 'Tobair Phadhraig' (Patrick's Well), Co. Leitrim
- 'Tobair na Bheartha' (Well of the Shaving), Tullaghan, Leitrim
- St. Patrick's Well, Ardpatrick Parish, Co. Limerick
- St. Patrick's Well, Cartron, Granard, Co. Longford
- St, Patrick's Well, Ballintubber, Co. Mayo
- St. Patrick's Well, Downpatrick Head, Co. Mayo
- St. Patrick's Well, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo
- Tobar Patraic, Ardmulchan, Co. Meath
- Saint Patrick's Well, Carlanstown, Kilbeg, Co. Meath
- St. Patrick's Well, Kilcorkey parish, Co. Roscommon
- Cluain Patrick, Athleague, Co. Roscommon
- St. Patrick's Well - Dromard, Co. Sligo
- St. Patrick's Well - Aughris, Co. Sligo
- Saint Patrick's Well, Magherakeel, Castlederg, Tyrone
- Saint Patrick's Chair and Well, Altadaven, Clogher, Co. Tyrone.
Have you visited any of St. Patrick's wells in Ireland? Let us know about the visit in the comments section, below.
* Originally published in 2011.


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Earlier this week Allison Tate wrote a lovely piece that ran on the Huffington Post titled "The Change of Life." In it she talked about how she was getting ready to sign a permission slip for her husband's vasectomy, and how after four kids she knew their family was complete, but she still really yearned in some ways for more children. She couldn't fathom that the baby-making part of her life was really going to be over.
I know a lot of people related to it, because it can be hard to make the decision not to have any more children. Some parents debate it for years, and worry that they may someday regret it if they don't have just one more child. I, however, am not one of them. Not even close.
I have two children -- a 9-year-old son, and a daughter who just turned 4 yesterday -- and I'm as done having children as I can possibly be. I have no hint, no smidgen, no smudge of desire to have another one. EVER. It's not because I don't like being a mother; I adore motherhood and my children. But when you're done, you're just done. Here are nine ways you KNOW you're done having children.
1. When someone tells you she's pregnant you have to remember to offer congratulations instead of condolences. (It's a wonderful thing for most people!)
2. You start giving away all of your favorite baby clothes that you've saved "just in case", and you don't shed one tear.
3. When you see a pregnant woman you involuntarily wince imaging going through it all over again.
4. You use that perfect baby name you've been saving on a dog.
5. When people ask if you/when you are going to have more children you have to remind yourself not to recoil in horror.
6. When your children talk about wanting a baby sister or brother, you confuse them with talk of pigs flying.
7. The ones you already have drive you completely insane, and you just can't take anymore.
8. You've come to enjoy sleep, and aren't about to give it up again.
9. You just know. It seems ambiguous, but when you really are done, you just know.
How do you/will you know you're done having babies?
Image via paparutzi/Flickr


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If any of you stopping by have relatives from the town of Olin, Iowa, you just might want to read this. This is a poem written by my Great Grandfather, John Wesley Lyon. He lived out most of his life there. He considered himself a poet and there are several I will share with you later. Other items he was written are "Life in Olin", "Letter to my Children" and his own "Obituary". He was an intersting character to say the least.
See if there is anyone you may recognize in the following poem.
Olin Friends
By John Wesley Lyon
We lost the Olin Recorder,
Mr. Hansen found it;
And when we got it back again,
He put it's name around it.
But Mr. Hansen could not make it,
He could not its' pages fill;
It was only printed on one side,
Something like a sale bill.
So Mr. Hospers took it over,
And business is his creed;
So business men send in your add,
For that is one thing he will need.
And if you want to write an article,
And your time is not all invested;
Mr. Hospers will try and write it,
And others will be interested.
Westfahl buys your produce,
And he buys it on the square;
And he pays you more for eggs and cream
Than you can get anywhere.
Westfahl buys your chickens,
And he also sells you feed;
He also has the oyster shells,
Or anything else you need.
Dayton sells the jewelry,
And glasses on the side;
And he has the best silverware,
Ever you have tried.
Guy Thompson fixes the telephones,
And he surely knows his stuff;
And when he works all day,
That ought to be enough.
The operators are now planning
And working out a scheme;
So that the monthly payday
Will not be so far between.
Fred said he would like to pay
The operators at least one a week;
But when he came to look,
The bank had sprung a leak.
Stingley repairs your shoes,
And they look so nice and neat;
It looks almost a shame
To put them on your feet.
Dave Curtright, he's a workman,
And don't you think he aint;
You ought to see him hang the paper
And how he slings the paint.
Macomber runs the drugstore,
And Jerry was his clerk;
He had been the business so long
He understood the work.
Macomber sells all kinds of drugs,
Everything down to salts;
And if taken according to directions,
You sure will have to waltz.
Frank Fall says "I have not much to worry me,
And my troubles would be few;
If it wasn't for that ornery
And ever good for nothing J. W.
Earl Hart says you need not worry,
Although it seems so awful funny;
The depression will soon be past,
And we will all have lots of money.
His wife she listened, then she said,
"Earl I know your always right;
But I have worked here two months,
And theres not a payday yet in sight.
Houstman works for Uncle Sam,
And his ability is unsurpassed;
And you had ought to see his clerks,
If anyone should ask.
Save up for old age,
I thought it meant for me;
But when the boom was busted,
I began to see.
Hart sells hardware and groceries,
He sells them on the square;
And the milk and meat,
You will always find them there.
If you call for Dr. White,
And he tells you what you need;
Take his medicine according to directions,
And he will have you on full feed.
Now Reva White, his wife,
We could not do without her;
She looks after those in need,
All around about her.
Vernon moved his auto shop,
He moved it on the street;
And when you get your work done,
It looks so nice and neat.
Vernon went to Chicago,
To learn the auto trade;
And by his skill and practice,
Can fix any car that's made.
Frank and Payson run a shop
On the east side of the street;
And when you buy your groceries,
You can also buy your meat.
Frank he works so hard
And he has his books to keep;
And when he goes to bed,
He can hardly go to sleep.
Miles, he keeps his books,
Although he never trusted;
And if the bank had been the same,
It never would have busted.
Yet the bank went busted,
But it did not all leak out;
And when the receivers turned the key;
They will get the rest no doubt.
If Mayor Carter sees anyone
Comitt a minor crime
He calls them in to court
And imposes on them a fine.
And Marshall Freeman watches
And if they can not give the bail
He takes them by the collar
And throws them in the jail.
He fed them bread and water
Until they were almost dead
But times got so hard
He had to cut out the bread.
But if the bank has busted
And had not left a cent
The receivers would of turned the key
And away they would of went.
Mason does the plumbing
Everything up to date
And Fluton runs the hardware
And you never find him late.
Taylor sells the Buick,
Just the car you need;
He also sells the Chevy,
That has got it skinned for speed.
He also carries a line of repairs,
And he always has enough;
He also has a gang of workman,
That surely know their stuff.
William Peck runs a restaurant,
On the west side of the street;
And when you go there,
You can get something good to eat.
We have three stations,
That sell oil and gasoline;
But the competition on all three
Is so very, very keen.
Mr. Cole is our lawyer,
And he does our legal work;
And if he has a case in court,
Will never duty shirk.
We have three good barbers on the street,
And they want their cash right down;
And we also have a lady barber,
In the northeast part of town.
John Gordon has farming tools,
And would sell them if he could;
But the farmers have no money
And their paper is no good.
We finally got our school house,
By a long continued fight;
And sometimes it was hard to tell,
Who was in the right.
Lawsons sell dry goods by the yard,
And sells the groceries by the pound;
And he gets the news on the radio,
Almost the world around.
Swartzell handles groceries,
And dry goods on the side;
He also has a line of shoes,
The best you ever tried.
And if you trade with Nellie,
And she tells you what's the price;
You had better not try to Jew her,
For she will charge you twice.
If there is a nice young lady
Coming at the door;
And Nellie waits on her,
Then Robert he is sore.
Mr. Swartzell says it's easy
To figure the gain and the loss;
But it's sometimes hard to tell
Who is the boss.
Richell Miller says
Everything's on the bum;
But according to the laws of nature,
Good times are sure to come.
Jurgenson has the highest job,
He elevates the grain;
And when he gets a supply on hand,
He loads it on the train.
And now in writing this poem
I hope I have not lost a friend
And wishing you many kind wishes
I bring it to an end.
John Wesley Lyon
Born September 23, 1860
Died December 20, 1883 in Jones County, Olin, Iowa
Friends from Olin, Iowa
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Posted by mjhellman at 9:45 PM Email This BlogThis! Share to Twitter Share to Facebook
Labels: Iowa, Lyon, Olin, Writings by John Wesly Lyon
1 comments:
- Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith said...
Neat! Thanks for sharing. Also, thanks for commenting on my blog! I had Preston (and Thomas) relatives in Jones Co - east of Olin - in the latter half of the 1800s. Small world.
Bill ;-)
- July 19, 2010 at 9:23 AM
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text:
What does Courier-Post columnist Danny Henley choose to do when faced with opportunity to get involved?
A week ago tonight, Hannibal man Jordan Cross was recognized by the City Council for his actions during a mid-June house fire.
Driving on Church Street while out running errands, Cross spotted smoke coming from a house. Cross stopped his car and dialed 911 as he ran to the structure.
Cross and others helped the occupants in the residence – three children and a baby sitter – escape without serious injury.
Who knows what would have happened had Cross not seen the smoke. Maybe the outcome would have been the same, with everyone getting out OK. Maybe a tragedy would have resulted.
The bottom line is Cross chose to get involved, where others might have just driven on.
Not every situation is nearly as dramatic, as I learned last Thursday when I found myself facing my own "Should I get involved?" quandary.
With the Courier-Post's sports guy Jason Farmer on vacation, I was assigned to fill his sneakers. It meant a week of split-shifts as I attempted to put the sports pages together, while still writing Page One stories. I won't lie to you. It was a stressful week.
Thursday held its own special nail-biting drama as my computer locked up on me in the home stretch of getting the sports pages finished. Fortunately, the threat of being tossed into the Mississippi River convinced my Mac that it had better stop playing mind games with the wide-eyed balding guy.
While I was able to get both my pages out right at deadline, when I walked out of the building about 20 after 12 on Friday morning I was physically tired and emotionally wired. Not a great combination.
As I slid into the driver's seat of my car, my eyes focused on what appeared to be the form of a person standing on a dumpster behind a building in the 100 block of North Main.
As people are prone to do when they see something they're not expecting, I questioned what I was viewing in the faint light.
As I turned on the car's ignition, its headlights came on. Sure enough, there was a person on the dumpster, who appeared to be trying to climb onto the roof of a one-story section of building. As I flipped my lights onto high beam, the rascal accomplished his goal and disappeared.
As I sat in my car, staring at the dumpster in disbelief I was faced with two options: (A) Ignore what I'd seen and just go home; (B) Call the police.
"It's probably nothing, but how will you feel if you find out somebody's business or apartment was burglarized?" I debated internally.
Reaching into the back seat, I pulled forward the camera bag in which I carry my cell phone and called HPD.
Considering how busy police were on the night of the Fourth, I anticipated a wait until an officer arrived. However, I'd hardly finished putting my cell phone up when two officers patrolling the downtown area pedaled up on bikes. Although they looked puzzled when I thanked them for their promptness, they readily parked their bikes and started investigating after hearing what I'd seen.
A short time later a young man, matching the description of the "squirrel" I saw climb onto the roof, came jogging down the alley. He claimed someone he'd been with earlier in the evening had already climbed onto the roof. He later let slip that he, too, had scaled Mt. Dumpster and had eventually slid down a nearby utility pole.
While curious to see if the officer who climbed onto the building would find someone else, I was ready to depart. After securing permission from the officer who had remained at ground level that I was not needed, I set a course for home, confident that my decision to "get involved" was the correct one.


text:
Gotta Have Em' All! Bebe Bow Pack (Ribbed Knits)
The bebe bow is the cutest little accessory!
Bow measures approx. 4 1/2" x 1 1/2"
Available on your choice of one size fits all nylon nude headband
Black elastic hairtie (works best for toddler - adults)
1 3/4" silver alligator clip
Bow is made with a ribbed knit
For washing untie knot and handwash or machine wash on delicate and lay to dry and then retie onto band.
Each piece is made to order
All items are handmade so every cut of fabric is unique!
Handmade in Orange County, CA with love just for you!


text:
The last issue of Classical Fighting Arts had three articles with Hawaii connections:
Stanley Henning wrote Thoughts on the Origins and Transmission to Okinawa of Tongchun Boxing (page 23);Way to go Hawaii!
Kiko Asai Ferreira (wife of Prof. Kimo Ferreira) translated Memories of Karate by Chotoku Kyan (page 48); and
I was interviewed in An Interview with Charles C. Goodin of the Hawaii Karate Museum (page 55).
Charles C. Goodin


text:
Syrian Government Forces Retake Parts of Restive Northern RegionPublished on Sunday 12th June 2011
Syrian Army units have reportedly broken through the defenses of the restive, but mostly deserted, northern town of Jisr al Shaghour, after intense shelling by tanks and field artillery. Meanwhile in Libya, rebel fighters have reportedly stepped up their pressure on supply lines into the capital Tripoli.Syrian tanks have captured parts of the rebellious northern town of Jisr Shaghour, amid reports of heavy fighting in certain quarters of town. Government TV claims army units had defused explosives from roads and bridges planted by "armed gangs" and "cleared gunmen from the town hospital."A rebel army officer holed up inside the town, Hussein Harmoush, told al Jazeera TV that none of the men fighting along side him had surrendered. He claimed his men had laid booby-traps to "delay the entry of army forces into the town and to allow civilians to escape."Video and eyewitness reports say Syrian government attack helicopters were used extensively in operations around Jisr al Shaghour for a third consecutive day. A number of witnesses reported the helicopters fired on fleeing civilians.A Syrian human-rights activist told al Arabiya TV that 10,000 Syrian soldiers had been deployed in the region of Idlib, where Jisr al Shaghour is located, to try to put down the burgeoning popular rebellion. Thousands of civilians have fled to nearby Turkey in recent days.A video on Facebook showed a group of young men, overnight, trying to block a Syrian army convoy made up of tanks and supply trucks in the region of Idlib. Syrian government media said the convoy had been "attacked" and that one man was killed.Syrian TV also claimed that a mass grave was discovered in the region of Idlib, containing the bodies of security forces killed by "rebel gangs." It was impossible to verify the claim, since most foreign correspondents are not being allowed into the country.A newly released video on Facebook showed pro-government militiamen kicking and stomping on several dozen captives, lying face down on the ground with their hands tied behind their backs. The militiamen could be heard mocking their captives, calling them "animals."Groups of mostly young protesters also demonstrated against the government overnight in provincial towns, as well as Damascus suburbs, including Saqba, Hassaka, Douma, Qaboun and Midan. A Syrian opposition website is calling for ongoing nightly protests against the government.Al-Arabiya TV also reported a tribal leader from eastern Syria, Sheikh Nawaf al Bashir has accused Lebanon's Hezbollah of attacking protesters during Friday demonstrations. Several Lebanese political leaders who oppose Syria have made similar recent claims.German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle denounced the Syrian government crackdown in Jisr al Shaghour, demanding that Damascus "stop the violence immediately." The White House also accused Syria of creating a humanitarian crisis, Saturday, calling for Damascus to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross "immediate, unfettered access" to the region.In Libya, al-Arabiya TV reported that rebel fighters had gained control of parts of the coastal town of Zawiya, cutting off traffic along the coastal highway to Tripoli. Fuel and other supplies are running short in the capital, amid reports of popular discontent.Rebels fighters also battled pro-Gadhafi forces in the strategic oasis town of Sabha, before being beaten back. Sabha is a key government stronghold along supply routes to southern Libya. Pro-Gadhafi forces also pounded rebels with field artillery in the western mountain town of Zintan.
Follow our Middle East reports on Twitter and discuss them on our Facebook page.


text:
DailyDirt: Better Tasting Fruits And Vegetables
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
- For the past 70 years or so, people have been breeding tomatoes for a uniform red color, but in the process, a gene that increases sugar content in tomatoes was inactivated. The gene, SlGLK2, increases the formation of chloroplasts, which are responsible for producing sugars through photosynthesis. Researchers have shown that by re-inserting an intact copy of the gene into tomatoes, they could increase the amount of glucose and fructose by up to 40%, while still retaining the uniform color ripening trait. Too bad they weren't actually able to taste them (federal regulations prohibit sampling experimental crops). [url]
- Researchers have found that today's Fuji apples are mealier, less flavorful, and more susceptible to disease than they were in the 1970s. The culprit: climate change. Studies in controlled temperature environments have shown that higher temperatures have been linked to a decrease in taste and texture in apples. Who knows what other crops might also have been changed due to global warming? [url]
- University of Florida researchers have discovered that they can improve the taste of fruits by exposing them to far-red light. They were able to use specific wavelengths of light to manipulate the production of volatile compounds that control aroma and taste in fruits like tomatoes, strawberries, and blueberries. Imagine your produce tasting even better after being stored in your far-red-light-equipped refrigerator! [url]


text:
Policy Development, Approval, and Dissemination
Marywood University policies document the principles and procedures to be followed in various aspects of University life and, as such, are binding on members of the University community. Policies become operational upon formal approval by the Board of Trustees or the President of the University as Chief Executive Officer. Statements of policy approved by the President are consistent with policies adopted by the Board of Trustees and are within the limits established by the Board.
In a spirit of shared governance, the Board of Trustees and the President of the University welcome participation of all members of the University community in the development of policy.
The vice presidents of the University, as a group and as individuals, advise the President of the University.
The Policy Committee of the University acts in an advisory capacity to the President on courses of action
affecting more than one area of the University, i.e., Academic Affairs, Business Affairs, Student Life, and University Advancement;
or limited to one college or school but having implications for the total University, another area, or another college or school;
or affecting the objectives of the University;
or affecting the long-range development of the University.
The Secretary of the University serves to provide administrative support and direction for development and dissemination of policies, including maintenance of the Marywood University Polices and Procedures Manual.
Policies are guiding or governing principles, formally approved to provide assistance in the conduct of University affairs.
Procedures are statements that provide for the orderly implementation of established policies through prescribed specific actions to be taken.
Administrative Policies describe the terms or conditions of affiliation of administrators, faculty members, staff members, students, and visitors with the University; the use of the physical plant, i.e., buildings, grounds, and equipment; and other matters of a general nature.
Academic Policies are those that relate to the educational process and the academic portfolio of the University.
Student Life Policies concern the terms or conditions affecting student life as expressed in the mission statement of the Student Life area.
Board of Trustees Policies are those by which the Board of Trustees operates and governs itself, and policies involving the relationship of the Board to the President of the University as Chief Executive Officer.
A request for a new policy or revision of an existing one may originate with any member or group of the University community. It is submitted to the appropriate vice president.
1. The Vice President
reviews the proposal and determines whether, appropriately, it should move forward to the next step in the development process;
forwards it to the Secretary of the University for further development;
or notifies the originators that it will not move forward.
2. The Secretary of the University
analyzes the proposal in terms of other existing policies;
discusses it with appropriate individuals;
edits and formats the proposed document;
prepares it for presentation to the Executive Committee of the Policy Committee of the University.
3. The Executive Committee of Policy
considers the edited draft and any comments from reviewers;
determines if and by whom further review is necessary;
determines if and when it is to be placed on the agenda of the full Policy Committee of the University;
or, in an extraordinary circumstance, acts to recommend it directly to the President of the Univerity.
4. The Policy Committee of the University
recommends the proposal to the President of the University as presented;
or recommends it to the President with comment for possible revision;
or sends it to the President noting lack of Policy Committee support.
The President of the University as Chief Executive Officer
approves or rejects the proposed policy or revision;
or refers it to the Board of Trustees for action.
If the policy or revision is approved, the President of the University initials the final draft and sends it to the Secretary of the University, who
enters it into the Marywood University Policies and Procedures Manual;
sees that it is published in the appropriate handbooks of the University;
notifies the Marywood community of the approval and the effective date.
If the policy or revision is not approved, the President of the University returns it with comment to the Secretary of the University, who
notifies appropriate persons of the status of the proposal.


text:
Yesterday Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the epidemic of sexual assault in the military demonstrated the role of the record number of women in the Senate. The seven women Members of the Committee, five Democrats and two Republicans, were united yesterday as they asked hard questions of the all-male military leadership.
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), said, "This isn't about sex. This is about assaultive dominance and violence, and as long as those two get mushed together, you all are not going to be as successful as you need to be in getting after the most insidious part of this, which is the predators in your ranks." Even Republican Senator John McCain (AZ) was candid in his outrage, telling the panel of officials, "I cannot overstate my disgust and disappointment over continued reports of sexual assault in our military. We've been talking about the issue for years." Senator Deb Fisher (R-NE) expressed a similar sentiment when she said "this is not a gender issue, it is a violence issue."
While the senators and the military officials in attendance agreed that military sexual assault had gotten extremely out of control, debate centered around whether or not sexual assaults cases should be taken out of the chain of command. Many of the military leaders argued that removing the cases from the chain of command will cause the problem to escalate. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who has proposed legislation to take sexual assault cases out of the hands of superior officers, responded, "You have lost the trust of the men and women who rely on you that you will actually bring justice in these cases."
Yet some senators in the hearing attributed to the rampant rate of sexual assault in the military to external factors such as hormones and the availability of pornography to service members. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) decried the military's response to sexual assault while at the same time arguing that hormones were responsible for such a high number of cases. He said, "The young folks who are coming into each of your services are anywhere from 17 to 22 or 23. Gee whiz, the hormone level created by nature sets in place the possibility for these types of things to occur... But guys, we are not doing our job. You're not doing yours, and we are not doing ours with the rates we are seeing on sexual assaults."
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) argued that with the prevalence of pornography available to service members it was no wonder that assaults rates were so high. "Mr. Chairman, I'd just add a letter, a document here that was given to me from Morality in the Media," he began. "[They point] out that, a picture here of a newsstand and an Air Force base exchange with, you know, sexually explicit magazines being sold. So, we live in a culture that's awash in sexual activity. If it's not sold on base, it's right off base. There are videos and so forth that can be obtained, and it creates some problems, I think."
A debate over military sexual assault is likely to occur in the House Armed Services Committee as they prepare to debate a defense policy bill on Wednesday. Provisions regarding sexual assault, in addition to Guantanamo Bay, the war in Afghanistan among others are likely to see generous discussion while a vote in anticipated in the evening.
Media Resources: Associated Press 6/5/2013; Los Angeles Time 6/5/2013; Christian Science Monitor 6/4/2013; Huffington Post 6/4/2013; ThinkProgress 6/4/2013; Washington Post 6/4/2013; Feminist Newswire 6/4/2013
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