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Review | Author Bio | Read an Excerpt
Sally John and Gary Smalley's Bio:
Sally John is the author of more than ten books, including the popular Other Way Home series and In A Heartbeat series. Illinois natives, Sally and her husband, Tim, live in Southern California. The Johns have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters.
Dr. Gary Smalley, one of the foremost experts on family relationships, has written or cowritten more than fifty books, based on more than thirty-five years of experience as a teacher and counselor. A best-selling and award-winning author, Smalley has appeared on hundreds of local and national radio and television shows, including Oprah, Larry King Live, Fox & Friends, and NBC's Today. He and his wife, Norma, have been married forty-two years.
Visit Sally's website at www.garysmalley.com


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Columbia Gorge Disc Golf
Est. 2009 • Build disc golf
Club Staff
justin gross Club Director
Home courses
North Bonneville DGC
North Bonneville, WA
North Bonneville, WA
Recent News
justin gross October 10, 2014 at 12:47am
Amnesia open 2015!!!
After taking this summer off to TD Blue Lake for 2014 PDGA Words, I am glad to let you know this event is back on the table. New tee signs have been installed at Bonneville DGC and I have already begun to plan for this event. Also there is a 90% chance of one of the Stumptown sllosh events happening at Bonneville as well. Stay tuned.
Nick Orr October 9, 2014 at 7:56pm
Sick man. Sounds awesome. I would love to help in anyway I can as well. Message me. And send me a sandwich. To my address. UPS is fine.
- Myk Nemeth - October 9, 2014 at 10:36pm
good news

subset: commoncrawl


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By Harry Colbert, Jr.
Managing Editor –
It's the end of an era for a storied and historic Twin Cites nightclub that launched the careers of many and; on several occasions counted Prince as one of its patrons.
After 25 years in business, Arnellia's Bar and Restaurant is shutting its doors at 1183 University Ave. W. in St. Paul. The declining health of the club's pioneering owner, Arnellia Allen, is cited as the reason for the closure, which is set for April 30. Allen is credited as the first and only African-American female to hold a liquor license in the state of Minnesota. For most of Arnellia's 25 years in business she was the only African-American to hold a liquor license.
News of Arnellia's closing and of Allen's declining health has hit the Twin Cities arts community hard, especially those of the R&B/soul/blues music scene.
"I'm truly sad to hear that the place is closing," said Ricky Kinchen, member of the grammy-nominated group, Mint Condition. "I stop in there at least a few times a years just to say 'hi' and listen to some music. I always made sure to stop in there. I'd talk to her (Allen) every time I was there and let her know that I appreciate her for all she's accomplished."
That sentiment was echoed by Jeff Cryer, founder of the nationally touring Jeff Cryer's Tribute to Motown.
"Arnellia's is historic. It's like B.B. King's in Memphis. All the national acts came through there … Zapp, Ronnie Laws, Cameo … Karen White. She (Allen) is a legend. She's irreplaceable. That place is irreplaceable. She's done so much for this community," said Cryer.
Cryer credits Allen with getting his touring show off the ground.
"She took a chance on me and gave me a place to try out my concept (for his Motown tribute show) when no one else would," said Cryer.
"She gave us (musicians and fans of soul music) a place to go, to play … to eat," said Kathleen Johnson, a musician and owner of Whole Soul Mobile Kitchen. Ms. Arnellia has been such a wonderful support to Black musicians. We were able to launch there. As a Black band, it's not easy to find places to play. Arnellia's was the only one really willing to give Black bands a shot. She risked big on us all because that's how big her heart is."
In addition to launching Johnson's music career, Allen said Arnellia's also launched her cooking career.
"When I launched my mobile kitchen I went to Ms. Arnellia and asked could I go into her kitchen to launch and she gave her kitchen to us for four months for free," said Johnson.
A celebration of the legendary venue was announced via Facebook and is slated to take place April 27 – April 30.


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A frustrated Rachel Maddow called out Republicans for their hypocrisy surrounding President Obama's vacation--and the media for allowing the hypocrisy to go unchecked.
Obama headed to Martha's Vineyard on Thursday for his annual summer vacation--with Republican catcalls trailing him every step of the way. Maddow pointed to a statement from the Massachusetts Republican Party which sarcastically "welcomed" Obama to the state, and which said that Aerosmith wanted its tour bus back (a reference to his recent swing through the Midwest.)
This got Maddow riled up. She pointed out that, not only was Obama's bus bought by the Secret Service, there will also be an identical one for the eventual GOP presidential nominee. She predicted that the jibes about the bus would end once a Republican was on one.
Moreover, Maddow noted that Obama has taken a lot less vacation at this point in his presidency than either President Bush or Reagan had in theirs. Then, she criticized one of her favorite targets--the so-called "Beltway media"--for, in her view falling down on the job.
"Hyocrisy, thy name is Thursday," she said. "...[But] is it the job of the Beltway press to just write the criticism down and forward it to the American people without comment as if that counts as news? Or could maybe some context about the bare hypocrisy help?"WATCH:
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


text: email@example.com said: > if it's considered a kernel bug, we can fix kernel implementations I don't think this is realistic. The kernel code used unsigned all the time, and it was imported into x operating systems. (I'd say signed would feel a bit more "natural", but then we would need at least need "signed loads" of bytes/shorts, or perhaps explicite "sign extend" operations to make it useful.) > if it was "(-10)/2 == -5", one might think it's natural to > optimize it to TRUE Hmm, this would open the way to much more confusion: "(-10)/2 > -6" would have to be FALSE because comparisions are explicitely unsigned and documented to be so at all places. (Well, 2 places I know of: the pcap manpage and the section about expressions in tcpdump's.) Imho the only way to be consistent is to state that all operations are unsigned and that "-X" is just a shortcut for "~X + 1". > > bring a discussion on tcpdump-workers > i'm happy if you just beat me I might do so... I'm currently planning for next week and it might well happen that I'm AFK all the time. It might take some time. best regards Matthias


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Source: David Villanueva, email@example.com;
and Stefan Bossmann, 785-532-6817, firstname.lastname@example.com
Photos available: Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jun11/629cancer.jpg
News release prepared by: Jennifer Torline, 785-532-0847, email@example.com
Thursday, June 30, 2011
MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University undergraduate is exploring the link between cancer research, treatment and detection by looking at a common tie: peptide bonds.
David Villanueva, senior in biology and premedicine, Baytown, Texas, has worked for two years in an organic chemistry laboratory that focuses on cancer research under the direction of Stefan Bossmann, K-State professor of chemistry. Villanueva works on synthesizing short peptide sequences, which can be used in the early detection of cancer.
"Our goal is to find a sequence that can detect the tumor while treating it at the same time," Villanueva said.
Villanueva creates different sequences of peptides to understand which sequences more efficiently treat tumor cells. Peptides are molecules composed of amino acids that are linked by peptide bonds. When Villanueva creates these sequences, he attaches nanoparticles on one end of the sequence and a florescent dye on the other end.
Once a peptide sequence enters a tumor cell, an enzyme cleaves the sequence, which releases the fluorescent dye and helps to detect the tumor cell. At the same time, the magnetically activated nanoparticle heats up, creating hyperthermia. When that heat reaches a certain level, it starts killing the tumor cell since the cell cannot survive high temperatures.
"Everything you give the body has a certain toxicity to it," Bossmann said. "We are trying to assign a sequence that can directly treat the tumor without damaging the surrounding cells. That is the whole key."
Under Bossmann's direction, Villanueva has received two cancer research awards from K-State's Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research.
"Our lab would be nothing without gifted students like David," Bossmann said. "They provide us with a completely new set of eyes and ask lots of questions. Without this constant discussion in the group, we would lose focus."
Villanueva also does other various chemical experiments and performs basic chemical procedures such as distillations, thin layer chromatography, or TLC, and column chromatography. TLC is a technique that separates mixtures, and column chromatography is a method used to purify individual chemical compounds from mixtures of compounds. He also helps clean equipment.
Villanueva attended Garden City Community College on a cross-country scholarship and transferred to K-State after his sophomore year through the Kansas Bridges to the Future Program, a partnership with the National Institutes of Health that helps underrepresented minority students pursue careers in biomedical sciences. He then entered the Developing Scholars Program, which offers financial and academic support so students can perform research with faculty members.
Villanueva was placed under the mentorship of Bossmann and he began working in the organic chemistry lab. He got started with cancer research after attending a Developing Scholars Symposium and seeing another student doing cancer research.
"I was inspired by the student's work and thought that if someone at my level could do this kind of research, then I could do it as well," Villanueva said. "I wanted to be able to research the disease and figure out some way to help those with cancer."
Villanueva will return to the lab in the fall to continue research and will graduate from K-State in May 2012. He plans to attend medical school to become a trauma surgeon and would eventually like to travel and become a doctor in underserved countries.
At K-State, Villanueva is the president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, called LULAC, and is also involved with Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 2007 and is the son of Santos and Irma Villanueva of Mexico.


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I'm so fed up with my boss!!!
- 70 Replies
My boss asked if I could work extra shifts this weekend because the new girl called off and my boss had a training today until 5. I agreed to do it. Well, my boss comes rolling in at 2 today saying the class got out early and she just wanted to stop in and see how things are going. So she was here 10 minutes and left. Only to come back 2 hours later on the back of her boyfriends motorcycle, this time to drop off a note. So I'm here working, with my 4 kids at home while she's enjoying the beautiful day. I don't mind helping out, but I'm tired of her expecting everyone else to pick up extra shifts and she won't do any. So now I've decided I wont work extra anymore. I'm done.
Getting a day off or having a sick day is impossible it's me and the other cashier that have to cover for one another it fucking sucks!
I feel for you! I was feeling bad because I am taking 10 days off for vacation in June. I don't feel bad anymore. I'm also taking off 2 weekends before vacation and 1 after. I'm part time and don't get paid time off, so not my problem. Let her fire me.
Quoting SaskMummy: Sounds like my work place it's bs and it's not fair . My boss just got back from Phoenix where he's buying a house and I found out he's going back, and than to Jamaica ! Getting a day off or having a sick day is impossible it's me and the other cashier that have to cover for one another it fucking sucks!
So, your were jealous she was out enjoying the day while you worked.
Quoting Anonymous:
She sure is. And as a boss she needs to learn to step up to the plate. I've never worked for anyone who wouldn't pick up a shift if needed.
Quoting Anonymous: Well she is the boss.....
She works 30-40 hours, tops, per week. And there are no advancement or promotion opportunities. All staff makes $8.50 an hour and we will never see a raise. And I understand I agreed to work. I was venting.
Quoting Anonymous: You do realize management works 50 hours on salary? So whether they put in 50 or 100 hours their pay is always the same. YOU agreed to cover the shift. Her responsibility is to find someone to cover the shift. The only reason she should have to cover the shift is if no one else will. That is a perk of management. Get over it. Idk why people who work hourly and agree to pick up extra hours turn around and bitch about basically making more money. You're either making OT at this point or at the least getting more money because you are working more hours. Do you not enjoy making more money? Because I'm sure they can find someone else to hire who does. Furthermore, no one held a knife to your throat about picking up an extra shift. You made that choice so stop bitching. If you don't like it say no. But just so you know, when it comes time for promotions and reviews, someone who willingly and uncomplainingly picks up extra shifts (someone the boss knows they can count on in a pinch) is far more likely to benefit way better than someone who doesn't.
Quoting MariannLws:
So, your were jealous she was out enjoying the day while you worked.


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We took a month off but now we're back and ready to rev up the Dead Rodz Dollz Pin Up Girl contest again!
A new year, a new month and a new set of lovely ladies. Who will win? Ahhh! It hurts my brain to even think about it.
This will be a monthly contest all in the name of fun and to help the gals get their name out there! Winner will be selected by popular vote and a sweet Dead Rodz prize package will be heading their way.
You don't need to be signed up or registered to vote! We will do our best to stamp out any cheating but please, how about you try your best to not cheat ?!?!? Votes are logged by IP address and other means.
This time, instead of the one vote allowed per IP address, we are allowing 2 ! Should make things more interesting.
If you or someone you know would like to enter a future contest, send an email to deadrodzrevival (at) gmail.com, subject Dead Rodz Dollz.
Also, don't forget to buy that pin up gal in your life a Vintage Inspired Hoodie !
Onto the contest !!! Voting ends Saturday January 31st at midnight EST…
Clicking on any picture will open the gallery. You need to vote in the poll below the pic gallery !!! Comments DO NOT COUNT (but are appreciated) !!!
[yop_poll id="7″]


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Welcome to BSD
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Open: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Chimney pots, manhole covers, plasterers scrim and more
Available on a number of building supplies
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The free delivery over £60 does not include certain items, typically this relates to chinmey pots, large items and heavy manhole covers. Whilst we would like to include delivery due to the weight or fragileness we have to send the products via specialist companies to ensure safe and sucessfull delivery to you.
All delivery methods will require someone to accept the delivery, check it over and sign received in good condition. Please note any damages on the delivery sheet / electronic device, do not use the product and contact us straight away.
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After your order has been dispatched you will be contacted on the phone (within 2 days), by your local pallet delivery company in your area, once they receive the goods from our local depot, to book-in a day that is convenient for you. (this will not occur on Timed, Next Day & Saturday deliveries). The delivery will arive on a lorry with an electric tailift and a hand pump truck.
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After your order has been dispatched you will receive your goods within 2-3 days. No telephone book-in will occur.
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To ensure you prepare adequately for pallet deliveries please watch the video below for a comprehensive guide.


text:
OEM Solar Panels: These OEM Solar Panels from solars-china.com are designed and manufactured to industry standards, producing conversion efficiencies of 19%, and are built using the latest encapsulation technologies available in commercial solar module construction.
We can manufacture any of customized small solar panels are from 0.01Wp to 50Wp which made from mini solar panel. All sizes, current and voltage customized by clients are available.We provides OEM service to our global customers, which will greatly save your time and cost. With a professional Research & Develop team, we can provide suitable products according your requirements.
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We also manufactures customized solar cells according to customer's specifications. Welcome to OEM services, please tell your demand, and we will feedback in 24 hours. Customized Solar cell panel, please contact us: email@example.com
If you want to inquiry or place an order, Please send the inquiry or purchase order to us by email or fax, including model number, quantity and delivery address.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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My voice can be manipulated easily. Range is very high. I fully enjoy changing my voice and the effects it can have on people. Changing my voice is, to me, the equivalent to becoming someone completely new.
English (North American), English
Australian, British, French, German, North American, Russian, Spanish
Middle Aged
Special Skills
Audiobooks, Business, Cartoons, Documentaries, Educational, Internet, Jingles, Movie Trailers, Music, Podcasting, Radio, Telephone, Television, Videogames
No experience, looking for my first gig to start the ball rolling.
High School diploma received. Currently attending Brock University for Performing Arts. 80% average.
Payment Terms
Hire Angelina as a voice actor. Payment is made through Voices.com SurePay, an escrow service that guarantees your work is done to your satisfaction. Send payment securely by Visa, Mastercard or PayPal through Voices.com then download your files from the website.
Watch a video to see how to make a payment
Next Steps
To contact Angelina Colosimo about your project, request a quote today. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step. It's fast and easy.
This talent has not uploaded any demos yet.
Hire Angelina Colosimo as a voice actor. Working with Angelina Colosimo is fast and easy. We'll walk you through the process step-by-step.
Request a quote for your project today.


text:
Source: CC
Russia's foreign policy will focus during the third term of Putin for integration in the post-Soviet space. Such a conclusion can be drawn from "the foreign policy concept of the Russian Federation", developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The concept pays great attention to the CIS Customs Union, EurAsEC Eurasian Economic Union and the future), the CSTO and the Union State of RUSSIA and Belarus (which previously had raised the concept). It is expected that the intensive integration processes will join and Ukraine.
The new concept of Russia's foreign policy also expressed that since the year 2008, the world has become more "unstable" and "unpredictable". According to "Kommersant", the reasons for this in a document called the five.
First of all this is, of course, a global crisis, "a powerful catalyst for profound changes in the geopolitical landscape. The second factor that determined the changes in the international situation, "a foreign policy of Western countries. Their attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of other States and to impose their "own scale of values" caused instability of the modern world, says the concept.
The third factor is slacking and easing the UN role on the world political scene. This result leads to actions aimed at resolving emerging crisis "by applying outside the framework of the UN Security Council sanctions and unilateral measures of force", and attempts to implement the concept, aimed at "overthrowing legitimate regimes."
The last two factors of destabilization are defined as cross-border challenges, namely "threats in the information space" and "trend in the reideologizaciû international relations".
"In the face of global turbulence and growing interdependence of States have no prospects to build separate" oases of calm and security, "Russian foreign policy concept creators emphasize. At the same time they see in Russia a "unique, historically formed balancing factor in International Affairs and development of the world civilization."
The concept will be adopted if the President would sign it. It can happen before the end of December.
Earlier the RUSSIAN foreign policy concept adopted in 2000 and 2008, respectively. They continued to stay in the Presidency of Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev respectively. From this we can conclude that, in the case of the final adoption of this concept, it will form the basis of the external policy of the Russian authorities for the third term of Putin.
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text:
Above: Pauline with Sylvester Stallone on Forbes, BuzzFeed, NBC, CBS, ABC, Social Media Week, Mogul, EU Business News, Japan News, Singapore News & other media globally
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Rosemary Clooney - The Rules of the Road
(click song title above to listen)
Thanks for Nothing was Rosemary Clooney's only album recorded for Frank Sinatra's Reprise Records and the last full-length lp she recorded until 1977. Arguably considered the last of her great albums, this 1964 work was arranged by Bob Thompson (Duane Eddy, Van Dyke Parks, Phil Ochs) and doesn't pull a lot of punches lyrically.
The stresses of her personal life at the time are said to be audible on many of the tracks. Her masterful delivery on the brilliant Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh song "The Rules of the Road" just one clear example. Some of us will miss a bend in the road or two but will keep on driving. That's how it goes, you live and you learn the rules of the road.
Contact & Licensing:
Published by Notable Music Co. ASCAP (Cy Coleman) / Contact: Damon Booth – firstname.lastname@example.com.
Administered by Downtown Music Publishing/contact: Sean McGraw / firstname.lastname@example.com
Publishing controlled by Carwin Music Co. Inc ASCAP (Carolyn Leigh) / Administered by EMI U. Catalog Inc.
Master controlled by Warner Music Group.


text:
Find A Screenplay
Culture Vs Christian : The Movie
The two hosts of Culture Vs Christian are off on an adventure after Camera Man Ben comes up missing.
Created by malchus on 08/27/2007. Last change by MikeDyer 3 months ago.
4 writers have written 0 pages in 1 scene.
Rookie Cashier
In this bizarre, Pythonesque, sketch, at a small general/corner store, a cashier is at his first day on the job. When his boss leaves and puts him in charge, he goes through a series of odd events that lead him to discover his true place in life.
Created by pendot57 on 11/26/2008. Last change by Noimnotdoingthis a year ago.
6 writers have written 1 page in 1 scene.
TV comedy featuring four college friends with clashing personalities and egos that are roommates in an apartment at a PA University.
Created by joshmcf89 on 11/12/2008. Last change by jujubeez a year ago.
20 writers have written 45 pages in 7 scenes.
Matt's a drug dealer, yes he is.
Created by MasqFacade on 11/23/2007. Last change by HoodHeatRadio a year ago.
2 writers have written 3 pages in 1 scene.
Square One
Pre-Med flunky returns home to his odd family, and old high school friends. He learns a lesson.
Created by mattyd173 on 09/27/2007. Last change by Frizfranco on 08/02/2014.
10 writers have written 80 pages in 18 scenes.
Let's Take Over the World
Why not?
Created by 13dragon000 on 12/29/2008. Last change by surfnsnow on 06/19/2014.
3 writers have written 1 page in 1 scene.
(Witty Title Here)
Ron is a college grad from rural Minnesota trying to make it in the big city. Little does he realize, finding a job isn't the only hard part about getting by in New York.
Created by makeroffilms on 06/11/2007. Last change by KellyRMurphy on 10/19/2012.
2 writers have written 3 pages in 3 scenes.
A guy walking down the sidewalk one sunny morning gets jacked of all his stuff! NOW he goes after the culprits who robbed him of his things and his pride!
Created by adriande on 04/08/2007. Last change by hugo_suarez on 07/30/2012.
2 writers have written 1 page in 1 scene.
Jim's life is narrated to his disadvantage.
Created by dougwastaken on 06/10/2008. Last change by dougwastaken on 10/15/2009.
1 writer has written 4 pages in 1 scene.
Forgetful Husband
A forgetful husband is constantly mistaken as insincere.
Created by ninjaplaid on 04/24/2008. Last change by plot123 on 08/11/2009.
3 writers have written 1 page in 1 scene.


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(Literary Masterpieces, Critical Compilation)
A master stylist, poet, short-story writer, novelist, and critic, John Updike has come to dominate the American literary scene since his first novelThe Poorhouse Fair (1959). More than two dozen critical books have been written about his works, not to mention the many articles and essays published about him yearly. Specializing in sex, religion, and middle-class American mores, Updike has written nearly a book a year in an easy profligacy reminiscent of Joyce Carol Oates. His strong, painterly descriptive ability was developed in part from his artistic training at the Ruskin School of Fine Art at Oxford. A frequent writer forThe New Yorker, Updike has influenced writers such as Ann Beattie, Anne Tyler, and Nicholson Baker, who wrote a booklength discussion of that influence entitled U and I (1991). While his popularity as a writer peaked in the 1980's, his more recent works such as In the Beauty of the Lilies (1996) and Toward the End of Time (1997) have depended more on research for inspiration and have earned more mixed reviews. Because of the sheer volume and range of his oeuvre, however, Updike is one of the few remaining examples of a "man of letters," adept at all aspects of the literary game. His many collections of critical essays provide a rare overview of world fiction from a nontheoretical bias.
Given his achievement, it makes sense that Updike chose a doppleganger fictional creation, Henry Bech, to convey his views on literary celebrity. First appearing in a loosely arranged collection of short stories entitled Bech: A Book (1970), Bech is in many ways Updike's alter ego. His writer's block ironically contrasts with Updike's extreme profligacy. His Jewish alienation differs from Updike's Christian leanings, but mostly his wry underdog perspective supplies a perfect vehicle for Updike to express his thoughts on the literary fame game in America. Readers call in the middle of the night to ask Bech about a book written decades before. Publishers ask him to sign copies of his books until he can no longer write his name. When Bech finds himself with writer's block (which is most of the time), he goes on junkets around the Third World, Europe, or in Communist countries—a traveling theme that all three Bech books share. When Bech stays in America, he reluctantly participates in television interviews, readings on college campuses, and book signings. Throughout the short stories, one rarely glimpses Bech writing. Instead, he drifts on the vagaries of his celebrity, a creature well-suited for our fascination with authors at the expense of their works, and the results are often both funny and poignant.
In an interview, Updike once described how he never wanted "to let a good thing go unflogged," and so after Rabbit, Run (1960), Rabbit Angstrom appeared repeatedly for a total of four novels until his death inRabbit at Rest (1990). In the same fashion, Bech, who began as a "vehicle" for Updike's "impressions," then inspired a second collection of stories Bech Is Back (1975), a book more substantial than its predecessor in its organization, characterization, and plot development. Having invented his "quasi-novel" form in Bech: A Book, Updike bound together the second book with a three- pronged collection of epiphanies or "Illuminations" at the beginning, all having to do with writing, and concluded the volume with a lengthy story concerning Bech's failing attempts to marry into a family and fit into suburbia. In between these more sustained pieces, Updike included the usual travelogues, this time to Scotland, Israel, Australia, and Canada.
In Bech at Bay (1998), Bech has grown noticeably older (in his sixties and seventies) for most of these stories, and their themes tend to center around questions of potency and the power of language. With his writing largely finished and his love life on the wane, Bech looks around for something to do. In his metafictional way, he feels like a character no longer needed by his author, in danger of being erased. As his physical powers fade, Bech begins to lash out against enemies, real or imagined. He fathers a child in his seventies, begins surreptitiously killing critics who had panned his work, and presides over a literary foundation on the edge of dissolution. Through all this, he keeps coming back to the same questions—where does the writer belong? How much does language matter? The fact that the artist's foundation gets sold out to pave the way for a Donald Trump-like real-estate development implies an increasingly radical disjuncture between the arts and...
(The entire section is 1899 words.)


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Written by: Michael Den Boer on July 1st, 2010
Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1994
Director: Ringo Lam
Cast: John Ching, Willie Chi, Chun Lam, Carman Lee, Kam-Kong Wong, Sheng Yang
DVD Released: June 29th, 2010
Approximate Running Time: 104 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo Cantonese, Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Discotek
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.95
Synopsis: The Manchurian government sets out to exterminate all the disciples of Shaolin.
Burning Paradise was directed by Ringo Lam, who rose to prominence in Hong Kong cinema in the latter part of the 1980's after directing films like City on Fire, Prison on Fire and School on Fire. Even though he has made a trio film's in Hollywood with Jean-Claude Van Damme. Unlike most of his contemporaries he has also manage to stay active in Hong Kong cinema. Burning Paradise was produced by Tsui Hark (We're Going to Eat You, Once Upon a Time in China), who was offered a chance to direct this film. Even though he turned the producers down. He was the one responsible for bringing Ringo Lam to the project.
The plot primarily revolves around a Shaolin disciple named Fong Sai-Yuk. This character which is rooted in Chinese folklore has had several film's made about his exploits. With the most notable being Heroes Two, Disciples of the 36th Chamber, The Legend, The Legend II. The plot also features another character that is rooted in Chinese folklore, Hung Hei-Kwun. This character was portrayed by Jet Li in The New Legend of Shaolin. The same year that Burning Paradise was released.
While some viewers who are not as familiar with Ringo Lam's cinematic output. Will find this film overly brutal and gory. Tone wise, Burning Paradise is in line with the film's that Ringo Lam had directed up to that point in his career. When compared to other martial arts film's that were being released around the time this film made. This film really stands in a class all of its own. In the way it shift's away from what was trendy at the time. Sure there are some funny moments, like a scene where Fong Sai-Yuk, his master and a young woman are all piled on top of each other as they hide from Manchurian soldiers under hay. When they finally leave their hiding place each of the character's have hand print's on their more intimate areas.
From the opening moments when the Manchurian soldiers are chasing Fong Sai-Yuk and his master. The story moves along at a break neck pace. Also the carnage occurs early on and often. There are soldiers who are cut in half, decapitated horse and hand maidens who have their throats slit with nothing more than someone's finger tips, before their heads are ripped off their shoulders. Like every story about good verse evil, this one features a few nihilistic characters who are hell bent on just causing pain and suffering. To soften up some of the film's rougher edges. A love interest for Fong Sai-Yuk is thrown in for good measure.
Plot wise the story like many martial arts is kept simple. With the emphasizes kept more on the explosive action set pieces and copious amount of carnage. The most surprising aspect of this film are the performances from the entire cast. Many of which this was one of their first films. The film's standout performance comes from Kam-Kong Wong (The Defender), in the role of Elder Kung, the diabolical man in charge of the Red Lotus prison which the bulk of the movie takes place in.
The DVD:
Discotek presents Burning Paradise in a anamorphic widescreen that preserves the film's original aspect ratio. When compared to previous home video release of Burning Paradise. The transfer for this DVD release will come as a revelation for anyone who has seen any of those sub par presentations. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look vibrant and nicely saturated. The biggest improvement for many viewers will be the amount of detail present in the film's dimly lit scenes which on previous home video releases looked murky. There are no problems with compression or combing and edge enhancement is kept in check.
This release comes with two audio options. The film's original Cantonese language which is presented in a Dolby Digital stereo and a English dubbed audio mix which is also presented in a Dolby Digital stereo. The Cantonese audio mix is by far and away the better of the audio mixes. As it sounds clear and balanced throughout. The English audio mix has noticeable background noise that varies in degree throughout. And it also sounds flat, especially compared to the Cantonese audio mix. It should also be noted that the English audio mix has some sections where the dialog is in Cantonese and these instances are subtitled in English. Also the Cantonese audio mix comes with English subtitles that are error free and easy to follow.
Extras for this release include trailers for Burning Paradise (2 minutes 46 seconds – anamorphic widescreen, in Cantonese with English subtitles), The Storm Riders (2 minutes 12 seconds – anamorphic widescreen, English language trailer), Ebola Syndrome (2 minutes 23 seconds – anamorphic widescreen, in Cantonese with English subtitles), a Chinese Torture Chamber Story (2 minutes 1 second – letterboxed widescreen, in Cantonese with English subtitles) and a interview with producer Tsui Hark (4 minutes 25 seconds – in English with brunt in French subtitles), who discusses how he got involved in the project, director Ringo Lam and his thoughts on the film. Overall Burning Paradise gets a solid audio / video presentation from Discotek.


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State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has announced that he will begin to audit charter schools — the first time his office has been allowed to do since the publicly funded, privately run schools were created in the state more than a decade ago.
The refusal of charter schools to open their books to state auditors led to a years-long court battle. The Comptroller lost, and charters were allowed to keep their books closed. Charter officials argued that their books were already open because their required renewal reports included financial information.
DiNapoli is going to start right here in Albany, at the Brighter Choice School for Boys. Schools in Buffalo and New York City are also on his to-do list.
Read DiNapoli's press release on the new set of audits at the TU's Schools blog.


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Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Chris Pratt's career trajectory is about to blast into outer space -- literally. With a solid career in TV already on his resume, thanks to well-loved roles in "Everwood" and "Parks and Recreation," Pratt's movie ventures have become increasingly high-profile, with recent parts in "Moneyball," "Zero Dark Thirty," and "The Five-Year Engagement."
Now, he's in this week's "Delivery Man," where he matches comic wits with Vince Vaughn and holds his own admirably. A remake of the French-Canadian comedy "Starbuck" (with that film's director and co-writer, Ken Scott, also behind the camera for this version), the film stars Vaughn as David, a can't-get-it-together truck driver for his family's meat business who discovers that, through a series of sperm donations he gave years earlier, he has fathered more than 500 children -- 143 of whom want to know who their biological dad is.
Pratt plays Brett, a single father of four and David's attorney, who is tasked with protecting his client's identity in the film's climactic courtroom trial. Pratt has some of the movie's best lines -- particularly when he says the kind of things parents think but never say aloud about raising kids -- while also enjoying several snappy exchanges with Vaughn and the young actors playing his brood (Pratt himself has a one-year-old son, Jack, with wife Anna Faris).
Next up for the actor is a lead voice role in February's "The Lego Movie," and then Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, in Marvel's highly anticipated "Guardians of the Galaxy" next August. We caught up with Pratt in Los Angeles, where we spoke about getting all the good lines, working with Vaughn, being a proud dad, and mentally prepping for "Guardians."
Moviefone: You have some of the best lines in the film. Are you ever aware of that while you're reading the script or making the movie? Do they leap out at you then, or is it the kind of thing where you see it and realize it along with everyone else?
Chris Pratt: Well, it's a good question. Usually moments will leap out at you. You'll understand a moment is going to be funny. And, oftentimes, not on this movie but in other movies, I would help those moments by maybe improvising a line or saying the same joke but in my own words and knowing when a moment to be funny is there and making sure that that moment's funny. Whether it's saying it exactly how it's written, or coming up with your own way of making it funny, that would be the moment. So moments jump out at you.
But with this movie, both Vince and I stuck really strictly to the script. No improvisation, no going off book. I would say the words as written and do it like that. It was a challenge for me. It's not something I normally do. Even in dramatic things, I'll paraphrase essentially. So I did that and there were definitely moments in this movie, some really great comedic moments that I knew would land. But sticking exactly to the script, then seeing the film with a small audience, some moments were funny when I didn't realize they would be funny.
Was the lack of improv at Ken's request?
I think it was something I was really interested in doing. When I had my first conversation with [executive producer] Scott Mednick and Ken Scott I said, "You know, I'd really like to stick to the script. I'd really like to stay in it. Say it exactly as it's written." And it was going to be a big challenge for me because a winning formula of mine is that, when I start struggling, I just go to what's most natural for me which is to just create a funny moment somehow. And find a way to use my shtick to be funny. And I know I need to work on that.
You walk a very fine line with Brett, because he's very likable but he could easily cross over into being completely self-pitying. Was it hard to find the right balance to keep the audience on his side?
Well, I think you're right. I think that was the challenge with this character, was to make sure that the self-loathing and this despondency and the person who's emasculated is still likable and still kind of charming in a way. And I think that it is a fine line to walk but I think it's more of a fine line to walk for Ken than it is for me. Because I think that's something that Ken has to keep an eye on as he wrote it. And there are really winning moments. Even regardless of how dark it goes or how much he becomes self-loathing, there's certain moments of lightness with his children in the courtroom when they leave him the picture and when he's rehearsing with his kids. Or the fact that he's really trying. He's really there for his kids -- which I think makes him likable, you know?
Brett does say a lot of stuff that's pretty out there, but it's stuff that I think every parent says to themselves at one point or another.
As a relatively new parent, were you able to draw on that yourself in terms of those things that we never want to say out loud as parents?
When we made this movie, I was still a very -- I only have one kid and he was still very young. He was only three months old. And so I hadn't hit that wall yet of fatigue that you hit as a parent. I was still very excited by every little poopy diaper. I was wanting to Instagram photos of his craps and say, "Wow, my son is brilliant. Look at this one." So I don't think that I had it necessarily inside of myself to mine, but maybe I will one day.
Four children on your own would be incredibly difficult, I think. But there are people I know in my life who are single parents -- women, primarily -- who have a lot of kids and it's really, really tough. So that was what I thought of mostly -- the large number of women who find themselves in this same scenario, being single moms at home, having a breadwinner who essentially pays the bills and you're stuck at home with kids and with no creative outlet, no outlet for any occupational passion, you know. There's nothing you can do with your time other than just babysit kids. And so that was something I thought of a lot.
Next summer you're going to headline your own franchise with "Guardians of the Galaxy." Do you feel mentally prepared for being at the forefront of that whole universe?
I don't know. Probably not. I'm probably not mentally prepared for that, but I'm not sure that there's any amount of preparation you can really do. I think it's just running, gunning, learn on the fly which is what I've been doing for ten years. I've been faking it for ten years, so hopefully I can fake it when that comes around. You know, it's like you just learn as you go. I think it'll be fine. You know, you learn quickly in this business to set your expectations really low to prevent yourself from having your heart broken over and over. Whether it's auditioning for something that you really want or working passionately on a movie and hoping that it will hit with an audience or hit with critics. You really want all of those things to go well and all it takes is them not going well a couple of times before you start to be pretty guarded to prevent yourself from being heartbroken.
So I'm not going to start preparing for what my life could look like if "Guardians of the Galaxy" is a huge hit and changes my level of fame. I'm not going to prepare for any of that because then if it doesn't happen I'll be heartbroken, you know. So instead, if it happens, I'll try to deal with it then and if not then I'm no worse off than I am now. Maybe that'll work.
"Delivery Man" opens in theaters November 22.
Delivery Man
Amiable slacker David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn) drives a delivery truck for his family's company and is... Read More
categories Interviews


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2nd Flush Darjeeling Tea TGFOP1 from Selimbong Estate, India
2nd Flush Darjeeling Black tea.
Temp: 203-212F
Tea per cup 1 teaspoon
Time: 4-5 minutes or to desired taste.
2oz bag = 20-25 cups (8oz)
4oz bag = 40-50 cups (8oz)
8oz bag = 80-100 cups (8oz)
16oz bag = 160-200 cups (8oz)
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LEGO models my own creation MOCpages toys shop a. Octopus BrineMecha
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Explore cool creations, share your own, and
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a. Octopus Brine
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Octopus Brine leader of the Transmorphers
About this creation
Add a comment
I made it
Steve Puckett
November 8, 2014
Quoting Mecha Madness
Can you please email me the instruction email@example.com? I also like X-beepo. Btw your creations are really awesome. Nice job!!!! I need to learn. :P
Instructions ??? Sure let me spend the next two months deconstructing the moc and taking pictures and writing step by step....sure
I like it
Mecha Madness
July 28, 2014
Can you please email me the instruction firstname.lastname@example.com? I also like X-beepo. Btw your creations are really awesome. Nice job!!!! I need to learn. :P
I like it
Theodore Peters
June 15, 2012
To Declan:no, he doesn't. This is a parody. Also there is a moviecalled the tmorphers. I understand the mistake, tho.
I like it
Jeff Lee
April 10, 2012
I'll never see Transformers them same again.....
I like it
Declan Muller
November 24, 2011
really awesome, but I think you mean 'optimus PRIME', leader of the autobots, and he's a transFORMER. Cool moc, though!
I like it
Borixx DBL8
July 12, 2011
Whoa! That thing is HUGE!!! It must have swelled to that size because it's full of AWESOMENESS!!!!
I like it
Caleb L
June 15, 2011
The epic things about this: Name, Colors, Size, NPUs, etc., etc.
I like it
skylexer mox
June 10, 2011
O_O holy *BEEEEEP* | | |_|
I like it
Andrew Cleary
April 29, 2011
@ toa phosphorus : ditto
I like it
JPfan65 Studios
April 11, 2011
I like it
Deus _
March 10, 2011
I like it
Toa Phosphorus
September 5, 2010
my jaw hurts from hitting the floor so much
I like it
Nathan Schock
August 19, 2010
That is truly amazing!
I like it
Marcus Jackson
June 26, 2010
you are possibly my favorite builder, and this is arguably your best work(certainly my favorite) The colors are psychedelic almost, but they blend so well. anyways 10/5 oh it only goes to 5 well 5/5. Your works are very inspirational, thanks.
I like it
Ethan mason
June 25, 2010
talk about cool this thing is AWESOME!
I like it
Sam Draco
January 16, 2010
Are they...turquoise pieces?Anyway,he looks very groovy.And big.Very very very big...
I like it
General Warren.
September 1, 2009
Thomas Jay
August 6, 2009
cool but at first i thouht he controld time because he had the mask of time on his feet also how many orange mask did your son get
I like it
April 28, 2009
has a nice Transformer look to it and i like the play on the name too.
I like it
Elite ARC Pilot Bluefire Fett
March 14, 2009
He it kinda looks like an Pokemon "Deoxys"
Yuri Fassio
February 12, 2009
Dude, please post it in some other poses, otherwise it will seem like a sculpture...
Ty Construct
February 9, 2009
Very impressive. I'm very good with building Bionicles, but this dwarfs most of my creations.
I like it
Ape Fight
January 29, 2009
Intricate and kinda beautiful too. Would look great on anyone's desk.
I like it
Chad/ Andrew Scott
January 23, 2009
hey man all your stuff is amazing (and huge) i could never hope to be that good. i would love to hear what you think of my best creation armetchek.. if you have time that is
I like it
Rugops Rhinoceros
January 15, 2009
i love your creation steve, love em all, but this comment is to that matt kid, considering that he doesnt have any creations himself i can not contact him, matt you asked steve whear e gets the time and money. I gota few questions for you, i sceene your home paige, whats the point of makeing a blog on site witch is all about creations only to say they suck... as your about me? and one more, wy comment steves awsome creation (saying you like it) when acording to your home paig.... you think it sucks?
I made it
Steve Puckett
January 15, 2009
Quoting Matthew Pickadilly
stand you must be feeling accomplished to have created such exstatic and brilliant designs. But, I must ask, how do you get the time? Or the money? For all I know, they don't make some of the pieces you use in the colours that they are displayed.
Well Matthew, planning the mocs and aquiring the parts can take weeks or months. In fact searching for and purchasing the parts in the correct COLORS is the single most difficult part in my opinion of creating mocs like this. Anyone can paint parts, most mocist here do not, and I NEVER do. Thanks for the reply !
I like it
Matthew Pickadilly
January 15, 2009
I understand you must be feeling accomplished to have created such exstatic and brilliant designs. But, I must ask, how do you get the time? Or the money? For all I know, they don't make some of the pieces you use in the colours that they are displayed.
I like it
Twilight warrior commander -
January 5, 2009
U must hav lots of time on ur hand.check out my creations!
I like it
googoo the great -=TSC Duke=-
October 22, 2008
uh... steve. i luv ur mocs! i base almost all my bionicles off of urs! come and se my creations
I like it
googoo the great
October 9, 2008
i beleieve... Mr lego... that this "mecha" is not the same as the god "mecha" they just happen to be called mechas. lol!
I like it
googoo the great
October 7, 2008
I like it
Bobby the Giraffe
August 18, 2008
jeez! i really like your creations! (i have been looking at them for a very long time!) and for this one in particular, i love the color scheme! check out my creations if you like (: D ~bobby
I like it
Matt Laird
August 18, 2008
What he said (2 Below Me)
I like it
Sho Fukamachi
August 2, 2008
amazing. please tell me you will post new mocs on mocpages. to the guy below, i agree, but why rate this a 4? it, without a doubt deserves a 5.
I like it
googoo gaga
July 4, 2008
Will ya piz check out "THE BIONICLE TEAM" MOCs! I want you to join my team! you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!
I like it
Crimso Giger
July 3, 2008
AWESOME ! I'll check all of your MOCs soon, because this one is - I've already said it but... Awesome, really !
I like it
googoo gaga
July 2, 2008
I like it! The one thing I REALLY like about ur creations is that u use unusual peices, no matter what no one sais, becuz you like it that way, you dint give in to the weird taste of other weird MOCpages members! I enjoyed this!
I like it
googoo gaga
July 2, 2008
I like it
googoo gaga
June 10, 2008
ergh! you give other MOCpages members bad reviews and ratings!
I like it
Sebeus Iniwum
June 8, 2008
I looked around at your creations and I noticed something... You rock ! you are very skilled with bionicleparts, your creations are very good, they are all unique, I'm not good with Bionicle...
I like it
JD Luse
April 4, 2008
Wow this is big. I didn't realize how huge it was till I saw the pods for wrists.
I like it
LEGO 114 boring last name
March 10, 2008
I like it
Makuta Bane
December 14, 2007
You have too many masks on your hands...
I like it
Jace Rathage
October 26, 2007
That is really really cool looking... but no backstory? No action shots? No construction history? Not even small talk? For thhese reasons I am forced to withhold my 5th Smiley. As a side note to Andrew Canty, you have my condolences for the "horrible ratings and reviews that [you] got", but don't seek pointless vengeance by bashing other people's Mocs.
Andrew Canty
October 22, 2007
That is the dumbest picture I have ever seen in my l- ZZZZZ...
I like it
Johann Dakitsch
October 6, 2007
wow, awesome!he tranforms into a vehicle right/Do ou have any picture of him transformed?anyway, the name of him and his group isn't original...
I like it
October 2, 2007
Wait wait wait...Transmorphers? The straight-to-disc low budget TF attempt? Is Octopus Brine really his name? Wow. Well, this moc stll rocks. Good job.
I like it
vladtron dracul
October 2, 2007
omfg! its perfect! the colours are hideous, but great design
I like it
DARKspawn .
October 1, 2007
Awesomeness, the colour scheme makes me want to tear me eyes out - in a good way ;)
I like it
sam W.
October 1, 2007
Finally something new from you! Your work is great. I love your bionicle mech creations.
Steve Puckett
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I want to stay away from shows like Bigg Boss and Jhalak: Mandira Bedi
She walked into the television space with woman-centric show "Shanti" and also entered the cricket domain as a host, but actress-designer Mandira Bedi says getting locked up in the "Bigg Boss" house and shaking a leg through "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" is not her cup of tea.
"I can't go inside 'Bigg Boss' house and I don't see myself in 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' because I am not a dancer and I don't know how volatile I will be in 'Bigg Boss' house so those two are reality shows I want to stay away from," Mandira told IANS.
Known for its notorious quality, "Bigg Boss" is a show in which contestants are locked up in a purpose-built house for three months with limited access to luxuries and amenities. And "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" is a dancing reality show in which celebrities of different field showcase their dancing skills.
The actress, who was also seen as a RAW agent along with Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor in "24", will be challenging herself through ZEE TV's forthcoming reality show "I Can Do That".
The show, to be hosted by multi-talented actor Farhan Akhtar, makes the contestants come out of their comfort zone by taking up new skills.
The mother of one asserts that the 'unusual' quality of the show made her take up the challenge.
"This show is unusual, something that I have not done, as a mom I was so happy doing that challenge of magic...beautiful magic act in front of my son. I'm the only mum in the show and I am getting to compete with 20 something contenders . I am enjoying it," she said.
She may be taking up new shows and keeping herself busy with other professional assignments, but Mandira notes that she is a "hands on mom".
"I am mom and that's tough job so everything I do revolve around my son. If I have to meet my friends, I do that once he sleeps. I belong to my son when I am at home. I am very hands on mom and my child is my first priority," she said.
Any plans to bring her son to the profession of acting? And she quips "only time can tell" that.
"My son has got weird taste but I don't think acting is anywhere to be seen in him. One has to wait a while. Let him decide as and when time comes," said
Mandira, who showcased her sari collection here for the first time as the second in the "The Spirit of Zoya Woman" series.
Source (IANS)
Tony Singh excited about his new look in Zee TV's lajwanti...
Gracy and Viren's sibling-esque bond on Balika Vadhu sets!


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: Music
Reaper's Favorite Albums of 2011
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dystopia
Casino cash: $17497
47.) Blut Aus Nord
777 Sects
48.) Blut Aus Nord -
777 The Desanctification
These are basically the same album. Desanctification is a direct sequel to Sects, and they play right into each other. A third and final volume will come out in 2012. So together, they take up spots on the list right next to each other. Blut Aus Nord is a French progressive metal outfit. In 2011 they have taken to numerology. The number 7 is found all over the place on this album, especially in time signatures. The music here is very hard to get your head around. It is so surprising that it jars you and leaves you sorta brain-paralyzed as it continues to pummel you. The sound is CRUSHING. Walls of drums and guitars bear down on you like youre in the trash compactor from Star Wars. This album is incredibly nuanced, despite each song blending into the next and despite there being no real standout moments. If this were a best albums list then these two albums would place better. But this is my favorites list, and fact is that I dont enjoy listening to these albums all that much. They are bewildering and impressive, but hard to love.
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Bankers merely want fair regulation of property tax lien loans
Updated 4:52 pm, Friday, March 22, 2013
In an opinion piece published in the San Antonio Express-News ("Property tax loan business good for Texas," March 15), Red McCombs wonders why special interest firms want to take away the lien priority status of tax lien lenders that make loans to property owners who are in arrears on their taxes.
The special interest groups include Texas cities and counties, not-for-profit consumer advocacy organizations and banks that are concerned about the predatory nature of tax lien lending.
These groups are merely concerned about the high rates tax lien lenders charge homeowners, as well as their use of "expedited foreclosure," which has limited judicial involvement and doesn't allow for scrutiny over certain fees and costs claimed by the lender.
By the time the property owners pay tax lien lenders interest rates averaging 14 percent to 15 percent plus exorbitant fees, a $10,000 tax bill can turn into a $15,000 to $18,000 bill. For the tax lien lender, these loans are risk-free. For the bank that originated the loan in good faith to the borrower, these loans are a nightmare.
Tax lien lenders solicit homeowners with official-looking documents that we believe are intended to scare homeowners who are unable to make their tax payment on time.
They do not use standard underwriting criteria — such as the borrower's ability to repay — to make these loans. They don't have to since the loan is 100 percent equity-secured.
Tax lien lenders can bundle the loans and sell them on the secondary market to nonlicensed entities.
They enjoy a priority lien position, which means if the property is sold during foreclosure, the tax lenders jump ahead of primary mortgage holders and state and local governments.
Due to what are referred to as "evergreen provisions," tax lien lenders can automatically renew the tax debt every year, which means the amount owed on property taxes, fees and interest continues to grow.
These types of loans do not stop foreclosures — they merely transfer the tax liens to a private company, which can foreclose for nonpayment.
Many property owners have the option of working out a tax payment plan with their local taxing authorities. Additionally, the Better Business Bureau, which warns property owners that these types of loans "can be a slippery slope that can lead to foreclosure and other financial difficulties," advises consumers to call the taxing entity and make payment plans and other arrangements first.
The Texas Bankers Association and our almost 600 member banks that are often the first lien holders can help property owners save thousands of dollars just by working out arrangements with the originator of their loan.
The tax lien lending industry will tell people that this has been the law of Texas since the 1930s. What they don't mention is that these private-party loans all but vanished for eight decades — until a loophole was discovered in the Texas Tax Code that permits a property owner to authorize a third party to pay the real property owner's property tax in exchange for a tax lien on the property.
TBA and the other groups supporting the new legislation merely want laws in place that will actually protect consumers.
J. Eric T. Sandberg Jr. is Texas Bankers Association president and CEO.


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About Us
The little story of YOH started when three queer youths noticed a gap in LGBTQ services in Singapore specifically catered for youths in late 2005. There were simply none to speak of.
After countless discussions and empty pizza boxes, the first run of its peer led support group programme started in Aug 2006, with 9 LGBTQ youths, all between the ages of 16 to 21. The programme's objectives were simple: To provide a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ youths here, while helping to build their social support between its participants by sharing of experiences and opinions.
Topics discussed within the support group includes
- Coming Out
- Family
- Community
- Relationships
- Identity & Sexuality
- Safer Sex
- Bullying & School Life
Fast forward 8 years and many Starbucks lattes after, YOH's support group programme have helped over 100 LGBTQ youths, starting from the ages as early as 15 to about 22. Most of these queer youths have gone on volunteering to either be involved with other community groups, or have come back and spent their time in facilitating other runs of support groups.
Over the same time period, YOH have been reaching out to others within the larger LGBTQ community through its active participation at the annual PinkDot event. Its larger-than-life campaigns and positive messages have attracted over 600 participants at their community booth. YOH have also been co-organizing other LGBTQ youth events with Oogachaga Singapore, reaching over 120 LGBTQ youth participants in events and workshops that centered around different queer youth issues.
Though YOH have been perpetual nomads in seeking a space to hold their activities, the passion to reach out and support the local LGBTQ youth community has never wavered. One could almost liken the bond within the group like an adopted family. Just recently in early 2013, YOH have expanded their audience to include LGBTQ youth allies as well. If the past 8 years is any indicator of things to come, the journey for YOH is far from over.


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A Meeting of Minds – Cambridge Clinical Neuroscience and Mental Health Symposium
September 29, 2009 Leave a comment
Blog Post by Jenny Ridge, Academic & Professional Marketing, Medicine
The Cambridge Clinical Neuroscience and Mental Health Symposium starts today, with Press authors ready to speak on the most up-to-date research.
Organised by Cambridge Neuroscience, whose mission is to increase our fundamental understanding of brain function and enhance quality of life, the Symposium is a highly significant event for all neuroscientists. The Symposium connects the varied and vast areas of neuroscience research and teaching that takes place across the University of Cambridge and affiliated institutions and is vital to furthering the aims of Cambridge Neuroscience.


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Not to mention, his collection would not be ready to present in-person.
Only when they schedule an in-person date with someone do they mention their disability.
Obama touted enrollment the old-fashioned way—by phone, or in-person.
After our first on-line interview, I scheduled an in-person interview with Hembling in Vancouver.
The disconnect between online friendship and in-person friendship is also more apparent.
It suggests a world in which the in-person meeting and phone calls with clients may be unnecessary.
You may find upgrade offers that would not be available via phone or in-person.
He would make phone calls or have an in-person visit with every member individually or in a group—charts, graphs, coffee.
early 13c., from Old French persone "human being, anyone, person" (12c., Modern French personne) and directly from Latin persona "human being, person, personage; a part in a drama, assumed character," originally "mask, false face," such as those of wood or clay worn by the actors in later Roman theater. OED offers the general 19c. explanation of persona as "related to" Latin personare "to sound through" (i.e. the mask as something spoken through and perhaps amplifying the voice), "but the long o makes a difficulty ...." Klein and Barnhart say it is possibly borrowed from Etruscan phersu "mask." Klein goes on to say this is ultimately of Greek origin and compares Persephone.
Of corporate entities from mid-15c. The use of -person to replace -man in compounds and avoid alleged sexist connotations is first recorded 1971 (in chairperson). In person "by bodily presence" is from 1560s. Person-to-person first recorded 1919, originally of telephone calls.
person per·son (pûr'sən)
A living human.
The composite of characteristics that make up an individual personality; the self.
The living body of a human.
Physique and general appearance.
An inflectional form (see inflection) of pronouns and verbs that distinguishes between the person who speaks (first person), the person who is spoken to (second person), and the person who is spoken about (third person). The pronoun or verb may be singular or plural. For example:
first person singular: I walk.
second person singular: you walk.
third person singular: he/she/it walks.
first person plural: we walk.
second person plural: you walk.
third person plural: they walk.


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The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931 Page: 79
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Southwestern Historical Quarterly and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas State Historical Association.
VoL. XXXIV OCTOBER, 1930 No. 2
The publication committee and the editors disclaim responsibility for views expressed by
contributors to THE QUARTERLY
The country between the Nueces and Rio Grande is a segment
of the southwestern borderlands too little known to social scien-
tists. The researches of the historians have come closest, those of
Bolton outlining its earliest colonization from the south, and those
of Barker tracing the American migration towards it from the
northeast. The present article contributes towards filling the his-
torical gap by tracing the development of Dimmit County, which,
lying astride the Nueces where it bends northward, is situated at
the western end of the area between the two famous rivers.'
In 1834, just prior to the Texas revolution, a series of land
grants was made under the colonization laws of the State of Coa-
huila and Texas by Fortunato Soto, colonization commissioner at
Dolores. The ruins of this village, destroyed by fire shortly there-
after, stand on Los Moros Creek below Brackettville. Seven of
these grants lie all or partly within the bounds of Dimmit County.
To Jesis Cardenas, for example, was granted eleven leagues on the
'The material for this article was gathered while the author was en-
gaged in field researches under the auspices of the Social Science Re-
search Council. The main studies are appearing under the general title,
"Mexican Labor in the United States"; the Dimmit County study, which
see, is the fifth of the series (Univ. Calif. Publ. Econ., VI, 5). The
principal sources for this article are the files of the Carrizo Springs
Javelin, government reports on soils and water, and oral accounts of
early settlers. Many contributed, of whom three may be named as types:
F. Vandervoort, who aided both by conversations and through his ac-
count, "The Dimmit of long ago," in Javelin, July 8, 1921; Bob Lem-
mons, rancher and ex-slave, a survivor of the first party to make per-
manent settlement, and Diego Sanchez, all of them at the time con-
sulted the oldest living settlers of their races.
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Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931, periodical, 1931; Austin, Texas. (texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101091/m1/89/ocr/: accessed March 24, 2018), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.


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Mixing electronic with acoustic music, Judith Shatin features piano, clarinets, percussion, oboe , strings and various electronics on this widely varied collection of what is essentially 21st Century classical music. A four piece "Glyph" consists of eighteen minutes of piano that is at times melancholy, yearning and dizzying with The Cassatt String Quartet. Aaron Hill's oboe sounds like a honking Khaen from Thailand on the percussive "Time to Burn" while the electronics on "Hoshech Al P'ney HaTehon" is filled with ominous moods. The closing "Elijah's Chariot" with The Cassatt String Quartet and electronics ends the album as a true Baal buster with lots of moments that are both cerebral and visceral.
Innova Records


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It's even worse.
When I first wrote about standing-ovation-creep on this page more than six years ago, it was an irritation, like a skin rash you just have to live with. Since then, it's become an out-and-out pandemic, infecting more and more theatre audiences in New York — and, I'd be willing to bet, where you live too, because this virus is issuing forth from the heartland.
Let's restate a few caveats. A performance that brings an audience to its feet with gratitude is a wonderful thing, and once upon a time such a spontaneous eruption swelled the cast and crew with pride precisely because it was so rare. I have witnessed these thrilling occasions — but fewer times than I have fingers. (My most recent was HAMILTON.) However, the days when you could actually reward a magnificent production beyond mere seated applause are long gone, vanished before my very eyes.
I recognize that audience behavior evolves over time. Beatles aside, the loudest sound in an Ed Sullivan or Johnny Carson audience was the ol' two-fingered whistle. But watch Colbert or Maher today, and you'll hear people — usually women — shriek where they used to laugh. I'm sure that excited reaction is a bleed-over from pop music concerts, and it's fine for a talk show where revving the crowd up to paroxysmal frenzy is part of the trick. Thing is, we're starting to hear the whooooooooos for stage musical numbers, even "this is my way of saying I think that's funny" in the more raucous comedies. This is a second cousin to stand-up fever.
It's very expensive to visit New York, even before the theater sticks out its palm for you to cross so lavishly. If you go to a Broadway show, you expect to see transcendence; it had better be better than what your community theater can pull off. Some shows are certainly lesser than others, but they are all of professional caliber, and if you're not used to that, damn near anything can impress you, especially if it features someone you've seen in movies or on tv. I believe that's where the ubiquitous standing O has come from: visitors from out of town. My latest piece of evidence: I was sitting in a side box for AN AMERICAN IN PARIS a couple weeks ago, so I was able to watch the crowd. The standing ovation that day was definitely led by people in shorts and sandals.
Why should I even care about whether people jump to their feet or not? They're just being nice, get off their backs! Two reasons. One, as stated above, when it happens every time, the gesture is demeaned: performers will never again be able to earn a legitimate standing O, since they will automatically receive one simply by getting to the end of Act II. Two, I enjoy watching actors take their curtain calls, but unless I stand as well (to my shame, I've done it a few times) all I can see is a butt from the previous row. Usually I remain seated anyway. It's not because I didn't like the show; it's because it didn't deserve a standing ovation!
Here's how bad it's gotten. The other night I went down to 59E59, the only off-Broadway theater in rational walking distance from my house, to see a surrealistic farce called BEARS IN SPACE, part of a citywide Irish theatre festival. Delightful show: four young guys using deliberately low-tech theatricality and ratty hand-and-rod puppets, snarky as hell but telling a story that turned out to be very sweet. (One of them was Jack Gleeson, GAME OF THRONES's sadistic King Joffrey, but in one section he played that notorious imperiousness for laughs.) The audience — couldn't have been 200 people — were attentive, laughing where they should, etc. They loved the show. (I did too.) The boys wound it up and the applause was vigorous, energetic. As I was joining them in banging my hands together, something was vaguely bothersome. WTF? Finally it struck me. Nobody in the appreciative, giddy audience had risen to their feet! I self-flagellated on the walk home (what, no standing O means you're missing something, dickweed?) and sat down to write this piece, my first sequel. Dudes and dudettes, standing ovations are WAY WAY WAY too common, but there's nothing anybody can do. Their function as a meaningful way to communicate back to the stage is all over.
9/27/16: Last night, at the new production of THE FRONT PAGE (it was that or the Clinton-Trump "debate"), before the inevitable tumultuous standing ovation, came some "sitting ovations," or entrance applause, for everybody the audience recognized: Jefferson Mays, John Slattery, John Goodman, Robert Morse, Nathan Lane, even Holland Taylor. This show is a trifle, an amusing limited run for holiday-season tourists, slathered with stars, and it did make me laugh a few times. But to the adoring audience, it killed. A standing O was locked in the moment they opened their programs, and every comment I overheard afterward reflected a mind duly blown. But I won't play the snob card: New York needs their money.
11/23/16: Yes, the cast of the final play in the "Gabriel Family Trilogy" did a wonderful job, but DAMN! Even most of the audience in a little 200-seater upstairs at the Public felt the need to hit their feet. Fortunately we were sitting in the first row, and I think I caught a couple of curtain-call winks — thanks for giving us an enthusiastic response but not fucking standing up! — or maybe it was just my imagination. I mimed applause to Jay O. Russell in the lobby as we were filing out and he seemed to enjoy it. But the war's over. Automatic standing Os and Trump have each won.


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TAMPA, Fla. - It's a bride's worst nightmare. The dress she's dreamt about, spent months looking for, put money down on---she may not get. The bridal store suddenly closed.
That's what's happened to dozens, if not hundreds of brides at Tampa's Alfred Angelo Bridal.
Bride-to-be Emily Benon walked up to the store front and saw a simple piece of white paper with the words "Store Closed."
"I really didn't think it would be real until I got here and saw it," Benon says.
"I ordered my dress in April, and got a call on Tuesday saying my dress was in the store ready to pick up. I scheduled an appointment for Sunday."
But Thursday night Emily learned on social media that Alfred Angelo Bridal's had closed for good. The 80-year-old company with 60 retail stores had filed for bankruptcy.
On the company's Facebook page one mother of a bride wrote, "I WANT MY DAUGHTERS DRESS OR MY MONEY BACK NOW."
Emily says, "I am angry for not being called. I am angry for the company doing this to their employees and to other brides…not right!"
Some of those employees who've been let go have been prepping bride's and bridesmaid's dresses in store for shipping.
An employee at the Tampa store says they've shipped 150 dresses within 24 hours of closing, including around 50 dresses around noon by Fed Ex.
"All these boxes you're seeing (are) brides' dress orders all called previously," says Barbara, a store employee. She adds, "We love our brides -- that's why they come to us for the one-on-one experience."
Benon says she thought she did her homework when choosing a bridal store.
"I heard this happen at smaller boutique," she says. "I thought I'd be safe coming here. I was wrong."
She hopes her dream dress -- the one that cost $1,800 -- is in one of those boxes.
"No other dress I put on made me feel like that dress made me feel," Benon says. "There's no replacing that. I just want this dress."
Some brides on social media say the store's seamstress has their dresses, but won't give it to them because even though they paid for alterations, the store didn't pay her.
The company posted an email address for its attorney. 10News emailed and didn't get any answer.


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As with the Italian Air Force and Navy, writers have put much emphasis on seemingly major weaknesses in the Italian Army's organization and equipment when Italy entered the war in 1940. However, as with the Navy and Air Force, when putting these weaknesses in a relative context, they are less obvious. The Italian Army was large, particularly when comparing it with what it first was to come up against, and as such had great potential for adjustment and streamlining towards specific missions.
We have seen from the earlier articles in this series that the Comando Supremo (Italian General Staff – Badoglio) leadership in the spring of 1940 had decided that in the case of war Italy should take an active stance in the air and on the sea, but act passively on the ground. Germany had not yet invaded the Low Countries and France with the resulting disastrous result for the Allies so this was a rather prudent choice to make for the CS. The reality at the time was an undefeated France supported by the British Empire, both potential enemies having several common borders with Italy. Italy's North African colony, Libya, was hemmed in by a British-dominated Egypt on one side and the French colonies of Tunis and Algeria on the other. Its Eastern colonies, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia were, in the case of war, threatened by British forces in British Eritrea, Somalia and Kenya. As during the First World War British Dominion forces could be mobilized in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India for this purpose.
With the British in complete control of the Suez Canal and dominating the Seas outside the Mediterranean, Italy had one specific problem that needed to be solved relatively fast if it entered the war – the continued supply and support of their forces in AOI – Africa Orientale Italiana. Italy's common border with France could be defended by mainland forces and there was only a short, direct route from Italy to its Libyan colony. AOI, however, was surrounded by potential enemy forces and very hard to support as long as the British controlled the Suez Canal. The Italian Air Force had developed a long-range transport capacity, by flying across British-held territory (Egypt and Sudan), preferably during night-time, they could reach the Italian bases in the AOI, but this capacity was nothing near what was needed to supply the garrisons there which numbered several hundred thousand men with large quantities of equipment – vehicles, aircraft and armaments in need of constant resupply and maintenance. There was also an Italian naval contingent in the Red Sea. To make the supply of these colonies dependent on overseas transport would be nearly impossible with the Royal Navy controlling both Gibraltar, the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans, with a multitude of naval and air bases along the long route around the Southern point of Africa.
The Italian first priority therefore ought to be the conquest of Egypt by a concentrated assault with all available forces to open up the transport route through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. This, however, did not fit into a passive army strategy. Therefore, no real maritime transport plans had been agreed upon by the Navy and the Army for an eventual rapid build-up of the Army forces in Libya (Bragadin).


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|You are in: World: South Asia
Monday, 31 December, 2001, 18:00 GMT
India hands over 'most wanted' list
By the BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in London
India has given Pakistan a list of what it says are its most wanted terrorists.
The Law Minister, Arun Jaitley, said that handing them over to the Pakistani authorities would cause what he called "a conducive atmosphere" to thrive between the two countries.
India has already expressed satisfaction that Pakistan has started rounding up members of the more violent Kashmiri groups, but it wants more.
The list it has now given to the government in Islamabad includes senior members of four groups involved in the struggle in Kashmir - Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami and Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Officials did not make public the names of those involved but said that they would include the five men accused of hijacking an Indian Airlines plane two years ago.
Indian list
The plane ended up in Kandahar in Afghanistan and India was forced to hand over three detained Islamist militants in exchange for the passengers and crew.
One of them was the Jaish-e-Mohammad leader, Maulana Masood Azhar, who was arrested in Pakistan last week.
But the Indian list is not limited to Kashmiri activists, or even to Muslims.
Indian officials said they had included one of the leaders of the Sikh separatist movement, the Khalistan Liberation Front, and the Bombay gangsters accused of having been behind a series of bomb blasts in the city in 1993.
Gangland leader Dawood Ibrahim was blamed for that attack, when a car bomb was set off in the basement of the Bombay Stock Exchange building.
The same technique as was used against the American Embassy in Nairobi, and in the first attack on the World Trade Centre.
The Indian authorities are convinced that all these men have found refuge in Pakistan.
See also:
30 Dec 01 | UK Politics
Blair urges India-Pakistan restraint
28 Dec 01 | Media reports
Press urges calm as tensions rise
28 Dec 01 | South Asia
Pakistanis 'could be stuck in India'
28 Dec 01 | South Asia
India-Pakistan buses close down
26 Dec 01 | South Asia
US adds pressure on Pakistan
24 Dec 01 | South Asia
Pakistan freezes militant funds
29 Dec 01 | South Asia
Taj Mahal 'to be camouflaged'
Internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Top South Asia stories now:
Links to more South Asia stories are at the foot of the page.
Links to more South Asia stories
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Art in Review; Jeff Elrod
By ROBERTA SMITH
Published: April 7, 2006
New Paintings
Fredericks & Freiser
536 West 24th Street, Chelsea
Through tomorrow
Few painters make work as thin-skinned as Jeff Elrod, whose latest efforts combine silk-screened checks, spray-painted swaths and computer-derived linear compositions with results that could almost be reproductions of themselves. His abstract canvases belong to what might be called the I-am-a-machine universe of painting, where Andy Warhol is God, Sigmar Polke is John the Baptist, and recent devotees include Albert Oehlen, David Salle, Peter Halley, Rudolf Stingel, Christopher Wool and, lately, Josh Smith, who often bends the tendency in a ham-handed faux-Expressionist direction.
But, for all their evident nonchalance, Mr. Elrod's paintings are also fairly labor-intensive. The kindergartenish, graffiti-like doodles and angular lines that meander about most of his paintings are made on a computer, but they are enlarged and transferred to canvas through a painstaking stenciling method involving the application of tapes of different widths. A technique that Mr. Elrod has perfected over a decade, it gives his work a veneer of finicky refinement that makes his thin skin all the stranger. ROBERTA SMITH


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Pssst…wanna buy a link?
I've just installed Jim Kukrals ScratchBack widget.
You can rent a link spot on this blog for $1 per day , that's around 4 cents per hour.
Update:I've changed the default to autobump which means that you will stay on the list until bumped off. Each new 'tipper' goes to the top of the list. This means that overtime, your link will gradually fall down the list. This might take a day or it might take a month. Give it a try, it might bring you traffic.
The great thing about Jims widget is that it is 100% search engine compliant, so no fear with any of that paid link text penalty nonsense.
What I like about this widget (and is probably a reason why I'm writing about it ) is that it's one of those ideas that is smart in that it is capitalising on what has been a bit of a hot topic these past few months. It's great to see someone using the whole thing in a positive way, so for that reason alone I'd like to see it become a success. It's been around for a while but I've only recently seen it on Ben Cooks and Dazzlin Donnas blogs so for me at least its relatively new
Not every blogger is a html or php nerd, which is why I think that for some niche bloggers this could really be a useful little thing. It's colourful, easy to use, easy to set up and compliant with search engine TOS. I think they take around a 10% cut of sales which is small beer for something that could easily generate a handy bit of pin money for stay at home mums or other low traffic type bloggers. You can set your own pricing, define your own colour schemes.
I'm not too sure why they decided to market it as a tipping service as at the end of the day, it all boils down to giving people some real estate on your blog in the form of a link, nicely nofollowed (boo) to keep the likes of those old search meanies happy.
The FAQ of the scratchback site states that at present publishers will receive 90% of sales but that post BETA that figure will drop. Personally speaking, I'm not so sure if I'd stick around if it dropped much lower than where it's at and I could see a few others thinking heck, I may as well contact the advertisers myself or put together a few lines of code and do the self same thing and get all the money.
Future success will of course depend on whether they can muster sufficient traction and interest and grow the service into a well known niche blogger advertising network. There's certainly room within the blog economy. If PPP is anything to go by then it's clear that there are a lot of advertisers looking to get their content noticed on the pages of blogs and bloggers.
Whether they will come in droves is of course dependent upon all manner of factors relative to uptake by bloggers, ease of use and of course, value to the advertiser. The widget itself outputs the links with nofollow tags which might be a little off putting to some. That said if you happen to be of the mind that a link is a link is a link then you might well be enticed by the fact that you can specify anchor text and that the script itself doesn't use document write to output the html.
Anyways, who'd of thought that it would take just 17 hours into 2008 before I had a 'now why didn't I do that' moment 😉
Social Media Marketing, Baiting and SEO
I read a very good blog post this morning from the old linkmeister himself NickW.
He talks about linkbaiting generally, what makes for good vs what makes for bad and touches on its newly born cousin 'widgetbait', a term I heard for the 1st time yesterday in a private discussion with Lyndon . More on widgets further on.
Anyways, getting back to Nick. For those of you who don't know him or have never had the pleasure/displeasure to encounter his often acerbic wit, he's the guy responsible for setting up Threadwatch , Performancing and the recently launched click influence and is generally credited with coining the phrase Linkbait. He's a good egg, who tells it like it is.
Besides damn hard work a big aspect behind Nick's success with these ventures has been his ability to stimulate debate amongst the community by writing interesting content that actually has something to say.
He gets people talking about stuff. Simple huh? Very rarely will you read a longish blog from Nick that doesn't have something to add to the mix. He wins, we win. He gains links and kudos, we learn a little and maybe grab an idea or get incentivised to modify or adapt or use whatever it is he might be talking about. Does he hit it everytime? No, of course not, he's human like the rest of us, but he's certainly worth some closer scrutiny…


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Women Democratic Surge Creates Congressional Gender Gap
The gender gap that emerged among voters during the presidential election is manifesting itself in a new way: inside Congress.
The incoming Senate will have four times as many female Democrats compared with their Republican counterparts -- 16 to 4 -- and the imbalance will be almost 3 to 1 among female House members, 58 to 20.
The public portrait of the two parties diverged further yesterday when Senate Republicans elected a man to fill the only vacancy in their all-male leadership. The only woman in the House Republicans' top leadership, conference chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington, defeated a challenge by Representative Tom Price of Georgia, who was backed by Representative Paul Ryan, the vice-presidential nominee from Wisconsin.
On the Democratic side, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California announced yesterday that she would stay on for another two-year term. Pelosi served as the first and only woman speaker from 2007-2011. Senate Democrats re-elected their only female member of leadership -- Patty Murray of Washington -- as the fourth-ranking party official.
Pelosi to Remain as U.S. House Minority Leader
"Republicans have become extraordinarily out of touch with women, particularly women who are employed outside the home," said Jean Schroedel, a professor in the Department of Politics and Policy at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California.
Year of Woman
Since 1992, the so-called "Year of the Woman" when a wave of female candidates were elected to public office, "Democrats had to pay attention to women in a way they never had to before," Schroedel said. In subsequent years they made disproportionate gains in electing women to office.
Pelosi emphasized the gender gap at a news conference yesterday where, surrounded by dozens of her female colleagues, she said she decided against giving up her leadership role just as congressional leaders begin negotiating a possible deal to avert automatic tax increases and spending cuts set to take effect Jan. 1.
"For some people in the general public, the thought of four men at that table was not an appealing sight, however excellent they might be," Pelosi said.
Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who is up for re-election in 2014, said the leadership elections may make it harder for her party to improve its standing with women voters, which should be a top priority.
More Than Half
"After all, women make up more than half of the electorate, and it was evident as I campaigned for some of my colleagues that the Democrats had been successful -- unfairly in my view -- in painting my party as somehow anti-women," she said. "It does not help us correct that totally erroneous impression that we do not have women in leadership positions in the Senate and have only one woman in the House."
Women voters, 53 percent of the electorate, backed President Barack Obama over Republican nominee Mitt Romney, 55 percent to 44 percent, according to exit polls. The number of Democratic women in the Senate and House increased, while Republican women in both chambers declined.
Among the outside groups that engaged in the election, Emily's List, a group that supports Democratic female candidates who support abortion rights, was among the most successful after 80 percent of its endorsed House and Senate candidates won.
Democratic States
Democrats were well-positioned to send more women to the Senate because they nominated women in states that lean Democratic. Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin, Mazie Hirono in Hawaii, and Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts all won comfortably in states that voted for Obama.
Another advantage for Democrats: they will have about 500 more female state legislators than the Republicans next year, providing a deeper bench from which to recruit experienced candidates.
"It's important women be at all the tables," said Representative Carolyn Maloney, a New York Democrat, because they're usually the primary caregivers and are more focused on issues such as health care, education, children and families.
Senator Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat who just won re-election, said that she has already talked with Republicans Collins and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire to see if there are issues they can work together on.
"We don't revel in the conflict," McCaskill said.
Voice on Issues
Ayotte said yesterday in an interview the lack of women in Senate Republican leadership ranks hasn't kept her from having a voice on issues such as Republicans' push to make sure suspected terrorists are tried in military rather than civilian courts.
"It's more important how our opinions are sought, and that they are respected, than just optics on these issues," Ayotte said.
A third benefit for Democrats, said Stephanie Schriock, president of Emily's List, is that women in the party "bring their own life experiences" to the public forum.
During the House debate in February 2011 to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides health services to women, Representative Jackie Speier, a California Democrat, defended the organization by talking about her own abortion. Representative Gwen Moore, a Wisconsin Democrat, said during a debate on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act in March that she was the victim of rape and domestic abuse.
Republican Resonance
Ayotte said Republicans' call for fiscal responsibility and economic growth resonates with women voters. "Women in families often handle the finances, and see up close the impact Washington has on them," she said.
Ayotte said that while she would like to see more Republican women elected to Congress, there are other prominent women in the party, such as Governors Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.
Republicans worsened the electorate's gender gap in part because of comments by male candidates that offended female voters, including questioning what is "legitimate rape."
"It's not that the Republican Party has always been anti- woman, it's just that in this election, it made it seem that way," said Linda Young, president of the National Women's Political Caucus, which endorses women candidates of both parties who support abortion rights.
To contact the reporters on this story: Kathleen Hunter in Washington at firstname.lastname@example.com; Jonathan D. Salant in Washington at firstname.lastname@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jeanne Cummings at firstname.lastname@example.com


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NEWFANE, N.Y. (WIVB) – The Niagara County Sheriff's Office and Niagara County SPCA worked together Wednesday to remove 23 cats from two homes.
Deputies receive a call about a possible animal abuse complaint and arrived at a home on Applewood Lane in the Town of Newfane. By that time, the animals had been removed from the trailer, but it was in deplorable condition. The Newfane building inspector condemned the building.
Patrols then responded to a home on Prospect Street in Lockport, where 13 cats were removed. After that, they went to a home on Drake Settlement Road in Newfane, where 10 cats were removed.
At an address on West Avenue in Newfane, two dogs were found, but not removed.
There is no word on whether any arrests have been made, but deputies say the Niagara County SPCA continues to investigate.


text:
Wise Men and Fools
The Peach is surprised that no one in the SCLM seems to have caught Tom DeLay's latest gaffe: a turn at a Congressional Prayer Breakfast that was broadcast this past Tuesday on C-SPAN. Following some of his colleagues' comments on the tsunami in Asia, with its attendant death toll of over 150,000 so far, DeLay held forth with a bible-reading that could be construed as his explanation for the tragedy.
From the Gospel according to Matthew, he read a passage from Chapter 7, concluding:
Everyone who listens to these words of mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew, and buffeted the house, but it did not collapse; it has been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine, but does not act on them, will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew, and buffeted the house, and it collapsed and was completely ruined.The Peach assumes it is obvious who are the wise and who are the foolish in DeLay's scenario. What we can't understand is how this kind of thing is less obscene than, say, Howard Stern spanking prostitutes on his radio show.