text: << BACK TO ISSUE New In Music: Victoria Kimani Releases A Vibrant Music Video For 'M'toto'By When leading Nigerian record label Chocolate City snapped up Kenyan singer Victoria Kimani in November 2012, it was clear that the imprint wasn't kidding around. Home to the famous Choc Boys (rappers M.I., Ice Prince, rapper/producer Jesse Jagz and singer Brymo), Chocolate City now had the female phenom it had always needed to give its already impressive artiste roster some form of completeness. Miss Kimani's debut single, the trippy Chopstix-produced Afrobeats number, 'M'toto' (pronounced toh-toh) hit the airwaves last month, and in a quick follow up, here's the song's highly complimentary, vibrant music video. Email article to a friend View Comments (0) Post a Comment << BACK TO ISSUE African Mag. NewsletterDesigned to be informative and interactive, the African Mag. Newsletter is your gateway to all things African. Signup today and be connected with the heartbeat of African news, events and networking! Write for us About Us Contact Signup LINK TO US !!


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Entries in videos (85)
Za Trip: Sunday January 13th - Orange has always been my favorite color
Place: Bakel, The Netherlands
It has occurred to me today that, if the entire world were composed of people with the sensibilities, personalities and friendliness of the Dutch, we'd probably not be flying airplanes into each other's buildings. Yeah we'd have to say our G's like static through a large microphone, but we'd be happier as a race.
Life in Orange just seems….happy.
Today my friends, Cyclocross Bakel, sponsored by Rabobank (of course).
Let me say this:
This was, bar none, the most beautiful course I have EVER blessed a set of tires on in a decade or more of crossing. I'll get to that in a second and all the day's events in a moment.
The trip from Blauberg, Belgium to Bakel, The Netherlands is about an hour and 20 minutes. It was epically scenic (tres European)….and yes, we spotted windmills…
On a beautifully partly cloudy to clear day (about 50 degrees) we bombed through these tiny cities to get to Bakel. You literally string a trip in Europe by going through the meticulously marked signs…from City to City all the way from one country to another…Blauberg, Herselt, Geel, Meijer, Bakel…it all links together in such a simple and clearly marked way, it's mad. The US will NEVER get this. I digress.
So, we get to Bakel and drive into the tiny and beautiful village. We hear the sound of the race on the speakers careening off buildings and in the trees, but can't find the race! We see a group of kids bombing down the street on 'cross bikes and flag one down.
Me: "Do you speak English?"
Boy: "Nee."
Me: "Uh, Veldrijden parcours?"
Boy: "Ah! "(points down the cobbled street).
So we find it 100 meters away and pull in and it is a FESTIVAL. From the first look-see, like 2 x times the size of the race yesterday. We park literally ON the course tape on the grass and look up and see:
A Euro disco flyover, beeatches!
This course is gonna be sick. Right near the flyover is a set of speed barriers as well….all on manicured grass.
The registration was similar to yesterday but infinitely more friendly (not that yesterday was unfriendly….so maybe 'warm' is the right word.) I hand over my UCI license and 5 Euro and they keep the license, register me (I see 40+ registrations and get No. 42!...d'oh!) and get my number plate. Today the Masters class are are only aged 40+ so KP and I race as "Amateur". This not like the B's in the US. It's stacked. An 'age group' Master's World Champ is there (probably about my age or maybe a bit younger) as is the Dutch Amateur National Champion:
Yes, note the white sex shoes and gloves on Masters Champ
The Dutch champ is a clearly young fast kid looking for glory and contracts in his future. Oh and a BUNCH of juniors just like said Dutch National Champ who are SO PRO it is mind boggling. Oh, and they're all 6'2 Lars Boom types with 42" femurs.
We wait for the juniors to finish and bomb the course to warm up.
- Long paved start/finish with mad bus for race officiating (the 'Jury Bus')
- Tight, twisty, tacky densely forested single-track
- Long grass straightways with a double sided pit (see my pic below)
- The aforementioned features like the flyover and the barriers
We line up and they call up the first 10 people, then 20 people, then 30 people….all 'in the points' in this Dutch Series, and at the very end he says "Und dee reste!" and a remaining 15 or so flood in, US style. I weasel a wheel as far up as I can but KP and are back of the bus today.
Whistle blows and it is a HARD start. Like a sprint at the end of a race. I finagle my way up to the 20's in the straightaway with a hard punch and then we are into a grass field where we do a 180 and com back towards the start finish before a hard left apex diving us into the woods.
We twist and turn and comb the single-track until it opens up into a large decent downhill towards a full-on beach sand hill. We have to navigate that downhill at speed and it apexes to the right directly back up the sand (seated POWER needed). Then, more single-track occurs once out of the sand eventually flipping and bringing you BACK towards the beach where they send you UP it on an epic, leg sapping run up! You crest the run up (see Brandon's video below) and remount and dive back into single track eventually spilling you out of the woods, up and over the fly-over, the speed barriers and finally back up the start finish straightaway.
On the second lap, Kurt is on a good day...
...and bridges to me again. He drops it into the 11t and says c'mon! On my wheel! and leverages his time trialing to bring us back to the top guys…but that sapped a LOT from me.
The Dutch announcer was great…LITERALLY in the woods with a wireless mic announcing the leaders (e.g. top 20) and says Kurt's name and then mine at the end. I'm like, crap! We're in the top 20! So we continue to punch it and battle. KP gets a good turn and is off alone at about 10 seconds. I am battling with these 2 dudes who won't get off my wheel (also know as smart bike racers). I attack and one comes with and the other pops. The guy who follows sits on me and tries on the laatste ronde to attack through a corner and f's up by bobbling. He bridges back and sits on me again. I can't shake him and he beats me on the run up (which is usually my strength) and was enough to stay away from me.
Kurt: 16th, Wheel Sucker Dutchman 17th, Me: 18th.
And for the second day in the row, we're in the money! HA! KP and I scored 5 Euros! HA! Oh, AND got our 5 Euros back for returning the number plate. FREE RACE!
I met up with the Black Market crew as well as some other San Franciscans from the Roaring Mouse team….RIGHT by my old house. They are sitting with Harrie and his bud and I come to find out Harrie is the proprietor of Spooky Carbon brakes:
Coolest guy and pleaded for us to come to the World Cup next weekend to meet Richard Groenendaal…my man!
Dubba was up next in a stacked Elite's field with a Sun Web Projob guy Kenny (see his own website here) with the greatest top tube sticker:
…and the friendliest pit crew we worked next to the whole race. The coolest guys who speak perfect English and core 'crossers....
Kenny had a great race starting from DFL due to a mechanical to take 9th. Crazy power:
Dubba turned himself inside out but rode way more 'heads up' and straight faced today. Clearly on a better day…but in an extremely tougher and larger field.
Lap after lap he battled with local hard men and pulled in a beautifully earned 18th.
The Japanese National Champion Keiichi Tsujiura took second.
We packed up and drive back and came across a great restaurant were we piled in Tapas and had some Leffe Buin. Yum. Well earned. Now home, we are winding down and I am about to call home (for the 2nd time today to hear the voices of my beautiful family).
So that is it folks! Race No. 2 in the books and I am completely satisfied. Great course, I did my best and battled back through more than half the field of fast guys.
Coming up this week:
-A visit to Amsterdam
-A ride to local Abby breweries
-The Vermarc Clothing 2008 sponsor party….including Quick Step, Sun Job….and more.More photos from today can be found here on my PhotoBucket site.
Living the dream folks. You will DO THIS next year….
Well, I guess I have to win now...
...or they'll never know just exactly how much of a chump this guy really is! I am sitting here FLOORED by what my co-workers assembled for me and I'll never forget it. This week is our company's annual kick off. It's the first one in 10 years I have not attended to help rally the troops. To set the stage for you when you watch the YouTube, in all honestly, I've got me some big ass hair. OK, I admit it. The entire company got their hair on for me in support of this whole crazy adventure I'm on. Beeatches.
My Embarcadero people (and Shana and Greg D, I know you were behind this!!): I love you and thank you. Now seriously realize, I am a hack....HA! But I'll take down a Belgie or two for ya while throwing down hard! They'll never take me alive!
I truly am the luckiest man in the world.
An encapsulation of the season....
So, as I prepare for my remaining four races, I was reflecting on the season at large. The specific goals I initially set for myself were not 'met' per se, but I am still happy. Racing against some of the best racers in the country over 35 years old and making the race with them is not only an honor but a rush.
Lots changed this year in terms of how I raced and how I prepared for the season. After 10 years of 'crossing, you STILL learn things about yourself and the game. Amazing. Having Taro in my corner helped immeasurably to provide me another lens into what my strengths, but more importantly, my weaknesses are. Training "less" in terms of volume but very focused on quality training ranging between 6-10 hours a week through power metering also was new to me this year and paid dividends. Way more important than being a watt-weenie though was resting. I never rested before! I would going inexplicably hard week after week in seasons past until December where I would feel like a shell of a person. I felt totally different this year and the suffering was different. I felt really fresh at CO States as an example. Overall, I felt lighter on the bike, quicker in terms of leg speed, my running game was infinitely better with running training 3 x per week on average and I could feel exactly what I needed to tune each race as my body was saying things to me and I was taught to listen to it. All this in contrast to season's past being cross eyed each race praying I come across the line in a good place and looking forward to the last race of the season by mid November. This year I felt more in control and had motivation for more and more (generally speaking! Read some of my earlier race report rants and you may disagree).
What I was not in control of though was my shit luck! Ha! Tires, tires and more tires were my nemesis this year. Rolled Dugasts, failed Challenges....it never seemed to end and each race it seemed was a Ground Hog day of feeling really good and confident, pushing the pace initially, tire implosion of some variant...then play catch up the rest of the race.
My team mate Chris V captured this all on film in Gunnison and demonstrates what is a fantastic encapsulation of the shite.
The race begins with me feeling on fire. I want to hurt guys early on.
I create the split I want with a team mate. Sweet.
I start to hear noises in my rear wheel and at the end of this clip, I drop my head to see whatup.
More of the same per above. I am looking down and trying to figure out WTF is going on. I then roll RIGHT BY the pits and past my spare bike. Smart, man. Smart.
Voila. I am gone. Wheel implosion about 10 seconds before you see Karl, Chris and Ward come through the barriers.
I'm back! But who's bike am I on?
I drop of that bike and CV and Brady Kappius help me with a change to my back up Rock Lobster. The chase from last place is on.
Catch one...move on...catch another...move on. The pick off game is in effect.
And so it went like that for many races for me this season. I'm definitely not crying a river here but would love to have seen how I could have done without so much drama! Fun as hell though and the guys I get to race with every weekend are filled with za class.
I got some revenge in the Opens later that day with a good start...
And a consistent job through out the day after putting it all out playing catch up earlier in the 35 Opens....
So there we go. Wish me luck for no more drama in these last four races but rather technically clean races with rubber stuck firmly to carbon.
Thanks Chris for sending me the vids!
Shark's teeth...
Mmmm. Indoor training.
Honestly 'cross fans, after yesterday's sufferfest on the Poorest man, I could not envision getting all my crap on again to brave the sub arctic temps raging here at the moment. Although the day ended up getting 'balmy' to about 34 degrees, I needed to focus today on the workout how the body is feeling....and not the weather surrounding me. I've got enough of that and will have even more in the Motherland in January. And so, I finished my 2nd to last block indoors....at Rally Sport. Home to the fittest soccer moms in the country and less-than 4% body fat tri-psychos....who honestly scare the living bejesus out of me. Today required a deep simulation of a course I would normally do on the road....e.g. a Fruit Loops of the indoors. What I needed was deep sustained power with peppered with high thresholds and tempo mixed in to bridge a flat land speed work out with that of being mired in the mud....or sand. When going through the shark's-teeth like profile I created for myself today, I was envisioning the sandy beach on Mol and what I think it's gonna take to get through it, lap after lap. In my best PowerPoint, this is how I would break down what was going on:
About minute 60 I am certifiably cross eyed. I start thinking of the past 365 days this year. I start thinking that I am so blessed to do this...but will in all sincerity not see this level of focus for a long time to come. I'm not 'PRO'. I can;t believe what people who call cycling their jobs have to do day in and out...and I've mapped something like this, this year...of course beau coups % points below the average PRO requires. The family and most things in my eco-system just will not sustain it again next year. But for now...game on. I think of how happy I am with having been able to pick a point in the distance....put an indelible 'X' on it and not waver from it. That X is Belgium for me, and nothing has been able to blow it up. Nothing could have. What I thought of in that 60th minute today is how I long for my boys to do something like this when they come of age. I could give a crap if they did it on a bike, in a pair of hiking shoes, with a paintbrush and easel...whatever. It's about the journey not the destination....and frankly the destination is sort of irrelevant. It's the journey showing you, you CAN do something if you are committed. I said as much to my wife today as she caught in a moment of hallucination at Rally.
What are you going to do next year, folks? Go to Belgium? Get more proactive about calling your mom and dad? Get involved with your kids school more? Try and upgrade from your current category? Eat better? Laugh more? Work less?
Live better.
Live fuller.
Live more creatively.
Live with blood in your veins, not vinegar.
God, the journey. Sick. Write it down/pin it up/look at it every day. It'll happen.
Seriously, what's yours going to be?
Have fun 'cross fans.
Trebon's Head-on Collision
Holy crap. This is an unbelievable youtube capturing the moment Ryan and Steve hit head on. It is NOT what I expected. In fact, pretty fricking horrific. Frankly, I can not for the life of me figure out which side is 'correct' as so many dudes are weaving through and over that tape.
What the?
So I got my new doses of the motherland from Josef and I am watching the 2007 Jaarmarktcross and Bart and Lars are throwing down.....hard. It's a mud fest and both these guys are known mudders. Lars gets a gap on Bart and is coming through the start finish with 2 to go.
Then he starts slapping himself silly.
I'm like....WHAT THE?...so I rewind that shit and sure enough, homie starts slapping himself in the face. Ha! What a retard. Bart takes him in the end anyways but is this supposed to be his motivator?
What is Cyclocross?
This video by CTodd will either help our evangelism of the sport' sgrowth when we shop it to parks and rec people and the like, or ban it due to it being a sport of a bunch of crazy people. HA!
Either way, I love you CTodd. This is gdamn hilarious.
On the Cross
Ripped from Rocco. This is from the SM 3's. Opp, check you out, boy!
Best thing about this vid is Chris Cross.
Boulder Redline and Boulder Cup Videos!
I was able to rip these from Furious (thanks man!!). It will give you a great sense of teh racing, field sizes....and on Saturday the WIND!
Men's 35 + Opens
Mens Open/Elite
The Wed Morning Cross World Championships...2007 No. 10
West and weewaxashun today! I spun down on my single speed to hang with friends and just shoot photos of the Wednesday Cross Crew at the 'world championships'. I am still hurting and just taking care of myself these days so I did not participate and just shot pics and had fun. Clearly there were lots of people resting this week so while a big crowd, many of the antagonists were AWOL. Paco and JHK threw down and I was able to film a bit which was fun. Paco inexplicably scorched on a 39 x 16 single speed Primus Mootry cross bike this past weekend at the UCI races and did so again today! I watched carefully and it is amazing how he can use that gear (arguably a small one) so effectively against folks who have 2 x 10 speeds! Amazing.
Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

subset: commoncrawl


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123 Sync
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Texas Drivers Stuck in Traffic as State Rejects Road Tax
Gary Hinze's truck route delivering car-wash detergent, paint and engine parts in Austin, Texas, often takes two hours a day longer than when he started 13 years ago -- the result of worsening bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Hinze, 57, a driver for Central Freight Lines Inc., tries to avoid Interstate 35, the often congested north-south route through the capital city, though he still winds up stuck as he stops at more than a dozen businesses to drop off products.
"They are years behind in Austin in building roads," Hinze said as he drove his 48-foot (15 meters) truck on a recent day. "They aren't anywhere near keeping up with the growth."
From Houston to El Paso, companies, drivers and political leaders are complaining that roads haven't kept pace with growth. Traffic overload threatens Governor Rick Perry's efforts to lure companies to Texas.
Texas added 5.21 million residents from 2000 to 2012, making it the second-largest state behind California with a population of 26.1 million.
Texas lawmakers on August 5 agreed to let voters decide whether to spend more money on transportation by diverting oil-and natural gas-tax revenue from a reserve account. Under the proposal, transportation funding would rise about $1.2 billion, or 12 percent, in 2015, from the prior year, according to state estimates.
Opposing Tax
Perry, 63, who opposes new taxes to pay for roads, praised the transportation-funding legislation. He hasn't yet signed it.
Even with that increase, spending would still fall short of the $15 billion a year the state Transportation Department says is needed, mostly for road construction and repair. Texas now spends about $10 billion annually on transportation.
Deciding how to pay for transportation in Texas, with about 80,000 miles of state and interstate highways, has split Republican leaders, with some calling for new taxes or fees to pay for roads, and others saying spending must be cut to pay for transportation.
"You'd think that a Republican legislature that is backed overwhelmingly by the business community would listen to business leaders," said Tom Terkel, founder of Four T Realty LLC in Austin, a real-estate investment and asset management company. "It's an absolute, complete failure on the part of the Texas Legislature to provide alternatives."
Texas spent $427 per person in fiscal year 2011 on highways, behind the U.S. average of $490, according to the most recent available data from the Tax Policy Center in Washington, which researches tax and budget matters. That includes state, local and federal money. California spent $391 per capita.
Spending state reserves -- known as the rainy day fund -- is a "Band-Aid," said Senator Robert Nichols, a Republican who leads the transportation committee. "Everyone knows this is not a long-term fix," he told reporters on June 30.
Nichols wanted taxes on the sales of cars to be used for roads. Other lawmakers objected, saying that plan would have taken money from schools, said Steven Albright, chief of staff for Nichols.
Texas lawmakers earlier this year agreed to let voters decide whether to use $2 billion from the same reserve fund to create a bond bank to pay for water projects after droughts hurt farms and reduced drinking water supplies.
Most Traffic
The stretch of Interstate 35 in the Austin area ranks among the 16 most congested roads in the U.S., trailing highways in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, according to a study this year by INRIX Inc., a research firm in Kirkland, Washington. A separate report by Texas A&M University last year named the state's two largest cities, Houston and Dallas, as among the 12 most congested U.S. metropolitan areas.
A decade of lobbying by business groups that support increasing road spending hasn't resulted in adequate funding, said Russell Laughlin, president of the 35W Coalition in Fort Worth, a transportation-advocacy group. Members include Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC; BBVA Compass bank, a unit of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA; and FMR LLC's Fidelity Investments.
"We're worried that we may get to a crisis and lose our competitive advantage," said Laughlin, senior vice president of Alliance Texas, a 17,000-acre mixed-use development in Fort Worth.
Seeking Money
Business groups supported legislation this year that would have increased annual vehicle-registration fees by $30 to raise more than $600 million annually for transportation, said Representative Drew Darby, a Republican and the bill's sponsor.
The measure failed to win support after Perry opposed it, Darby said.
"I've talked to them about the need for more money until I was blue in the face," he said, referring to Perry and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, a Republican who is running for re-election. They won't support the measure because they oppose new taxes and fees, he said.
Perry favors tapping the state's reserves, redirecting some tax collections on vehicle sales to roads and issuing bonds with maturities as long as 100 years, spokeswoman Lucy Nashed said. That would help Texas spend $41 billion on transportation projects over the next 20 years, Perry said in a April speech in Austin.
Perry's push for bond sales hasn't won support in the legislature as lawmakers said they wanted to cut debt instead of adding more. Measures supported by the governor would provide a "long-term revenue stream for transportation," said Josh Havens, a spokesman.
Toll Roads
Reduced highway funding has prompted Texas to turn to regional transportation authorities and private construction firms to build toll highways or lanes in Austin, Houston, Fort Worth and other cities.
Among the most recent is a $3 billion toll road planned in north Houston less than a mile south of the future North American headquarters of Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), the world's largest publicly traded oil company.
Texas has issued more than $19 billion in highway-related bonds over the last 12 years, said Stephen Minick, vice president of governmental affairs at the Texas Association of Business, based in Austin. Texas is spending about $850 million annually on repaying debt, according to a state report.
Yogi Berra
"Once you pay for maintenance and debt service, we don't have any money for new roads, except by building toll roads or borrowing more money," Minick said.
Congestion may hurt the state's ability to lure businesses and attract jobs, Perry said in an April speech in Austin.
"We don't want to become another example of the wildly successful restaurant Yogi Berra once criticized, 'Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded,'" he said.
It's already too crowded, some say.
"In five years, we're going to be in total gridlock, and we already are in some sections of town," Cathy Coneway, an Austin real-estate agent.
Driving to a recent event at a suburban subdivision during evening rush hour took 75 minutes from downtown Austin, triple the time it would have taken 10 years ago, said Coneway, chairwoman of the Austin Board of Realtors.
Coors Drivers
Several truck drivers at Coors Distributing Co. of Fort Worth start their routes at 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., two hours earlier than five years ago, to avoid interstate delays and meet 11 a.m. delivery deadlines, said Larry Anfin, president of the closely held company. Its plant abuts Interstate 35 on a section rated the most congested in Texas by the state Transportation Department.
"Fort Worth is growing much faster than the roads and infrastructure," Anfin said. "We're playing catch up."
Leaders of Texas's biggest companies aren't publicly pushing for more spending, though lawmakers are receiving phone calls and e-mails from executives and business-backed trade associations promoting expanded roads, said Representative Joe Pickett, a Democrat and a bill sponsor.
Spokesmen for four large Texas-based companies -- David Eglinton of Exxon Mobil, Daphne Avila of J.C. Penney Co. (JCP), Gail Chandler of Texas Instruments (TXN) Inc., and Jack Todd of Trinity Industries Inc. (TRN) -- declined to comment.
In Austin, Hinze starts his route at a freight terminal, driving a truck loaded with palettes of products. He usually heads out at 8 a.m., immediately hitting traffic on Interstate 35.
He sometimes spends 30 minutes to an hour stalled or barely moving in traffic, he said.
When he started working in Austin 13 years ago, Hinze said he could count on finishing his route in about 7 hours. These days, it takes him as long as 10 hours.
As he inches along, Hinze listens to talk radio -- news or sports, it doesn't matter. It gets his mind off the road, he said.
"I listen to anything to keep my mind occupied," he said. While the traffic is frustrating, "It doesn't do any good to be aggravated. You just need to keep your cool."
To contact the reporter on this story: David Mildenberg in Austin at firstname.lastname@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: William Glasgall at email@example.com


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We were asked as part of Thing 23 to talk not just about our own experiences of the Things, but how we thought they might shape library services (I presume they mean academic library services here). This really needs not just a post of its own, but a period of calm reflection, skilful analysis of current trends, a lot of reading better informed peoples' blogs, and a crystal ball. Since I'm about to go on holiday, however, it's going to get some quick hack and slash work from me and a few generalisations.
The obvious problem with any discussion about library services is that the classic functional model I learnt about at library school is now obsolete. This model had the three components: acquiring information, organising information, and disseminating information, and my experience of it dates from around 12 BG (Before Google) when Boolean searches and the reference interview were still standard practice.
A more realistic modern model of library services starts from the three main kinds of content now available: free (online) content, bulk content (the paid-for online and hardcopy content that most academic libraries have) and special content (the mostly hardcopy content that your library has, but very few other places do). The main library functions then become user education (so users know how to work with content), maintaining and promoting the bulk content, and maintaining and promoting the special content. I'll also add in as a couple of extra functions widget creation (providing fancy new ways for users to access the content) and library administration (keeping the whole organisation on the road).
Trends within academic libraries are also broadly clear. User education is becoming more and more of an important role for librarians. Maintaining bulk collections, on the other hand, is gradually being standardised and deskilled. I've already worked in academic libraries which essentially relied for most of their material on suppliers' shelf-ready book plus catalogue record. Throw in self-issue, supplier-managed interfaces to e-journals, and the possibility of library services being shared between universities, and maintaining bulk collections looks like becoming ever more routine work. Even the promotion of bulk collections is at least partially being taken over by user education. There's not much point about telling users about new e-journals, after all, unless they understand in the first place why they might want to use them.
Special collections, in contrast, look like the long-term winners for academic libraries, because they have an obvious USP: something for the users that isn't (yet) on Google. Producing widgets is also likely to remain a boom area. Aside from its practical benefits, it keeps library systems teams happy and out of mischief, and it also makes libraries look exciting and dynamic, which goes down well with the management of most universities. (Though maybe Cambridge is an exception to this rule). Meanwhile, library administration, like the poor, is always with us.
How do the different social media tools relates to these functions? You can use almost any of the Things for anything if you're determined enough (tweeting pictures, anyone?) However, the more obvious possibilities I can see are:
User ed Zotero, Slideshare, podcasts
Maintaining bulk content tagging (possibly)
Promoting bulk content Delicious, noticeboard technologies (Twitter, Facebook, RSS, short-form or news type blogs, Library Thing).
I'm using noticeboard technologies here to refer to library communications that are primarily one way, from the library to the user, at least in practice.
Widget creation Twitter, techie blogs
The main use of social media tools here is likely to be for techie to techie chatting. At the moment, most playing with widgets seems to involve finding way to move data automatically between different applications, with the minimum of human involvement.
Maintaining special content tagging (possibly), Flickr and YouTube (for small-scale repositories)
Promoting special content Flickr, Delicious, noticeboard technologies, long-form blogs (with magazine article type posts), podcasts
Library administration wikis, Google calendar, Doodle, Google Docs, LinkedIn
Even this sketchy outline suggests that the impact of social media tools varies a lot between different library functions. I'm not sure that such tools are going to transform library services in the way that, say, web-based OPACs did. The principal advantage of social media so far for libraries looks like the opportunity to provide a more sociable/humanised form of promotion, once which encourages existing library users into a closer relationship with the library.
But that raises an issue that goes far beyond all the technical questions and practicalities. If your library is going to be involved in social media, wants to be sociable, who does it need to be (and it is who, not what)? If it wants to be peoples' 'friend', what kind of persona does it need to adopt, and how does it avoid presenting a split personality? That seems to me the basic question we are still struggling to find an answer for, and more important in the long run than merely worrying about whether we should be using Facebook and/or Twitter.


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Mom to Mom
One of the best ways to eat whole foods and make the most use of what little time parents have is to buy in bulk and learn how not to waste.
What I mean is this: most people go to a warehouse store and buy six giant green peppers. Then they get home, make one dish that calls for two peppers and the other four peppers sit in the fridge and go bad. But if you think ahead with your bulk items, not only will you save money but you'll have meals almost prepared ahead of time before you go to make them.
I've compiled a list of some tips on buying whole foods in bulk and how to make the most of your money.
1) Use your freezer to stay prepped: Things like onions, celery, and peppers are great examples on how to make things versatile and last long. If you buy a bunch, slice half and place in baggies in the freezer for easy access for a quick stir fry. With the other half, dice and place in a small container in the fridge. Add to a skillet in the morning for your omelet or for dinner with in a chili or Mexican dish.
2) Find multiple uses: If you buy a large package of strawberries and for some reason that week, your three-year old decides that "stwawbewwies are ucky," adapt. Boil them on the stove with some honey and store for a quick, healthy ice cream topper. Put them in the blender and freeze in ice cube trays with toothpicks for "baby ice pops."
3) If you buy meat in bulk, such as ground meat, take the time out immediately when you get home from the store to break it down. Set one pound aside in a bag for meatloaf, one pound for meatballs, and make the last pound into three large burgers. Label each bag with weight of meat, date, and intention of use - sometimes this reminds you what you needed it for. Wrap any burgers individually in plastic wrap so you can take one out at night for a quick breakfast or lunch the next day.
4) Portion: Take your snack items, like raw fruits, veggies, and nuts and place them in small containers or baggies on Sunday for a quick and easy grab for the week's lunches and snacks. If you count calories or Points, label the outside of the bag with the totals as you portion them to keep an easy tally.
Do you buy your whole foods in bulk? How do you make the most of your money and time?
by Kainalu55March 8, 2012 at 2:09 AM
i buy some foods in bulk. i do tend to waste things like fruits when we buy them in bulk so we're better off just buying a couple apples rather than a whole bag. As for meats, we buy in bulk then just freeze them seperately in ziploc bags
by Mrs.Pool2BeMarch 8, 2012 at 6:53 AM
I don't buy in bulk but would love to give it a try. I am still figuring out how to make the most of my time and money when it comes to grocery shopping.
March 8, 2012 at 8:51 AM
Have you tried setting up a weekly menu plan and shopping list? I find this helps when trying to save money/time while shopping?
by gacgbakerMarch 8, 2012 at 9:01 AM
We do purchase a lot of things in bulk- we are a family of 6 so things go fast and bulk is most of the time cheeper.
by elasmimiMarch 8, 2012 at 9:57 AM
I never buy fresh produce in bulk. Mostly paper and cleaning products.
by bamababe1975March 8, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Great tips! I don't buy food in bulk save for dry or canned goods usually since I don't have the storage space.
by LOswald0314March 8, 2012 at 1:19 PM
I've never bought fresh veggies in bulk but chopping and freezing them is a great idea.
by LuLuRexMarch 8, 2012 at 1:25 PM
I don't buy too many things in bulk but I love the idea for snacks!
by amonkeymomMarch 8, 2012 at 1:35 PM
Great tips! I need to remember that I can freeze extra fruits & veggies as well as meats and premade sauces, etc.


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Our business is one of the most fascinating in the world.
And we contribute all our expertise and enthusiasm to it.
RECARO has set standards of perfection in the world of seating with uncompromising quality and absolute professionalism. RECARO Aircraft seating consistently continues to contribute to this success story. Operating around the globe, we are now one of the top three aircraft seating manufacturers in the world. RECARO leads the market in economy class seats worldwide.
Continuous growth is a characteristic of RECARO Aircraft Seating's development. Our global headquarters in Schwaebisch Hall have developed into one of the most important and attractive employers in the region. In addition, our company also has production facilities in Germany, Poland, South Africa and the United States. In 2013 our new plant was opened in Qingdao, China. RECARO Aircraft Seating is also represented by service centers in Europe, the Middle East, America, Asia and Australia.
Aircraft seats from RECARO Aircraft Seating are characterized by high quality, ergonomic comfort, light weight and innovative design. In our products we focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Weight reduction, state-of-the-art materials and intelligent construction all help airlines to fly more economically and more ecologically.
Geared for qualitative expansion, we expect our employees to have exceptional expertise in their specific field. In return, we offer them a working environment that nurtures the creative development of their knowledge and skills.


text:
Palin and Biden: The Big Debate
Remember 1992? Ross Perot was gaining in popularity and in the polls. But during the vice-presidential debate, his running mate, Admiral James Stockdale, memorably and regrettably said, "Who am I? Why am I here?" It was a remark that seemed to capture his performance that day. As the debate unfolded, a learned and respected war hero came across as confused and ineffective through his nonverbal behaviors.
While words are important, people pay more attention to the way those words are said. As much as 93% of communication is nonverbal, and that was a costly reality for Stockdale, who stumbled over his words and appeared uneasy and nervous. Indeed, ineffective and out-of-the-ordinary nonverbal behaviors have huge repercussions.
A big question going into the Oct. 2 debate between the vice-presidential candidates was this: Would the "Stockdale Factor" come into play in the McCain and Obama campaigns? Would Palin's speech pattern be smoother and better connected in Thursday night's debate than in her recent interview with Katie Couric? Could Biden be perceived as non-combative, or would he be seen as patronizing and aggressive through his well-known assertiveness and sometimes bold nonverbal style, his tone of voice, and his gestures?
From her opening remark about the economy, Palin looked directly at the camera, much like Barack Obama did in the first Presidential debate (BusinessWeek, 9/29/08). During times such as these, people are looking for visionary, empathetic leaders who can easily connect with them and solve their problems.
By contrast, Biden did not look at the camera during his opening remarks about the economy. For the next several questions, Biden continued to speak to the moderator, using Gwen Ifill's name several times as if he were carrying a conversation just with her. Compared to Palin, he shut out the viewing public. However, as soon as Biden talked about the middle class, he spoke into the camera, and appeared as if he were talking not to the moderator, but to the people at home.
Biden was very effective with the camera when emphasizing his points. Throughout the debate, Palin looked into the camera more than Biden and this helped her connect more with those watching. But both used the camera in their own way to connect with the television viewer effectively.
From a nonverbal perspective, Biden did a wonderful job of not directly attacking Palin. Many were wondering whether Biden would come across like George H.W. Bush did in 1984, when he debated fellow vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. In one of the more famous interchanges, Bush was talking about foreign policy and many thought that through his verbal and nonverbal communication, he did so condescendingly. She responded: "I almost resent, Vice-President Bush, your patronizing attitude that you have to teach me about foreign policy." That hurt Bush in the debate.
Nothing like that occurred Thursday night. In fact, several times, Biden genuinely smiled while Palin either addressed him or spoke to the camera. Several times, he nodded in agreement while she talked. Some would believe that this showed that Biden agreed with what Palin said. I saw it as a sign of acknowledgment and that he was respectfully listening to her.
The candidates had very different postures. Biden did not move around much, but his upright, straight posture conveyed confidence. Several times when Palin talked, she seemed to lean on one side or another, to try and seem more relaxed. It was probably another way Palin attempted to connect with the "Joe six packs" and "hockey moms" or average American families, trying to show that she is like them and isn't a stereotypical stiff politician. Her folksy winks also made her seem more like an everyday person, not a Washington insider. But some could view such moves as distracting; they could be seen as fidgety or showing nervousness.
Biden's most striking moment was when he spoke about how he understood what it meant to be a single parent and to wonder if a child would survive. He got choked up and briefly became emotional. Some would see this as weakness. Yet this display of emotion ran counter to Biden's reputation that he is assertive and aggressive and served to humanize him.
Research at the Center for Creative Leadership shows that one of the reasons high-potential managers and executives derail or fail is because they could not successfully choose and build a team. The same is true for any Presidential hopeful. Selecting a vice-president to be part of the President's "team" is the most important, most publicized and scrutinized choice for each Presidential hopeful. How the vice-presidential candidates perform in their debate directly reflects on their Presidential running mate and his ability to effectively lead and make the right decisions.
From a nonverbal perspective the Obama camp should be proud that Biden was not baited into a Bush/Ferraro-type fiasco. He appeared respectful to his opponent, and he was succinct. The McCain camp should be thrilled that Palin was clear and coherent; with the flow of her speech pattern much smoother than we've seen from her recently. More than Biden, she looked directly into the camera to try and connect with the America people.
There were no huge nonverbal mistakes on either candidate's part. But it will be interesting to see if the post-debate polls reflect whether Palin's performance makes people forget about the the nonverbal missteps from the previous week. Biden's posture, his selective connecting with the audience, and the respect with which he treated Palin lead me to think Biden won. Though Palin did well from a nonverbal perspective and outperformed expectations, her nonverbal mistakes over the past week may be too much to overcome.
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text: Turkey hopes military jet shooting 'chastened' Syria regime Tuesday, March 25, 2014 ANTALYA - Turkey hopes that the shooting of a Syrian military jet "chastened" the Syrian regime, Turkey's EU minister said Tuesday. During an election campaign in southern province Antalya, Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey had shown patience towards Syria but now hoped its regime has "realized that they cannot mess with Turkey."A Syrian jet was shot down by Turkish forces on March 23 for violating its airspace."Turkey has repeatedly shown patience towards the Assad regime, not to cause instability in the region despite Syria's shooting down our military jet, missiles, bombs fired by the regime which fell into our territories killing people," he said. Cavusoglu said Turkey has never been in favor of war, and sought peace "however Syria's inciting and disturbing attitude has gone beyond the limit."Two Syrian MIG-23 fighter aircrafts approached Turkey's airspace along the Turkish-Syrian border around 1 p.m. on Sunday and while diverted its course after four warnings, the other plane violated Turkey's airspace at 1:13 p.m. by approximately a kilometer. It then continued to head west and flew in Turkish airspace for about one and a half kilometers, said the office of the Turkish Chief of General Staff. The pilot of the downed aircraft reportedly survived the incident, having evacuated with a parachute.This was not the first time tension erupted between the two countries: Syria shot down a Turkish warplane in 2012, and Turkey downed a Syrian helicopter last September. NATO deployed four batteries of Patriot missiles near the border, at Turkey's request, to defend against a possible Syrian missile attack last year. Responding to allegations that the jet was shot down to distract from controversy surrounding alleged wiretapped phonecalls of high-profile officials, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Cavusoglu said: "Did we want the Syrian jets to violate our air space?". Copyright © 2014 Anadolu Agency


text:
The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a bill on a party-line vote adding a primary election to all voter-initiated recall elections.
Majority Republicans pushing the bill argued it was needed to prevent the ouster of elected officials who are targeted only because of their party affiliation. Democrats say it's designed to protect incumbents.
A last-minute addition to the bill that passed on a 36-23 vote Thursday makes it apply retroactively. That's designed to make the bill apply to an ongoing effort by opponents of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to force a recall election.
Republicans have been pushing for changes to the Arizona Constitution's provision on recalls since former Senate President Russell Pearce became the first Arizona legislator recalled in 2011.


text:
Andrew Fire, Stanford University School Of Medicine, "Sequence-based tracking of biological responses to foreign information"
Jun 2 2011, 11:00 am
Distinguished Lecture Series Guest Speaker:
Andrew Fire
Departments of Pathology and Genetics
Stanford University School Of Medicine
Date & Time:Thursday, June 2, 2011, 11:00AM
Host:Francesca Storici
Additional Info:
The Fire Lab studies the mechanisms by which cells and organisms respond to genetic change.
Andrew Fire, Craig Mello, and their colleagues in the RNA interference field were honored with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries related to gene silencing — a process that allows cells to selectively turn off specific genes. Research in this area jumpstarted a new biological field by opening up previously inaccessible areas of research.


text:
Are you beautiful, but too broke to travel? A travel dating website that officially launched earlier this week allows attractive people to travel for free. MissTravel.com is on a mission to heolp the "broke and beautiful" meet what they are calling "generous benefactors" to fund travel.
According to the press material, "pretty people," referred to as Attractive members, sign-up and use MissTravel.com for free. An Attractive user sends anyone deemed a Generous member a trip suggestion, or vice versa. Once accepted, Generous members purchase credits to communicate with Attractive members and arrange their trip.
On the other side of things, Attractive members collect frequent flyer miles gifted to them by Generous members. Once an Attractive member accumulates enough miles, he or she can redeem such miles for airline tickets or hotel rooms anywhere in the world.
The salacious nature of this site isn't terribly surprising when you hear it's the brainchild of Brandon Wade. Wade may be best known for his controversial sugar daddy dating website SeekingArrangement.com and buy-a-date website WhatsYourPrice.com,
And, as racy (inappropriate?) as it may sound, the company insists they already have more 10,000 people signed up.


text:
Hillary Rodham Clinton raised the possibility she might carry her fight to the Democratic convention floor.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Clinton said she is willing to take her fight to seat Florida and Michigan delegates to the Denver convention if the two states want to go that far.
Asked whether she would support the states if they appeal an unfavorable rules committee decision to the convention floor, the former first lady replied: "Yes I will. I will, because I feel very strongly about this." "I will consult with Floridians and the voters in Michigan because it's really their voices that are being ignored and their votes that are being discounted, and I'll support whatever the elected officials and the voters in those two states want to do."
Democratic rule-makers meet May 31 to decide whether to count delegates from Florida and Michigan; the states were striped of their delegates as punishment for holding early primaries in violation of party rules. Clinton won both states, but Obama had his name kept off the Michigan ballot and neither candidate campaigned in those states.
Taking her battle to the convention would fly in the face of an increasing number of party leaders who say the contest needs to be wrapped up shortly after the last primary on June 3 to prepare adequately for the fall election.
Asked if she now envisioned the race extending beyond June 3, Clinton replied: "It could, I hope it doesn't. I hope it's resolved to everyone's satisfaction by that date, because that's what people are expecting, but we'll have to see what happens." But trailing Obama by almost 200 delegates, even seating both Florida and Michigan delegations in the way most favorable to Clinton would still leave her behind the Illinois senator.
Clinton pressed this issue publicly at an appearance in Boca Raton in Palm Beach County, a key site in the battle between George W. Bush and Al Gore over the Florida presidential vote recount in 2000 that was decided in the Supreme Court.
Floridians "learned the hard way what happens when your votes aren't counted and the candidate with fewer votes is declared the winner," she told supporters. "The lesson of 2000 here in Florida is crystal clear: If any votes aren't counted, the will of the people isn't realized and our democracy is diminished." "The people who voted did nothing wrong and it would be wrong to punish you," she added.


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text:
Country music artist Lee Greenwood will campaign with Andy Barr
By Jack Brammer
RICHMOND—Lee Greenwood, known for writing and recording the patriotic song "God Bless the USA," is to appear at campaign rallies Oct. 20 with Republican Congressional candidate Andy Barr.
Barr said Monday that Greenwood will join him at a series of rallies that day in stops throughout Central Kentucky's 6th Congressional District. He said his campaign will pay for Greenwood's visit but the rallies will be free to the public.
Times and locations of the rallies have not yet been finalized, Barr said after a campaign stop at Madison Middle School in downtown Richmond.
"We're looking forward to this," Barr said. "Lee Greenwood is someone who is well-known for supporting conservative candidates and causes. He's helping us out because of that."
Barr, a Lexington attorney, is in a rematch this year against Democratic incumbent Ben Chandler of Woodford County. He lost to Chandler by 648 votes in 2010 out of 239,203 votes cast.
Filed Under: Andy Barr • Ben Chandler • Elections • Federal Government • KY-6th


text:
Roses are red, violets are blue... I co-created this card just for you
Posted by Sanjay Dalwani (View Profile | View All Posts) at 8:07 AM
Like most men I know, I always feel uncomfortable selecting greeting cards for my wife - birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines, Mother's Day, you get the idea. Although I consider myself a sensitive, emotionally centered and caring male, I always feel inadequate standing in the aisle picking through cards written by lovelorn poets who are apparently paid by the word. I cringe when I observe the woman beside me carefully consider each word, nod at some deeper meaning and then wipe away tears of approval. Men are from Mars....
Of course I love my wife but I guess I'm too particular - why can't I design my own card, in my own (limited) words and get on my way? Better yet, design a line of cards for guys like me who believe less is more. Hallmark understands this and has actually gone full circle with the idea. In 2007, the company established its first digital consumer initiatives by giving customers the capability to create their own cards from a library of assets. Hallmark has since turned this idea around to proactively solicit ideas for new card lines created by customers including editorial and photos. Product managers select the winners who can find their creations on store shelves with their names on the back.
This innovative approach establishes a new relationship with customers while generating company assets at virtually no cost. Customers get the thrill of designing their own greeting cards with Hallmark's co-creation model that's now embedded in its product development processes.
Brilliant idea! Now I've got to get started. Hmmm....Should I go with some flowery prose or a simple "Happy Birthday to my dearest, darling wife"?


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The 2010 CHICAGO WHITE SOX!
**** yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once again its a different outfield. I'm going to have to learn some new names. I am going to miss Dye.
40-Man Roster | Depth Chart http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/images/trans.gif
Active Roster PitchersB/THtWtDOB
56 Mark Buehrle L/L6-223003/23/79
50 John Danks L/L6-120504/15/85
-- Freddy Dolsi R/R6-016001/09/83
34 Gavin Floyd R/R6-523001/27/83
43 Freddy Garcia R/R6-426010/06/76
64 Lucas Harrell S/R6-220506/03/85
54 Dan Hudson R/R6-422003/09/87
-- Brandon Hynick R/R6-320503/07/85
45 Bobby Jenks R/R6-327503/14/81
71 Scott Linebrink R/R6-221008/04/76
-- Santo Luis R/R6-420001/27/84
48 Jeffrey Marquez R/R6-219008/10/84
65 Jhonny Nunez L/R6-318511/26/85
-- Brian Omogrosso R/R6-423004/26/84
44 Jake Peavy R/R6-119505/31/81
57 Tony Pena R/R6-222001/09/82
-- J.J. Putz R/R6-525002/22/77
63 Clevelan Santeliz R/R6-018009/01/86
-- Sergio Santos R/R6-322507/04/83
37 Matt Thornton L/L6-623509/15/76
60 Carlos Torres R/R6-219510/22/82
67 Randy Williams L/L6-319009/18/75
38 Cole Armstrong L/R6-321008/24/83
39 Tyler Flowers R/R6-424501/24/86
12 A.J. Pierzynski L/R6-323012/30/76
15 Gordon Beckham R/R6-019009/16/86
14 Paul Konerko R/R6-221503/05/76
30 Mark Kotsay L/L6-020512/02/75
18 Brent Lillibridge R/R5-1119009/18/83
5 Jayson Nix R/R5-1118508/26/82
10 Alexei Ramirez R/R6-217009/22/81
-- Mark Teahen L/R6-321009/06/81
24 Dayan Viciedo R/R5-1124003/10/89
-- Omar Vizquel S/R5-917504/24/67
-- Alejandro De Aza L/L5-1119004/11/84
-- Stefan Gartrell R/R6-323001/14/84
-- Andruw Jones R/R6-124004/23/77
-- Juan Pierre L/L5-1018508/14/77
20 Carlos Quentin R/R6-123008/28/82
51 Alex Rios R/R6-521502/18/81
Are the White Sox playing to win it all in 2010? I want to see the Astros trade Roy Oswalt to the Sox for John Danks, his brother Jordan Danks and another prospect. Oswalt still has two years left on his contract and is best buds with Jake Peavy. On Oswalt's personal website, he lists Chicago as his favorite road city. He has a no-trade clause so he'd need to be convinced to be traded but the chance to play with his favorite player and in his second-favorite city could do the trick.
The Sox would have to be the AL Central favorite with a rotation of Peavy, Oswalt and Buehrle although you'd add about $10 million in payroll. But I think you'd still be beneath what you were paying last year, having shed the contracts of Contreras and Thome.
How about it?
I like John and Floyd alot and they are young. I hope Jake and Mark can teach both Floyd and John some more pitching tips and other things. I also like our rotation alot but worry about the hitting. I have been hearing good things about John's brother also so I would like to see him in some games this spring. As far as Roy listing Chicago as his favorite road city is cool but they all want to go to the cubs and I'm ok with that.
I liked that the sox did trade Thome and was very happy that Contreras went to the rockies. I think he needed a change. I just hope we can get faster on the bases.
I hope the Sox are trying to go for it all in 2010 cause 2005 was a long time ago! But I still worry about the Twins. They will always be in the thick of things.
Go White Sox!
You can put it on the booooooooooooooard, yesss!!
Go Sox.
SoCal, you're a White Sox fan? LOL.
I hope they get John Danks! He is one of the reasons why the sox rotation is good!!!
I don't like this at all.....
Vizquel to wear Aparicio's No. 11
White Sox to un-retire Hall of Famer's number
But while the only native Venezuelan to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame will not be coming out of retirement at age 75, his jersey will be back in action for the 2010 campaign.
The White Sox announced Monday that Aparicio has given his consent for Omar Vizquel to wear No. 11 in his first year with the White Sox, as the number will be un-retired by the organization for Vizquel to wear in tribute. Vizquel termed such largesse coming from his countryman as a "tremendous honor," speaking during a Monday afternoon press conference, and then went on to explain how the un-retirement of No. 11 came about.
More here:
Big Hurt decides to call it a career
Longtime White Sox star Thomas is 18th on home run list
Seattle is going to be doing work this year
White Sox could be Damon front-runners
Free agent plays golf event with Pierzynski, Harrelson
Interisting to see how this will play out.
Damon saga continues to twist and turn
Tigers confirm offer; White Sox withdraw but are willing to talk
I don't think Damon is worth it...... Let him go and see how the 1st half goes and see what this team brings and see what improvments are needed and spend the $$ to fix it before the trade dead line...
I was able to get 2 tickets to the home opener Today! Mark is pitching. My next game I hope to see Jake pitch.
Home opener in less than a week. I got my tickets and cant wait!
"Ken Williams has a special request or, better yet, a challenge for White Sox fans to be carried out on April 5, and it involves their choice of clothing worn to the game against the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.
The White Sox general manager would like to see the return of the Blackout.
"No better time to start than Opening Day," Williams said."
It will be cold by the lake front so I'm going to wear my black white sox hoodie in support.
Its on! Go sox!
*shaking head*
How did I stumble on this thread where 1 guy is talking to no one?
I once drank scotch with Jerry Reinsdorf at a Bar Mitzvah.
Manny joins White Sox
From Associated Press
August 31, 2010 3:44 PM EDT
CLEVELAND (AP) A little late but with all his hair, Manny Ramirez has finally joined his new team.
The controversial and colorful slugger arrived at Progressive Field on Tuesday for his first day with the Chicago White Sox, who claimed the 12-time All-Star on waivers this week to help their AL playoff push.
Ramirez walked into the ballpark at 3:15 p.m., entering from the Indians players' parking lot, where he used to park during his eight seasons with the Indians. His dreadlocked hair was at its usual length, but could be shorter in the next few hours.
The White Sox have an appearance policy, and they expect Ramirez to conform to it and get his dreadlocks trimmed.
A barber was set up in a room adjacent to Cleveland's clubhouse.
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Thank you for joining me for another round of What to Read Wednesday! Please help me welcome author Mimi Sebastian 🙂 Mimi is here today to share her latest release DEVIL'S ISLAND along with a giveaway 🙂
So come along and read about Mimi's favorite pirates, enter her giveaway, and check out her latest book 🙂
~~Mimi is hosting a Tour Wide Giveaway of a Prize Pack: Print Copy, Swag and $10.00 Amazon Gift Card~~ Click HERE to enter 🙂
My Favorite Pirates
Mimi Sebastian
It's great to be here today. Thanks for featuring my new release Devil's Island! On my Sea Rovers Passion website, I explain how the pirate captain Black Sam Bellamy inspired my hero Boone Wilder in Devil's Island. Black Sam was often called the prince of pirates, a Robin Hood type, who strove to even out the playing field. While his brief but adventurous life was cut short by a storm off the coast of New England in 1717, just after he scored an amazing treasure and ship, he was one of the more successful pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy. Barry Clifford, professional treasure hunter, described Black Sam Bellamy as equal parts hero, freedom fighter, and likable scoundrel. My kind of pirate J. Leader of the expedition Whydah, Clifford located Bellamy's ship wreck in the 1990s and found an amazing trove of treasure and artifacts, helping to fill in many of the gaps about piracy.
While Bellamy is my favorite real pirate, turning to fictional swashbucklers, I have to include the characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Its undeniable Johnny Depp created a revolutionary character in Jack Sparrow, and while I love Sparrow, I also loved Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa. He reminded me of Long John Silver from the 1950s Treasure Island movie. Very salty. Rush eats up the screen every time Barbossa strides on deck.
Errol Flynn swung from the ratlines in Captain Blood in 1935, and was the first pirate to capture my imagination. Blood's back story was interesting. A doctor who was accused of a crime he didn't commit, and sent to Jamaica to toil as an indentured servant. I recently re-watched Captain Blood and was pleasantly surprised at the decent production values and portrayal of pirate life, in the sense that they showed the crew playing a role in decision-making. It wasn't perfect, but for the time period, when movies tended to be more melodramatic, good. But the romance took center stage and I understand why he and Olivia de Havilland made so many movies together. They had great chemistry.
Hook from Once Upon a Time! Like Sparrow, Hook works the eye shadow. Hook killed it this past season. He won over Charming and worked on Emma with redeeming deeds, penetrating gazes, and poignant insights. And Colin O'Donoghue rocks the part. Holy cow! If Emma doesn't wake up and take this pirate, send him my way!
Speaking of…I can't leave out the Dread Pirate Roberts. In fact Hook, in Once Upon a Time, pays homage to the Princess Bride, by quoting lines like "as you wish". I was never a fan of Buttercup, too wishy washy for me, but give me Dread Roberts any day!
Who are some of your favorite pirates?
Captain Boone Wilder leads a cadre of powerful and notorious pirates that rule the West Indies. He's survived the cutthroat's life, bearing the scars to prove it. Fearless, he seeks only the freedom of the seas and an enemy he's hunted with a vengeance for years. When Boone waylays a fat merchant vessel bound for Port Royal, he discovers more than he bargained for in the luscious bounty of Miss Sabine Tanner. But Miss Tanner hides more than tempting curves in her skirts. When Boone finds her sneaking about the Port Royal taverns, meeting with dubious captains, he's determined to learn what devious game she's playing.
The daughter of a condemned pirate captain, Sabine Tanner took to the seas to clear her father's name and locate her father's legendary treasure. When her ship bound for Port Royal is boarded, she's captured by the sun-bronzed, muscular Captain Wilder. While the man is dangerously attractive, she knows from experience that Wilder is nothing but a scabrous bilge rat. Circumstances force her to sail with the scoundrel to find her father's ship, lost on the phantom Devil's Island. Driven by opposing agendas, will they survive the hidden truths, or does their greatest threat lie with each other?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Devils-Island-Mimi-Sebastian/dp/1494853795/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391129893&sr=1-1&keywords=mimi+Sebastian
Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/11/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for_26.html
Author Info
Mimi Sebastian raised herself on books and the strange and unusual with an unhealthy dose of comics and swashbuckling Errol Flynn movies. Loving angst-filled romance thrown in, she decided to blend all those elements in a steamy mix in her first Urban Fantasy series, the Necromancer Books. The first book, The Necromancer's Seduction, debuted July 15, 2013, with ImaJinn Books.
Mimi spent two years in the Ivory Coast with the Peace Corps and loves to introduce tidbits from her experiences in her writing. She's a member of Romance Writers of America and the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA. A transplant from the beaches of Florida, Mimi now wanders the desert in Phoenix, AZ, and attempts to balance writing with a day career, fantastic family, and household diva: her Amazon parrot.
Author Links
Mimi Website: http://www.mimisebastian.com
Sea Rover's Passion Website: http://www.searoverspassion.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sea-Rovers-Passion-Series/447246538658245
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SebastianMimi
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/mimisebastian/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7135317.Mimi_Sebastian


text: Sorin Damian writes: > From BIOSCI-REQUEST at net.bio.net Wed Oct 26 03:49:19 1994 > To: immunology at net.bio.net > From: sorind at crash.cts.com (Sorin Damian) > Subject: HSA Eliza > Date: Wed, 26 Oct 1994 05:47:04 GMT > Message-ID: <Cy9MqH.BuF at crash.cts.com> > X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] > Sender: news at crash.cts.com (news subsystem) > Nntp-Posting-Host: crash.cts.com > > Problem: too much nonspecific binding during Eliza of Human Serum Albumin > (HSA) in hepatocyte culture. > I am using the HSA MoAfrom sigma , the secondary is a peroxidase > conjugated IgG. I have far FAR to much nonspecific binding of the primary > anti HSA MoA to the plastic (or maybe the conc ratio between > antigen/primary , or btw primary and secondary is not the right one... > Any help ? > I can give more details of the experimental approach for those > able/willing to post their experience. > Any one out there working on HSA quantitation by ELIZA? > > > If so, it would be good for direct assay. Biotinylation of your standard HSA and adsorbed you mAb to the plate and the sample HSA will compete with the biotin-HSA followed by avidin-HRP probing. Biotinylation of HSA may partially destroy the immunodeterminant of HSA specific for your mAb, but it still provide rapid and sensitive detection, believe me. biotin-avidin-HRP interaction is much faster than that for 1st Ab and 2nd Ab-HRP. Ph.D student in Pharmacolgy and Toxicology haoxiao at cc.umanitoba


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The Case Against Floating Currencies
Monetary fragmentation is inconsistent with the globalization of business.
It is ironic that the international monetary system of floating currencies is based on a theory called the "Optimal Currency Area" that celebrates the freedom of central banks to print money at will. The idea is that total freedom to create money would promote global progress and employment, smooth out business cycles, and prevent bubbles and their associated crises.
The irony is that the system is obviously suboptimal. It goes against the grain of globalization, the process that is defining our economic times....


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Niki Taylor became the latest star booted from the business-themed reality show "The Celebrity Apprentice" in New York.
"Niki, you're basically willing to take responsibility for your loss?" Trump told the former supermodel. "I respect that. Niki you're fantastic, but other than that, you're fired."
Still in the running are La Toya Jackson, Star Jones, Gary Busey, Meat Loaf, Hope Dworaczyk, NeNe Leakes, Marlee Matlin, Dionne Warwick, Jose Canseco, Richard Hatch, Lil Jon, Mark McGrath and John Rich.
Former teen idol David Cassidy and actress Lisa Rinna were eliminated earlier this season.


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Why Is Vijay Not Suing WADA?/
If you've followed the Vijay Singh doping scandal, you know that he was cleared because the World Anti-Doping Agency rescinded its stance on deer antler spray when his appeal process led the PGA Tour to inquire with WADA "to confirm a number of technical points."
The PGA Tour, having never commented on the case other than to say no comment, then cleared Singh even though he had violated the doping policy as it was stated when Singh admitted to purchasing and using deer antler spray.
Yet Vijay has not named WADA in his suit and many think he would have had some merit to his claim had he named the organization that originally named deer antler spray as a violation and then changed their mind. After all, as recently as February 5th WADA had issued a warning about deer antler spray in light of Vijay's admission. The PGA Tour remained silent.
Singh's lawyers, who just magically were at The Players Wednesday--a day after filing the suit in New York--spoke to Golf Channel but did not go on camera. They did, however, get asked by reporter Todd Lewis and producer Scott Rude about WADA and attorney Peter Ginsburg responded:
Golf Channel: Will you take issue with WADA?
Ginsberg: We are only focused on the PGA (Tour).
Golf Channel: In the recent past, the Tour has defaulted to WADA with issues related to performance enhancing drugs…
Ginsberg: All the PGA Tour had to do was reach out to the UCLA laboratory to analyze the spray is to ask UCLA to do a basic, elementary test to determine whether it contained any substance that was banned. The PGA (Tour) didn't. They didn't even bother. I don't know if it was arrogance or irresponsibility. It was uneducated.
Would Vijay have at least some credibility had he also sued WADA?
**Randall Mell with a nice write up on Vijay's opening round and his most vocal heckler.
Singh heard him, and he responded to the fan, who was speed walking away at what seemed record speed. This reporter couldn't make out Singh's response, but a marshal following Singh did hear it.
"Vijay said, `Why don't you come here and say that,'" the marshal stated.
The insult came with Singh on his way to take a drop in the 18th fairway after rinsing his drive in the lake. Whether the insult was commentary on Singh's errant tee shot or on the lawsuit is unclear, but it provided a jarring end to a reasonably quiet day for Singh.


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FINE Magazines wants to take part in the battle against climate change, saving forests through digital reading. As a part of this campaign we will donate one cent to global environmental conservation for every new reader of our digital publication, and our goal is to donate 200 000 euros by the end of 2012. We are well on our way, having raised already 150 000 euros...
Anne Lepola, Editor
FINE publish two magazines which are of interest to Vinodiversity readers FINE Wine and Fine Champagne. You can subscribe to either, or both, for a free trail until the end of the year.
These magazines are high quality and are mounted on a first class digital reading platform. You can read them directly online without giving information or credit card details.
Last month I wrote about numbers and wine, a rant cajoling readers to ignore numbers. This month I'm back into numbers, this time counting grape varieties, not points.
The Wine Century Club is a creation of the De Long Wine Company. It is used to promote their wine grape varietal table, but also to encourage people to think outside the square - just like Vinodiversity.
The best single book to have to browse and have as a reference for learning about grape varieties and the wines made from them is Grapes and Vines by Oz Clarke and Margaret Rand.
You know Oz from his wine shows with James May of Top Gear fame. Well OZ is one of the most knowledgeable and entertaining wine writers around. Grapes and Wines First appeared about 10 years ago and I used an earlier edition for most of the background info in preparing the Vinodiversity website. The lates revised edition was published last year so I decided to upgrade my favourite reference.
I Highly recommend this book. You can see my more complete review of Oz Clarke's Grapes and Vines here.
Vinodiversity readers who have purchased the De Long Wine Map of Spain or the De Long Wine Map of Italy will know just how much care and research goes into preparing these beautiful products. So no wonder the production schedule gets a little behind at times.
I have plenty of wine varietal tables available at the moment as well.
The program for the Fed Square Victorian Regional Wine Showcase has changed slightly after the event in March had to be cancelled. In my view the new program looks much stronger with each of the next five showcases having something interesting to offer.
The new program for the next few months is
I usually have a stall there at which I show and sell my books, maps and charts, but mainly I enjoy chatting to winemakers and winelovers. Drop by and say Hello.
Download a 2 for 1 voucher here.
Become a fan, like it or whatever and you will be kept up to date between newsletters.
For more details you can fill in the form on the bottom of this page or see this page about Silvestro's wine school and cooking school
I've started a page Best Wines of 2010 Vintage on Vinodiversity where you can look what some writers are saying. Your contributions are welcome. What is the best 2010 vintage wine you have tried? Maybe you'd like to nominate your best 3, 5 or maybe 10.
The new entries get added to my database and eventually find their way onto their respective pages, either onto a special varietal page, or onto the regional listing.
Some of the pages recently updated include regional pages for Margaret River and the Pyrenees; varietal pages for Fiano, Sagrantino, Lagrein and Vermentino.
If you are into RSS you can get a feed via Australian wine news feed
They have an excellent range of alternative varietal wines from small winemakers in less known regions, as well as some from the superstars of the alternative wine scene. Prices are fair and freight is reasonable, it is even waived on larger orders.


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