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Hack Hotbot, part IIMarch 13, 2003
Hey, I like the initiative that Wired and Hotbot have shown recently just as much as the rest of the web development community, so Terra–Lycos is okay in my books.
But I was a little jaded after learning that the Hack Hotbot contest isn't open to the 'world–wide' half of the web, only U.S. citizens, so I posted about it. Well, it would seem our good friends at Terra–Lycos did a bit of surfing this afternoon to find out who was mentioning their contest. I had a small swarm of lycos.com activity around noon to one, the referral coming from what looks like an intranet search (powered by Inktomi) for "hack hotbot". One of the pages hit was my contact form, and I was sent an e–mail:
Thank you for the HotBot mention within your site. We are running a skinning contest which may interest you. We are giving away a 57" TV as the grand prize. Your site tells me that you would make a mean HotBot skin for the contest.
Lincoln Jackson
Sr. Director, Search Products
I was a little surprised, to say the least. I've spent a bit of time formulating my response, and here it is:
Well gee, Lincoln, I appreciate the kind words, but you didn't even read the post you are referring to before auto–replying.
In fact, I specifically expressed my desire to enter the Hack Hotbot contest that 'may interest me', so I knew about it ahead of time. Which means this is probably a form letter, so I guess I can forgive the wording on that part.
But let's go back to my post for a second. I mentioned that I'd love to enter the contest, except for the fact that in your official rules, point 6 (General Conditions) states that the "Contest is open to legal U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older." This means that I, as a Canadian, am not even allowed to enter. (we Canadians know better than to enter a contest without checking these things first, since a lot of American companies like to do that to us)
So here's where we're at: you decided the contest was important enough to take up my time telling me about it, but you didn't think I was important enough to spend the time making sure I was eligible to enter. I'm a bit hurt Lincoln, and I'm sure you can see where I'm coming from.
But I'm a pretty reasonable guy, and I think we can work this out. Opening the rules to allow the international design community a fair chance would be highly appreciated not only by me, but by the rest of the designers who felt a bit slighted that they couldn't get a fair shot. Since we're halfway through the contest, a deadline extension of a week would be great too.
Oh, sure, it might cost you a few extra bucks to ship the TV if somebody in the Netherlands takes the prize, but if you've already dealt with the logistics of getting a bigass TV to someone on the opposite coast, it really won't be that much harder to get it to another country, will it?
I'll await with baited breath your response,
Let's put the pressure on them to open this up. I want a shot at a damn iPod.
update — 9:21am, 3/14/2003: I've received a few responses from Terra/Lycos, including a great explanation from one of them who really does care about this, and regrets the way it was handled. The official word is that non–US citizens are recommended to enter the contest through US mailing addresses or in collaboration with US citizens.
I feel a bit hesitant though, since the reason it's US–only to begin with comes from their legal department. I wonder if there will be any problems if the winner happens to be a non–US citizen entering through a third party.
Still, I have in writing from Lincoln that this is okay, so if anyone enters and has problems, get in touch with me after the contest.
Feel free to use the comments below to hook up with a US partner.
Reader Comments
Dave, if you would like to enter, I'm still looking for someone to collaborate with me on Hack Hotbot. I'm looking for someone with sharp graphic design skills, which you definitely seem to have. We can work on the CSS together. I'm not interested in any of the prizes, so if we actually one, you could take the prize. (I already have an iPod and have no desire for a TV that big.) More details are available on my site. Let me know!
I'm in the UK. I'd love to win a big ass TV and I bet they could it to me no sweat. Unfortunately it wouldn't work here!
I seriously wonder about how they'll ship the thing. From the e-mails I've received, it looks like the office is in Massachusetts. So if a Californian wins? I suspect they'll send a gift certificate or something equivalent, rather than the TV itself. Let the winner worry about the logistics, right?
…which would work out just fine for me. That TV is way too big. I just want the iPod. Or the cash equivalent.
Yeah, I'll take the cash.
(Matt, what about voltage adapters? Surely there must be a way…)


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Oliver Halsman Rosenberg
Bryson Gill
January 8 - February 7, 2010
Triple Base Gallery
Thursday-Sunday 12-5pm
3041 24th Street,
San Francisco, CA 94110
After a long evening of work and then a quick dinner we had to seriously motivate to get out the door. Since Triple Base is only a few blocks from our house the bike ride was a quick 5 minutes... A complimentary glass or two of wine from Bear Flag in the back of the gallery helped to keep spirits high as we checked out these two great shows from artists who recently returned from long stints abroad. Oliver inspired from a year long spiritual trip to India went to town in the basement while Bryson displayed new paintings created during his two year stay in the arty town of Berlin.
Kelly Lynn Jones enjoys some Bear Flag.
Andrew of Ever Gold which is closed for the month during renovations.
Some nice works in the back room.
Bryson Gill's work
Like these two.
In the main project space, Triple Base is please to present Bryson Gill's newest body of work that spans painting, drawing and sculpture the culmination of the artist's two-year stay in Berlin. Gill's densely layered paintings explore the fine line between abstraction and figuration, all the while struggling between the rational and the natural. The composition of Gill's ambiguous landscapes, totemic structures, and portraits remain just recognizable enough to create a spectrum of meanings and emotions.
Stairs to the basement space.
Down we go to the hot muggy basement.
In the coinciding Triple Basement exhibition Japa, artist/curator Oliver Halsman Rosenberg returns to his San Francisco roots to share the work he has made after one year of nomadic art making in India, as well as create a shrine with work by other travelers, locals, and friends he met during his journey. Rosenberg's series of small gouache paintings on recycled eucalyptus paper from Munnar and drawings on rice paper from Phaplu is infused with local inspiration as well as imagery mined from probing the subtle depths of consciousness.
"Tea Master Jon Oda will be creating a special brew for a tea ceremony"
Back upstairs... Dina Pugh one of the two curators of Triple Base.
On the way out 6 cop cars descend onto the intersection with guns drawn. The Mission keeping you on your toes. {moscomment}
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Swapping of products in our MooGoo Packs is not permitted.
Each Baby Travel Pack contains:
A combination of non-irritating, bubbling Glucose and Coconut based cleaners that are mild on the skin.
A nourishing moisturiser with the addition of 10% MSM (organic sulphur), a natural skin-soothing compound.
A barrier cream with anti-yeast properties is the best way to prevent red, irritated skin around the nappy area.
Made from natural and edible ingredients to help soothe, protect and comfort your most sensitive area, and encourage breast feeding.
For a little MooGoo bath time fun!
Follow MooGoo for the most up-to-date product news, offers and customer stories!
Join our newsletter to receive the latest products, news and offers
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A telecommunications company and a University walk into a bar…..
What do a telecommunications company and a University have in common? Well, at first glance, not a heck of a lot — unless you consider their network requirements. After talking to a telecommunications company and a University I found out they both wanted:
- To know the exact status of all networking devices…within minutes.
- A simplified service contract structure for said devices
- To better predict, and budget for, support and upgrades of devices
- Reduced network risk, simplified operations, and increased employee productivity.
Are these objectives your company is trying to achieve, too? Let's explore how Alestra, a Mexican service provider, and George Mason University, a U.S. institution of higher education, have achieved these results, and more, with Cisco Smart Net Total Care.
Never heard of Cisco Smart Net Total Care? I included a brief description at the end of this blog.
Alestra has more time to focus on business not routine maintenance
Alestra's focus on innovation has made it one of Mexico's leading providers of information and communication technology (ICT) solutions. The company manages 2 networks comprised of more than 3600 devices. A growing business focused on providing superior customer service, Alestra needed an accurate view of its network at all times.
"Our services depend on having detailed knowledge of each system with its patching and coverage status in order to optimize network availability and performance," says Sergio Gonzalez, network operations manager for Alestra
With Cisco Smart Net Total Care, Alestra was able to:
- Increase security and help government and healthcare customers to meet stringent compliance requirements.
- More accurately plan and budget for support and upgrades of devices. This is a direct result of being able to accurately link support contracts with specific devices.
- Save 3-5 hours per week in network management tasks alone.
"Smart Net Total Care is enabling us to become more efficient," says Gonzalez. "With so much detailed information at our fingertips, we can easily track inventory, support contracts, patching, alerts, and all of the other essential information that we need while freeing us to deliver more innovative services."
Find out how the network maintenance and engineering teams at Alestra have benefited from Smart Net Total Care…as well as other results by reading the Alestra case study.
George Mason University simplifies management of IT operations
George Mason University prepares hard-working students for 21st century careers through excellent teaching combined with cutting-edge research.
To support George Mason University's education and research infrastructure, the GMU IT team have deployed a large-scale student, wireless, academic, and management network. Approximately 2400 devices span three campuses and numerous other remote locations. As you can imagine, the network support organization has a lot of equipment to track and maintain.
The University is required by state mandates to conduct an annual equipment inventory. This is a time consuming and daunting task for any IT team. Data gathering alone took 4 weeks and was difficult due to rogue equipment, service contract coverage (15 separate contracts to cover various classes of equipment), and software versions — to name just a few challenges.
"We needed a way to bring all of our network inventory data together to save time and improve operational efficiency," says David Robertson, service delivery manager of network engineering for George Mason University.
With the help of Cisco Smart Net Total Care, today George Mason University is:
- Accessing correct support contract information in seconds, as opposed to hours
- Reducing the time needed to review device information and take action
- Reducing mean time to problem resolution by 30%
- Saving hours, even days of time in inventory reporting
- Creating device maintenance lists in hours instead of weeks
- Proactively scheduling replacement purchase and deployments, leading to better planning and easier budget forecasting
"With the inventory management, reporting, and other functions available to us now, we have one place to go to see all of our equipment. We can simplify upgrades, avoid the risks associated with outdated code, monitor only the alerts that matter to us, and do it all in just minutes. What a difference," says Roberston.
This just skims the surface of what George Mason University has accomplished. Learn more – read the case study.
Wow, great results! Tell me more about Cisco Smart Net Total Care.
Cisco Smart Net Total Care provides extensive inventory management and analysis, customized security alerts, proactive diagnostics, designated operations resources from Cisco, and optional service-level agreements and optimization services. This helps our customers to reduce services management overhead, through consistent and coordinated delivery.
As you've seen from the Alestra and George Mason University examples, Smart Net Total Care aligns with your business and development initiatives, resulting in increased operational efficiency and improved risk management.
Learn more by watching the Smart Net Total Care Overview
What benefits could you realize from Smart Services like Cisco Smart Net Total Care?
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.
3 Comments
Its really a interesting article.I think telecommunications is a vital service from the smallest scale of a community to the largest, a nation's economy as a whole. In addition to the traditional services of wired phone and cable TV, telecommunications companies provide services for cellular phones, satellite TV, and broadband and mobile Internet.I think the Alestra and George Mason University examples are increase this topic.
Well I agree Cisco Smart Net Total care improves the operational efficiency and allows us to manage and mitigate risks more effectively. I would recommend Cisco Smart Net Total care to public sector organizations like educational institutres, medical centers where network downtime may result into both tangible and intangible losses. Thanks to engineers at Cisco for rolling out such innovative and useful product.


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Organic, Rare and Heirloom Seed Collections
The Living Seed Company is an heirloom seed company dedicated to supporting families, friends and communities growing healthy food and saving their seeds.
To take some of the guess-work out of gardening we have developed collections of organic heirloom vegetable and herb seeds, suited to your region and growing needs.
All of our seeds are open pollinated, non-GMO, untreated, organic or grown on small natural farms and were selected for their versatility in the culinary arts.
The Founders Collection Our original widely adapted collection suited for most climates
Northern Collection Our long season collection, suited for shorter climates
Southern Collection Our short season collection is suited for longer climates
Urban /Small Space Collection This mini collection is perfectly suited for Urban settings or small gardens and even container gardens
Salsa Collection Our salsa collection is suited for all the fresh salsa lovers out there!


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We've taken a lot of heat for not embracing baby videos. When the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with their recommendation against videos for kids under the age of 2– we were delighted (and quite frankly it made it possible for us to continue excluding these videos from our television segments despite a lot of pressure). But we still knew that these videos have become a staple in most households with very young children.
So I was really happy to read The New York Times article "No Einstein In Your Crib? Get a Refund" by Tamar Lewis that discusses the announcement that Baby Einstein has agreed to offer parents a refund of $15.99 for up to 4 videos bought during the last five years. The settlement came after a threatened class action lawsuit alleging that the company made false claims that these videos were educational. Kudos to Susan Linn, Director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, for taking on Disney (it bought the Baby Einstein Company in 2001).
While we were taping a segment about the best toys for babies, one of our favorite producers from the local WNBC came to our offices with her baby and one of her friends brought her baby as well so that we could get their kids on tape. Our producer's baby was completely engaged– at 9 months he was completely taking in the world around him. He delighted when his mom would play with him. He was thriving. In contrast her friend's baby, also 9 months old–was very muted. His mother, an investment banker, was insisting that the Baby Einstein videos were doing wonders for her son. She was a walking billboard for the Baby Einstein marketing strategy. And no matter what my mother and I said to her about how babies benefit more from "real life" interactions with real people, she would not be moved from her belief that these videos were preparing her baby for preschool, doing well in elementary school and beyond.
When the videos first came out I was taking a graduate class in neurological development in children at NYU. I thought maybe my mother and I were missing something. It's important not to be closed minded so I brought in one of the best selling Baby Einstein videos for a screening. The class and my professor were stunned and then there was just a lot of laughing. When I told them that this was a multi-million dollar business, they were shocked. There was no research supporting that showing random images and exposing kids to the four different languages at the same time delivered any magic educational bullet.
What Baby Einstein and others in the market accomplished was to scare parents–that if they didn't buy these videos their kids would be left behind. The success of these videos spawned a multi-million dollar industry and I can't tell you how many video makers in this category would try to get us to change our mind.
That investor banker mom also argued that her child knew and wanted the videos. So we put one on and watched both babies. It was true that when the music came on, both raised their arms in excitement and then they became glued. "See they love it!" She's right they recognized the music and responded happily. Anyone who has watched young children (or let's face it, adults) in front of the tv, know that it's easy to become dazed- it certainly doesn't mean something educational is happening. (In fact, young children will often watch something very scary on the tv without emotion or moving away because they can't make the leap between reality and fantasy, they literally can't make that break.)
When we suggested that awake play time would be better spent getting down on the floor and engaging her son, she just shook her head. The video had won.
Of course the whole "smarter baby" push is not limited to videos. During the same period that Baby Einstein came on the scene, most toy companies got on the same bandwagon- pushing toys that were going to make your baby smarter, faster. This meant that almost every baby toy was covered with the "ABCs". One of my "you have to be kidding" moments at toy fair was being shown a Baby Einstein toy (licensed to Playskool) that encouraged babies to find the rhyme! Yes, babies that aren't even talking yet were to find the word and image that rhymed with bat. What was even more alarming were the number of young editors from parenting magazines taking it all in–"wow" "that's great"….
The whole "hurry-up baby syndrome" unfortunately gave parents the wrong information about what they should expect from their babies – not to mention that kids were being given toys that were well beyond them–teaching them nothing but frustration. While we wrote about this trend in children's media across the board in our annual books, it was hard to convince new parents that the nursery doesn't need to be filled with school based skills. Children don't make the leap to abstract thinking much before the age of three. So if your child can sing the ABC song at two, it's usually very cute and will delight the grandparents, but if you ask a two year old what does LMNOP mean…you'll see, it's not really too meaningful. What is important is that babies and toddlers are engaged–we know that young children that are read to on a regular basis, will enter school with at least 300 more words than kids who don't have that exposure to language.
So I'm delighted with the news and the refunds–just sad that it took so long. And for what it's worth my older son probably learned more about his ABC's from Wheel of Fortune. "Give me an N!"


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A graduation ceremony at Brices Creek Bible Church Friday evening capped off a successful secondary education for 14 Craven County teens who learned their academic lessons at home.
A graduation ceremony at Brices Creek Bible Church Friday evening capped off a successful secondary education for 14 Craven County teens who learned their academic lessons at home.
It is the fourth year a group of families, who wanted a traditional finish to a more innovative approach to educating their children, publicly celebrated their achievement here.
Brices Creek Bible Church Pastor Barry Teague delivered the commencement address at the church, which event organizer Janet Kruer said, has been generous with its facilities for home school group activities.
Kruer, whose husband is a public school physical education teacher at Trent Park Elementary School, said she has home schooled three children, all for middle school, one for elementary and two for high school. They include a now a 20-year-old daughter, middle child Matthew Kruer, 18, who graduated Friday and is bound for Craven Community College, and a 16-year-old daughter who decided she would do her last three years of high school at New Bern High.
�They did well academically,� she said. �It was a good experience. We're a social family so interacting with other young people wasn't a problem.�
There are an estimated 2,000 Craven County families who teach their children at home, according Kruer.
�We pool our strengths for music, drama, literature, science and Spanish and primarily use one email loop to communicate,� she said.
Rosa Fudala, whose 18-year-old daughter Carolina Fudala graduated Friday, was an economics professor at a university in Mexico before coming to the United States and she helped with the Spanish instruction as she home schooled Carolina, her now 20-year-old son and a younger son.
�It is still amazing that he was able to get a full scholarship to MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) with his academics,� she said of the older son who has since transferred to N.C. State.
She said there are three loose home school organizations in the New Bern area in which parents offer mutual support.
Kurer said, �There is a wide variety of curriculum out there, secular or Christian, and there is a convention every May of the North Carolina Home Educators where they invite different curriculum vendors and have workshops for those interested.�
Both families offered a diverse curriculum to their children, which included solid academics, arts, sports and music.
Fudala plans to attend George Fox University in Oregon to study film or cinematography, and her mother said, �My daughter keeps thanking me for allowing her to do so much. But the most challenging thing was wanting to do so much more. It was very busy for us but we wanted to have 40 hours a day to expand, enjoy more things.�
Sue Book can be reached at 252-635-5665 or email@example.com. Follow her on Twitter@SueJBook.


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Please note that the items added to your shopping cart are not currently available for shipping to the address you selected.
Picnic Time Duet Arizona State Sun Devils Embroidered
You Pay:
When a full picnic is too much, the Duet is the perfect wine and cheese tote you can take anywhere. It's an insulated tote made of 600D polyester that has two compartments for wine. It comes with wine and cheese service, including a hardwood cheese board, a stainless steel cheese knife with wooden handle, and a stainless steel corkscrew. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry. Convenient and practical, the Duet is perfect for wine and cheese lovers. A wonderful gift idea!See All


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The academic year of the Post Graduate School is organised in terms of three trimesters in a year, each approximately of 12 weeks duration. The academic session will start generally in August every year.
The exact dates of each trimester in a particular academic year shall be decided by the Academic Council from time to time. The broad time schedule of the three trimesters is given below:
I Trimester: August to November
II Trimester: December to April
III Trimester: May to July
There is a provision for a summer vacation of approximately one month duration during April and May, for which the dates are to be specified by the Academic Council. In addition to summer vacation, there is a provision for winter break of approximately three weeks and a gap of about one week between two academic years on dates to be specified by the Academic Council. Thus, the number of teaching days in an academic year are kept about 220 following the UGC guidelines of minimum 180 teaching days in a year. The Institute offers M.Sc./M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees in the following disciplines.


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Nine Hope College students will make presentations during the 2010 Arts and Humanities Colloquium on Wednesday, Feb. 24, starting at 4 p.m. in Graves Hall.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
The presentations will take place in three concurrent sessions beginning at 4 p.m. and running through 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the gallery area of Winants Auditorium from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
° Session One will take place in room 119 and feature the theme "Reformers and Rebels: Perspectives from Religion and History." The presentations are: 4 p.m., "What Does Geneva Have to Do with Heidelberg?: Calvin's First Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism," by senior Stephen Shaffer of Grand Rapids; 4:30 p.m., "Challenging Modernist Ideals: G.K. Chesterton as Christian Public Intellectual," by senior Andreas Van Denend of Ripley, Ohio; and 5 p.m., "Suffering for Peace: British Conscientious Objectors During the First World War," by senior Jeffrey Meyers of Santa Cruz, Calif.
° Session Two will take place in room 121 and feature the theme "Artistic and Social Influences: Perspectives from Music and Literature." The presentations are: 4 p.m., "The Road from Galloway to Big Sur: Jack Kerouac's Search for Style," by junior Andrew Gehl of Mason; 4:30 p.m., "A Question of Dominance," by senior Beth Barnadyn of Boyne City; and 5 p.m., "Pride, Prejudice, and Pianofortes: Music in the Life and Novels of Jane Austen," by senior Lydia Post of Kalamazoo.
° Session Three will take place in room 206 and feature the theme "Displaced Words: Literary Perspectives." The presentations are: 4 p.m., "Englishes and Singlishes: the Development, Differentiation and Connotations of English Dialects in Singapore," by senior Karly Fogelsanger of TawasCity; 4:30 p.m., "The Prodigal R: A Short History of Rhoticity in the American South," by senior Silvia Diffenderfer of Escondido, Calif.; and 5 p.m., "The Cabin in the Cornish Woods: Isolation in the Works of J.D. Salinger," by sophomore Matthew Vermaire of Fruitport.
Graves Hall is located at 263 College Ave., between 10th and 12th streets.


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No big deal! Kid 'chillin' with Warren Buffett, Paul McCartney
Does this kid from Omaha fully understand how much fame and wealth is sitting on the bench behind him in this picture? We hope so.
Warren Buffett, who owns a home in Omaha, and Paul McCartney were hanging out — just like in your dreams — and Tom White snapped a photo. The former Beatles singer was in the area for a tour stop.
The famous pair were spotted in Dundee on Sunday having dinner and walking around the neighborhood, according to the Omaha World-Herald.
The 'selfie' was then posted to Instagram user speeeeeed_of_white with the caption "Chillin with my homies."
On Twitter, Paul McCartney retweeted the photo on Monday.
Buffett and McCartney sightings excited others in the area as well, with fans gushing on social media.
Follow @jessicadurando on Twitter


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Actor Armie Hammer was once attacked by a homeless man in Australia after falling victim to a case of mistaken identity.
"The Social Network" star suddenly found himself fighting for his life during a vacation Down Under after he was mistaken for a guy who owed the drifter money.
He tells Elle magazine, "This homeless guy tried to stab me. I punched him and stole his knife… I was full of p– and hubris (pride), and was like, 'F– you'. I took his knife because he would have tried to stab somebody else! He was obviously crazy."
In hindsight Hammer confesses his reaction may have been a bit dramatic, and he might have to work out his anger issues.
He says, "My wife (Elizabeth Chambers) says I have a frontal lobe issue. Your frontal lobe controls your danger response, like, 'Whoa, I shouldn't be doing this'. But she says it's OK because your frontal lobe doesn't develop until around 30, so I have until then to get all this s– out of my system and then I need to calm down."
The incident wasn't the only time the 26 year old has almost been stabbed – he told the publication his ex-girlfriend once tried to stab him with a butcher knife during sex.


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Votto helps Reds edge Tribe
Cincinnati, OH – Joey Votto hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to help lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a two-game set at Great American Ball Park.
With one out and one on, Votto smashed a 2-1 pitch off Nick Hagadone (0-1), scoring Shin-Soo Choo, who singled to begin the frame. Prior to the home run, Choo advanced to second on a passed ball and then to third on a sacrifice bunt by Zack Cozart.
"I hit that home run because of Choo and because of Cozart," said Votto. "I wouldn't have got those pitches to hit. It would have been a much, much tougher at-bat from Hagadone."
"Situationally, we wanted to try to pound Votto in and we didn't," said Indians manager Terry Francona. "We don't want to let him get his arms extended there. But that's learning of a young pitcher."
Aroldis Chapman pitched a flawless ninth to notch his 13th save of the season.
Choo, who was traded by the Indians during the offseason, was 2-for-4 with a home run, while Brandon Phillips had an RBI for the Reds, who have won six of seven.
Cincinnati starter Mike Leake allowed two runs -- one earned -- on five hits and fanned seven in 7 1/3 innings. Jonathan Broxton (2-1) recorded the final two outs of the eighth to pick up the win.
Jason Giambi hit a solo shot and Carlos Santana drove in the other run for the Indians, who saw starter Ubaldo Jimenez give up two runs on four hits and four walks over seven frames.
Choo's solo blast began the home half of the first.
In the fourth, Jason Kipnis smacked a leadoff single. Two batters later, Nick Swisher reached first on a fielding error by Phillips and Kipnis advanced to third. Santana then brought Kipnis home with a sacrifice fly to left.
Phillips made up for his blunder in the sixth, when his sac fly plated Cozart, who ripped a double to start the inning.
With one out in the eighth, Giambi, pinch-hitting for Jimenez, snapped an 0- for-24 slump with a home run to center that went 467 feet to tie the game at 2-2.
Game Notes
Votto has 139 home runs at first base, tied with Lee May (1965-1971) for third-most in franchise history ... The Indians still hold a 42-40 edge in the all-time series against the Reds, but are 10-18 in Cincinnati.


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The Dominican Republic is renowned as an affordable beach destination brimming with package tourists and enticing all-inclusive resorts. But the country is also a captivating blend of culture, history, and stunning natural beauty. The main tourist magnets are the areas around Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana, and Samaná. However, the country's cultural jewel is the capital, Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In addition to well-developed beach resorts and world-class golf courses, the Dominican Republic is home to vast coral reefs, waterfalls, jungles, secluded islands, pine forests, and the highest peaks in the Caribbean. Thanks to these diverse ecosystems, recreational opportunities abound. Adventure seekers head to the mountains to raft the white waters of the Río Yaque del Norte. The rugged alpine terrain also lures hikers and bikers with its many mountain trails. Along the coast, water lovers can snorkel, dive, kayak, kite board, sail, and surf. Blessed with this abundance of attractions and activities, no wonder visitors flock here from around the world.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the New World, lovingly preserves the jewels of its rich history and culture. Top on the list of the city's treasures is the historic Colonial City (Zona Colonial), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with cobblestone streets, stunning Spanish Colonial architecture, and excellent restaurants. Perhaps the most significant site here is the First Cathedral of America, the oldest existing cathedral in the Americas. Also worthwhile is the Museum of the Royal Houses and the early 16th century Alcazar De Colón, built by the son of Christopher Columbus. The Plaza de la Cultura is museum central. Here visitors will find the Palace of Fine Arts, Museum of Modern Art, and the National Palace to name a few. Other highlights of the city include the Columbus Palace, Ozama Fort, National Botanical Gardens, and the Malecón, a picturesque seaside promenade.
Eastern National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Eastern National Park (Parque Nacional del Este) is a prime habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including 112 species of birds. The reserve also encompasses one of the Caribbean's largest marine parks with an immense coral reef system. Four species of sea turtles as well as manatees, bottlenose dolphins, and numerous species of fish live in its tropical waters. In addition to this wealth of biodiversity, the park is the habitat for the rare paloma coronita (crowned, or white-headed dove) and the rhinoceros iguana. Besides the excellent diving and snorkeling, visitors to the park can view examples of pre-Columbian art in its system of caves, or relax on some of the park's remote beaches. The sandy beaches of Saona Island (Isla Saona) are a popular side trip for visitors to the region.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana, on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, is one of the most popular tourist areas on the island. Packed with resorts, this large town is known for its beautiful beaches (palm-lined Bavaro is a favorite) and world-class golf courses. Nearby Scape Park offers a zipline tour, dune buggies, and a visit to the cool waters of Hoyo Azul Lagoon. Those seeking a slower pace can head north to the quaint fishing village of El Macao. Its public beach is a popular surfing spot. An airstrip with regular flights and charters flies pleasure-seekers to Punta Cana from around the world.
Playa Dorada
Minutes from the center of Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada is one of the most popular beach destinations on the Dominican Republic's north coast. This massive resort complex lies on a picturesque stretch of replenished beach dotted with deck chairs and coconut palms. Known as the country's first tourism destination, the area is packed with amenities, including dozens of restaurants, a shopping center, and a Robert Trent Jones golf course.
La Romana
La Romana, on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, is home to the charming Altos de Chavón, a replica of a 16th century artisans' village and one of the island's best spots to shop for crafts. Visitors will also find the luxurious Casa de Campo resort here encompassing several hotels, beautifully landscaped gardens, a riding school, polo ground, and tennis courts. Dominican designer, Oscar de la Renta, helped decorate the rooms. Casa de Campo also boasts one of the top golf courses in the Caribbean, Teeth of the Dog, which dazzles golfers with spectacular ocean views. Isla Catalina, a cruise-ship port-of-call, south of La Romana, draws thousands of visitors a day.
Samaná Peninsula & Samaná Bay
Studded with islets and fringed by palm-lined beaches, the waters of the humid Samaná Bay (Bahía Samaná) are a haven for marine animals. One of the biggest draws here are the humpback whales that calve here during January and February. This lush peninsula also encompasses popular Parque Nacional Los Haïtises, an ecological wonderland of jungle-covered islands, translucent waters, and thick mangrove forests. Also in the park are unique rock formations (mogotes) emerging from the sea, bird-filled caves like the Cueva del Angel, and pre-Columbian pictographs. The Salto El Limón waterfall is also worth a visit as well as the postcard-worthy Playa Rincon, one of the most picturesque beaches in the country. Horse riding, hiking, biking, and birding are popular pursuits in the region.
An emerging eco-tourism destination, Jarabacoa lies in the spectacular Cordillera Central, (Central Mountains) a landscape of sweeping pine forests, rivers, waterfalls, and the highest peaks in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic's only whitewater river, Río Yaque del Norte, offers gentle rapids for rafters. Visitors here appreciate the milder alpine climate, and the region's rugged terrain, with many trails, is excellent for mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing.
Bahia de Las Aguilas and Jaragua National Park
On the Dominican Republic's southwestern coast, near Pedernales, remote Bahía de Las Águilas is one of the country's most magnificent beaches. This six-mile-long stretch of powder-soft sand lies in the protected Jaragua National Park and is best accessed by boat from the small village of La Cueva. The shallow, turquoise waters teem with marine life and the bay harbors many species of birds. Due to its remote location in the national park, the beach remains completely undeveloped and unspoiled.
Lake Enriquillo
Lake Enriquillo (Lago Enriquillo) is the lowest point and largest saltwater lake in the Antilles. Flamingos and iguanas are found in abundance here, and an island in the center of Lago Enriquillo, Parque Nacional Isla Cabritos, has one of the largest wild reserves of American Crocodiles. The park is home to over 106 species of flora and 62 species of bird ranging from the Hispaniolan Parrot to the White-crowned Pigeon.
Basilica of Our Lady
The modern Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia is one of Latin America's finest examples of modern religious architecture and a leading pilgrimage center in Latin America. Annually, on January 21, a pilgrimage from across the country attends Mass at the church.
Source: planetware.com


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Watch: Prince's 'Breakfast Can Wait' Video Teaser
Prince has been nonchalantly shuffling out new music for the past year or so, but the first track to get an honest-to-God official release is "Breakfast Can Wait." The single, which boasts hilarious cover artwork featuring Dave Chappelle as The Purple One, hit radio this week, and Prince has released a teaser for the jam's forthcoming music video.
In typically mysterious fashion, Prince is nowhere to be found in this preview (though there is a female lookalike). The video was directed by Danielle Curiel, and looks to feature a big choreographed dance number. No word yet on when it will premiere. Check it out up top.
Watch the full teaser at IDOLATOR


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Devlon Ford, Agriculture Research Assistant at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, believes success with electric fences is all in how the fence is built.
"Some people in the agricultural industry have, in the past, considered electric fences to be a waste of time and money," Ford says. "Experience has shown few circumstances in which electric fences will not work when a fence is designed and built properly using the correct equipment."
Ford says a good electric fence begins with the energizer or charger. Chargers come in several basic models: 110V or 220V, solar powered with battery backup models and small D cell battery-type models for temporary use. Models with 110V or higher are most reliable, he said. The solar panel chargers cost more initially and require more maintenance. However, solar panel chargers may be the only option available to farmers and ranchers where electricity is not available. In those instances, Ford said solar panel chargers work well.
"The charger is the heart of your system," Ford said. "It should be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations."
Choosing the type of wire is the next step. The two most common types are polywire and a 12-½ gauge hi-tensile smooth wire. Ford said polywire works well in temporary or seasonal fencing, such as cultivated pastures where tractors may make several passes across the field.
"When installing a new cross fence in a pasture, I recommend using a polywire instead of a steel wire," Ford said, so "the fence can be rolled up and moved with more ease than with steel wire."
A hi-tensile fence is used for more permanent fence. It is not easily rolled up and moved, but it makes a strong fence. It will not "give" as much as a polywire will, nor will it deteriorate as quickly. Hi-tensile wire is also a better conductor of electricity and will be a better deterrent to livestock, Ford said.Regardless of whether polywire or hi-tensile fence is used, Ford said the wire should be 34 to 40 inches off the ground. The line posts should be spaced about 45 feet apart. If sagging is noticed between the posts, additional posts can be added. When a fence crosses a terrace, more posts may be needed to maintain the proper ground clearance.
Next tip: July management ideas >


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Buggin' hell
And the hits just keep on coming. The latest embarrassments for HP include claims of bugging its own chief executive, attempting to install a trojan on a reporter's computer, and the forthcoming spectacle of their ousted chairwoman hauled before a congressional committee.
Patricia Dunn, who was allowed to quietly shuffle away from the chair by the rest of the HP board, will appear before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in hearings beginning September 28.
The committee will vote today on whether to assume powers to fast-track subpoenas to squeeze HP for information. So far HP's submissions on the reporter scandal have been voluntary.
Like the Californian Attorney General and FBI, Congress' interest has been piqued by allegations of "pretexting" - where private investigators illegally obtain phone records under false pretenses.
The New York Times reports one of the CNET reporters targeted by HP's goons also received a document from them via email with an embedded trojan. The spying program failed to install itself correctly however.
And in yet another twist, The San Jose Mercury reports Carly Fiorina, predecessor as chairman, CEO and president, to the recently promoted Mark Hurd, was spied on by her own investigation. Fiorina, eager to trace the source of leaks, launched the orignal bugging operation in 2005.
HP's crisis management PR machine is struggling with the snowballing scandal. Spokesman Ryan Donovan said Monday: "The only thing I would say about the current investigation is the intent was the right intent. Information was leaked from the company that was potentially damaging and had ability to move stocks, which is not a good thing."
Call us naïve, Ryan, but we reckon investors prefer the movement of stock to be based on information rather than no information, damaging or not. In fact - hold the phone - isn't that how a market economy is supposed to work? ®


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I have to tell you I'm right on the cusp of being sick of gift guides. Maybe this is a personal thing though, because guess how many Christmas Presents I am in charge of buying this year?
(Sad Trombone)
I know I've explained this before, but for the newly initiated, here's the scoop: A few years back we decided to stop exchanging gifts on my mom's side of the family. Not because we are scrooge-y assholes (I promise) but mostly because that side of my family is really small and none of us are crazy gift people. So. Shopping for that side of the family? Done. We instead spend the money we would have spent on gifts and just buy a metric ton of food. In the past we have also sponsored families, purchased gifts for needy kids, and cooked for a shelter where I used to volunteer. So see? Not jerks. Just not super gifty. What can I say, it works for us.
Now my dad's side of the family is much larger and you would think that makes things more complicated, but in fact it's pretty darn easy. A few years ago we decided to all draw names on Thanksgiving and just buy one person a $25 gift. Right around Thanksgiving we all come up with our Wish Lists and we start a giant chain of email with the entire family that usually devolves into something completely hysterical by the time Christmas gets here, but in the meantime everyone gets a chance to see what their "Secret Person" wants. It usually works out pretty well.
So all that's left is gifts for me to buy is a gift for Garrett, and like I mentioned on our Anniversary, we generally just don't buy each other gifts. Maybe we are scrooge-y assholes. Oh no wait, that's right, we then try and plan something fun to do in the beginning of the year. And for the record, Garrett is in charge of "coordinating" the gifts for his side of the family and then I support his plan. Some years this works out better than others.
The sad part is I really do like gift buying. Well, maybe not so much the purchasing part, but picking out the perfect gift. But lately it seems like everyone and their mother is putting out a gift guide and I've only found a few that I thought were really awesome. So in case you've been "Marking As Read" all of those gift guides in your Reader, here are few to maybe give a second chance.
Hooray For Gifts
*The 2012 Balanced Bites Healthy Holiday Gift Guide
I'm totally buying a SCOBY like a nerd.
*Style Lush Gift Guide (100 gifts for $35 or less)
This is always a favorite because it is curated by a friend of mine. I stole many ideas off this list for my own wish list for my family exchange. Plus it's 100 gifts for $35 or less. USEFUL!
This is Style Lush's sister site about FOOOOOOOOD. Good good stuff on this list. And 3/4 of them are under $25. I mean…what???
Do you need to shop for some Hipsters in your life? This may help. ha! There are a few neat things on it though.
This is a gold mine of fun things to sift through!
But on the off chance that no gift guides will meet your needs, then please enjoy this:
Anthropologie: Holiday Shopping for the People You Hate
I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Anthropologie, man. What is UP with that store?
Anyway, how's the shopping going folks? What is your gift buying strategy? Do you buy for everyone? Draw names? Do a secret santa? Tell me everything!


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New Deuce
New from Voodoo Hot Rods, high-tech epoxy carbon-fiber composites, structural design, and manufacturing processes result in a body that's half the weight, at just 200 pounds.
Cutting the cost to build a Deuce, the Voodoo Evolution 32R features a V-sectioned hood top, dropped grille, raised wheelwells, stretched cockpit, raked windshield, carbon/Kevlar twill highlights on inner panels, and unique cockpit and trunk tubs. High quality reduces typical paint prep from 300-plus hours to approximately 60.
The Voodoo Evolution 32R chassis sits 4 inches lower than reproduction frames, with over 5 inches suspension travel for great ride quality. The one-piece tubular 'rails mimic a Deuce that's been pinched, bobbed, pie-cut, mini-tubbed, and Z'd.
Costing less than a repro steel body and chassis, Voodoo Hot Rods claims the 32R can be completed for under $50,000.
Voodoo Hot Rods
(310) 991 9099
Grease This
AMSOIL Inc. Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease and Synthetic Water-Resistant Grease have been reformulated to provide even better protection and performance in a wide range of applications. Both are formulated with calcium sulfonate complex thickeners, allowing for improved extreme-pressure properties, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance, high-temperature stability, and water resistance
AMSOIL Inc. Synthetic Multi-Purpose Grease is qualified against the highest grease standards. Formulated with oil soluble extreme-pressure additives for heavy loads, it provides excellent load-carrying and EP performance. Oxidation and corrosion inhibitors provide excellent oxidation stability, a high-temperature dropping point, and outstanding low-temperature torque value and pumping capability. It resists thermal and oxidation degradation, prolonging equipment life.
AMSOIL Inc.
(800) 777-8491
New Look
Edelbrock Performer Series carburetors with black powdercoated finish are available in 600 cfm with manual choke, 600 cfm with electric choke, and 750 cfm with a manual choke. They feature gold irradiated linkage and hardware that complements the new finish.
All Edelbrock Performer Series carburetors feature factory set float levels that rarely need adjustment, allowing them to run right out of the box. They're constructed of a two-piece design with the gasket above the fuel level for a leak-free operation. Edelbrock carburetors are manufactured in the United States.
Edelbrock Corporation
(310) 781-2222
Breath of Fresh Air
OTB Gear offers defense against critters, small stones, loose screws, and other items that are not healthy additives for your engine. It's called the Bug Horn.
Each is precision machined of premium aluminum alloy to fit solidly, and is secured with a stainless setscrew. OTB's Bug Horn comes with their all-stainless mesh Bug Dome air filter, which is designed for minimal airflow restriction. The 2-inch-tall horn will slip over any of the popular Stromberg, Holley, and Ford two-barrel carbs. It's also available to fit the Rochester 2G carb. The Bug Horn is available in both satin and polished finishes.
OTB Gear
(909) 595-4995


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Support Our School Help Craft Great Experiences for Our Students.
St. Barnabas is the best school for any family that is looking for a faith based foundation, high-quality curriculum, and safe environment for their children to grow up in.
Parent -PrivateSchoolReview.com
Faith can be defined best in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see." We must remember that faith is not hoping for the things of this world but trusting that God saved us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and has an eternal joy planned for us . It is our greatest privilege to educate, share and nurture each student's faith relationship with God through sound doctrine and learning within an environment that encourages students to explore true biblical faith.
"Behavior that fits with what is right or moral." While there are many virtues, the highest virtue is love. Jesus said, "love one another as I have loved you." Educating, modeling, and guiding students to learn and display virtuous behavior towards all people is our moral and biblical responsibility at St. Barnabas Episcopal School.
Colossians 3:23 states, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man..." A powerful message often forgotten within the context of God's word. Children can never reach their "full potential" unless they are working for something far greater than themselves. But wanting this for our child is not nearly enough. As parents and teachers, we have to be the role models they look to mirror. This type of excellence is an integral part of the way we teach and present ourselves in every situation. However, the embodiment of this core value can only be effectively displayed within a framework of God's love.


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If you set a Downbeat Marker before dragging your sample to the Playlist FL Studio will align that marker with the grid.
If the project tempo is the same as the sample then you are all done. If not, just click on the Audio Clip menu (start of the audio clip) and select 'Detect tempo' and select the project tempo to match.
The sample used in this Top Tip is one of the entries in our *** David Latour remix competition ***, open to all registered FL Studio owners, we have cash prizes and iTunes fame to be had for the lucky winner, and cash plus other prizes for the runners up. More details & sample pack on the FL Studio Remix Contest page.
To enter: why not surf on over to this Looptalk thread - Image-Line Remix contest #2! and upload your remix, give it your best shot.
Closes: March 31st 2010
Regards Scott


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It's been awhile since we've talked about WPH Folders, the homebrew app from Windows Phone Hacker that allows you organize apps into Tile-folders on your phone. Of course homebrew here means only those with developer unlocked phones who can sideload XAP files need apply, meaning for many of you, this is out.
It's hard to believe that Folders has been out for nearly 10 months already so it makes sense that it's up to version 5, which is now available.
The update brings with it a lot of changes, fixes and new features making it the best solution until (and if) Microsoft gets around to doing something similar for the OS.
Version 5
- Added SkyDrive backup and restore options
- Fixed everything with Microsoft's new Marketplace server setup
- UI improvements (incl. enter to search, auto region detect, folder display tweaks, etc)
- Removed titles from the tiles, giving them a much cleaner look
- Working 100% on WP7.8, see above screenie!
- Bug fixes, etc
We know the community is divided on Microsoft offering something analogous to Folders in the OS: personally, we're sold on the Folders concept although we're totally open to alternative approaches to app organization if Microsoft has some better idea. We think with the average smartphone user having 30-40 apps installed, coming up with a way to group them by category e.g. photo editing apps, favorite games, social apps, etc. is a logical direction.
For now though, we'll rely on WPH's Folders app to fill that need.
Source: Windows Phone Hacker


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Saturday, February 4, 2012
Local control and education
First, they took pains to say that this was not an official board resolution. That part's good; by statute, school boards are non-partisan, and have no official role in influencing voter selection of national political candidates. But board members also took care to point out that this was a unanimous decision by all of them.
So ... is it a school board action, or not? Clearly, it violates the spirit of non-partisanship. While I staunchly support free speech, particularly about political issues, I have taken great pains through the years to make it clear that I speak for myself. Here, the attempt seems to be to give the appearance of institutional action.
Second, the reason they articulated for endorsing Romney was that he will help "get the federal government out of education." They're entitled to that opinion, too. But it's tough to defend.
The premise seems to be this: local experimentation, the application of market pressure to public education, will result in swift improvement in academic achievement. That improvement will then be adopted by others.
But of course, it hasn't, doesn't, and won't work like that. Everybody knows that when you move from state to state, or from district to district within the state, or from school to school within the district, or even from the same grade's class to class within the school, there is wide variance of both curriculum and instructional approach.
And not to put too fine a point on it, but after all this experimentation and "local control," the United States isn't even in the top twenty internationally for math and science. (See the Programme for International Student Assessment.)
Who IS in the top twenty? Those educational systems that adopt a uniform national curriculum.
In other words, the tenets of our school board and the educational philosophy of Mr. Romney have already been contradicted by decades of data. Our local Board and their preferred presidential candidate support a failed approach, and reject the likeliest path for improvement.
The issue, apparently, has nothing to do with evidence. It has everything to do with politics.
14 comments:
- Unknown said...
I feel that this blog is just a bit left slanted. Unless you have your head in the sand you can go to any school district and find out what side of the political fence they sit. Littleton is 100% Progressive. JeffCo has Liberal issues and Denver well let's just say their BOE is the Devil and has no interest in making kids smarter.
So to before you show disappointment in DCSD BOE maybe you should look around the state. Politics have been in our schools since they started. This is just the first time conservatives joined the race. Welcome to the future.
- February 4, 2012 at 10:40 AM
- Jamie said...
The future is people who (a) are anonymous and (b) don't care about evidence? I can hardly wait.
- February 4, 2012 at 11:23 AM
- Mark said...
Dear Unknown - Thanks for using your real name. It lends strength to your well-articulated position that liberal and progressive should be elevated to proper noun status, just like "Devil." However, I am concerned that you think so little of "conservatives" that but a small "c" is warranted. Perhaps you too are a product of the public schools, so forgiveness should be given.
- February 4, 2012 at 12:02 PM
- Unknown said...
Sorry I did not realize that it did not post my real name. I did notice that none of you had anything to say about my undisputable facts about other Large BOE that flaunt their political positions. They are in bed with the Unions that help them get elected.
As for you Jamie if you cared about kids, books like "L8R G8R" and "What my Mother Doesn't Know" would never be on a bookshelf for a child to read. But you did nothing about the sexual indoctrination of our children. You Sir are part of the problem!
A very concerned and involved parent Brad M. Wann.
- February 4, 2012 at 1:02 PM
- Unknown said...
Mark I am a product of Public Education and I am not concerned about my grammar on the world wide web. I am concerned about the content. To me this blog is weak on content and is factually incorrect. It is just vomit on a page. Brad M. Wann
- February 4, 2012 at 1:09 PM
- Jamie said...
OK. Enough of the name-calling, and I'm sorry if I started it. I know it's tempting.
I was trying to make two points here.
First, I think that any school board, whether trending Democrat or Republican, is supposed to focus on improving student performance. The Reoublican party targeted the Douglas County school board, and made a clean sweep. That's a political victory.
Will it be an educational one? We have data before. FYI. If performance IMPROVES, then that's to their credit. It if DROPS, then that's to their blame. Fair?
Second, the Democrats haven't endorsed a federal curriculum either. It's not a partisan issue.
Here's my own proposal:
* launch a national website, with clear national standards. Like the GED. Make it internationally competitive. Make it the best in the world.
* get teachers, as part of their jobs, to write and upload textbooks to support that curriculum. Hint: check out the Japanese model. They do short chapter books. These would be free downloads for anyone who wanted to learn.
* allow any student of any age to take a national graduation test at any age.
You know what? I think that would do more to transform education than any proposal I've seen.
- February 4, 2012 at 1:35 PM
- Unknown said...
Jamie you have been placed on a pedestal by your liberal friends. It's my job to remove you... I and a team of parents have just figured out the consequences of having a person like you in a position like yours. We will not stand for it any more. If I had my way you would be working for Mc Donald's wearing a paper hat. Sorry Mc Donald's!
- February 4, 2012 at 1:38 PM
- Jamie said...
Mark, I'll ask you the question I have asked before: so the problem is that your children are reading too much?
My professional and personal belief is this: the more you read, the more you understand. As the father of a 24 and a 17-year old child, I KNOW that knowledge is a better strategy than ignorance.
- February 4, 2012 at 1:48 PM
- Unknown said...
So Jamie you expect to compare apples to oranges when the old BOE experienced no or very little State Budget Cuts. Old BOE spent money like a drunken sailor and saved almost nothing for a rainy day. So the current DCSD BOE has to repair the largest bloated administration in the history of the state of Colorado. Attempted to get children like mine Choice and now has every liberal in the state shaking in their boots.
I predict that the next two years will be ugly with cuts as the collection of property taxes are two years behind. This BOE will have their hands full with screaming blue shirts in every meeting as the BS's are so out of touch with what is going on in the real world. I think everyone is at fault at this point. The community for allowing the past BOE to damage education in our district the way they did. Decades of "social justice" and not teaching kids how to do things with our a hand out. When was the last time we taught a child how to go to College without going into debt. When? It is possible to go to school without government help you know.
We no longer teach kids to work with their hands. Out of all the kids that got to college only 10% do what they went to school for. That means that 94% of all kids that go to public schools will fall back to working with their hands. I feel that we fail most of the kids by not teaching them how to make a living. We crating very few taxpayers anymore. So as we as a nation have 46% of all people getting a check from the government, and that number growing every day. We play wag the dog with local education and never address the issue. Failure!
- February 4, 2012 at 1:55 PM
- Jamie said...
Interesting that this went from an exchange of ideas to a witch hunt. So it's not enough to disagree with me, to talk about, on my own personal blog, our difference of opinion, to (it seems) launching some kind of campaign against my employment.
There's a word for that: bullying.
Here's another approach: I'll buy you lunch. Email me at jlarue @ jlarue.com. We'll talk.
- February 4, 2012 at 1:58 PM
- Jamie said...
Correction: I responded to "Mark" when it should have been "Brad." Brad wrote, "So the current DCSD BOE has to repair the largest bloated administration in the history of the state of Colorado." Would Brad be so kind as to cite his source? Specifically: can he prove his allegation? That's a pretty heavy-handed assertion. Is there any evidence at all?
I will say, as I say so often these days, that evidence matters. Corrections of fact should be accepted with grace. We all make mistakes. But we can't just make things up.
- February 4, 2012 at 3:27 PM
- Lynne said...
Jamie, Thank you for this article and the information it points out. Thank you also for your ideas about how to improve our schools. I appreciate that you are able to look past the bullying and attempt to have a conversation.
- February 4, 2012 at 9:55 PM
- emhansen said...
Jamie - Once again you have eloquently expressed the thoughts in my head with your words. Thank you for that.
My question is how do we begin working toward this "Big Picture" view of education? The task seems nearly insurmountable? Even changing standards at a single state level gets bogged down in ideology and bickering (from both ends of the spectrum.)
I am also intrigued by your comment about letting anyone take the graduation test at any age. I would not have thought of this but it is a brilliant way to potentially educate those who may not have the maturity, drive or support to reach the standards on a typical timeline. It also has some interesting possibilities for continuous learning and updating our knowledge as we age.
Of course my thoughts also go to how much this may cost and how funding might work especially if there is always an open door (my interpretation) to the graduation test.
Well I could go on and on and on, asking questions and brainstorming about changing the structure of the U.S education system across the board.
Thank you for sharing your critical and creative thinking skills with us and thank you for keeping your comments open despite the fact that they sometimes get hijacked by other subjects.
All my best.
- February 5, 2012 at 1:03 AM
- Jamie said...
Lynne and Emily, thanks. I envision something like a big concept map: here's the course of K-12 education, building and linking like a college catalog. Go to the website, and click under each topic for a thoroughly tested text (tested in terms of comprehension tests using that text, or ranked upon completion by the students). This curriculum, this course of instruction, would be our national birthright. Born poor? You still have access to a world class education. Homeschooling? There it is -- you don't have to shell out another $1,500 a year for curriculum. Charter school? There are all your text books. Public school? So now you really dig deep, enriching that content with hands-on activities and community connection. And when you're tired of whatever structure that doesn't fit you (because NO structure fits everybody), you take the test. I think it would work.
- February 5, 2012 at 11:17 AM
jlarue.com - Welcome
In November of 2018, I left my position at ALA in Chicago to return to my Colorado-based writing, speaking, and consulting career. So I'...
Recently, a library patron challenged (urged a reconsideration of the ownership or placement of) a book called "Uncle Bobby's Weddi...
Here are my remarks at today's American Library Association Midwinter Conference. Jim Neal's Presidential Program was "Are lib...
FreeGeek , 3411 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, is an oddity. Tucked into an alley, down a flight of stairs, into a basement, it's b...


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What began in 1938, as an elegant hotel that transformed into bustling hospital, has grown to become a pillar of health and wellness for the people of Lake County, Florida. Since Frank Waterman turned his famous Waterman Inn into a health care facility nearly 80 years ago, the world of medicine and the community of Lake County have seen great change. As our population has grown and health care has improved, we?ve steadfastly embraced new technologies and treatments to ensure the best possible care for the growing families we serve. Today, our commitment is as strong as ever as evidenced with our state-of-the-art hospital housing some of the most advanced clinical technology and medical talent our area has to offer.
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Getting too little sleep is bad for your health. But getting too much—as wonderful as it may sound to some—can be problematic too.
The powerful need to nap during the day can be a warning sign of many health issues, from diabetes to depression, low thyroid or obstructive sleep apnea. When doctors rule out such explanations, it is called "primary hypersomnia," an umbrella term for several conditions that make sufferers crave sleep, despite getting 70 hours or more per week. One of the best known is narcolepsy, a neurological disorder that causes sudden, irresistible bouts of daytime dozing. Other forms aren't well understood.
Recently, researchers at Emory University in Atlanta have begun to unravel the mystery of this often-debilitating condition. They've found that some sufferers have a substance in their cerebrospinal fluid that acts like a natural sleeping pill. They think as many as 1 in 800 Americans may have the substance and that it may be a factor in other conditions that involve excessive drowsiness.
Many people with hypersomnia go undiagnosed, experts say. The excessive sleep urges often begin in late adolescence, and are easy to confuse with typical teenage sleep issues.
After Anna Sumner, an Atlanta attorney,
suffered sleeping binges of more than 50
hours at a stretch, doctors discovered the
culprit: a substance in her spinal fluid.
"It tends to hit people in their young, formative years when they are trying to get started in a profession or having a family," says Dr. David Rye, a professor of neurology at Emory and lead author of a paper on the discovery, published last month in the journal Science Translational Medicine. "A lot of them get dismissed as lazy, or as drug seekers."
Researchers now know that this condition "is something real," says Andrew Jenkins, an associate professor of neuroscience, molecular and system pharmacology at Emory. "We know why you're sleepy—your brain is sedating itself," he says.
The Emory team discovered the mysterious sleep agent, or "somnogen," when Anna Sumner, a young Atlanta attorney, sought help at the sleep clinic in 2005. After napping prodigiously through college and law school (she says roommates at Princeton made up stories to cover for her), her sleep cravings began intensifying in her 20s. At one point, she says, "I'd go to bed one night and wake up two days later."
When the spells' frequency increased from once every two months to once a week, she says, "I had to take a leave from work."
After standard treatment with stimulants stopped working, the Emory doctors discovered that a substance in Ms. Sumner's spinal fluid was supercharging GABA, a natural sleep-inducing brain chemical. The effect was like being under constant twilight sedation. "I don't know how she was able to function," says Dr. Jenkins, whose team decided to try treating her with a drug called flumazenil, used in emergency rooms to counteract overdoses of sedatives. After several days in the hospital on an IV drip, she suddenly opened her eyes and said, "I feel alive!"
She has been taking it in a specially made lozenge form since then, and is feeling happily alert—and just learned she will be made a partner next year.
The Emory researchers think this same sleep-inducing substance in spinal fluid may play a role in other conditions that involve excessive drowsiness. They still haven't identified the exact chemical. But they can test for it in other patients by watching how their spinal fluid acts on GABA in a laboratory setting.
So far, they have found the somnogen in the spinal fluid of 32 sleep-clinic patients. They tested flumazenil on seven of them and found that it restored alertness in all of them to differing degrees. "I think what we've discovered is the biology. And the question is, what syndromes is it relevant to?" says Dr. Rye.
One may be narcolepsy, those irresistible sleep attacks that can hit multiple times a day. Sufferers go into REM sleep immediately when they nap, and tend to wake up refreshed—at least temporarily. Some also have cataplexy, which involves sudden loss of muscle control.
A rarer form of hypersomnia, called Kleine-Levin syndrome, occurs almost exclusively in teenage boys. Sufferers sleep for several days at a time, and when they wake up, they are irritable, ravenously hungry and sometimes hypersexual.
Dr. Rye and his colleagues have found the sleep-inducing spinal fluid in patients previously diagnosed with both conditions. They are also working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and hope to test for it in blood samples from people with chronic fatigue syndrome. They are also tracking how it travels in families. One-third of the 32 patients in the study have relatives with excessive sleepiness to varying degrees.
Since the study appeared, they have been fielding calls from other patients and sleep clinics—95 last week alone. "There is a huge unmet need of people who identify with Anna," says Dr. Rye, referring to Ms. Sumner.
Traditional treatments for hypersomnia, including stimulants such as Provigil, have proven to be effective sometimes with conditions like narcolepsy. But side effects can include a feeling of being "revved up."
Flumazenil, the drug used to treat Ms. Sumner, is proving hard to come by. Since it went off patent in 2008, the amount of the generic version produced annually for all of North America—enough to counteract 10,000 sedative overdoses—would supply only a handful of patients like Ms. Sumner, Emory researchers say.
But they are investigating other drugs that may have the same effect. Past research shows that one class of antibiotics may have a similar action at GABA receptors.
Of course, the vast majority of people with excessive daytime sleepiness don't have hypersomnia—most just don't get enough sleep at night. Shelby Harris, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y., recommends that patients get at least eight hours of sleep nightly for two weeks before exploring other causes. "Make sleep a priority, and if that fixes it, great," she says. "If not, mention it to your primary-care doctor."
Indeed, many underlying health issues can also make people drowsy, including thyroid conditions, hormonal changes, vitamin deficiencies and infections; some can be ruled in or out with blood tests. Sleepiness is also a side effect of many medications, alcohol use or psychiatric conditions.
So many factors can affect alertness and energy levels, and they vary so much over the life span, that many people with sleep disorders never realize they have one. They often mask it with coffee or view drowsiness as just a fact of life.
Dr. Harris also recommends that people who think they are excessively sleepy keep track of when the drowsiness occurs. Nodding off after dinner or wanting to sleep till noon could indicate circadian rhythm disorders. "Afternoon slump"—the urge to nap at your desk after lunch—is a normal dip in the body's 24-hour clock.
"I tell patients to go out and take a walk when that happens," says Dr. Harris. "Being exposed to light can be more alerting than a cup of coffee."
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