text:
Twenty children, 6 and 7 years old, in Newtown, Conn., sacrificed their lives so that the power structure would listen to the weeping parents, friends and neighbors of gunshot victims in previous tragedies.
Shopping malls and theaters were among the safest places for amusement. Churches, schools and homes were regarded as sanctuaries, safe havens.
The proliferation of assault weapons and high-powered firearms has changed those perceptions.
Firearms have always been available and accessible in this country. American history books give an account of violence throughout the making of the United States of America. The Second Amendment has been interpreted and re-interpreted.
Could the people who ratified the first 10 amendments have envisioned 21st-century headlines?
The easy accessibility and availability of these weapons is the basic cause of death by shooting. Placing the blame for the killings on the mentally ill, the toys, the games, the entertainment industry or a lack of security will not prevent the tragedies.
It has been said that a killer will find a way to kill.
One of the problems with that rationale is demonstrated in the weapons with high velocity that fire rapidly numerous times at a distance.
Who has never heard of children who, while innocently playing outdoors, were shot to death by a stray bullet? Who has never heard about bullets penetrating the walls of homes and killing the unsuspecting, innocent occupants? Who has never heard of mass killings in shopping malls, schools and universities, theaters and places of worship?
The news stories are replete with blame and possible causes of fatalities in domestic disputes - in street corner shootings, in massacres and the deaths of innocent bystanders and unarmed or armed human targets. They are all tragic.
Marvin Gaye, who was shot and killed by his father in 1984, had questioned the American society in 1971. He asked, "What's Going On?"
"Mother, mother / there's too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother / There's far too many of you dying/ You know we've got to find a way / To bring some lovin' here today, yeah / Father, father / We don't need to escalate / You see, war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate / You know we've got to find a way / To bring some lovin' here today / Talk to me/ So you can see / Oh, what's going on / Oh, you know we've got to find a way / To bring some understanding here today."
Gun control laws must be written and enforced to protect the lives of the people.


text:
If you are recently diagnosed (specially, in the metastatic setting) and you have not been informed your MS status OR if you have been diagnosed before and neither know, please watch / read the following, because your MSI / MSS status might have implications for treatment:
Really worth-watching: video (and transcript below), to be up-to-date. Mainly for MSI, but a reference to cobi + atezo+ avastin (which is a trial for MSS). Also, good material to explain to new fellow patients *why* they need to find out their MS status.
Note: "checkpoint drugs" (like pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and nivolumab (Opdivo)) are *immunotherapies*, not chemotherapies or "just" monoclonal antibodies.
Friday, Feb 17, 2017
"MSI Status and Immunotherapy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer"
"Why do we, all of a sudden in every patient with colon cancer, need MSI (microsatellite instability) testing? "
John Marshall, MD: Well, to be fair, let's say I do this and I get back a positive result for MSI. I can just go get a checkpoint drug? What are you talking about?
Johanna Bendell, MD: So, interestingly enough, both pembrolizumab and nivolumab are compendia listed for patients with microsatellite-instable colorectal cancer. So, in some senses, yes, you can. I would actually recommend getting these folks on clinical trials.
John Marshall, MD: Should I give a frontline patient a checkpoint inhibitor right from the get-go?
Johanna Bendell, MD: That's a huge question that we don't know the answer to yet (...)
John Marshall, MD: Tony, I'm going to put you on the spot. You have a patient with metastatic colon cancer, it's MSI-high, they're a brand new diagnosis. What's going to be your frontline treatment?
Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD: I actually would use a PD-1 inhibitor. I've had more than just anecdotal experiences with patients who were very symptomatic, high tumor burden, who actually had significant responses to PD-1 inhibitors. Those are patients that do moderately well with chemotherapy, and we always have the opportunity to put them back on chemotherapy. (...)
Alan P. Venook, MD: (...) as Johanna said, though, the NCCN guidelines include both nivolumab and pembrolizumab, recommending MSI testing right off the bat. In fact, we've had no trouble getting either of those drugs for patients with metastatic colon cancer." (...)
John Marshall, MD: Could you just give us a little summary of where we are in developing immunotherapy for microsatellite colon cancer?
Johanna Bendell, MD: Microsatellite-instable colon cancer is only about 5% of patients with metastatic disease. So, what do we do for the other 95% of patients? Is there a way to convert these patients into responders for immunotherapy? That's the big subject of research right now. I presented probably just the first crack at it, and certainly, there are a lot of studies that are coming that are looking for different ways to try to rev up the immune system to have more of an immune presence within the cancer cells, to bring T cells into the cancers to get that immune therapy going and working for those patients as well. This particular study was using a MEK inhibitor, cobimetinib, to do that, and we know that when you give a MEK inhibitor in tumor models, it increases CD8-positive T cells within the tumor, it increases expression of class 1 MHC. So, when we gave that in combination with a PD-L1 inhibitor, atezolizumab, we saw some responses in patients with microsatellite-stable colon cancer. It's just the first step along the way, and I think there's a lot more development to come. "
Panelists: John Marshall, MD, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center; Alan P. Venook, MD, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Tanios Bekaii-Saab, MD, The Mayo Clinic; Johanna Bendell, MD, The Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Also, PLEASE watch Dr Alan Venook, from this past January:
http://www.oncologytube.com/video/which ... y/10000608
ASK YOUR ONC TO CHECK FOR MSS/MSI STATUS ASCO GI 2017 (ongoing now, Jan 21-22) coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57011&p=450691
News for MSI-H Jan 24 ASCO GI2017: Nivolumab New Standard viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57021

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Potential Viral Ad of the Day: The overwhelming consensus is that this video of a "hacker" using a transmitter plugged into an iPhone to take over digital billboards is beyond fake and is most likely a viral ad for something.
I can't figure out what he might be selling, but if it's that transmitter, I'll take a dozen.
[thanks oliver!]


text:
Note: This item is more than six years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
Print – Plain Text – Permalink
News Release
Media Contact: TPWD News, firstname.lastname@example.com, 512-389-8030
Sept. 14, 2012
New Online Identification Guide to Texas Marine Organisms Available
AUSTIN — Ever encountered a weird sea creature that defies description? Caught a saltwater fish but don't quite know what kind it is? Now there's an easy way to identify whatever it is you've run across.
Launched this summer, the Identification Guide to Marine Organisms of Texas has been compiled from decades of data by TPWD Coastal Fisheries biologist Brenda Bowling and is a great resource for anglers, biologists, beach combers and others who want to know more. The new online tool uses photos, detailed descriptions and other descriptors so that users can identify and learn more about the mystery creature they have found.
Hosted and supported by Texas A&M University Galveston, the site offers detailed photos and descriptions of fish, crab, shrimp, mollusks, marine vegetation, sea turtles, and other marine organisms. Each species is represented by photographs, and brief habitat descriptions, distinguishing characteristics, differences from similar species, maximum sizes, and other pertinent information.
The designers took into account the varying identification skills of any given user and developed a query system – easier to use than technical taxonomic keys – that allows the user to narrow down a species based on general features, such as mouth type, tail shape, dorsal fins and other distinctive features. A glossary of technical terms used with drawings and photos of specific features and diagnostic characteristics of each group of organisms is presented to assist in identification.
The site offers all the tools necessary to allow anyone from the layman to the marine biologist the ability to identify just about any marine organism someone may find in Texas. And for anglers, there is an easy-to-use length and weight calculator than can provide the average weight per a given length for more than 100 species of fish.
The site currently contains descriptions of 422 marine species and is considered a living document. It will be updated as more species, better photos and new information are documented in the future. Anyone who still cannot identify the sea creature they have encountered is encouraged to send clear photos to Brenda Bowling at email@example.com. To access the site go to http://txmarspecies.tamug.edu.
Publication — Permission is granted to publish, in whole or in part, any news releases on this page.
Print — A print-friendly version of the news release shows only the release with font sizes set to the browser default.
Plain Text — Plain text versions of TPWD news releases are provided for copying and pasting into editing software.
To copy text into an editing software:
- Click a Plain Text link to display the plain text page in your browser.
- Select all.
- Copy.
- Paste in a document in your editing program.
Permalink — This is a direct link to the news release, omitting the navigation context from the URI.
English/Spanish — News releases posted in both English and Spanish have one of these links.
If you have any suggestions for improving these pages, send an e-mail to email@example.com and mention Plain Text Pages.


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Features
- Special Sections
- Classifieds
- Public Notices
By Josh Cook
Landmark News Service
SHELBYVILLE-- Oldham County quarterback Brett Strnad threw four touchdown passes – three to Cody Oldham – to lead the visiting Colonels to a 48-14 victory over host Shelby County on its homecoming Friday night at Robert Doyle Stadium.
Oldham County built a 41-7 halftime lead on its way to ending a four-game losing streak.
"We finally put a full game together," Colonels Coach Matt Brown said.
Oldham County amassed 397 yards of offense, 213 rushing and 184 passing. Strnad was 9-for-14 for 171 with TD tosses of 34, 36, 32 and 17. Oldham finished with three catches, all touchdown, for 83 yards while
Kerry Smith added a pair of TDs – a 90-yard kickoff return and a 36-yard reception from Strnad.
The Colonels scored on all their possessions in the first half.
Jacob Taylor capped a six-play, 75-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown run on Oldham County's first possession. Strnad's 34-yard TD to Oldham capped the Colonels' second drive and a 52-yard TD run by Garrett Wilder capped their third.
Shelby County's Chase Manica returned Oldham County's ensuing kickoff, after Wilder's run, 80 yards to put the Rockets on the scoreboard.
Smith responded, though, by returning the subsequent kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to give the momentum back to the Colonels.
"That was huge for us to answer in one play," Brown said.
Shelby County was plagued by two lost fumbles and eight penalties for 82 yards. Additionally the Rockets were 1 of 8 on third down conversions.
"Fumbles and false starts, and the quick scores, it was a combination of everything," Shelby County Coach Todd Shipley said.
Wilder led the Colonels in rushing with 53 yards on only four carries, while Smith had 32 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards.
Email us about this story at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Add new comment
Read and share your thoughts on this story


text:
As the population of the Town of Tonawanda swelled in the years after World War II, the Kenmore-Tonawanda School District tried to keep up with the demand, adding schools and enrollment at a breakneck pace. At its peak in the late 1960s, more than 22,000 students were enrolled in 29 school buildings, making it one of the largest districts in upstate New York.
But the children of the baby boom have moved on, forcing the district to make a series of painful decisions in recent years while planning for a future in which Ken-Ton will be a much different and much smaller school system.
The district is trying to determine what to do with the school buildings and trying to address concerns of parents who wonder where their children will end up, including whether there still will be two district high schools.
Last month, the School Board hired SES Study Team of Canastota to perform a study of the district's buildings and how they're used. Consultants will collect data not only on enrollment trends, but on the condition and capacity of buildings (the newest of which, Holmes Elementary, was built in 1964); the distances between them; the staffing costs; and the community demographics, among other things.
In a process that's expected to last throughout the current school year, the consultants will organize data and identify a series of "doable scenarios," according to Paul M. Seversky of SES. "That's important; our studies aren't hypothetical."
Early next year, data will be presented during a series of four public meetings spread over a month. Then, a group of stakeholders representing a cross-section of the entire community will be selected for a focus group, which will rank a list of scenarios that will be presented to the School Board.
"It's the focus group that really massages that and comes up with options - ultimate options," said School Superintendent Mark Mondanaro.
"Everything we do when we do a study is fully transparent to everybody," Seversky said. "In the end, the community and Board of Education will make the best decisions for the young people in Ken-Ton."
Any district reorganization plan must be approved by the School Board.
Managing decline is not a new concept in Ken-Ton. The population of the town has dropped to 73,567 as of the 2010 census, down from a peak of more than 107,000 in 1970.
Districtwide, enrollment is down to about 7,280 this year.
Since 1974, the district has closed 16 schools. Thirteen remain: two high schools, three middle schools and eight elementary schools.
Jefferson Elementary, which closed for a few years in the early 1980s, will close again next summer. And rumors are flying about what school might be next.
State aid is down from peak levels and not expected to rebound. Usable fund balances and reserves are drying up.
During the last two years, 88 teachers and dozens of other district employees have been laid off, despite millions of dollars in contract concessions by the unions representing them.
As administrators and the School Board fight to preserve the educational program, nonmandated programs have begun taking hits. Discussions about possibly eliminating full-day kindergarten, one of those nonmandated programs, ignited a firestorm earlier this year.
"The only other thing left is asset management," Mondanaro said. "This past budget year . hurt so much."
It is a stark reversal for a district that built 16 new schools and an administration building during the boom years, establishing an extensive neighborhood school system .
"The district couldn't build schools fast enough . for many, many decades," Mondanaro said. "The geography was no bigger; the difference was the population."
As enrollment soared in the late 1960s, graduating classes at Kenmore East High School surpassed 1,000 students.
Today, the entire student body at East is less than 1,000, according to unofficial counts. And there is no indication that the trend will reverse.
Ken-Ton is one of three area suburban districts that were large enough to sustain more than one high school, along with Williamsville and West Seneca. Williamsville has not experienced the population drain that Ken-Ton has, but Erie County's largest suburban school district still keeps a close eye on the numbers.
The Williamsville district has added schools over the last 40 years and closed just one elementary school years ago. There were 12 schools in the district in 1972 and 13 schools today, including a third high school and fourth middle school.
Many people move to Amherst to be part of the Williamsville School District, and that trend has helped stabilize enrollment in recent years.
Williamsville expects enrollment to decline slightly over the next five years, as larger high school classes move on and graduate. Incoming kindergarten classes are smaller than outgoing senior classes, but the district expects the loss to be mitigated by new students moving into the district across all grade levels.
The district's enrollment of about 10,300 students is projected to decrease to 9,848 by 2016, according to the district's annual enrollment study.
West Seneca Central hit its high-water mark in enrollment in 1975, when the district had 15,587 students in 16 schools.
A slow, steady decline has occurred since then, according to Charles Lehman, assistant superintendent of pupil services. On opening day this year, there were 6,837.
"Our culture changed slowly," he said.
Today, West Seneca has two high schools, two middle schools, seven elementary schools and one alternative education school.
Contracting the district again is not on the immediate agenda, Lehman said. But he's always looking at what the district needs.
"We are looking at it, we have to. I've been looking at it since I got here in 1998," he said.
Some in the Ken-Ton community fear that the study will be merely a rubber stamp for a predetermined consolidation plan. But SES, the consultant, doesn't work with clients who already have made up their minds, Seversky said, and won't be "guided" in any one direction. "We won't work for folks who do that," he said.
Whether that stance is reassuring to Ken-Ton residents remains to be seen. For months, the district has been rife with rumors about the impending closure or merger of schools - particularly Kenmore East High School, the newer of the two district high schools.
Peter Stuhlmiller, president of the Kenmore Teachers Association, has heard those rumors.
"Parents are coming to the elementary teachers, [asking], 'What do you know? Where is my child going to end up?' " he said. "Of course, teachers don't have [that] information."
Mondanaro also has heard the rumors.
"The advice I would give: Don't worry about a rumor mill. Stay up with what's really happening," he said.
SES performed a study for an Ulster County school district that approved a redistricting plan for next year. The Kingston City School District will close three of its 10 elementary schools and move all fifth-grade students into its two middle schools, reducing district costs by an estimated $4.76 million a year .
Like Ken-Ton, the Kingston district is facing declining enrollment. Once about 11,000, it stood at 6,748 last year, distributed among 13 schools.
One difference between Kingston and Ken-Ton is the potential for growth in housing.
District residents will be kept apprised of the consolidation study through a special section on the district's website, www.kenton.k12.ny.us. Mondanaro said a two-page mailing, headlined "Important Consolidation Information," is bound for all homes in the district.
"I think people are going to read it," Mondanaro said.
Meanwhile, the consulting firm and School Board have scheduled an Oct. 2 work session to talk about the impending study. Open to the public, the session begins at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Kenmore East High School, Brighton and Fries roads.
email: firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com


text:
APS Forum on Physics and Society - January 2001
Volume 30, Number 1 Jan 2001
Physics and Society is the non-peer-reviewed quarterly newsletter of the Forum on Physics and Society, a division of the American Physical Society. It presents letters, commentary, book reviews and articles on the relations of physics and the physics community to government and society. It also carries news of the Forum and provides a medium for Forum members to exchange ideas. Opinions expressed are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the APS or of the Forum. Contributed articles (up to 2500 words, technicalities are encouraged), letters (500 words), commentary (1000 words), reviews (1000 words) and brief news articles are welcome. Send them to the relevant editor by e-mail (preferred) or regular mail.
Editor: Al Saperstein, Physics Department, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, (313) 577-2733/ fax (313) 577-3932, firstname.lastname@example.com. Articles Editor: Betsy Pugel, Loomis Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urban IL 61801, email@example.com. News Editor: Marc Sher, Physics Department, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg VA 23187, (757) 221-3538, email@example.com and Phil Goldstone, Los Alamos National Lab, email@example.com. Reviews Editor: Art Hobson, Physics Department, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, (501) 575-5918/fax (501) 575-4580, firstname.lastname@example.com. Electronic Media Editor: Marc Sher. Layout(for paper issues): Alicia Chang. Web manager for APS: Joanne Fincham
Number of newsletter visitors since Dec. 22, 2000:


text:
Flavour is at the heart of everything Knorr does, and the brand is passionate about inspiring a new generation of millennial foodies, weaned on pop ups, supper clubs, super star chefs and bloggers-turned-cookery-writers. How? By creating new compelling, sharable content that is rooted in people's personal experiences of flavour and food.
The 'Love at First Taste' campaign combines a thought provoking film with an interactive tool that provides an innovative platform to celebrate our shared pleasure of food and encourage discovery around flavour preferences, all backed by an online global research project.
One of the key findings of Knorr's research was that we are more likely to be attracted to someone who shares our flavour profile. To test this theory Knorr conducted a social experiment with a twist – pairing complete strangers, based on their love of the same flavours, which was discovered using the Knorr Flavour Profiler.
Created by Creative Integrated Marketing Agency, MullenLowe and developed & directed by filmmaker Tatia Pilieva of Pulse Films, whose viral movie 'First Kiss' won a Gold Lion at Cannes in 2014, the 3 minute film saw a group of 14 singles paired on their flavour profiles, to see if a shared passion for certain tastes would create chemistry between the couples.
You can watch the film here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwx7NnPQ44U to find out the results and find out if it was really #LoveAtFirstTaste.
Filmmaker Tatia Pilieva explains, "People have connected over a meal for ages. What better way to test chemistry than pairing strangers and asking them to feed each other."
This campaign is part of a wider drive to develop a more progressive way to communicate with Knorr's customers and sees the launch of a new brand direction for Unilever's largest food brand. Targeting a new generation of food-obsessives who see social media as the place to share recipes, pick up tips from bloggers and vloggers, upload food 'porn' dishes onto Instagram and share their their foodie discoveries. Knorr is shifting the focus of the brand to reflect this new landscape, by delivering an integrated digital campaign that speaks directly to the millennial world of social sharing, personal expression and an enthusiasm to try new recipes and tastes.
Ukonwa Ojo, Senior Global Director for Knorr at Unilever says: "We are on a journey to help a new generation discover the joy of cooking by encouraging them to explore new flavours and create dishes that are delicious – and look great on social media. We want to inspire the innovative food moment that is happening right now, by helping people to recognise the importance of flavour and the richness it brings to everyday life."
"In a world where millions of people are searching for love, flavour is a part of your personal profile that everyone's ignored, until now. Imagine going on a date with someone not because of the way they looked, but because of favourite flavours you had in common. We tried it and watched personalities come alive and connections sizzle," says MullenLowe Global Creative Director, Tom Hudson.
To inform the campaign Knorr asked 12,000 people in 12 countries to tell them what flavour means to them, to get a genuine understanding of the crucial role it plays in everyday life.
Inspired by the huge popularity of personality quizzes, Knorr has also created an innovative Flavour Profiler, which will sit on the Knorr 'Love at First Taste' site. This bespoke tool allows people to find out which of the 12 flavour profiles fits them best: Salty Adventurer; Roasted Romantic; Gracious Grazer; Tangy Dynamo; Meaty Warrior; Spicy Rebel; Sweet Sensualist; Deep Sea Dreamer; Rustic Ranger; Earthy Idealist; Potent Provocateur or Melty Indulger. People can then share their Knorr Flavour Profile on social channels to see which of their friends, or romantic interests, is their best match.
The profiler also uses flavour preferences to create tailor made recipe recommendations based on your preferences. Knorr has partnered with YouTube foodies, TasteMade, to develop snappy, sharable recipe videos that are easy to follow and to share.
This fresh approach builds on the success of Knorr's moving 2015 film 'The Flavour of Home', which is the most viewed online food film ever, attracting over 100 million views.
Join the conversation at #LoveAtFirstTaste


text:
Currently Revamping
Welcome to the official site of the Central Valley's original and best horror-themed organization, Central Valley Horror Club - providing the entire Central Valley with horror-themed entertainment since 2008!
Our site is currently being revamped into a social network for local horror fans to interact with one another!
Please be sure to follow us on Facebook for all event updates, as well as news about the launch of our new site!


text:
We are proud to be a Weber World Store
at our Skipton branch and have a large
range of Weber BBQ's in our Clitheroe store.
The Outdoor performance
Everdure Barbecues By Heston
Perfect sear marks are a badge of
honor, the Napoleon Rogue 425 in black
is the gas grill for you
A must for every charcoal bbq
owner regardless of brand
Buy one today!
Browse our range of Built In
cabinets/units and built in
Browse our range of sale barbecues
and accessories
Browse our range of Bull Barbecues
No reviews currently


text:
We use cookies to enhance your visit to our site. Read our Privacy and Cookies policy to find out more
Item in your basket
Arrange a Consultation
Years partnered with NHS
Years of expertise
Total clients treated
Clinics nationwide
Clients rate us 4* or more
sk:n is home to more consultant dermatologists, doctors, plastic surgeons, nurses and therapists, than any other UK dermatology service provider. The sk:n team in Glasgow will ensure that your visit to the clinic is truly worthwhile: at sk:n we are passionate about helping you discover better skin. So, whether you suffer from acne, unwanted facial hair, regret an old tattoo, or simply just want to freshen up your complexion – we have the most effective treatments on the market to help you achieve the results you long for.
"The doctor And receptionist were lovely very calming. Will 100% be back." - Sk:n customer - Apr 18
One of our friendly sk:n advisers will call you back straight away to arrange your consultation.
CLINIC ADDRESS: 48/50 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3PU
0121 567 8111
FINDING US: We are situated on Gordon Street, accessed by taking a left from Union Street, please note Gordon Street is a one way street.
NCP car park is situated on Mitchel Lane approximately 800 yards from the clinic.
48/50 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3PU
We offer a range of dermatological procedures to improve the health and appearance of your skin. These range from scar and mole removal to treatment of warts and verrucas. Many of these use lasers, while others involve minor surgery.
Depending on the dermatology treatment you choose and your skin conditions, you may experience anything from slight to mild discomfort. Certain procedures are carried out with the help of anaesthetics, to keep you comfortable and pain-free.
To talk through your options and tell us what you would like to change, arrange a consultation with one of our expert dermatologist, who will help you to decide which of our many dermatological treatments to choose.
Your practitioner will advise you on the best way to look after your skin once you've had your particular treatment.
sk:n Head Office, 34 Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3AA Registered in England No. 2545572. VAT No. 245949564


text:
Amanda F, California
- 11/27/2015
About Me
I grew up on the South Eastern Coast, just 5 hours from Orlando, so Walt Disney World visits were commonplace for milestones, holidays, special events, and "just because!" Even though living in California affords me the luxury of visiting Disneyland quite frequently, my family still makes the cross-country trek to Walt Disney World several times a year, which makes me somewhat of a coast-to-coast Disney expert! I believe the Walt Disney World Resort is the ultimate vacation destination and when road-trip time rolls around, it's a no-brainer...I'm going to Disney! Over the past decade, I have worn many "ears." After spending 5 years in the fashion industry, I switched gears to work side by side with my husband in our restaurant and have most recently taken my DREAM job as a stay at home, homeschooling mommy and part time Social Media Manager...which, by the way gives me plenty of time to help YOU plan your next vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort.
About My Family
Disney is truly responsible for writing my fairy tale. My husband and I met at Walt Disney World in 2000 and are living happily ever after as parents to a beautiful princess. We believe Disney is in our genes and we're convinced we've passed this magical DNA on to our daughter! We are jet-setters and LOVE to travel, especially to Walt Disney World and Disneyland and like to joke that our Disney bags are always packed and ready for the next adventure! Because we visit Disney Parks so frequently, we became the proud holders of Disney Premier Passports which gives us annual admission to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. My husband and I love visiting the parks at Disneyland, but we also love to bask in the multitude of luxurious amenities including Deluxe Resorts, Signature Dining, boutique shopping, and renowned spas. Self-proclaimed "Disney foodies" we have eaten at nearly every Signature restaurant from Orlando to Anaheim!
About My Disney Experience
I have been to Disney under many unique circumstances and on almost every imaginable budget. When it comes to experiencing all Disney has to offer, there's not much my family hasn't done. We have visited the resorts, just the 3 of us, and with extended family. We have partied the day away for children's birthdays, and we have had romantic anniversary dinners at Walt Disney World's finest restaurants. We have visited in observance of strict planning itineraries, but also on spur of the moment with no plan at all! Throughout all of these magical journeys, I have taken notes every step of the way! I believe personal experiences play a huge role in successful Disney trip planning and I'm ready to put my knowledge to work for YOU! Once you experience The Walt Disney World Resort the way I have, you'll be a believer, and you'll keep coming back!


text:
CHICO >> When the temperatures soar to the triple digits, its a welcome relief to have sidewalks lined with towering shade trees.
Yet, what grows up can crash down.
Saturday a limb dropped at One Mile Recreation Area; No one was hurt. Another chunk of wood fell near Comanche Creek over the weekend. Tuesday the street was closed as workers cleared a large limb blocking Humboldt at Pine Street.
These were all oak trees, the most common victims of summer limb drop.
The runner-up for losing limbs is the maple tree, said local arborist Scot Wineland. Others on the list are Raywood ash, Bradford pear, Modesto ash, redwood ash, Chinese pistache and sycamore.
Limb drop happens mostly without warning. But if you hear a loud popping sound while under a tree, get out of the way immediately.
Why trees drop limbs
Trees draw up a tremendous amount of water during the day, Wineland explained, and release the moisture through their leaves. The process is known as evapotranspiration.
If you tied a plastic bag around a potted plant, the bag would become cloudy as moisture is released to the air.
(See more scientific details here: http://goo.gl/WXjLnT)
Where limb drop occurs, "we end up with a hot day, a smoking hot day – then it cools off all of a sudden," Wineland said. If the tree hasn"t had a chance to shed some of that moisture, the "phenomenal weight" of the water can bust a limb.
Sometimes a tree will have an ever-so-slight defect, or a crack. Perhaps woodpeckers or squirrels damaged the limb in a way that leads to a larger crack over time and later decay, Wineland said.
When the limb gets too heavy with water, that crack can lead to a break.
There can literally be buckets of water that flows from where the limb breaks, the arborist said.
Most people wouldn"t be able to notice a flaw in a limb. Even for an arborist it can be tough. But Wineland said you might be able to spot some discoloration, a darker spot on a limb, where water is "bleeding."
Even then, it could be a year, or five or 10 before there"s a problem.
Also, poor pruning may result in excess foliage at the end of a limb, making it heavier. A bad combination could include heavy foliage, a hot day where the tree sucks up water, then a brisk wind.
Wineland recommends good pruning and thinning for trees every seven years.
Limb drop will be most common where there are a lot of trees, including lower Bidwell Park.
If there"s a breeze, laying under a big oak tree might not be your best bet. Same goes for parking your car.
The drought shouldn"t make limb drop occur any more or less. If an area has a depleted aquifer, trees might have trouble sucking up as much moisture on hot days and less limb drop may occur, Wineland said.
How trees survive a drought
Blue oaks, which are rare but found in the foothills toward Forest Ranch, have a built-in drought defense. Wineland said by the end of an especially dry summer the blue oaks will appear to be dead. They drop their foliage to save water use, but will look just fine the next year.
"Our soil is unbelievably rich and Valley oaks and sycamores live here 400-500 years," he said.
Yet, these are the big trees, with intricate root systems. Younger trees could very well die from a drought.
Street-tree varieties might die at the tops due to lack of water, (see some tips below). The list of low-maintenance and drought-vulnerable street trees include Norway maple, trident maple, autumn glory.
How to keep your trees from dying
First off, homeowner should keep the grass away from the base of the tree, or fungus will grow from excess moisture.
Young trees need water about 10-12 inches beneath the soil, which is far deeper than the 2-3 inches needed for lawn.
For young trees 1-2 years old, water once a week for half an hour on about 1/3 of the hose speed, Wineland suggested.
Think of this similar to soaking. You want the water to flow, but continue to soak into the soil.
Five to 10-year-old trees could be watered deeply once a month during the summer, he said.
Don"t put the hose at the trunk. Two feet from the base for young trees and 2-5 feet from the trunk for trees 5-8 years old, he advised.Move the hose two or three times, he said.
For a large, well-established tree he suggested watering twice during the summer, perhaps six weeks apart. One round of water could be applied several feet from the base, and another round about three feet out from the furthest limbs (at the edge of the canopy).
Redwoods aren"t really acclimated for this dry climate. The moisture-loving trees will die at the top when they don"t have enough water. He suggested watering mature redwoods once a month.
Do not plant trees now
Wineland said trees will only suffer if you put them in the ground now. That would be the case any year, but especially now in a drought.
In general, wait until the fall.
Also, there"s no reason to ever plant a "monster nursery tree."
Small trees, perhaps in a five-gallon pot or smaller, will grow three times faster than one purchased in a much larger container with roots shoved into a pot, Wineland said.
Contact reporter Heather Hacking at 896-7758.


text:
Web Content Display
Future Members
With Alpha Gamma Rho you get the best of both worlds. We're a social and professional fraternity, and we've been "making better men" for more than 100 years. Take a few minutes to look around and learn more about what you stand to gain from joining our brotherhood. Need more information? Contact us, and we'd be happy to answer any questions you might have.
It's no doubt that as a brother, you know the benefits and opportunities available to you within Alpha Gamma Rho. Stick around and look for leadership, internship and career opportunities, apply for one of our scholarships, register for an upcoming event or catch up on the latest AGR news. While you're at it, view the available courses on AGRconnect!
When you joined Alpha Gamma Rho, you began building memories and experiences that have stayed with you and helped you to become the man you are today. Alumni young and old can learn more about the future of your Fraternity, update your contact information or find out how you can give back to the organization that has given you so much.


text:
A photographer can use great care and skill in preparing an image, only to have it look less than desirable when projected. Digital projection is becoming an increasingly important means of image display for many photographers. Yet, there currently is no obvious place on the LL Forums to have discussions about digital projection. I think the lack of a forum devoted to digital projection, at the very least, makes it more difficult to find projection related posts, and may inhibit discussion from participants who cant find an obvious place to post on this topic.I suggest that a new forum be added to the Equipment & Techniques section of the LL Forums that would be devoted to matters regarding digital projection. Like all other types of digital equipment, there are many factors to be considered in making purchasing decisions, as well as best operating practices, and care and feeding. A digital projection forum would be a natural home for these discussions and would benefit visitors to the forums.John[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=71006\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
OK. You asked for it, you got it.Michael[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=71052\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
http://www.audioholics.com/ and other sites devoted to AV contain useful information on projector color calibration etc... you should check out articles as well as the forums.Besides, the treatment images should undergo for digital projection are similar IMHO to those you apply for web posting except that digital artifacts are likely to show more on a very large screen. I do typically apply a bit less sharpening for images that have to be digitally projected so as to avoid halos etc... hence, the web mode of Photokit sharpener should IMHO be avoided because they typically create images that look oversharpened. In my (very limited experience), a conservative PS USM (250% at 0.2) does the job well.Finally, most of the reasonnably priced projectors today are 720p, meaning that their resolution is 1300 * 720 pixels. You have 2 main types, the LCDs and DLPs... the LCDs are typically cheaper, but show a stronger matrix pattern than the DLPs. DLPs tend to produce better colors but are more expensive and sometimes produce some color artifacts called rainbow effect.My personnal pick is the Panasonic TH-AE900 (Japanese market designation). I picked it for home theatre applications, but it seems to do well on stills as well. It is an LCD, but a special treatment makes the LCD pattern nearly invisible.Regards,Bernard[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=71053\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
Bernard,Your suggestions are most interesting. As you point out, the projectors have much less resolution than todays dSLRs. If you feed a full resolution image to the projector, it will resample it with possible image degradation. If you know you will be using a 1300 by 720 projector, would it be best to downsize with bicubic sharper before applying your suggested sharpening?Bill[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=71475\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


text:
Are you worried about wandering through the latest TSA X-ray machines at an airport because your bits and bobs will be flashed on a screen for the operator to gawp at? And do you wish you could make a silent protest; one that won't make you out to be some sort of dissident or troublemaker?
Well, 4th Amendment Wear could be for you. Worn underneath your normal clothes either as conventional underwear or just as a T-shirt, each piece of the special garments have the US 4th Amendment printed on them in metallic ink, which will light up on an X-ray for all to see.
The company also produces socks and children's underclothes with the same rights-asserting message.
Of course, it won't mean much to those on this side of the pond, but you might want to dabble just for the hell of it. And as the company's store is on Etsy, they'll ship to the UK (and anywhere else in the World).
Prices range from $10 (£6.50) plus shipping for a pair of socks, up to $34 (£22.10) plus shipping for a regular T-shirt.
You can find out more from the company's website at www.cargocollective.com/4thamendment.


text:
here (and his output problem), I have been fooling around with my "From-PC-to-TV" output lately. I finally discovered how to have two different monitors on KDE. I'll write about it soon.
I need some time to install Pisi myself. Maybe next weekend. And I need to learn how to install the newer versions of Firefox on Mageia 3, 64 bits.
The PCLinuxOS update went good. I only encountered a minor sound problem because my previous sound configuration was invalid in the new KDE 4.10.4. Yet, it was a matter of changing the position of devices in the hierarchy. Oh, and the new login screen looks great! No wonder PCLinuxOS is now ranked #3 on DistroWatch's chart.
Speaking of the chart, OpenMandriva has climbed positions in DistroWatch.com quite rapidly: from #200 it has gone up to #8.
I hope DistroWatch soon includes Pisi, too.
Wheee! I am still waiting for the new Elive Release...and the Vivaldi tablet...and the Firefox tablet.
And the Jetpack 2 game for Linux.
A blog to compile what I have learned (and what I am learning) about Mandriva (and GNU/Linux in general) since 2009, when I migrated. Current distros I'm using: OpenMandriva Lx 3.1 /3.0 Mageia 6, PCLinuxOS 2017.03, Fedora Workstation 27 (KDE spin), PicarOS, Pisi Linux 1, Elive beta, and AntiX 13.
domingo, 23 de junio de 2013
Random thoughts
Publicado por Mechatotoro en 21:38
Etiquetas: elive, Firefox, Firefox tablet, Jetpack 2, kde, Mageia 3, monitor, OpenMandriva, PCLOS, Pisi, TV, Vivialdi tablet
1 comentario:
Suscribirse a: Enviar comentarios (Atom)


text:
Is Bitcoin a bubble?
Bitcoin Trading Alert
July 18, 2014 • Reprints
We still support long, speculative positions, stop-loss at $550.
Bitcoin is still perceived by financial professionals as a possible bubble, a poll by Bloomberg has shown:
Bitcoins, which lost 45% of their value after skyrocketing to more than $1,100 last year, are poised to tumble further, according to the latest Bloomberg Global Poll of financial professionals.
55% of those surveyed said the virtual currency trades at unsustainable, bubble-like prices, according to the quarterly poll of 562 investors, analysts and traders who are Bloomberg subscribers. Another 14% said it's on the verge of a bubble. Only 6 percent of respondents said a bubble isn't forming. The remaining 25 percent were unsure.
This definitely shows the future of Bitcoin is not perceived as clear. And it's not. What Bitcoin will become is still very uncertain. It might turn out to be a bubble. It doesn't have to, though. There are numerous possibilities to use the network, so the currency is not an empty promise. It doesn't have to go down in the future. If Bitcoin becomes accepted as a payment protocol by the general audience, we might see its value rise sharply. It's not certain, but this is part of the investment process.
For now, one of the most important parts in the development of Bitcoin is making it safe for the customer to use. Once Bitcoin startups introduce new ideas for Bitcoin security we might as well see the perception of Bitcoin reversed.
There is also one piece of information that doesn't support the Bitcoin bubble theory. Namely, bubbles are usually formed on widespread enthusiasm about an idea. For instance, the dot-com bubble thrived on the enthusiasm about tech companies. We don't see this kind of frenzy in the Bitcoin market right now.
Let's turn to the charts.
If you recall what we wrote yesterday:
As a matter of fact, Bitcoin has gone up today (this is written after 11:45 a.m. EDT). "Is this bullish enough?" the question might be knocking around hour heads. We've asked ourselves the exact same question. Here's what we think.
This move of appreciation might be first in five days. The slightly more pessimistic take on the market, in which the current trend is established by the declining line ending just below $650 on the above chart, would suggest that we are still below the trend, with a possible attempt at breaking above it.
In other words, the situation might become even more bullish in a matter of days but there also are indications that the move we've seen today is not strong enough just yet. The volume levels also don't support a strong move at this moment.
Caring about your investments as we do, we think that this is not the time to increase one's positions. On the other hand, the outlook is still bullish enough, in our opinion, to keep the longs.
Bitcoin went up yesterday on BitStamp but has gone down today (this is written before 11:15 a.m. EDT). This confirms the above point of view. The thing you might be wondering about is whether there have been any changes in the market. We certainly do wonder that from one day to another. Let's address this point.
The move down we've seen today hasn't been significant and the volume remains very low. These are not typical characteristics of a significant move down. Altogether, Bitcoin is still between two hypothetical trend lines (declining black lines on the above chart). The situation remains a bit unclear but the fact that we haven't seen a significant move down and the recent declines took place on low volume makes us more optimistic than not about the short-term prospects.


text:
Hi folks.When I was a kid I lived out at Harrison on Co Rd D. I did a lot of fishing in lake Alice and on The Wisconsin River down by Grandfather Dam.I would like to know if they are still good fishing.
Art Giles.
The new Guestbook. Feel free to post messages to say hi, update friends, etc.
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
- MedicDVG
- Contributor
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2001 1:01 am
- Tie to Tomahawk: Lived in Tomahawk -- still pay Taxes in Lincoln County and TSD.
- Location: Now living in Rib Mountain
- Contact:
Re: Fishing.
Lake Alice still remains one of the area's great producers of Bluegill, Crappie, walleye, and smallmouth bass. The last few years have seen some great muskys being caught as well as a consitent level of nice Northern pike. It is still mine and many others favorite place to fish.
Last bumped by Anonymous on Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:43 am.
*** The opinions expressed herein are uniquely MY OWN and should not be construed as an endorsement of any sort by my employers or of any professional associations to which I hold membership. I can dig myself into holes just fine without their help, thank you very much***
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


text:
Project Frog designs, manufactures and delivers technologically-advanced component buildings that assemble onsite, giving architects and builders a fast and cost-effective way to create highly functional, beautiful and energy-efficient buildings adaptable for a variety of commercial applications including education, government, healthcare, and retail.
With a name like "Project Frog", it's got to be good! And they are. The Project Frog team comes out of the world of conventional architecture and construction. But they are the first to apply industrial design concepts to the challenge of designing and constructing high performance green buildings. As a result, they fit well within the investment themes at RockPort – the marketplace is demanding healthier buildings and the most immediate opportunities for managing energy demand exist "at the edge of the grid". Project Frog represents a redirection in the building world, providing better buildings at lower cost.
Why Going Green Means Big Business in the Construction Industry
Read more
Why Obama is pushing high-tech manufacturing
Read more
Project Frog Rethinks Construction With Smart Component Buildings
Read more


text:
Mr. Bean
First broadcast in 1990, the silent odd-ball Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) has become known all over the world. Created by Atkinson, Richard Curtis and Robin Driscoll, only 14 episodes were ever made.
Mr. Bean Previous Broadcasts
The Curse of Mr. Bean (Episode #103)
KQED Plus: Wed, Feb 27, 2013 -- 10:31 PM
Mr. Bean contemplates cheating on an exam, but runs out of time despite his lucky mascot. Later, on the beach, he overcomes the lack of privacy by devising a novel way of changing into swim trunks. Then, in church, he deals with a ticklish sneeze by re-inventing the concept of the pocket handkerchief, and struggles to stay awake.
Repeat Broadcasts:
- KQED Plus: Thu, Feb 28, 2013 -- 4:31 AM
The Return of Mr. Bean (Episode #102)
KQED Plus: Wed, Feb 20, 2013 -- 10:31 PM
Mr. Bean's not well. He visits the local hospital , but there are too many people waiting, and he's not the most patient of patients. Later, on a sightseeing trip, he finds the sentryguard lacking in color. At bedtime he has trouble sleeping until he remembers a reliable trick - which works perfectly.
Repeat Broadcasts:
- KQED Plus: Thu, Feb 21, 2013 -- 4:31 AM
Mr. Bean (Episode #101)
KQED Plus: Wed, Feb 13, 2013 -- 10:31 PM
The creation of Rowan Atkinson, this is a series of mostly silent misadventures and non-stop visual gags as the clueless nerd struggles to do things others do with ease, such as drive, sunbathe, visit the dentist, or eat in a restaurant. In this episode, Mr. Bean misplaces his trousers at the laundromat and finds himself in a real bind trying to retrieve them. That problem solved, he goes to the Krazy Golf Course, but not being allowed to tough the ball proves a great challenge.
Hair By Mr. Bean of London (Episode #114)
KQED Plus: Wed, Feb 6, 2013 -- 10:30 PM
When Mr. Bean has to wait a few minutes for the hairdresser who's called away by the telephone, he starts playing barber, so three consecutive customers have their hair done by him, but his inverse Midas touch strikes again: woe their hair and the real hairdresser they complain to! Next he goes to a pet show, starting off by cheating at a dexterity game by unplugging the fault-detection and next deciding to play 'hit the headmaster' not just with the provided wet sponges, but with anything not too heavy for him to lift; then he enters his teddy-bear for the obedience test (meant for kids' dogs). In the train station he stops at nothing to get on without a ticket, and succeeds as a crawling sack of post - but on which train is he carried?
Repeat Broadcasts:
- KQED Plus: Thu, Feb 7, 2013 -- 4:30 AM


text:
System FAQs
Traction Theme by The Theme Foundry
Copyright © 2019
All rights reserved. All specifications subject to change without notice.
The WolffPack® and FINANCIER™ logos are registered trademarks of WolffPack, Inc. Other products and companies referred to herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.. All rights reserved.


text:
Billionaire Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens is still fiercely championing legislation that would create billions of dollars in tax credits to encourage businesses and motorists to adopt natural gas powered vehicles — but his circle of fans on Capitol Hill is shrinking.
Four Republicans who had signed on as co-sponsors of the so-called Natural Gas Act withdrew their backing this month, even as conservative groups such as the Club for Growth and Americans for Tax Reform stepped up campaigns against the legislation they say is full of unwise "market-distorting tax credits."
Three of the GOP lawmakers withdrew their sponsorship this week: Rep. Tim Griffin of Arkansas, Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania and Rep. Todd Akin of Missouri. Rep. Stevan Pearce, R-N.M., asked to be removed as a bill cosponsor on May 10.
Griffin said his decision followed weeks of analysis about the bill. The measure "is well intentioned in that it seeks to promote natural gas as a clean burning, abundant and American energy source," Griffin said in a statement. "However, I am concerned that (the bill) might be inconsistent with my goal of simplifying the tax code by lowering the overall tax rate and simultaneously ending industry-specific incentives."
Fiscally conservative groups who support a fundamental rewrite of the U.S. tax code — including a wipeout of specific tax incentives, credits and deductions — have been arguing that the Natural Gas Act is an unfair giveaway to a single industry. Similar opposition also has been mounted against existing subsidies for ethanol, which critics say are designed mainly to benefit corn-growing farmers.
Grover Norquist, the head of Americans for Tax Reform, made his case against the natural gas bill in a letter to House members earlier this month. His chief argument: Tax policies for specific energy sources, be they natural gas or renewable power, skew the energy market away from the most reliable, cheapest options.
An energy market which most benefits consumers is one largely absent of government intervention," Norquist wrote. "Conservatives must begin peeling back the numerous duplicative regulations and laws that facilitate or impeded certain types of energy. Unfortunately, HR 1380 takes the opposite approach — piling more rules, grants and tax policies onto America's already encumbered energy sector."
Chris Chocola of the Club for Growth added his voice to the chorus Thursday, when he posted a blog entry on Redstate.com decrying the bill. Chocola took issue with a provision in the measure that he says lends credibility to the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. "Several fiscal conservatives in the House have been duped into thinking this is a good bill," Chocola said.
The measure still has 187 co-sponsors in the House, with more than 100 Democrats on board. The sponsorship list looks like a who's who of the nation's shale plays, with plenty of supportive representatives hailing from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania and other areas where natural gas production is under way.
For supporters, the allure is building a stronger market for natural gas now being extracted from the dense shale rock formations nationwide — and at the same time helping the U.S. transportation sector transition away from dirtier burning petroleum-based fuels.
The legislation would offer a tax credit covering as much as 80 percent of the incremental cost of buying a natural gas vehicle (up to $7,500 for passenger vehicles and $64,000 for ultra heavy trucks). It also would provide tax credits to help cover the cost of building natural gas filling stations and other infrastructure to support the cars.
Some critics say that spending is unwise in the current fiscal environment, as Congress works to pare the federal budget deficit. And it could become increasingly difficult for backers of so-called "fundamental tax reform" to square their support for flattening the U.S. tax code with any endorsement of legislation to offer tax breaks for natural gas vehicle purchases.
Another big question for lawmakers who support the bill is how to pay for the added tax breaks. Some Republican lawmakers may be reluctant to offset new natural gas vehicle tax incentives by hiking taxes elsewhere, such as by slashing tax breaks for oil producers.
But there are other concerns on Capitol Hill, FBR Capital Markets analyst Benjamin Salisbury noted in a research note this morning. And they are tied to environmental concerns about the hydraulic fracturing process used to unlock natural gas.
Hydraulic fracturing injects mixtures of water, sand and chemicals deep underground and at high pressures to break up dense shale rock. The decades-old technique is being used in combination with horizontal drilling to extract previously unrecoverable natural gas from shale formations nationwide, but environmentalists have warned about the high water demands of the process as well as the risks that water supplies could be tainted by gas that escapes from poorly cemented wells.
"Many Democrats (are) ambivalent about shale gas," and plenty of "environmentalists remain concerned about using resources to fund a program that encourages hydraulic fracturing," Salisbury said. "We see potential support for natural gas sector incentives as hindered by the controversy. We would expect progress of the Nat Gas Act to be used as an opportunity to attach environmental regulation of hydraulic fracturing."


text:
Thats enough personal introduction, now on to the content.
The cloud-init package provides "first boot" functionality for the Ubuntu UEC images. It is in charge of taking the generic filesystem image that is booting and customizing it for this particular instance. That includes things like:
- setting the hostname
- putting the provided ssh public keys into ~ubuntu/.ssh/authorized_keys
- running a user provided script or otherwise modifying the image
Setting hostname and configuring a system so the person who launched it can actually log into it are not terribly interesting. The interesting things that can be done with cloud-init are made possible by data provided at launch time called user-data.
ec2-init, cloud-init, and the Alestic images support customization through user-data in one very simple yet effective manner. If the user-data starts with '#!', then it will be stored and executed as root late in the boot process of the instance's first boot (similar to a traditional 'rc.local' script). Output from the script is directed to the console. For example:
$ cat ud.txt #!/bin/sh echo ========== Hello World: $(date) ========== echo "I have been up for $(cut -d\ -f 1 < /proc/uptime) sec" $ ec2-run-instances ami-a908e7c0 --key mykey.us-east-1 \ --user-data-file=ud.txt # wait now for the system to come up and console to be available $ ec2-get-console-output i-97fc7afc | grep --after-context=1 Hello ========== Hello World: Mon Mar 29 18:05:05 UTC 2010 ========== I have been up for 28.26 sec
The simple approach shown above gives a great deal of power. The user-data can contain a script in any language where an interpreter already exists in the image (#!/bin/sh, #!/usr/bin/python, #!/usr/bin/perl, #!/usr/bin/awk ... ).
For many cases, the user may not be interested in writing a program. For this case, cloud-init provides "cloud-config", a configuration based approach towards customization. To utilize the cloud-config syntax, the supplied user-data must start with a '#cloud-config'. For example:
$ cat cloud-config.txt #cloud-config apt_upgrade: true apt_sources: - source: "ppa:smoser/ppa" packages: - build-essential - pastebinit runcmd: - echo ======= Hello World ===== - echo "I have been up for $(cut -d\ -f 1 < /proc/uptime) sec" $ ec2-run-instances ami-a908e7c0 --key mykey.us-east-1 \ --user-data-file=cloud-config.txt
Now, when the above system is booted, it will have:
- added my personal ppa
- run an upgrade to get all updates available
- installed the 'build-essential' and 'pastebinit' packages
- printed a similar message to the script above
The 'runcmd' commands are run at the same point in boot that the '#!' script would run in the previous example. It is present to allow you to get the full power of a scripting language if you need it without abandoning cloud-config.
Note, that in this case the fairly large amount of output to the console from 'apt-get upgrade' ended up scrolling our 'Hello World' message off the ec2-console buffer, so it didn't appear there. That is something that will need to be addressed in lucid+1.
For more information on what kinds of things can be done with cloud-config, see doc/examples in the source.
cloud-init supports a couple other formats of user-data which provide more customization possibilities. I hope to write another blog entry covering those other formats soon.


text:
Learning the art
Neon lighting is made with glass tubes that hold neon gas. An electrical charge is sent into the gas to create the light and color.
Neon sculptors bend the glass tubes to form their designs. This takes a lot of skill. If the artist doesn't bend the tube just right, the tube might crack, or the design might be ruined.
Artists not only need to learn to work with glass tubing, but they also need to learn about electricity and engineering.
For years, the art of neon bending was passed on from grandparents to parents to kids. This was much like the way craftspeople learned in the Middle Ages. Young benders apprenticed, or learned with, experienced benders. It took years to learn.
Bending the glass
To create a neon sculpture, the artist first draws a design. He or she then heats up glass tubing with a type of blowtorch.
When it gets hot enough, the glass begins to turn to liquid. The artist blows through a hose that is connected to the glass tube. The air from the hose forces the soft, hot glass to bend according to the pattern. This is very tricky.
One sculpture might need several different sizes and shapes of tubing.
Creating the sculpture
Once the artist forms the pieces of tubing, huge amounts of electricity are sent into each tube. This makes the inside of the tube so hot that any impurities turn to gas.
Then the gaseous impurities are sucked out of the tube. If left inside the tube, they would change the coloring or ruin the glass.
The artist lets the tube cool, puts in a small amount of neon or argon gas and seals it off with a hand torch.
Finally, the artist joins the tubes to make the design. The back of the tubes may be painted black so the light pops out.
Creating the rainbow
When neon gas is charged with electricity, it glows with a red/orange color. Red/orange is the most common color in signs. Artists also use argon, another gas. Argon glows sky blue when charged.
Artists produce colors in several ways. If they want reddish-orange or sky blue, they leave the glass tubing clear. But if they want different colors, they can coat the insides of the tubes with a special powder. Each powdery coating can make different colors, depending on which gas is added to the tube.
Artists can also get color by buying tubes made of colored glass. This is especially beautiful, with rich, deep colors. However, it is a lot more expensive, and colored glass is harder to work with. Colored glass is usually made in Europe.


text:
Home » Germany » Cruise
Cruise Germany
A cruise ship is often a large passenger ship, specially designed for carrying passengers or entertaining. Mostly sunny destinations do cruise ships, but Alaska or the South Pole is a popular area for a cruise trip in the summer. The ships have a casino, cinema, often several restaurants, bars, swimming pools, fitness rooms. In fact it is a floating hotel. Today, cruise ships equipped with highly innovative mobile applications such as satellite, internet, solar panels. In addition, drinking water made from seawater.
By choosing a subject you can restrict the list of sites easily.


text:
Even your old games will look and perform better on the new iPad. It's not like the old days when games designed for the original iPhone had to be stretched and deformed to fill the iPad's screen. Games that look great on the iPad 2, such as Cut the Rope, Infinity Blade, and Fruit Ninja, look as though they've had a haze cleared from the screen. I'm sure there's some resolution scaling involved, but there were no visible artifacts that we could pick out. Everything just looks smooth and crisp.
And for titles that have been optimized for the new iPad's screen and graphics processor, plan your sick day now. Games like Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy and Mass Effect 3 Infiltrator look as though they were beamed over from your Xbox 360.
You still lack the physical controls of a traditional console, though, and for serious gamers, there's still a case to be made for portable gaming systems like the PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS.
Gamers should also be aware that as the iPad's games increase in sophistication and resolution, and so might their file size. Epic's Infinity Blade 2 is 791MB, and two of Gameloft's Modern Combat titles break the gigabyte barrier. A 16GB iPad doesn't hold what it used to.
App sizes pre- and post-Retina update
|Previous size
|New size
|New York Times for iPad
|iStopMotion for iPad
|Diamond Dash
|Day One
|SketchBook Pro for iPad
|Labyrinth 2 HD
|Amazon Kindle
|Joining Hands
|Foosball HD
|Star Walk for iPad
|Solar Walk
|Martha Stewart Cookies
Don't be fooled by the new iPad's spec sheet. The bumps in processing power and RAM are balanced out by the demands of the Retina Display and processing the types of high-resolution content you'll be feeding it. The experience of poking around the music player or composing an e-mail are seemingly no swifter than on the iPad 2.
Fortunately, we never found the iPad 2 lacking in system performance power. There were things it simply couldn't do, such as play 1080p video files, but it seldom sputtered or hung while browsing the Web or loading apps.
|Tested spec
|Apple iPad (2012)
|Apple iPad 2
|Asus Transformer Prime
|Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
|Maximum brightness (Super IPS)
|455 cd/m2
|432 cd/m2
|358 cd/m2 (570 cd/m2)
|336 cd/m2
|Default brightness
|160 cd/m2
|176 cd/m2
|183 cd/m2
|336 cd/m2
|Maximum black level (Super IPS)
|0.49 cd/m2
|0.46 cd/m2
|0.27 cd/m2 (0.45 cd/m2)
|0.30 cd/m2
|Default black level
|0.17 cd/m2
|0.19 cd/m2
|0.15 cd/m2
|0.30 cd/m2
|Default contrast ratio
|Maximum contrast ratio (Super IPS)
|1,325:1 (1,266:1)
The new iPad's maximum brightness is slightly higher than the iPad 2's, but it can't match the Android 4.0-based Asus Transformer Prime in Super IPS mode. The Prime's Super IPS mode's high brightness is useful when using the tablet in direct sunlight. At the other end of the spectrum, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1's PLS-based display delivers a lower maximum black level.
While the new iPad's screen is gorgeous, it still can't technically match the luminance extremes of these two popular Android tablets. But thanks to the visual impact of the new iPad's high-resolution display, it's an easy detail to look past. If you do crank up the iPad's brightness, be prepared to take a hit on battery life.
With the new iPad, 1080p video files will play just fine, and are ironically upscaled to the screen's native resolution. These video files take a huge bite out of the iPad's capacity, though, with a movie like "Hugo" coming in at 3.99GB. If you're going to store a lot of HD media, spring for the extra capacity.
The same caveat goes for the iPad's new rear camera, which offers a dramatically improved 5-megapixel still camera and 1080p video-recording quality. A test photo and sample video can be seen below. In both cases (but especially for video) these high-quality files will eat up space over time, so don't skimp on capacity if you plan on using the camera often.
(Credit: CNET Asia)
The 4G data speeds on the Verizon model of the new iPad were as swift as we'd expect. As someone who's more accustomed to using the iPad at home or work, I have to admit that it was pretty liberating to have Wi-Fi-like speeds while out and about. Even more liberating was the fact that the iPad's data plans require no contracts and can be canceled or reactivated any time.
It's also worth noting that use of 4G and/or graphically intensive games does tend to make the back of the new iPad fairly warm. After stress testing the new iPad exhaustively while measuring its temperature, we can confidently say that the slight uptick in heat compared to the iPad 2 is not a safety concern. On a cold day, maybe the extra warmth could actually come in handy.
|iPad (AT&T 4G LTE)
|Motorola Droid XyBoard 10.1 (Verizon 4G LTE)
|HTC Jetstream (AT&T LTE)
|Angry Birds Rio download (in seconds)
|CNET.com load (in seconds)
|Giantbomb.com load (in seconds)
Apple's rated battery for the new iPad remains at a 10-hour mark that still befuddles the competition. With 4G active, this number slips down to a still admirable 9 hours.
Here are the official CNET Labs-tested battery life results. Check here on specific information on testing the new iPad's battery and here for battery life results for all tablets.
|iPad (2012)
|iPad 2
|Asus Transformer Prime
|Transformer Prime w/keyboard dock
|Movie battery life (in hours)
Fortunately, Apple hasn't done anything to monkey around with the iPad's universal dock connection. Generally speaking, if you could plug it into the first two iPads, it should work with the new one as well. This goes for charging cables, video adapters (such as Apple's HDMI-compatible Digital AV Adapter), Apple's Camera Connection kit, or any in-car adapter cables. Apple has released an updated version of its HDMI Digital AV Adapter that is optimized for the new iPad, but the older adapter will still work.
If you'd prefer to beam content wirelessly from your iPad to your TV, the little hockey-puck-size $99 Apple TV is the way to go. Aside from working as a great standalone media streamer for iTunes downloads, Netflix, and others, you can also use it to push media from your iPad to your TV (a feature Apple calls AirPlay).
For the minimalists, Apple's Smart Cover remains the go-to solution for protecting your iPad's screen. It uses a unique hinged cover that comes in two materials--leather ($59) and polyurethane ($39)--and multiple colors. It attaches magnetically to the left or right edge of the iPad 2 using two aluminum hinges embedded with impressively strong rare-earth magnets.
As accessories go, the Smart Cover is nifty--not so much for the protection it offers, but for the convenient stand it provides when rolled up. If, on the other hand, you are seriously concerned about protecting your investment, keeping the iPad in a traditional wraparound case is still the best way to go.
Who should buy it?
If you've waited this long to buy your first iPad, congratulations! Buy with confidence that this is the best iPad yet. That said, the price of a new iPad has you cringing, there are a number of more affordable iPad alternatives out there.
For existing iPad owners, I would liken this to the time you upgraded your TV to a high-definition model. All things being equal, if this is something you're going to look at every day, you may as well invest in the remarkably better screen.
Will the iPad's screen be matched or bested by a better or cheaper product in the near future? Possibly. But even if an Android tablet manufacturer throws one out there, the general dearth of tablet-optimized Android apps to run on it will take some time to overcome.
For a more in-depth take on this question, see "Here's who should buy the new iPad."
Final thoughts
When the original iPad bounded out of the starting gate, it took a huge lead before its competitors figured out what was going on. With the iPad 2, Apple lapped the competition once more by setting design expectations that were nearly impossible to match. The third iPad employs a similar tactic, dramatically raising our collective expectations of tablet screen quality. Placed next to the competition, the superior product is literally plain to see.
Senior Editor Eric Franklin contributed to this review.


text:
|2009-09-24, 12:39
|Link #61
Redbeard Has Blood Logia!
Join Date: Jul 2008
If nothing extraordinary happens at the end of this battle, Kuma may have to answer some questions to World Government and Kizaru.Like:
How Luffy survived so called "vanish",
Why preventing strawhats unavoidable death at the hands of Kizaru/Sentomaru?
Why going Saboady Archipelago at such wrong time without warning anyone? Sengoku even tried preventing a man that can travel as fast as light from going there,
What Iva was bubbling about (If anyone closeby heard of it, as you stated)
Besides Kuma Vs an admiral? Sure Kuma is strong but I dont think he can lay even a scratch on an admiral.First of all Kuma will never be able to touch/hit/blast Kizaru (without a proper haki) and If Akainu is logia, Kuma would fry into liquid metal.Maybe Kuma can do something to Aokiji since he is at least touchable before shattering but thats only if Aokiji stands still sleeping...
|2009-09-24, 13:24
|Link #62
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Ah, looks like I was wrong about Luffy and Moria...... Moria wants to steal Luffy's shadow again so he can reanimate Oars Jr. (lol at Luffy calling Moria annoying ). I see that the zombies still have stitches and animal limbs, so I guess Moria really did have Hogback prepare him a little undead army in advance......
Anyway, I thought this chapter was awesome. While we see Luffy rushing through thousands of marines again, notice that he isn't practically steamrolling through them like he did in Enies Lobby, which of course makes sense (he even comments on how tough the marines are). Y'know, before this arc I had figured that Luffy wouldn't encounter Smoker again until they met in the New World, but seeing how chaotic things are now it's very much possible that they could confront each other as soon as next chapter. Perhaps that would be the best opportunity for Luffy to realize his true potential in his Haki. And besides, Smoker would be a good opponent since he's a powerful Logia, but not quite admiral-level.......
Oh, and it's great to see more Buggy shenanigans! I love how his followers mistake his cry to go home as trash-talk to Kizaru. Boy, would it be hilarious if Buggy really were forced to face an admiral......
|2009-09-24, 13:25
|Link #63
Rock beats scissors
Join Date: Jul 2004
Just read the chapter; nobody heard Iva, those were only his thoughts.
Quite a bit of action in this chapter, I thought it was ok. I can see where Phenom is coming from though; so far only cannon fodder (even if it's some of the strongest cannon fodder we've ever seen in OP) has been beaten on both sides, no major players have gone down yet in this battle.
I wonder to what heights Luffy's bounty will soar after this arc? There was the Tenryuubito affair, Impel Down breakin/breakout and now his participation in the battle at Marineford (which completes his trilogy of causing mayhem at the major marine facilities), not to mention his relation to Ace and his father being Dragon made public.
Btw, why did those zombies come from the ground? For theatric effect? I can't imagine Moria would bother to bury them there.
|2009-09-24, 13:28
|Link #64
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Grand Line
Well I decided to not look any spoilers this week,
I dont know if its by not spoiling myself or chapter being so awesome by default that this chapter was exceptional freaking awesome even by recent OP standard...
So magnificent chapter... I am literally shaking after readin
No one agrees with anything you say at Bleach chapter discussions what you seem to fan over all reason, and no one agrees to anything you say in OP chapter discussion what you seem to hate over all reason.
You have finally made yourself fool enough to make very first person to reach my ignore list in this forum...
|2009-09-24, 13:33
|Link #65
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
So, what is exactly Iva's "death wink" nature. When he first showed up I though "Wow, how badass, he only winked and people fly, what would happen if he uses a death punch?"
But now it seems that he cannot even punch...
And is Hina qualify for a "girl?" Sometimes she looks 17, other times she looks 38 with a husband a 2 sons
But I must say, this is the best of the recent dozen OP chapters.
Last edited by Cinocard; 2009-09-24 at 13:48.
|2009-09-24, 13:35
|Link #66
Know who you are
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Resides within the depths of Ned infested Glasgow
Another great chapter!
I was stoked about this war happening, then when it kicked into 2nd gear with Whitebeard showing up as he did, was awesome.
Now we got it kicking into 3rd gear and just brilliant!
I love the little part with Buggy, always amusing
|2009-09-24, 13:43
|Link #67
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
That's just the thing.... Iva (and the rest of the okamas) are sexually ambiguous. They're technically both male and female (though I guess Iva's DF power makes it easier to distinguish between both his genders, heh).
Anyways, the fact that Garp says that Luffy's reputation as a pirate eclipses his reputation as Dragon's son definitely speaks volumes for the amount of infamy he'll gain when this storyline is over. We've been saying all along that he'll get a huge jump in his bounty anyway thanks to all of these exploits, but I think that Garp's words pretty much sealed the deal. I certainly can't wait to see what price Luffy will get on his head (and Buggy too, of course).......
|2009-09-24, 13:51
|Link #69
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Grand Line
I think WG dont want that Luffy becomes anymore famous, bounty measures persons stature in OP world in many cases and since Luffy and his crew has been so dangerous to World Goverment I think they try to keep him as much out of public as they can.
I guess that whatever outcome this war will be and if Luffy is can escape I doubt that Luffys bounty will go past 500 000 000, if Luffy gets really huge bounty he will get massive reputation and become example for many rookie pirates.
Well this is just my speculation so I can and probly be wrong.
Oh and I found that ''Hina Fails'' was pretty funny =)
|2009-09-24, 13:53
|Link #70
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
|2009-09-24, 13:56
|Link #71
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Grand Line
Being labeled member of Gol D Rogers crew, one of main architechts of Impel Down escape and joining this war will give him very nice bounty.
Yeah it would be hilarious if someone like Buggy would get +300 000 000 beli bounty
|2009-09-24, 13:58
|Link #73
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: UK
Age: 37
|2009-09-24, 13:58
|Link #74
You can see clearly here
panel on the bottom right that he is not holding onto a bible.
The real Kuma has a bible, that is one of his distinguishing features.
Good chapter btw, though I thought Oda was rushing it a bit.
|2009-09-24, 14:00
|Link #76
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
|2009-09-24, 14:02
|Link #77
|2009-09-24, 14:08
|Link #78
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
It's true that Kuma does carry a bible, but as we saw on thiller bark, the bible disappears (he puts it away) when he is in combat...
Futharmore, we saw back before the war broke out, when we got a look at the world gov't's line up, the Kuma that was standing there with the other shichibukai was holding a bible... so the real kuma IS there... there is a chance that they called in the cyborgs in addition to him, but i think until oda makes it CLEAR that they are faux kumas (shooting from the hand, showing more than one "kuma"), we should assume the one shooting at Iva is the real deal (though we can still speculate... either hie's a cyborg, or Kuma is being hard to read again)
Also, you are not allowed to link to such manga sites on these forums
If you got to show a page, copy the image's url, and bring into image shack and host it through there
|2009-09-24, 14:11
|Link #79
Okuyasu the Bird
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alberta, Canada
Age: 27
Great chapter, much better than last week.
The fact that Kuma and Iva seem to have been friends in the past was nice little twist. Considering he attacked Iva though and Iva appeared to be shocked at that fact, I wonder if that means something happened to Kuma once he was given his cybernetic enhancements...?
Also I find it amsuing how Luffy and Whitebeard talk with each other like they've know each other for a long time. Ol' Whitebeard really seems to have taken a liking to him.~
Hina's return was nostalgic. Sometimes I forget she even has a devil fruit. xD;
Next week can't come any sooner...
|2009-09-24, 14:19
|Link #80
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
By the way, it's definitely the genuine Kuma fighting at Marineford. How do I know? Because he has the goddamn paw fruit power:
Remember, none of the clones have that DF power. And besides, we've already seen the original Kuma use a laser against Zoro at Thriller Bark:
So yeah, I'm pretty sure that this Kuma is the real deal.
|Thread Tools


text:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshineI keep thinking of this line--not in a fatalistic way but it's true. Behr will never know how much I love him. He will know (I sure hope!) that I do love him and Lord-willing some day will be a daddy who loves his littles. But in a very real, biological way, this little son of mine will never know "how much I love" him... and I may not know how much my mother loves me but I have now tasted seventeen months of mommyhood and enough to say I know a little bit more just how much my mom loves me.
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
I love you Mom! I love you in more ways than I can say--and one of my favorite parts of being little Behr's mom has been watching you be his grandma. Happy 30th Mother's Day! (PS We almost went to a nursery to look at plants today. How's that for ironic? ;-))
Oh and hash tag real life: Our Mother's Day has been the quiet kind of Sunday with a family brunch at Great Sage (mmmm dairy-free big fluffy cinnamon rolls!) and a West Wing marathon on the couch while the Behr hopefully naps off a case of the fussies (some crazy parents decided letting him stay up partying until 10pm last night was a good idea). Wouldn't trade day-to-day life with my boys for anything in the world.


text:
This is a sample registry
Danielle & Joshua
Danielle Golino and Joshua Spielman's Honeymoon Registry
|This is a sample registry
"Well Wishes" From Our Family & Friends
|"Congratulations you love birds! We love you guys and hope that you have an awesome honeymoon and some much needed time off from work."
- Blake and Tanya
- Fred Levenson
|"Wishing you Champagne dreams &Caviar wishes."
- Love, Lois &Rudy
- Ingrid
|"Congratulations! We wish you a lifetime of happiness and hope you have an amazing time in Australia."
- Claudia &Bernardo
|"Congratulations to you both on your wedding. We thought you could use a trip away from the beaches!. Enjoy."
- Pardon and Kendra Kenney
|"Congrats and have a great time!!! LOVE YOU!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo"
- Amanda Bonifay
|"We couldn't be happier for the two of you and couldn't think of anything better than champagne and surfing as a way of starting your lives together.
So much love and aloha,"
- Cathy and Peter
|"Jed and D,
Could not be more excited to celebrate the start of a lifetime of happiness with you guys. Have the best time in Australia!!"
- Coach
|"We wish you a lifetime of happiness and blessings!"
- Mike and Georgia Sarno
|"Congratulations! We are so happy for you! Best wishes for a wonderful life together! We can't wait to see you at the wedding.
All our love , Pia , Richard and gang."
|"We wish you a lifetime of happiness together! Have a wonderful time on your trip and enjoy the bbq in particular. We can't wait to see pictures! Love,"
- Kelly &Ben Taylor
|"Have a wonderful time on the honeymoon -- you picked a fantastic location. You'll love the Blue Mountains. We're looking forward to celebrating with you in a few weeks. Congrats!"
- Ryan and Kristina
|"We love you both and couldn't be happier - can't wait to see what cool art you bring back to decorate the dining room! ;)"
- Love, Roy and Mirs
|"Congratulations Jed &Danielle! We are so excited to celebrate with you and wish you a lifetime of love and happiness. Hopefully this relaxation gets you off to the right start!"
- Love The Keisers
|"Wishing you a wonderful wedding and honeymoon!"
- Angelina and Josh Kaye
|"Mazel Tov on the wedding! I can't wait to come celebrate and get weird with y'all. Much Love!"
- Sean Friedland
|"Congratulations and Mazel Tov!
Have an amazing time on your honeymoon!
So excited to celebrate your day with you!"
- Greg &Jen
|"Wishing you many years of joy, health &happiness together. Have a wonderful time in Australia and Hawaii."
- Alanna &Jim Karel
|"Congratulations! I am wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!"
- All The Best Joan Finkelstein
|"Congratulations, you two! We're so happy for you guys--and jealous of this amazing trip! Hope this helps make it even more special."
- Basil &Robin
Thank You for visiting our honeymoon bridal registry and wedding website. We decided to use this honeymoon bridal registry to allow us to pre plan all the wonderful things we want to do on our dream honeymoon. If you have any questions about how our honeymoon bridal registry works, please contact a honeymoon registry specialist at 858-433-1506 and they can help with our wedding registry list. Again, Thank You so much for using our honeymoon bridal registry and wedding website. Most of all, thank you for being part of our wedding and helping us have the romantic honeymoon and wedding we've always imagined.
This is a sample registry
Items cannot be purchased from a sample registry.
If you're looking for a specific couple please search for them here.


text:
Associated Press CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Outside a state-of-the-art grain elevator, Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley talks of how Republicans and Democrats in Congress need to overcome differences that scuttled farm legislation last summer. A day later, he tells veterans at a rec center in his blue-collar, northern Iowa district that both parties should work together to help them. "The issues surrounding our veterans should be issues that bring us together, not issues that drive us apart," Braley says in a bipartisan pitch that lacks direct criticism of Republicans over the 16-day partial government shutdown.
In this district dotted with farming towns, as well as in districts around the country, the political environment is toxic for lawmakers running for re-election or seeking higher office. Polls show voters of all political stripes are down on Washington, especially after the shutdown. While people blame Republicans more, Democrats are hardly immune to criticism and easily could be fired next year. Besides, a second-term president's party typically suffers losses in midterm elections. Braley and many other Democrats are treading carefully. They are avoiding the partisan slashing that marked the shutdown crisis, delicately presenting their party as the better bet to break the gridlock, and seeking to take advantage of a possible political opening. A CBS News poll taken immediately after the shutdown showed more Americans see more Democrats as pursuing the right level of compromise than Republicans, 35 percent to 24 percent. Still, Democrats are mindful of the risks of overplaying their hand. Gloating over the GOP's public squabbles probably wouldn't go over well with a public angry and hungering for Washington to work together. Assailing Republicans as ideological obstructionists also could give voters reason to view all politicians as the same. And acting overconfident could invite criticism that Democrats are out of touch with a public made bitter not just by the shutdown, but by weeks of problems with a health care law enacted solely by their party. Braley has extra incentive to play nice. He is running for the Senate next year. He also may have a case to make about bipartisanship. During the shutdown, he was among a handful of Democratic House members to vote with Republicans in favor of the 35 bills that would have at least partially reopened government. But he also opposed four of five resolutions that would have avoided the interruption in government services in the first place, leaving him open to Republican criticism. A National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman called Braley's position a "convenient display of bipartisanship." Braley also took heat during the shutdown for a comment he made on a radio show about the House gym's closure. "There's no towel service. We're doing our own laundry down there," he said, providing comedic fodder for TV hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Jon Stewart. Lost in the laughter, Braley says, was the point he was trying to make about lawmakers' checking politics at the gym door. "It's a place where members come together," he later explained. "That's something we need more of, not less of." That was precisely his message on a quick visit home this month. In Cedar Falls, Braley told farmers he was trying to rally rural Democrats and Republicans to reach out to urban Democrats facing pressure to oppose the farm bill's cuts in food-stamp spending. He said he's reminding all lawmakers that without a farm bill, food prices could spike and prompt voters to fault lawmakers next fall. His message: "Let's try to work together to address all of these issues, realizing there's going to have to be give-and-take." Jon Mixdorf, an independent voter from Cedar Falls, was among the skeptics in the crowd. He said the congressman has to do more to make the case to angry Iowans that he's above the partisan fray. "I don't think people can see it, at least not yet," Mixdorf said. "He's just one man and there's so much noise out there." In Cedar Rapids, veteran Randy Dunn pressed Braley to prove his commitment to legislation that would ensure that veterans get all their benefits if another shutdown occurs by working to get it passed before Veterans' Day, Nov. 11. "I just want you to stand up and do the right thing, because it is the right thing," Dunn said. Today, only health care benefits - they constitute 85 percent of veterans benefits - are budgeted a year in advance. The bill would put all other benefits, such as housing and vocational training, under the same protection. It has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The White House has been ambivalent. Braley said he was optimistic it could pass. "This is one of those issues that can bring us together and get us focused on what the right thing is to do," he said, "not what the politically expedient thing is to do." For all the talk of finding common ground, some constituents remained skeptical - underscoring the challenge for Braley and other politicians. "I'm not so sure he's any different than the rest," said Larry Van Lincker, a retired veteran from Cedar Rapids. "I think they ought to throw them all out."


text:
Mr. Warren Sr (Edward Morgan Warren); Mrs. Warren Sr; Mrs. I L Warren (Ida Lois Elderkin Warren); Mr. M H Warren (Murray Heller Warren), Murray (Murray Heller Warren "Jr"); Blanch (Laura Blanch Warren Berryman); Sadie (Sadie Lois Warren Judson); Mrs. J F Rulon; N E Rulon
Warren Family. Photograph. 20 Aug 1898. Privately held by Herstoryan, Houston, Texas. 2009.


text:
Peabody-Burns Third grade
I wonder how many presents do you deliver? Hmm. What I want for Christmas is a 500 pack of army men and Star Wars clones and a TV, an army helicopter, a computer game called Cowboy Bow, and Legos. How many elves do you have? Can I also have a clone ship, racetrack, and a remote control car?
Isaac Bayes, 9
You have probably received a letter from me. If not, I'll give you the information. My name is Sarah. I live in the United States of America, Peabody, Kan. How are you and Mrs. Claus? I'm fine and I've been nice! (A little naughty too.) Do you like bananas? Anything is fine, but here is what I'm wishing for: movies, sweets, Stompies, Dreamlights, and a snuggle. I can't wait until Christmas Eve.
Sarah Spencer, 9
I wonder how many elves do you have? Put the answer right here. _____ You know what? You make kids' dreams come true! Santa, you are my hero!
Corbin Marple, 9
I want to know what it's like in the North Pole. And how tall are the elves compared to you? How is the reindeer doing? I want Black Ops2, Spynet gear, and Legos. I'm 8 years old. I will be 9 on Jan. 29, 2013.
Your friend,
Noal Reynolds, 8
I want a remote control car toy and a Game Boy and an X-Box 360 and a toy gun and a Wii with some games. How is Rudolph doing? How are the reindeer doing?
Davon Johnson, 9
All I want for Christmas is a whole lot of friends over. Then I want to go to Lego Land. Then I want to get Legos at Lego Land and play Legos with my friends and my last thing it a new Wii. How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? What are you doing this month? I am 9.
Philip Young, 9
What do the reindeer eat? I think hay. Maybe I'm wrong. I really don't know. How big is your sack and how long does it take you to fly around the world? I want a new 3DS game and skateboard. How tall are the elves? Does Rudolph really have a bright nose?
Hunter Navrat, 8
Can you please get me a toy puppy, a necklace, bracelet, rocking horse, and a purse? Am I on the naughty or nice list? How is Rudolph doing? I thought I was on the naughty list because me and Aries fight.
Brianna Orsack, 8
I want a Nerf gun for Christmas. I want a DSi and I really want some toy cars. I want DSi games. How are your reindeer? How are your elves doing? Are they working hard? Where do you put your sleigh?
Your elf,
Kaleb Ehrlich, 9
I hope you can get me some origami paper, a new origami book, a big set of something and a new Nerf shooter. I hope the poor gets something too because I am sure they never get anything for Christmas and I am sure they have been good. Santa, do you exist? Why have I never seen you before? Why can't I hear the reindeer? What cookies do you like the most?
From your nicest kid,
Alex Caldwell, 9
I hope I am a good boy and now I want to tell you the things I want for Christmas. I want a nerf gun, a remote control car, a slinky, an Xbox 360, a DS, a PSP, a big TV, the Wii U, a Wii, a dirt bike, a Y scooter, a puppy, a kitten, a private jet, a DVD player, a motor scooter, a phone, and lots of movies, an army gun (fake), and that's all. How are your elves doing? I hope they're working hard.
Your friend,
Seth King, 9
How do the elves make the toys? How do your reindeer fly? I want a Hello Kitty toothbrush and a Hello Kitty bedding set and bunk bed and Hello Kitty mouth wash, and new Hello Kitty socks and a Hello Kitty bike.
Miranda Shaffer, 9
For Christmas, I would like a Tonka police car toy and a big house for my parents. For my little sister, she would like some stuff. Surprise her. I want a Wii U and a PSP with games.
Jeremy Sears, 8
I hope you have a good Christmas. There is a lot of good boys and girls. I will put cookies out for you. How are Rudolph and the elves doing? I want a Just Dance 4.
Mya Winter, 9
I want a fortune cookie maker for Christmas. I want some shoes for Christmas. I want some pencils for Christmas. I want some necklaces for Christmas. How are your reindeers at the North Pole Santa?
From your friend,
McKayla Hauck, 9
Can you tell me what the North Pole is like? Is it fun to give the kids all around the world gifts? Can I have Call of Duty Black Ops II, fortune cookie maker, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, a book, a diary, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel, and a pizza maker? Oh, by the way, my name is Jake. Please give Luke a Dreamlight.
Your little elf,
Jake Partridge, 9
p.s. I am 4,730, 400 minutes old.
I would like the very best present of all: a Wii, a Fire Fall coaster, a Zelda Links Awaken, and my very own computer. How are your elves and reindeers?
Blake Percival, 8
I want a dirt bike that has a helmet too. Can I wake up because I want to see you? In my stocking, I want a dart. And I want to see your reindeer. I want the new Wii U.
Aries Baldwin, 8
I want a RC Helicopter, a Nerf shot gun, a Nerf pistol, a Nerf knife, RC Snakebite, a monster truck, and Christmas pencils. Am I on the naughty list? Can I wake up and see Rudolph? Can you give me all of this?
Your elf,
Anthony Huls, 8
I want a laptop and a DS with games. I want a phone to call my dad. I wish my brother was nice. I wish my Christmas was fun! I want to know how the elves are doing, Santa. I wish I could see the reindeer and you, Santa.
Jazlynn King, 8
Last modified Dec. 22, 2012


text:
Law School Admissions / Anoyone here get accepted to University of Houston Full or Part Time program?« on: July 13, 2009, 02:03:22 PM »
Is there anyone who started Fall 2008 or about to start Fall 2009 Full or part time? I applied for Part time Fall 2009 at UH. So I checked my application status, and it says "Decision Rendered". The decision letter was mailed today, however I am on vacation and don't have access to my mail for the next 10 days. I called the admission office, and they said they cannot disclose any decision information via phone or email. Is there any other way I can figure out if I was accepted or rejected?