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In Republican gubernatorial primaries, wooing over GOP strongholds like McHenry and DuPage counties is like owning Boardwalk and Park Place on a Monopoly board – the odds of winning the game go up a few notches.
Bruce Rauner, Kirk Dillard, Dan Rutherford and Bill Brady know it, given the frequent trips they have made to McHenry County.
All four of them attended the annual pig roast held by Right to Life McHenry County at the end of June, and all but Rauner came back July 17 to the McHenry County Republican Party's annual golf outing.
Rauner and Dillard came to an October county GOP fundraiser in Algonquin, and Rutherford and Brady made sure to send running mates Steve Kim and Maria Rodriguez to represent them.
"McHenry County is pretty important – we're always on the list for potential candidates to visit," county Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon said.
But unlike other Republican-heavy areas like DuPage County and suburban Cook County townships, McHenry County's GOP groups typically don't wade into primary battles and endorse candidates or hold straw polls. They wait until candidates win the primaries, and then back them going into November, Tryon said.
Tryon, who is also a state representative, said he's never seen the party at the county or township levels endorse in primaries in his 25 years of political involvement.
The county party's bylaws forbid Tryon as chairman from making a primary endorsement. But that doesn't mean that Tryon doesn't have a dog in the hunt. His fellow state lawmakers have their favorites, and no rules that bind what they can say.
While endorsements in neighboring counties have been going the way of Rauner and Dillard, the two candidates from the Chicago area, local state lawmakers are solidly lining up behind Rauner, the Winnetka venture capitalist who bills himself as an outsider and has serious financial resources with which to pursue the governor's mansion.
State Sen. Dan Duffy, R-Lake Barrington, was one of the first local lawmakers to publicly support Rauner's bid, calling him "the only person with the financial experience to turn this state around."
Duffy, like other local lawmakers, were quick to defend the records of the other three, namely to protect working relationships – Brady and Dillard are state senators, and Rutherford is state treasurer.
"[My endorsement] doesn't take away that those three are good guys," Duffy said. "But if we want to beat Pat Quinn, we need to elect someone who won't just win a primary, but win in a general election."
Rep. Barbara Wheeler, R-Crystal Lake, likewise threw her support behind Rauner as someone who can "shake up Springfield."
"As wonderful as those three men are, and I know them well, as long as they've been in [Springfield] now, they're now part of the problem," Wheeler said.
Rauner last month won the GOP straw poll in Lake County, and Dillard won the unanimous backing of DuPage County's GOP township chairmen – Dillard, of Hinsdale, used to be the county's party chairman. Rauner has won straw polls, with Dillard a close second, in Palatine and Cuba townships in Cook County, and Dillard has earned the endorsements of former Republican governors James Thompson and Jim Edgar.
The Barrington Township Republican Organization earlier this month couldn't make up its mind, so it endorsed all four candidates.
But Duffy warned, from experience, that racking up endorsements isn't everything in politics.
Republican David McSweeney ran in the 2012 primary for the 52nd House District against former Rep. Kent Gaffney, who was chosen by the GOP establishment to hold the seat after former Rep. Mark Beaubien died.
Gaffney swept practically every endorsement there was to have – save that of Duffy, who was never enamored by the selection process and backed McSweeney. McSweeney came out on top of a three-way primary and handily won a challenge that November from Beaubien's widow, who ran as an independent to challenge him.
McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, said he will not officially endorse a candidate until early next year. But he made it clear for the record that Rauner is a very close friend.
"I know Bruce is going to fight for lower taxes, less spending and real reform," McSweeney said. "I think it's a strong field, and it's central that we beat Pat Quinn."
McHenry County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill, R-Woodstock, is throwing her support behind Rutherford, of downstate Chenoa.
"He's done a tremendous job as a public servant, as treasurer and a state senator, and when it comes to politics, you have to be able to win," Hill said.
Local state Sens. Pam Althoff, R-McHenry, and Karen McConnaughay, R-St. Charles, could not be reached for comment. Althoff endorsed Dillard in his 2010 gubernatorial run.
Money talks louder than endorsements, and Rauner has a lot of it, so much so that the other three candidates' campaigns are accusing him of trying to buy the governor's mansion. Rauner last month contributed $500,000 to his campaign, which under state election law lifted contribution caps on all gubernatorial candidates, Democrat and Republican alike.
A fifth Republican candidate for Illinois governor, Peter Edward Jones of Franklin Park, filed on the last day to do so, Dec. 2. His campaign does not have a website or other Internet presence, and he did not file with a lieutenant governor running mate. An objection to his candidacy has been filed, and the Illinois State Board of Elections will hold a hearing to determine whether Jones can stay on the ballot.


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A changing of the guard is underway on "American Idol," with a new executive producer announcement Monday.
Following news that its two longtime producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick were making their exits from the singing competition show came Monday's announcement from FremantleMedia North America, one of the makers of the Fox headliner, that it has anointed Per Blankens as an executive producer. Blankens is well-versed in the "Idol" franchise, having spent five years in command of the Swedish version.
The behind-the-scenes reshuffling is just one part of a major overhaul the show is undergoing in an attempt to resuscitate its flailing ratings. A few weeks ago, Fox announced that its longtime president in charge of alternative programming -- and longtime guard of "Idol" -- Mike Darnell was leaving after 18 years with the network.
PHOTOS: 'American Idol' Season 12 finale
In addition to FremantleMedia, the Fox singing series is produced by 19 Entertainment, which is also expected to draft an executive producer.
Fox confirmed over the weekend that Lythgoe and Warwick would not continue on as executive producers on "Idol." Lythgoe took the blunt approach in confirming the news Saturday on Twitter, saying he'd been fired, but following up that his relationship with the network was not totally sullied: He'll stay on producing "So You Think You Can Dance."
Having more time to formulate his thoughts, the more public Lythgoe offered a verbose official statement Monday that ballyhooed his accomplishments during his tenure: Emmy wins, raising money for "Idol Gives Back" and the opportunity to produce and direct the holographic duet/ "magical sequence" with Celine Dione and Elvis Presley.
PHOTOS: 'American Idol' judges through the years
"I am truly saddened to be leaving a great team of friends and colleagues," he said in his statement. "However, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to maintain this incredible platform for America's young talent. This will only happen with the success of the program. If the executives that are now in charge of 'American Idol' believe that the ratings will improve with my departure, I have no complaints."
Of course, the musical chairs on the judges panel generates more headlines. Already, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey have announced they will not be returning. No official announcement has been made regarding Keith Urban's fate on the judge's panel (although what are the odds?). There's growing talk that "Idol" alumni, most notably Jennifer Hudson, will be tapped to fill the seats.
The 13th season of "American Idol" is scheduled to roll out in January.
ALSO:'The Americans,' FX lead TCA Award nominations
Emmys 2013: 'Mad Men's' Elisabeth Moss on Peggy Olson's journey
After 4,000 'Let's Make a Deal' episodes, Monty Hall is getting an Emmy

subset: commoncrawl


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Give skin and hair their youthful luster back with these soothing natural treatments.
Used weekly, a clay mask (also called a mud mask) results in a smooth, supple, deeply clean complexion.
All skin types, especially mature skin, will benefit from this natural steam treatment.
The lactic acid in milk serves as a gentle skin exfoliant, while its natural fat content acts as a body moisturizer. Add a gallon of whole milk to a tubful of warm water and soak. It's a great alternative to sugar and salt scrubs, which may be too abrasive for people who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or sensitive skin. If you prefer a fragranced bath, add 10 to 20 drops of an essential oil, such as lavender.
Eggs' high protein content helps improve hair's resilience and luster. Whisk together 1 egg, 2 tablespoons coconut oil (rich in moisturizing fats), and 2 tablespoons sesame oil. Apply the mixture to dry hair and wrap a hot, moist towel around your head. Relax for 5 to 10 minutes. Without wetting hair first, work in a handful of shampoo, and then rinse and condition your hair.
This is a great way to loosen muscles scrunched into habitual expressions. A facial massage brings blood to the surface, clears out puffiness, and reduces fatigue in the skin.
Seal in moisture and protect skin from the elements with this simple recipe that highlights key natural ingredients. Witch hazel, an herbal astringent, helps tighten skin and reduce redness, while a fragrant blend of clary sage, grapefruit, and German chamomile essential oils soothes irritation and prevents blemishes.


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1 Like
Clear Creek Canyon is located off of the Escalante Arm of Lake Powell. One of the 90+ side canyons of the lake, it contains the Cathedral in the Desert, currently covered by the waters of the lake. Slots and alcoves still remain for the weekend adventurer to explore above the level of the lake, but according to those who knew the area before Lake Powell, few compare in beauty to the Cathedral.
Utah is a state located in the westcentral region of the United States of America. Utah is the 13th largest state by area, ranks 34th by population and 10th by population density of the 50 United States. Utah was the 45th state to be admitted into the Union, on January 4, 1896. Utah is landlocked, being bordered by the states of Idaho to the north, Wyoming to the northeast, Nevada on the west, Colorado on the east and Arizona to the south. Utah is very mountainous and is a popular outing destination of the outdoorsman. The state population is about 2.82M with 95% being Caucasian, 2.4% Asian, 1.7% Native American and 1.3% Black. The state capital and largest city is Salt Lake City.Source: wikipedia


text: You are here: Homepage ... Company The Hoffmann Group References More than 135,000 customers, and each one is the most important to us. As a market leader in the field of quality tools, we have many delighted customers, 95% of whom consider us to be their preferred supplier. That's probably because we consider 100% of our customers to be our preferred customers. And our customer numbers are growing all the time, proving just how successful the Hoffmann Group's concept is. In Germany, we work with virtually every single company in the metalworking industry. The outstanding performance that we deliver is something relied on by companies large and small, working in all kinds of sectors. And the numerous awards we have received are not only a testament to our success, but also an incentive for us to achieve even more. Referenzen: Hoffmann Group Tool Services Glatt Systemtechnik GmbH


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Spotted at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu, the most important Shinto shrine in Kamakura, here is a paper lantern that features an Evangelion Unit-08, the latest Eva unit slated to appear in upcoming anime Evangelion 3.0.
Evangelion 3.0 director Hideaki Anno drew this Eva Unit-08 as part of the shrine's "Bonbori Festival" ("bonbori" is a Japanese lamp with a paper shade). Next to Anno's drawing, there's childlike drawing of a choo choo train. On the other side, there's a lamp with a drawing by Anno's wife, manga artist Moyoko Anno.
The Bonbori Festival ends on August 9.
エヴァンゲリオン8号機!? 鎌倉 「ぼんぼり祭り」に謎のエヴァイラストが出現! [みんなのエヴァファン]


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Good Friday
Good Friday is the English name for the day that commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, including the Crucifixion. The word "good" uses its secondary meaning of "holy", not "desirable".[1] In German, the name is "Karfreitag", meaning Mourning Friday.[2] Finnish name "pitkäperjantai" and Swedish name "långfredag" mean Long Friday.
Crucifixions were repeatedly used by the Romans, and Pontius Pilate was known (and later removed) for his particular brutality, even by Roman standards.
No one would voluntarily submit to such brutal treatment without the faith of life afterwards. All the Gospels describe Jesus as willingly accepting the Crucifixion, and Pilate even scourged (whipped) Jesus as a form of punishment less than death in the apparent hope that would satisfy the crowd. It did not.
Eyewitness John the Apostle described in Greek Jesus' final words and what happened next when He expired on the cross, at John 19:30. But how to translate those two brief, all-important sentences into English is not obvious. Here are some examples:
- When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.[3]
- When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.[4]
- Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.[5]
A modern discovery of the commercial use of the Greek term attributed to Jesus describe its meaning as "paid in full" (i.e., paying the debt incurred by sin in full) rather than "it is finished."[6]
Good Friday is commemorated on each year the Friday of Holy Week, two days before Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It is not a national holiday in the United States, but is a holiday in some states, and many Christians (especially Catholics) use leave to take the day off.
Biblical Significance
Jesus' death on the cross fulfills Old Testament Prophecy:
- Psalm 22:1, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?..." [7]
- Isaiah 53:4-5, " 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.[8]


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Festival - Une chanson peut en cacher une autre
This festival lets you discover various French-speaking artists of all generations. In Stavelot from 13 to 26/10/13.
In times of crisis, faced with the legitimate fear of the near future, we have quickly decided to give up what doesn't seem essential.
People need to eat and we can't live without a roof above our heads and a minimum of comfort.
But we also need to hope and love. And culture is not a luxury: we cannot get out of this crisis without culture, without exchange of values around today's works.
And music is a part of that.
This 12 edition offers:
13 October at 5pm Ici Baba (Samir Barris) (BEL) "Chat qui se cache"
15 October at 9:30am and 11am and 16 October at 9:30am et 11am Yvette Berger (BEL) "Regarde"
18 October at 8:30pm Major Dubreucq (BEL) "Le Major à la radio" & Thomas Pitiot (FRA) "Transports Pitiot"
19 October at 8pm Valérian Renault (FRA) "Concert solo" & Camping Sauvach (BEL) "L'oiseau de nuit"
22 October at 10:30am and 2pm Les chèvres à pull (BEL) "L'école des chèvres à pull"
24 October at 9:45am Eric Frasiak (FRA) "Chroniques"
25 October at 8:30pm Sandra Liradelfo (BEL) "La mariée était seule" & Gilbert Laffaille (FRA) "Le jour et la nuit"
26 October at 8pm Stephane Bissot (BEL) o " Peaux d'âmes " & Boby Lapointe repiqué (FRA) "Comprend qui peut !"
Tel. 080/88.08.78


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Russia began a small-scale evacuation of about 100 of its citizens from Syria Tuesday, in what experts warn could at any moment develop into a huge air-and-sealift of the up-to-40,000 Russians and their dependents believed to be in the war-torn country.
Russian media reported that officials from the Russian Embassy in Beirut safely escorted three busloads of Russians, mainly women and children, out of Syria on Tuesday. Two planes sent to Lebanon by Russia's Ministry of Emergency Services will airlift about 100 people to Moscow, reports say.
The evacuation is being characterized as a limited operation aimed at bringing out a few people who have requested it. Without offering any further explanation, Russian official sources say the numbers of Russian citizens requesting repatriation has actually fallen, from about 1,000 last October to less than 100 in December.
But under the guise of ongoing war games in the eastern Mediterranean, the Russian Navy has, since last summer, maintained a squadron of warships. That squadron includes several huge amphibious assault vessels capable of carrying thousands of people, within a few hours sailing time of the Russian Naval supply facility in Tartus, Syria.
Earlier this month the fleets were rotated, and another squadron with at least five big troop transports was sent out to the region.
"This is absolutely not an evacuation; simply two flights from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry will bring to Moscow everyone who wishes to go," the independent Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed official in the Russian Embassy in Damascus as saying of Tuesday's airlift.
"First of all, these are the people whose homes have been destroyed and who live in 'conflict hotbeds.' About a hundred people," an embassy source told Interfax on Tuesday.
Looking for signs
The move is being closely read by Western experts for signs that Moscow's long-standing position of support for Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad might be wavering, or that the Russian government anticipates his imminent downfall.
Experts say that, until we see those big transport ships moving in toward Tartus, we shouldn't assume any change in Russia's stance.
"The Russian authorities have already evacuated part of their diplomatic staff. Moscow is getting ready for a possible worsening of the situation and is taking preventive steps," says Vladimir Sotnikov, expert with the Center for International Security at the official Institute of World Economy and International Relations in Moscow.
Experts say Russia has already closed its consulate in Syria's embattled main commercial center, Aleppo, and most Russian companies working in the country have long since withdrawn their own personnel.
"I don't see any change in the Russian position; Moscow has maintained the same stance for the past year and a half.... Assad still has some time, his army is still beating off opposition attacks, although the country is in full scale civil war," Mr. Sotnikov adds.
Who is left?
It's not known exactly how many Russians there are in Syria, but according to the Russian weekly Argumenti i Fakhti, the number is probably at least 40,000.
According to the paper, they include some of the tens of thousands of Syrian students who have studied in Russia since close relations between the two countries began in 1970, who have acquired Russian passports. Thousands of those students have married Russian women over the years and brought them to Syria; no one has an estimate for the number of children, who would also be eligible for evacuation.
Some members of Syria's Christian minority, which enjoys close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, may also be Russian passport holders, experts say.
While most big countries, including China, have already pulled their citizens out of Syria, Russia has been slow to take action, some experts say.
"Even in the foreign ministry they do not know how many Russians are now in Syria," says Vladimir Sazhin, an analyst with the official Institute of Oriental Studies in Moscow.
"Many of them are not registered with the Russian Embassy. Along with their children and other family members we may be looking at several tens of thousands," he says.
"We are seeing only the first stage of evacuation today, and it is happening very late. It is a sign that Russia is losing confidence in the situation being resolved any time in the near future.... But we had to start taking people out of that slaughterhouse much sooner," Mr. Sazhin adds.


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Zimbabweans voted in large numbers yesterday in a fiercely contested election pitting veteran President Robert Mugabe against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who has vowed to push Africa's oldest leader into retirement after 33 years in power.
With no reliable opinion polls, it is hard to say whether 61-year-old Tsvangirai will succeed in his third attempt to unseat 89-year-old Mugabe, who has run the African nation since independence from Britain in 1980.
Both sides are forecasting landslide wins.
However, in a country with a history of election violence, the big question is whether the loser will accept the result of a poll dogged by logistical problems and allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation. Mugabe, who rejects past and present charges of vote-fixing, has said he will concede if defeated.
Polls opened on time at 5:00 GMT, with long lines of people braving unseasonably cold weather to stand in line well before dawn.
At one polling station in the western province of Manicaland, a key swing region, the line of voters, many wrapped up in blankets, stretched for a kilometer.
"I got up at 4 [am], but still couldn't get the first position in the line," sawmill worker Clifford Chasakara said. "My fingers are numb, but I'm sure I can mark the ballot all the same. I'm determined to vote and have my vote counted."
In Harare, the epicenter of Tsvangirai support, the mood was excited and upbeat. A large turnout, especially in cities, is likely to benefit Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party, analysts say.
"We are here to vote and I'm convinced Harare will lead the way to change," John Phiri, a domestic worker in his 30s, said in a polling station in the upmarket Mount Pleasant suburb.
Casting his vote at a high school in Harare, Tsvangirai said he expected to win "quite resoundingly."
Accompanied by his wife and children, he told reporters he was moved by the sight of the long line of voters.
Results are expected well within the five-day legal limit. About 6.4 million people, or half the population, are registered to vote.
Asked on the eve of the polls if he and his ZANU-PF party would accept defeat, Mugabe was unequivocal: "If you go into a process and join a competition where there are only two outcomes, win or lose, you can't be both. You either win or lose. If you lose, you must surrender."
An MDC spokesman said the party was prepared only to accept the results if the poll was "free and fair."
The US, which has sanctions in place against Mugabe, has already questioned the credibility of the poll, pointing to lack of transparency in its organization and pro-Mugabe bias in the state media and partisan security forces.
Mugabe's comments were in marked contrast to the acrimony of what he described as an "energy-sapping" campaign. They may help to ease fears of a repeat of the violence that broke out after he lost the first round of the previous election in 2008.
About 200 Tsvangirai supporters were killed in that unrest before South Africa brokered a power-sharing deal that stopped the bloodshed and stabilized the economy, but established a unity government criticized as fractious and dysfunctional.
Western observers have been barred from the elections, leaving the task of independent oversight to 500 regional and 7,000 domestic monitors.


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Cynthia Lawson
The New School (Faculty and Associate Provost)
Cynthia Lawson is the Associate Provost for Distrib & Global Edu & Associate Professor of Integrated Design at Parsons School of Design. She is is a Brooklyn-based Colombian digital artist, technologist and educator. Her artwork, centered around themes of time and transience, has been internationally exhibited and performed, including at The Kitchen and Exit Art in NYC; UCLA's Hammer Museum; and the Museums of Modern Art in Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia. Lawson has taught university courses and workshops, since 1997, in Latin America, Japan, and the U.S. and since 2003 has worked at The New School where she is currently Associate Provost of Distributed and Global Education and Associate Professor of Integrated Design at Parsons' School of Design Strategies. Since 2007 she has been an active participant in, and until recently coordinated, the university-wide project Development Through Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Design (DEED), which has connected over 50 New School students with artisans in Latin America to support craft-based, income-generating opportunities. Her work with DEED has been featured in the NY Daily News and the TV show LatiNation, and was published in the peer-reviewed top-tier journal Visible Language. Lawson's recent presentations include TEDxFurmanU, and a keynote presentation at the Global Fashion Conference in Madrid. Prior to joining academia full-time, Lawson worked as an educational technologist in Bogotá and at Columbia University's Center for New Media Teaching and Learning. As a consultant she has worked with international organizations such as CARE and the World Bank. Lawson has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá) and a Master's in Interactive Telecommunications from New York University's ITP. She lives in possibly the smallest neighborhood in Brooklyn, Greenwood Heights, and is a founding member of Occupy University.


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I used to think that tattoos and piercings were disgusting. I was raised to think that way. My ears were gun-pierced when I was 9 months old, at the pediatrician's office. I went through a time where I didn't even want to wear earrings. Now I generally sport a stud with a chain on one side and a chained stud and earcuff on the other, much to the dislike of my parents. Soon, I hope to add at least a few more ear pierces.
When I was 12 or so, my cousin went and got his tongue pierced, in three different places. I never actually saw it, but the idea was interesting to me. I've never had the urge to have my tongue pierced, but at that age, that was the most extreme pierce I could imagine (little did I know!).
By high school, my views were changing with my budding sexuality. I really wanted to get my ears pierced a few more times, but my parents rejected the idea. I started reading r.a.b. and BME regularly, and the idea of modifying my body became more and more appealing. I think the most important revelation came one summer when one of the lifeguards at my pool had a nipple ring. While my mom carried on about how repulsive and dangerous she thought it was, I kept it to myself how sensual and exciting I thought it was. I wanted to have my nipples pierced, too. Unfortunately, as a minor, this sort of personal expression is limited! I also had the added problem of privacy -- my family does not respect privacy, and so even the most intimate mod would be a slight risk.
I decided to take this risk and do a nipple piercing myself. I had been reading so much about and viewing so many pictures of the piercings that I felt like I could handle it. My mother is a nurse, so getting sterile needles was no problem.
One afternoon, I had the house all to myself. I numbed my left nipple with oral anaestetic (like Orajel, but a generic liquid), mainly because I knew that if I was in control of the needle and it hurt, I'd shake and make a mess. (Definitely a negative of self piercing.) I measured and marked an entrance and exit hole. Then I cleaned the area well with Bactine and alcohol and prepared myself for the piercing.
I had decided to use one of my stainless earrings (a larger ring) and had soaked it overnight to disinfect it. I got it and the needle and set them up (with some paper towels and band-aids -- just in case) on the counter of the bathroom. I took a deep breath and began to slide the needle in horizontally. All I felt was pressure, due to the numbing agent.
It wasn't hard to get the needle all the way through, and it seemed straight, so I inserted the ring and took a good look. It looked awesome! There was a single drop of blood from where both the needle and ring had both been inserted, but that was all. I went without a bra for the rest of the day, and wore a loose-fitting one for a little while.
The pierce healed without any problems. I kept it cleaned and turned, and never had an signs of infection or anything. The second nip followed, but it was short-lived because it was in my smaller nipple and stayed red (though not painful) too long for my liking.
Privacy was still a big issue, though. I had a physical coming up, and even though I wasn't afraid of the doctor's reaction, I knew my mom would come along, as always. I knew she'd kill me if she saw my nipple. Not only are those little paper gowns revealing, but I also knew part of the exam would include exposing my chest. There was no way she could miss seeing it, and I knew it would only arouse suspicion if I refused to let her accompany me.
So I gave up. I regret that to this day. I took out the ring before the exam and decided to leave it out until I could go and get both of my nipples professionally (re)done. My parents never knew, and I think it was better that they didn't, but I miss the sensation of the ring in my nipple! Both of my nipples are more sensitive now than ever before -- and my boyfriend loves breasts. He never saw the pierce, or knew about it... I wonder what he'd say!
I'll wrap this up with a disclaimer: Even though my experience went well, I don't recommend self-piercing. There's too much risk of infection and mistake involved. Get yourself to a professional, well-recommended piercer instead.
Just my two cents and a little story.
-- Elsbeth
submitted by: Anonymous
on: 10 Oct. 1997
in Nipple Piercing
Artist: +
Studio: +
Location: +


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Video: Mr. Leif Goes to Madison
Leif Nelson, Instructional Designer and Distance Education Coordinator in the UW-Green Bay Learning Technology Center embarked on a trip to Madison to attend the 2011 New Media Consortium Summer Conference (and stopped by the Games and Learning Society Conference) as a part of his professional development. While in Madison Leif recorded the video above and asked that we share it with academic staff since his travel was funded by professional development funds from UW-Green Bay Academic Staff and the Learning Technology Development Council.
Leif works closely with faculty and staff, and provides them with the pedagogical consultation, instructional design support, software instruction, and individual support needed to develop successful and effective courses.


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My dad, my brother and I arrived at the coffee shop and made our way to the back room where 20 or so adult men sat with their eyes cast downward on the floor. I coaxed my brother to join them; my dad and I sat further back with the other family members, nervously looking at each other. At that moment, I had doubts as to whether this was going to be successful. Would they start to talk? Did we need to help them? Was that the point of having a social group for adults on the autism spectrum? Over time, however, all of us became more relaxed and, as we got to know one another, the group slowly flourished. Family members were able to become more of a backdrop and natural part of the group, and now it has the feel of a family reunion every time we get together. It is such a safe, comfortable place where everyone fits in, and there's never a wrong way to do anything.
Growing up with loved ones with autism spectrum disorder has shaped my life and determined my professional and personal life paths. As a professional I have become very passionate and dedicated not only to helping individuals with ASD, but also mentoring student speech-language pathologists. I focus on helping new SLPs understand the "why" underlying how individuals with ASD think, so these SLPs can better help these individuals with learning and generalization of skills.
Autism also has affected my personal life, in particular, my relationship with my brother (see the April 2014 issue of the Leader, "Terra Incognita"). As an adult he has overcome so many challenges. He works full time, and enjoys his job. He is one of the kindest and most generous people I know, and I truly admire him. For all that my brother has achieved, however, he (like so many other adults with ASD) has struggled to develop friendships and social relationships. I worry about him becoming socially isolated and that's where social groups come in.
Social groups (notice I do not use the word "therapeutic") are informal get-togethers where individuals like my brother can meet and participate in activities. In Pittsburgh we are very fortunate to have many such social groups in the city. Over the past several years, I have helped organize events and helped individuals with autism find and develop social networks.
Starting a group was actually fairly easy and straightforward. The group that I helped to initiate was sponsored by a nonprofit organization, Autism Connection of PA. They are well-known in the autism community in and around Pittsburgh. They also included our contact information on their website and advertised our group for us. In addition, they provide a small stipend to the volunteer organizers to help offset the minimal costs involved (e.g., some advertising, costs of food, etc.) Currently we have approximately 100 members in our group and, depending on the activity and interest of the group members, anywhere from 10 to 25 members show and participate.
The group began with a mom looking for a social outlet for her adult son, and I happened to be searching for a social networking opportunity for my brother. Fate lent a hand and brought us all together that day at the coffee shop. We found the easiest way to contact everyone was through email. Through meetup.com we were able to establish a way for everyone to be able to keep in touch with ongoing activities and to email each other (We also have an email group list for those that found the meetup.com website a bit overwhelming). Family members also are allowed to sign up on behalf of someone on the spectrum if using a computer is not comfortable for them.
We took a survey and developed a list of activities based on the interests of the group members. Potlucks, bowling, movies, museums, and going to sports games are the most popular activities. Costs for participation and transportation also are factors to keep in mind when planning for an activity.
There's another smaller and more structured group that meets two Sunday afternoons a month. Only adults on the autism spectrum are allowed to attend; family members can drop them off before the meeting and pick them up after. A facilitator leads this discussion group. The group has talked about relationship difficulties, not fitting in, employment, housing, driving, and depression. The facilitator presents a topic beforehand for the group to focus on, so that the group doesn't perseverate on their difficulties. These discussions have been very popular with some of the adults with the goal being to let them to share stories about themselves, their interests, etc., and not to be a "therapeutic" setting. Occasionally, outside speakers are brought in (psychiatrists, etc.). I volunteered my time and offered three free sessions of speech services for those who wished to participate. But we found that mostly the adults really don't want "therapy." They just want a chance to relax and meet people.
I can only speak from my own experience, but over time my brother's social skills and independent living skills have increased significantly. It has been the best intervention that my brother could ever have been provided. Pittsburgh is made up of small neighborhoods, and my brother bumps into other members of the group from time to time, and independently goes up and chats with them. As anyone who is familiar with ASD would understand, this is huge and miraculous. Also along the miracle front, one day out of the blue, my brother told our father that he wanted to start making his own doctor appointments. Again, the enormity of this cannot be emphasized enough.
There is a need for this type of group in every community. Just like adult rehab clinics often have aphasia support groups, SLPs who work in transition settings could start social groups for adolescents and adults. The goal is not to "rehabilitate" them, but merely to help them know that they are not alone, and that they are valued and appreciated.
Janice Nathan, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and, since 2004, owner of Nathan Speech Services, which specializes in the language and learning challenges of people diagnosed with autsim.. Her brother, Sam, was diagnosed with high-functioning autism as an adult in his early 50s. Read about Sam's story in "Terra Incognita" in the April 2014 issue of The ASHA Leader.


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Science Museum API
Use the Science Museum APIs to access pledge information and a list of exhibitions and galleries, both current and historical. The Pledges API was developed for the Science Museum exhibition, Does flying cost the Earth? In the exhibition, visitors made pledges, and some also entered demographic data. Use the Pledges API to access this pledge data. The Countries API is used by the Pledges API for reference purposes. The Exhibitions API lists exhibitions and galleries at the Science Museum, both current and those from the past.


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CK Sketches: November/December 2012 Digital Template & 25 Bonus Sketches
Use this cheerful sketch from Creating Keepsakes to scrapbook your festive holiday layouts.
Merry & Bright by Jill Cornell, as seen in the November/December 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.
Sketch Tip: This sketch can accomodate 11 or more of your favorite holiday or winter memories on one layout.
Scraplifting Tip: For a cute snowflake accent, layer several textures together, like Jill Cornell did by using a transparency, wood veneer, and a brad.
Scrapbook your page using this issue's sketch. For even more inspiration, download the 25 Bonus Sketches based on layouts in the September/October 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.
Download this month's sketch (PSD)
Download the bonus sketches (PDF)
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'Meat glue' enzyme used in many restaurants
Most consumers wouldn't know if they're eating it
Before ABC News exposed the phenomenon of 'pink slime' earlier this year, few knew it existed. Now most are hearing about something called 'meat glue' for the first time, too.
It's a little-known secret, used in the kitchens of many restaurants. Meat glue is the nickname for the white powder called transglutaminase enzyme.
It allows people to take small bits of meat – the size that would normally be used for stew - and bond them together in a way that makes the smaller pieces appear to be a solid steak.
"That looks like a normal piece of steak, doesn't it?," said Pennsylvania chef Doug Shirey. "Looks like a piece of filet mignon."
Shirey does not use meat glue at his restaurant, but agreed to demonstrate how it works. First he sprinkled the white powder over the meat, mixed and wrapped it up, then refrigerated it for 12 hours.
Rancher Nigel Tudor said meat glue is made by "taking the clotting agents out of pigs' and cows' blood" and using it "to clot together chunks of meat."
Not even an expert could tell the difference, even seeing the steak made with meat glue side by side with a real filet mignon.
"Look at that. It's amazing huh? Look at that," he said.
The federal government has said meat glue itself is "generally recognized as safe."
The packaging of meat sold at grocery stores must be labeled as "formed" or "reformed." But restaurants have no such labeling requirement, leaving consumers in the dark if their steak has been glued.
But Steve Steingart, of the Allegheny County Health Department in Pennsylvania said glued meat could also pose a health risk if smaller pieces of meat that have been handled, and possibly contaminated, end up in the center of a steak served rare.
He said glued steaks "would have to be cooked, because if you ordered this rare, there's a possibility that this steak, there could be growth on it."
"There's a deceptive quality we don't like about it," said restaurant owner Grainne Trainor. "And there's also a health and sanitation quality that we absolutely disagree with."
"Meat is something you buy at your neighborhood local butcher shop," Trainor said. "Glue is something you buy at Home Depot. Those two words just don't belong in the same sentence."


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CHAMPS! Women's Indoor Captures Third America East Title In
Four Years
BOSTON, Mass. – Winning by a margin of over 100 points, the University at Albany captured its third America East women's indoor track and field championship in four years Tuesday at the Reggie Lewis Center. The Great Danes totaled a conference record 233.50 points in the victory.
Winning eight individual titles, junior Kathryn Fanning led the squad with triumphs in the 1,000m (2:50.36) and mile run (4:46.64).
Senior Alli Rogers captured the 400m dash title with a mark of 55.34, while sophomore Michelle Anthony placed first in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.72.
Freshman Annie Johnson, also a member of UAlbany's softball team, placed second in the 60m dash with an ECAC qualifying time of 7.68. She was followed closely by Jillian Haynes' 7.69 in third.
In the 200m dash, the Great Danes also took the second and third positions with Haynes (24.95) and Rogers (24.98) both hitting ECAC worthy marks.
Constantly racking up the points throughout the day on the track, Tynelle Taylor-Chase (1:16.52) and Dominique Claudio (1:16.82) placed third and fourth, respectively, in the 500m dash.
Brianne Bellon earned eight points for the Danes in the 800m run (2:13.45), while Miranda McConnell (9:45.97) and Brittney Lane (9:50.86) totaled 11 points, finishing in third and fourth places with ECAC-qualifying times in the 3,000m run.
UAlbany's 4x400m and 4x800m relay teams both finished in second. The 4x400m squad consisting of Aderinsola Ajala, Taylor-Chase, Claudio, and Sherez Mohamed boasted a time of 3:49.31, while the 4x800m team with Mackenzie Carter, Brittney Killebrew, Jonelle White, and Bellon hit an ECAC-qualifying time of 9:16.18.
On the field side, Rochelle Reid's 5' 7" leap in the high jump earned the title for the junior. Teammate Ashley Grant placed second with a 5' 5.25" mark and freshman Solene Bastien earned fourth with a jump of 5' 3.75".
Bastien captured the triple jump title with an ECAC-qualifying mark of 39' 4".
In the shot put, sophomore Janice Johnson finished in second place with a throw of 42' 9". Teammate Samantha Kosa came in fourth with her 42' 2" toss.
With the sweeping of both the men's and women's indoor titles Tuesday, the UAlbany athletic department has now won 61 conference championships at the Division I level. The championships also mark the first in the era of new University President Dr. Robert Jones.
1) Albany - 233.50
3) Binghamton - 124.50
4) Vermont - 91
5) New Hampshire - 76.50
6) Maine - 64.50
7) Stony Brook - 44
8) Hartford - 15


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Ambassador Stevens Wanted Security Team to Stay in Libya
(WASHINGTON) -- U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens wanted a Security Support Team, made up of 16 special operations soldiers, to stay with him in Libya after their deployment was scheduled to end in August, the commander of that security team told ABC News.
The embassy staff's "first choice was for us to stay," Lt. Col. Andrew Wood, 55, told ABC News in an interview. "That would have been the choice of the embassy people in Tripoli."
But a senior State Department official told ABC News that the embassy's Regional Security Officer never specifically requested that the SST's tour be extended past August, and the official maintained there was no net loss of security personnel.
The Regional Security Officer "asked for a number of U.S. shooters because of the pending SST redeployment and he was at that number," said the senior State Department official, who asked not to be identified because of the ongoing internal investigation.
The State Department issued a statement Monday, saying, "The SST was enlisted to support the re-opening of Embassy Tripoli, to help ensure we had the security necessary as our diplomatic presence grew. They were based in Tripoli and operated almost exclusively there. When their rotation in Libya ended, Diplomatic Security Special Agents were deployed and maintained a constant level of security capability. So their departure had no impact whatsoever on the total number of fully trained American security personnel in Libya generally, or in Benghazi specifically."
The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli had already asked for -- and received -- an extension of the SST earlier in the year. A February draft request for a 120-day extension, obtained by ABC News, stated that the team is "an integral part of our mobile and fixed site security functions," augmenting the security escort work done by the Mobile Security Detachment, protecting the embassy, training local guards, serving as a Quick Reaction Force, providing "vital medical, communications, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), as well as, command and control enablers that are critical to post's security effort."
The embassy request stated: "Quite simply, we cannot maintain our existing levels of Embassy operations, much less implement necessary staffing increases, without a continued SST presence."
Wood, a member of the Utah National Guard who ordinarily works in security for the Department of the Interior, is scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee hearings on Wednesday.
Asked for comment to the memo and Wood's comments, a spokesman for the House Oversight Committee told ABC News: "Diplomats working in Libya viewed security provided by highly trained Americans as critical to their safety and mission. The Oversight Committee's investigation continues to seek answers about why -- even as threats against Americans increased -- senior State Department officials erroneously decided such security was no longer needed."
Investigators are exploring whether anyone at the State Department told the Embassy specifically not to request another extension.
In his interview with ABC News, Wood did not argue that his and the Security Support Team's presence would have made a difference for Ambassador Stevens and the other three Americans killed at the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi on Sept. 11, 2012.
"That's way speculative; I don't even know the facts of what happened" that night, Wood said.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio


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Nadine Heckroodt
Finance Manager
Nadine is the Finance Manager at LOT-QuantumDesign UK and is also involved in the financial management of LOT-QuantumDesign France. She joined the company in 2006 and qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant with CIMA in 2013. Nadine is originally from South Africa and moved to the UK in 2001
Seeking a distributor?
If you are looking to partner with an experienced sales and service company to distribute your systems or components please contact Jürgen Schlütter.


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She doesn't know exactly where the waste is, but New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath is sure it's there and she'll create a new cabinet minister to root out $600 million of it, she promised Wednesday morning.
Reevely: Horwath pledges new ministry to trim $600M in government waste
She doesn't know exactly where the waste is, but New Democratic Party leader Andrea Horwath is sure it's there and she'll create a new cabinet minister to root out $600 million of it, she promised Wednesday morning.
"I believe that there is a lot of waste in government right now and I believe that the people of Ontario want to see that waste eliminated, and I don't think we eliminate it without the hard decisions. Yes, it means hard decisions and a lot of hard work, but it's incumbent upon us to do that work and make those hard decisions," Horwath said in a Toronto news conference.
Hard work. Hard decisions. What will they be? Not sure.
Horwath will create a new ministry to answer that question, tasked with cutting 0.5 per cent out of the provincial budget every year. With spending of about $130 billion, that means cuts of $600 million to $650 million. Horwath herself does not actually know where the government wastes all that money, but by making it someone's job to find it, she's certain it'll be found. The new minister of savings and accountability will find it by overseeing other government departments and being responsible for meeting the targets.
"I am confident that there are many types of that overlap in the government, and the problem is that no one is charged with the responsibility to actually find it," Horwath said. "That to me is the problem. There are a lot of people charged with the responsibility to spend tax dollars but there is no one actually responsible to invest it wisely and so the result is the waste and overlap that we have right now.
Actually, there is someone with that responsibility: the finance minister. That's the whole job.
Would cutting $600 million from the provincial budget every year — indefinitely — result in job losses? Horwath wouldn't say that.
"What we are saying is there is a lot of waste in the system. I know that for sure. We've watched it. We've watched the waste with eHealth, we've watched the waste with ORNGE air ambulance," Horwath said. These are genuine cases of mismanagement of important tasks under the Liberals Horwath hopes to defeat, but they are precisely the sort of thing a government can't spot in itself. Nobody mismanages things on purpose.
What prevents mismanagement is competent ministers, led by a premier who sets a parsimonious tone. If you don't have those (as the Liberals haven't, particularly), governments have people to catch failures and make them public: auditors. Also journalists, who did much of the work to expose the scandals Horwath points to.
Besides naming a second finance minister, Horwath promised to cut eight ministers from the current roster of 26. Which ministries would be rolled into which other ministries? She'll decide that after the election. She has no ideas to offer now, not even ones that would be obvious if reducing the number of ministries is your goal: merging the education and post-secondary education portfolios, or the research and economic development assignments.
Cutting the number of ministers isn't a bad idea, but it's not a very significant one, either: it doesn't abolish the ministries involved, just moves them under the oversight of fewer people. It cuts some top-echelon jobs in the civil service but Ontario's universities wouldn't cease to exist without a minister dedicated to them.
The New Democrats have a long and proud history of sticking up for the little guy in Ontario, but if a philosophy like that is going to be any use, it needs to be backed by an understanding of why the government is the way it is and a clear vision for how it ought to be different. Horwath — the most experienced of the three major-party leaders and the one who triggered the current election campaign — isn't doing much for her party's tradition. Bereft of any ideas for reform, she's running on slogans and nonsense.


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Feeling Tired, Forgetful or Depressed?
If you find yourself trudging through your day, forgetting what you walked into the room for, or just feeling down, the answer could be as simple as getting adequate omega-3s. Omega-3 deficiency is incredibly common. This is because your body does not produce them on its own—they must be obtained through diet.
Research Proves What Omega-3s Can Do For You
Marine Phytoplankton – Powerfully Nutritious Microalgae
Gram for gram, marine phytoplankton might be the most nutrient-dense food on the planet, loaded with EFAs, amino acids, enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants and trace minerals. Our phytoplankton is carefully grown inside a highly-regulated, simulated oceanic environment to prevent contamination and ensure 100% purity.
Here is a testimonial from our Director of Operations, Chad, about how Marine Phytoplankton helped him out during our recent Expo East:
"Last week I was at The Natural Products Expo East, a huge trade show, and on a three-hour time difference with severe jet-lag. It was the first day of the show and I was on very little sleep. I was completely disengaged, scattered, unfocused – I was down and out. Although I've never taken it before, as soon as I took a shot of phytoplankton my mental clarity became more sharp, I was able to focus, I became engaged with my surroundings, and my overall thought process instantly became un-fogged. I normally drink coffee in the morning, and when it wears off, I drink more to avoid the crash. After I took phytoplankton, I was alert all day, never experienced a lack of energy or mental alertness, and did not take a sip of coffee the entire day. Not to mention, there was no caffeine crash so I had no issue falling asleep, and staying asleep that night. I continued to take phytoplankton for the remainder of the weekend, and felt that because of it- we had a very successful time at Expo. Now at home, I continue to use phytoplankton and will continue to use it in my daily life."
Forget Jewelry: Gold Is for Brain Health!
The gold supplement by Mother Earth Minerals that we offer here at Sunfood far surpasses colloidal minerals in quality and absorbability. Here's why.
Mother Earth Minerals are water-soluble, ionic (electrically charged) liquid minerals in angstrom form, which are 10,000 times smaller than colloidal molecules. These minerals are small enough to not just absorb into your body, but assimilate into your cells, which is the key to fully utilizing the benefits of mineral nutrients.
Give your brain what it needs to thrive!
1 – "Omega-3 Fatty Acids" University of Maryland Medical Center, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Guide.
2 – "DHA supplementation improved both memory and reaction time in healthy young adults: a randomized controlled trial." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2013.
3 – "Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Improve Brain Function and Structure in Older Adults." Cerebral Cortex, Oxford University Journals, June 24, 2013.
4 – "Effect of Colloidal Metallic Gold on Cognitive Functions: A Pilot Study." Journal of Frontier Sciences, Guy E. Abraham, MD, 1998.
Sunfood's "Natural Solutions" does not promote or suggest natural cures, natural healing or natural remedies for any disease, disorder or ailment thereof. This information should be treated as educational material gathered and discovered from various studies, clinical trials and customer reviews. It is designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, and independent conclusions in regards to natural products and alternative health choices. This information has not been approved by the FDA and has not been verified by medical professionals. It is best to consult with your healthcare practitioner before attempting any form of natural cure, natural healing or natural remedy to any health issues.


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What about grammar?
August 24, 2012 | 1 Comment
What about grammar? The 3x PIC Rule: Point-Identify-Correct
Although we do not copy edit papers, we do not ignore grammatical, mechanical, and style problems in students' papers. Instead, we draw a student's attention to the error: POINT, ask if the student can recognize and IDENTIFY the error, and finally, ask if the student can CORRECT the error.
When you see a problem, ask if the student can identify the problem. If yes, ask the student to explain the problem, and then ask if the student can correct the problem. If the student cannot identify the problem, you should do that. If the student cannot correct the problem, you should help the student correct the problem.
Repeat this process three times. Each time, encourage the student to point out, identify, and then correct the error or problem. After that, encourage the student to complete corrections of the error during the revision process. If a student still has difficulty identifying and correcting the error, refer the student to one of the faculty writing tutors.
Remember the 3x PIC rule: Point—Identify—Correct—x3


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Things Left: MFA Thesis - Printmaking
The spaces we occupy and the objects we value vary in degrees of importance at different times. The idea of "home" often encompasses a certain feeling of ambiguity and temporality that is always in flux. For some, home ...


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Credit: Wikimedia / David Rydevik
- Advertisement -
JAKARTA: Indonesia has launched its Tsunami Early Warning System (InaTEWS) and hopes to become the Indian Ocean tsunami warning provider by 2011.
The new system can warn of an impending tsunami within five minutes of an earthquake and uses new technologies that differ from previous systems, according to its developers.
Existing systems — such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning System — have not suited Indonesia's unique geological situation, according to the Jakarta Tsunami Information Centre.
Indian Ocean earthquakes off the country's coast occur along the Sunda Arc — a subduction zone where one tectonic plate slips under another — which extends from Sumatra in the west to Flores in the east.
Should a tsunami occur in this zone the waves could, in an extreme case, reach the coast within 20 minutes, leaving little warning time.
To tackle this, scientists have found new ways to improve the speed and reliability of the detection of strong earthquakes, and to effectively model tsunamis.
In particular, InaTEWS makes direct use of a wide variety of different sensors, such as seismographs and buoys to monitor ocean waves.
InaTEWS is supported by new technology known as the Decision Support System (DSS), which collects information from earthquake monitoring systems, tsunami analysis and monitoring systems, and systems that measure the deformation of the earth's crust after an earthquake has taken place.
Jan Sopaheluwakan, chairman of the Indonesian National Commission for UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) said that in 2010, two agencies — the Japanese Meteorological Agency and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center — will step aside in favour of InaTEWS as the regional warning system for the Indian Ocean.
But achieving this internationally recognised position requires further work. Its technical capability, sustainability, information systems and training for recipient countries will need improving before it can fulfil this role, says Sopaheluwakan.
Indonesia is the natural host for such a system, he says, because of its position on the 'Ring of Fire' — a region of high earthquake activity encircling the Pacific Ocean — and thus close to the sources of tsunamis.
The system was developed at a cost of 1.4 trillion Indonesian rupiahs (US$130 million), with technical and financial contributions from China, France, Germany, Japan and the United States.


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Personally I'm a Core fan because of that Arcade style shooter feeling... With dedicated servers, I think you can play virtually any gamemode on hardcore.
I am all for the removal of auto-aim in every multiplayer game. That shit is for campaigns and little girls in MY opinion. At a minimum it should be removed from HC.
Not going to ever happen.
It seems more and more hardcore game modes are gaining ground. I play on the 360 and will be on the One. I was a core player for a long time. Then I started playing HC and over time I was hooked. My bet is that Infinity Ward will have at least the same hardcore modes that BO2 had. In my opinion the level of play is better and more (realistic). Honesty I will not be returning to any core modes. The simple fact that unloading a half a clip into an enemy for a frag is ridicules. My only hope is that the game developers catch on to this going interest in HC modes. I would like the new modes in HC especially cranked to be available in ghosts. I can imagine the excitement in game play. It would be a shame if developers missed this trend. Shooting for the stars here, wouldn't it be nice if there was some level of competitive game play in HC. Now I am just dreaming but what a sweet dream it is.
All I care about is if Hardcore Dominations is in Ghosts. If so, i'm good.
IW really need to sort it out. MW3 was utter crap and they promise this will be better... my ass!! Core and Hardcore should be equal. End of discussion.
You obviously don't realise that if they could, they would. Infinity Ward only has so much server space for game modes,and since core everything is the more popular then hardcore everything, core will get the majority of game modes, and hardcore will get the few most popular game modes, tdm, kc, and snd/snr
If they could, they would, trust me. I work in IT, and have helped work on servers before
I refuse to believe that. This is a franchise that has sold over 100 million units. They can buy more servers if needs must. So, what you're saying is total hogwash, if they 'wanted' to they could. They obviously don't 'want' to which is the problem.
© 2019 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, MODERN WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY MODERN WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY BLACK OPS, CALL OF DUTY GHOSTS, CALL OF DUTY ADVANCED WARFARE, CALL OF DUTY INFINITE WARFARE, and the CALL OF DUTY WORLD LEAGUE Logo are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are property of their respective owners.


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House Speaker John Boehner is proposing a 'Plan B' option to keep taxes from increasing on people making less than $1 million on January 1.
A Boehner aide says the speaker is calling on Congress to pass a bill on only the tax cuts, while also working with the White House to avert the "fiscal cliff," which includes a series of spending cuts.
The aide said Boehner presented the proposals to the House GOP during a caucus meeting Tuesday morning. He informed the president of his 'Plan B' option during a phone call Monday night.
The aide requested anonymity in order to discuss private negotiations.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.


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Monday, June 23, 2008
Whitt's end
Whitt refers to himself in the article as "the best manager Toronto has never hired". Oh really? Based on what?
Whitt has managed a handful of games for Canada's national team, but filling out the lineups for a few weeks here and there is a far cry from taking the helm of a team for a full season. Whitt used his reputation as a well-loved Blue Jays icon to jump the queue, propelling himself from a wandering coach position to the major league staff without having managed anywhere in the minor leagues. If Whitt had taken the slow and steady path to the Majors, he might not find himself at home without options today.
Whatever you want to say about Gibby, or even Carlos Tosca, both of them established themselves as minor league managers, and will have options open to them for years to come because of that experience. In fact, Tosca finds himself at the right hand of Florida's Fredi Gonzalez as the Marlins' bench coach...a role that we can see Gibbons taking within the next 12 months.
We get that it sucks to get fired, and we don't doubt that Whitt might have been a bit more careful in his choice of words given a few days to come to grips with this. But he would do well to stop complaining and pointing fingers and to start looking for a position in someone's system where he can develop and show the world his stupendously awesome managing skill.
UPDATE: Supplementary Whitt-icisms
As noted in the comments, Mike Wilner mentions Whitt's not-so-friendly demeanor in his latest blog post. Wilner states that he's not going to discuss Whitt any further given his reaction to comments made by Wilner when callers brought up the bizzarro notion of that Ernie should be the team's GM. (An idea that we ridiculed ourselves.)
14 comments:
- Joanna said...
I think the shock of everyone getting shitcanned messed with Whitt. Gibbons said that that was the worst part of it, the wide firing. Wells said it was strange seeing so many new coaches, and realizing just how bad stuff got. Whitt might regret speaking later, but his demotion from bench coach to first base coach (ie the dude that takes the hitting gear from baserunners) smelled a little funky. The bullshit fumes have messed with his brain. Maybe Whitt assumed that on and off 30 year commitment to an organization meant something. But, I guess not.
- June 23, 2008 at 11:05 AM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Yeah, although the stories are starting to come out about Whitt's work ethic...isn't it funny to hear all of the stuff that no one reports on while they are still there?
- June 23, 2008 at 11:15 AM
- silvestre said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- June 23, 2008 at 11:39 AM
And maybe this is old news, but did you see Wilner's latest blog? Sounds like Whitt didn't like to hear a little criticism....
- June 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Yeah, we actually saw it after we posted, but it bears noting.
Funny guy.
- June 23, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Whitt-icisms = gold!
- June 23, 2008 at 12:27 PM
- eyebleaf said...
I can't believe Whitt actually called out Wilner for what was said on his show...and did it in a douche-baggy manner as well. That's low. I'm surprised with Ernie's demeanor. Thought he was a bigger guy than all this.
- June 23, 2008 at 12:45 PM
- Andrew said...
I noticed no impact of Ernie Whitt. Perhaps that was the problem.
- June 23, 2008 at 1:39 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Well, Ernie did a very good job this season of holding onto shin guards and assorted batters' protective equipment. You gotta give him that.
Incidentally, we just read Mike Toth's column about this (we didn't have anything sharp to stick in our eye at that moment), and someone says that Whitt did "an amazing job" as bench coach.
We're still wiping the coffee off of our monitor and keyboard.
- June 23, 2008 at 2:26 PM
- the ack said...
The thing I don't get, is Big Ern basically said there is no reason to fire a first base coach, ever, with his "well, if you aren't hitting, fire the hitting coach, if you fire the manager, then also fire the bench coach....." spiel.
I do feel bad for him, in that the only organization he's ever really known basically just kicked his ass out of the house, but the demotion from bench coach should have been a Kenny Rogers Roaster sign things weren't looking good for his future with the team.
Blasting management on his way out probably wasn't great for his future, either.
- June 23, 2008 at 3:03 PM
- silvestre said...
Funny that in mentioning he will not discuss Whitt anymore, Wilner induces a flurry of posts bashing Whitt, and links to the story. So now everyone knows what an asshole Whitt is without needing to divulge any details - mission accomplished.
Similar to the Toth incident a couple of weeks back where Wilner mentioned he would never attack a fellow broadcaster like Toth did and then let the posters pile on the slamming and ad hominem attacks. I generally like Wilner, but he is a sly one.
- June 23, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Ernie Whitt is the best manager the Jays never hired. That's the polar opposite of John Anderson finally getting an NHL job w/ the Thrashers after a Boudreauish stint there w/ greater success. Ernie was a great Jay, thanks for that. Move on and get over yourself.
- June 23, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Why is almost every player or coach bitter after dealing with JP. He must be too blunt when firing or something that doesn't take care of the needs of the employee.
- June 23, 2008 at 9:57 PM
- Mono said...
Ernie saying there's no reason to fire a 1st base coach because (in essence) they don't really matter in relation to run-producing or wins via offense, the two elements of the team most important to the Blue Jays this year, short-circuits his own reason to complain. If 1st base coaches don't matter then what the ass is the matter?
That's right, nothing. 1st base coaches are just proactive individuals there on the preference of the current manager. Hello Dwayne Murphy!
- June 23, 2008 at 10:02 PM


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We hear a lot about returning veterans being out of work, but to many of us, the numbers — a 16.7 percent unemployment rate for New York veterans last year; an estimated 234,000 post-9/11 vets looking for jobs — are an abstraction.
Not to the five men and women featured below. These veterans and reservists have three things in common:
They've left their homes, risked their lives and sacrificed their time in the service of their country. They've picked up some impressive skills along the way. And now they're looking for work post-service.
Looking to make some hires? Want someone who's committed, resourceful, highly trained and has proven themselves under the toughest conditions? Read on. And e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com to get in touch with any of the service members you see here; please specify their name in the subject line.
— Additional reporting by Gregory E. Miller.
Louis Corriea, 37, Newark, NJ
Branch: Marine Corps, active duty November 1998 to November 2003; reserves, November 2003 to August 2006
Rank: Corporal
Active Duty Deployment: 2001 to 2002, mobile deployment, assisting in multiple countries including Bosnia and Kosovo
Recent Work Experience: Director of training for Ginc Vision, a military training and solutions company
Dream Job: To work for a nonprofit organization that aids veterans, or head a company that does national and international logistics work
Skills: As a logistics officer running supply and relief operations — dealing with "what we call the beans, bullets and band-aids" — Corriea developed both advanced administrative skills and an ability to set priorities and work under pressure. Fluent in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and able to read German, Corriea can work around numerous language barriers.
Why you should hire him now: Give Corriea a task, and he'll have finished it five minutes ago. "Commitment: It's more than just a word for us," he says.
Corriea was responsible for bringing the first "Be A Hero, Hire A Hero" event to New Jersey, connecting more than 1,000 veterans with employers. No one asked him to do it, he just saw the task at hand and made it happen.
"My best trait is commitment: commitment to my job, commitment to my task, commitment to whatever it is I'm assigned to do," Corriea says. "I see it to completion."
Erik Swanson, 29, Summit, NJ
Branch: Army National Guard, September 2003 to the present
Rank: Staff sergeant
Active Duty Deployment: June 2008 to July 2009, at FOB Union 3 (Green Zone) in Baghdad, Iraq
Recent work experience: Military trainer
Dream Job: Any project management or corporate development position within a company
Skills: Able to manage large teams of individuals, administrate tasks and keep a team focused on the job at hand. Swanson, who holds a master's in administration science, notes that vets "have a list of skills that are good for any company," including leadership skills and a knack for problem solving and decision making. He's applied for jobs in law enforcement and with corporate firms, and notes hopefully that corporate hiring seems to be on the upswing.
Why you should hire him now: Curveballs don't faze Swanson, who's learned to get the job done, no matter how many obstacles are thrown in his way. "You can't accept no for an answer," says Swanson, "I still have to complete the mission."
Mitchell, 31,
Branch: Marines Reserve, December 2006 to the present
Rank: Corporal
Recent work experience: Front desk clerk at the Crowne Plaza New York Sports Club
Dream Job: Working in healthcare
Skills: Mitchell has experience with warehouse inventory, checking on all the supplies a soldier needs in combat. The Marines have also trained her to handle finances and make monetary transactions, so she can crunch numbers like a champ.
Why you should hire her now: A self-described workaholic, Mitchell says her military experience has taught her to be punctual, responsible and reliable. And she's learned valuable lessons in leadership from her commanding officers.
"People are not going to respect you if you're a mean manager," Mitchell says. "If you're tactful, they will listen to you."
She's applied to companies from Duane Reade to Hilton Hotels to the Long Island Rail Road, but has yet to land a position. it's frustrating for Mitchell, who's anxious to show what she can do.
Employers "should look at a person's experience, and give them a chance," she says.
Matthew Pizzo, 29, Manhattan
Branch: Air Force, September 2001 to February 2005, followed by two years as an Air Force civilian contractor
Rank: Senior airman
Active Duty Deployment: September 2004 to February 2005, at Tallil Airbase in Nasiriya, Iraq.
Recent work experience: Part-time law clerk at the Watanabe Law Firm, construction worker and volunteer for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Dream Job: Strategic planning or operations management for a fashion, entertainment or other creative company
Skills: Matt has prowess in technological installation, maintenance and repair, which is matched with the legal and procedural savvy he picked up while earning a degree from New York Law School. Add a military-honed work ethic, and the package is complete.
Why you should hire him now: If there's a piece of technology that uses signals to send data back and forth — satellites, routers, servers — Pizzo knows its intricacies down to the last wire. "I developed a program training new troops on how to work on equipment," he says.
That tech savvy lifted Pizzo into a trusted position: "I had a very high security clearance," he says, "so I got to work on a lot of classified pieces of technology."
Larry Rivera, 29, Brooklyn
Branch: Army, April 2005 to October 2011
Rank: Specialist 4
Active Duty Deployment: January 2006 to February 2007, in a mobile caravan across Afghanistan
Recent experience: Campaign assistant and volunteer coordinator for Brooklyn State Senator David Strobin, student at Kingsborough Community College
Dream Job: Event coordinator or public relations agent for a major league sport
Skills: Working on convoy logistics and training Afghan soldiers has taught Rivera "how to coordinate events and coordinate people" — not to mention how to persevere under difficult circumstances. As a highly trained dignitary driver, Rivera escorted generals and other VIPs around bases — which means his interpersonal skills are as strong as his driving ability.
Why you should hire him now: Leadership runs through Rivera's veins. As a leader in the BOSS (Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers) program at Fort Hamilton, Rivera oversaw up to 80 people.
"Everyone has leadership abilities," Rivera says. "Its just a matter of motivating that person."
With a family of six, including a son who's required a liver transplant, Rivera admits it's been difficult to be out of work. But the discipline and commitment instilled by the military has served him well, he says. And given the chance, he knows he can shine.
"I know what I'm capable of," he says.


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Cabinet documents open window on 30 years ago
The Northern Territory Government's release of previously secret Cabinet documents from 1982 offers a rare insight into the events and issues of 30 years ago.
It was the year Lindy Chamberlain was found guilty of murdering her baby Azaria, the Country Liberals' Paul Everingham was the Territory's first Chief Minister, and the Territory and federal governments undertook one of the most expensive animal brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication programs in the world.
Under Territory laws, most public sector records, including those of Cabinet, are required to be transferred to the Northern Territory archive service no later than 30 years after the record was created.
"These documents make for some very, very interesting reading," the Leader of Government Business, John Elferink, says.
"What is surprising is the number of issues that they cover which continue to be of interest to the people of the Northern Territory."
The Dingo did it:
Trial of Lindy Chamberlain
The trial of Lindy Chamberlain was no doubt one of the most notable events of 1982 and was dubbed the Territory's "trial of the century".
In 1980, Ms Chamberlain told the world media "a dingo took my baby", after her three-month-old daughter Azaria disappeared from a tent at Uluru in central Australia.
The first coronial inquest took place the following year, where an Alice Springs Coroner found it was, in fact, a wild dog or dingo that took baby Azaria.
At the second inquest, Ms Chamberlain was charged with murdering her baby daughter and was committed to stand trial.
Her trial began in the Northern Territory Supreme Court in September 1982.
"It was an important trial for the history of the Northern Territory," Mr Elferink says.
"The Chamberlain trial would have to be, if not the most, one of the most well-documented trials in Australian history."
Ms Chamberlain's then husband Michael Chamberlain has described 1982 as the worst year of his life.
"Despair, chaos, a family smashed up for no good reason and I guess it was the age of knowing who you have to fight, and the political jungle warfare was now on," Mr Chamberlain said.
"The whole case was not just traumatic for us, but for our family for our children, for our friends, for the Seventh Day Adventist church.
"It just brought to bear a whole lot of very nasty agendas which somehow had to be unravelled."
That same year, a heavily pregnant Lindy Chamberlain was found guilty of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ms Chamberlain gave birth in prison that same year to her second daughter Kahlia.
Cabinet documents from the time record that the decision was made that the baby could not stay with her in Berrimah prison.
"It was probably the only proper decision the Northern Territory government had made that year about us," Mr Chamberlain said.
"I had an awful fight to get in to see the birth and we actually did get a photograph of Lindy, but it was a horrendous moment because we knew the baby would be taken off her very shortly afterwards."
A third coronial inquest into the death of Azaria Chamberlain, in June this year, found a dingo took Azaria.
A formal death certificate for baby Azaria was finally issued.
Michael Chamberlain is still seeking a formal apology from the Territory Government.
Cattle Country:
Battle against disease
In 1982, there were an estimated 1.6 million to 1.8 million cattle in the Territory.
But more than 300 herds were infected with Tuberculosis and almost 100 herds with brucellosis and tuberculosis.
Cabinet implemented the brucellosis and tuberculosis eradication campaign (BTEC), which aimed to have Australia free of both diseases by 1992.
The initiative was a co-operative effort between producers and the Territory and federal governments, and was one of the most expensive programs in the world.
The total cost of the BTEC was $94 million, more than half of which was funded by the Territory government and a levy on producers.
"It was a very expensive program for the day," Mr Elferink says.
"But the foresight and the courage that was displayed in the making of these decisions ended up making sure that the Territory cattle product remained an exemplary product into the future," Mr Elferink said.
Hundreds of thousands of infected cattle and buffalo had to be rounded up and shot.
"You had to separate herds and it meant culling animals, and, of course, it upset a lot of people at the time," Mr Elferink said.
"But with a clear lens of history you look back and you realise they were probably the necessary decisions which had to be taken and, as a consequence, we now have a cattle product here in the Northern Territory, which is second to none in the world."
Yellow Cake rises:
Uranium mining approved
The year 1982 was also monumental for the Territory's uranium mining industry.
Miner Pancontinental was given approval for the development of a $600 million uranium mining venture at Jabiluka.
The then Country Liberals government, led by Mr Everingham, granted the company and Getty Oil Development Corporation a 42-year mining lease.
The traditional owners of the area around the Jabiluka mine site also received the deeds to their land, the result of the second stage of the East Alligator land claim.
This was also the year the township of Jabiru was officially opened.
Cracker nights:
Passion for fireworks
Territorians are just as fond of their fireworks as they were three decades ago.
Prior to 1982, Territorians could buy and let off fireworks on two occasions each year, on Territory Day on 1 July, and Guy Fawkes Night on 5 November.
"In those days we had fireworks twice a year, Guy Fawkes Night and Territory Day; one was about blowing up a parliament, one was about creating one," Mr Elferink said.
But Cabinet made the decision in 1982 to limit the sale of fireworks to Self-Government Day on 1 July each year.
The decision was sparked by a submission from the Northern Territory Police, the Fire Brigade and the Department of Mines and Energy.
Those organisations had received a number of complaints about people using fireworks outside the designated hours of the two celebrations.
Some things don't change.
Other 1982 highlights:
IN OCTOBER, the Larrakeyah Naval Patrol Base was opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty also presented 13-year-old Peta Lynne Mann with the Royal Humane Society's Gold Medal for bravery for saving a 23-year-old man from a crocodile attack.
TERRITORIAN Graeme McGufficke wins a gold medal in the 4 x200m freestyle relay.
PARAP MARKET begins in Darwin
THE SONG 'Solid Rock', exploring Aboriginal land rights, is released by Shane Howard.
THE FIRST 356 housing lots are released in the newly established town of Palmerston, selling for about $17,000 each.
Topics: government-and-politics, law-crime-and-justice, livestock, environmental-management, darwin-0800, alice-springs-0870, nt
First posted


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The Smith College Museum of Art's extensive collection can serve as a vital curricular resource for faculty across many disciplines. Investigating and analyzing visual materials as part of class work encourages deep critical thinking, sparks curiosity about new areas of study, and provides a focal point for lively group discussion. The works of art in our collection are rich examples of creative expression, as well as primary-source documents with many layers to uncover.
Museum staff members are available to help faculty incorporate works from the collection in their teaching. The information provided here can serve as a starting point, but educators with expertise in object-based learning are also available to help tailor museum experiences or assignments to meet your course goals.


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The Oswego County Health Department will hold a rabies clinic for dogs, cats and pet ferrets from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10, at the West Monroe Town Highway Garage, 46 County Route 11, West Monroe.
New York State law requires that all cats, dogs, and pet ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. The first rabies vaccine should be given at three months of age. A second vaccination is required for cats and dogs within one year of the first, and every three years thereafter. Ferrets need to be vaccinated annually.
In order for pets to receive the 3-year booster shot, owners need to show that the pet was previously vaccinated and should bring their pet's last rabies vaccination certificate to the clinic.
The health department suggests a $5 donation per animal to help cover the cost of the rabies clinics, but no one will be turned away. Dogs should be leashed and cats and pet ferrets should be in a cage.
Any time a person or pet comes in physical contact with a bat or wild animal, especially a sick or suspicious-acting animal; the incident should be immediately reported to the County Health Department.
To report a possible exposure, or for more information about rabies, call the Health Department weekdays at 349-3564 or 1-800-596-3200, ext. 3564.
In an emergency during evenings, weekends, or holidays, call the health department's answering service at 341-0086.


text:
30% off prices as marked
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In hindsight, SXSWi took the field of transmedia at least a couple of steps forward. I read this well written article in The Guardian, by Oliver Burkeman, on takings from this year's SXSW festival, and one thing in particular resonates strongly with transmedia today, as I see it. Burkeman writes:
" It was the end of day two of South by Southwest Interactive, the world's highest-profile gathering of geeks and the venture capitalists who love them, and I'd been pursuing a policy of asking those I met, perhaps a little too aggressively, what it was exactly that they did. What is "user experience", really? What the hell is "the gamification of healthcare"? Or "geofencing"? Or "design thinking"? Or "open source government"? What is "content strategy"? No, I mean, like, specifically?The many requirements
The content strategist across the table took a sip of his orange-coloured cocktail. He looked slightly exasperated. "Well, from one perspective, I guess," he said, "it's kind of everything."
That's what transmedia is evolving into as well, in my opinion. No longer is it good enough to know one field well, like television, or film, or online portals, or how to write a good story, although all these are still important. It's just that it's not enough anymore. When writing a story, you need to have a notion of the possibilities that story can give to an online entry into your world, or as an ARG, or as a graphic novel. It's like a CEO of a trucking company; today he needs to know the basics about SEO as well, to keep himself in business. Or the florist who needs to get savvy in the ways of Facebook, just to pick up on all weddings being planned.
When in pre-production for your tv series, you need to have an understanding for how the interaction with viewers can take place on Twitter, Facebook and so on. Most people – great people at what they do – really do not have that inkling yet. This again leads to examples of bulky, unwieldy transmedia that does not connect logically and seamlessly, as it has been assembled from the same set of pieces but with everyone involved looking at their own blueprint that they themselves have drawn up, without talking to each other overly much.
Here is where I think the Transmedia Artists Guild has made a timely entrance onto the transmedia arena. Because we have to learn, each and everyone of us. And the best way to learn is by doing, and talking to people who have been there, done that and got a number of t-shirts. Whether it's about best practises or how to engage an audience, about how to connect an ARG in the best way or how to use characters Twitter accounts for best effect, I see the TAG forums as a great place to interact with other creators and developers and get their invaluable insights. If you haven't yet, do sign up – it's a place to talk and a place to find other people to discuss with that you do not first have to spend 30 minutes explaining the concept "transmedia" to.
See you there!


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As research on the National Football League reveals, sometimes the specific nature of a job determines whether a great performer at one company can replicate that performance at another.
Talent! Even though many companies seem to have the pick of the lot in today's job market, "talent" is still the rallying cry of hiring managers and CEOs everywhere. Indeed, particularly in industries based on knowledge and skill — from consulting to pharmaceuticals to professional sports to food services —organizations are still competing for the best, the brightest and the hardest working: those overachievers who regularly outshine the merely competent. The belief is that such individuals — the financial analyst with uncanny market insights, the baseball pitcher with a devastating curveball, the pastry chef with sumptuous concoctions — are a key source of competitive advantage.
Past research is clear on the benefits of high-performing workers (let's call them "stars"). For highly complex jobs, the top 1% of employees tends to outperform average workers by 127%.1 Star computer programmers are more productive than average ones by a ratio of eight to one.2 The top 1% of inventors is five to 10 times as productive as average inventors.3 And so on. In fact, in nearly every industry studied, researchers have uncovered the disproportionate effects of talent. Clearly, why wouldn't any organization want to corral as much as possible of that tiny fraction of people who are superstars in their fields?
But reaping the benefits of such talent is not so simple. Say you hire a star. Now you've got the talent you need to break into a new market and shoot to the top — but for how long? How can you guarantee that your new star will continue to be a star, and that he or she will stay with your organization long enough to make your investment worthwhile? Consider that employees have become increasingly mobile, as the popular notion of "free agents" suggests — workers who can pick up and take their skill sets into any environment. Although the term "free agency" originated in the sports world, it is now commonly used in reference to knowledge workers, such as management consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, financial analysts, research scientists and CEOs and other executives. Skilled craftspeople and other nonprofessionals (for example, hair stylists, massage therapists and restaurant chefs) might also be viewed as free agents, because when they move from one venue to another they can take their expertise (and their devoted customers) with them.