text: Korean Job Discussion Forums :: View topic - South Korean host bars - for women Speak Korean Now! Korean Job Discussion Forums"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!" FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in South Korean host bars - for women Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Current Events Forum View previous topic :: View next topic Author Message ajosshiJoined: 17 Jan 2011Location: ajosshi.com Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:39 pm Post subject: South Korean host bars - for women Attn: Zack (Just take your shirt off. The ladies will go wild!) South Korean host bars - for women South Korea's rapid economic development has meant some startling changes within its conservative social structure, including the rise of so-called host bars, where wealthy women pay the equivalent of thousands of dollars for male company. In the dim light of an underground room, a dozen perfectly groomed young men kneel in rows, calling out their names. Muscular, with shiny boy-band hairstyles, they cram side by side into the narrow space, waiting for us to make our choice. Outside in the corridor, more of their colleagues are arriving for another night at work. It is 2am, and we are their first customers. Hidden beneath the pavements of Seoul's ritziest postcode, Gangnam, the men at Bar 123 are part of a growing industry, which grew out of the long traditions of Japanese geisha and Korea's kisaeng houses but with one crucial difference - the customers here are all women. Known as "host bars", these all-night drinking rooms offer female customers the chance to select and pay for male companions, sometimes at a cost of thousands of pounds a night. One of the women I meet at Bar 123 is Minkyoung, a waitressing manager for a five-star hotel. She says she comes to host bars once or twice a month. Minkyoung is very pretty and her clothes are immaculate. She does not look like someone who would need to pay for male company. But the allure of host bars can be subtle. Here, she says, she has more attention from her male companions, more choice and, crucially, more control. "In regular bars the guys who drink with me have only one goal - to have a one-night stand. But I don't want that, so that's why I come here, I want to have fun," she says. Hosts are hired by bars like this one to provide companionship and entertainment. Officially that means pouring drinks for their customers, talking and dancing with them, and singing karaoke. Sex is not officially on offer in most host bars. That would be illegal but even Minkyoung seems happy to touch and flirt with her host, and the men here estimate that around half the customers want to pay for sex, either on or off the premises. James has been working at Bar 123 for a couple of years. In Korean culture, he says, there is a lot of pride and negotiating a price for sex is never done explicitly. Instead, he tells me, it is all down to the host's own assessment. "The guys here are pros - we know what we're doing," he says. "After talking to a girl for an hour we basically know how much money she makes and what she does for a living. We've already analysed her personality and what she's willing to give." James and other hosts say their customers include some of South Korea's elite, and that the money and perks on offer are unbelievable. One client James met, during his first week in the job, asked him to sign himself over to her for two years. "She said 'let's make a contract. I've got this piece of paper and I've numbered it 1-5. Whatever you write down next to those numbers, I'll get you.'" James says at the time he took it as a joke but since found out the same woman spent �60,000 ($97,000) on another host. "If it happened now, I'd do it - I'd be thinking straight." Ironically perhaps, host bars grew out of one of Korea's most entrenched and, some say, misogynist business traditions - the room salon. These are private drinking rooms where groups of men select, and are served by, attractive female hostesses. It was the hostesses' need to let off steam after work, says veteran host Kim Dong-hee, that created the initial demand for host bars, with all-male staff. "What these hostesses want is to [make us] do the same thing they had to do in their own workplace. These girls are forced to do things they don't want to do for money. "I think a lot of them are in pain, and a lot feel lonely. Simply put, they want to buy our time and our bodies." Hostesses still make up a large percentage of the customers at host bars here, but at Bar 123, for example, up to 40% of the customers on a given night are now from other walks of life. The reasons for that growing appeal are tied up in South Korea's rapid economic rise. Within 50 years, the country shifted from post-war devastation to OECD member. But, according to Jasper Kim, head of the Asia-Pacific Global Research Group in Seoul, something important was lost along the way. "I think that with all this fast growth comes fast change, and Koreans just don't know how to cope with it. Increasingly, capitalism is overtaking basic societal norms that you would expect a couple of decades ago." Jasper Kim says South Korea's notoriously long working hours have left many Korean women feeling lonely, while the country's technical advance has left many people feeling detached. "The human element of Korean society that existed before simply doesn't exist today. People are focused on technology, people are focused on their jobs, they aren't focused on human relations anymore. "In many ways, Korean society today kind of reminds me of 1960s society in the US, where it's on the verge of some type of cultural revolution." The grandfather of Seoul's host bar scene, Kim Dong-hee, agrees that many of the women who come to host bars are not paying for sex but for companionship, which is why he opened a new chain of freshly-marketed outlets aimed at the mainstream market - called Red Model Bars "Men want to have visual pleasure and want to feel things, they're tactile. Women like to talk and to listen. And that's why I thought of opening a bar like this - a kind of dialogue bar." Red Model Bars are different to traditional host bars in one key respect - there is a no-touching rule. Hosts sit on one side of the table, customers on the other, and no physical contact is allowed, and certainly no sex. Perhaps as a result there is a lack of furtiveness among the people who work or drink here - the lights are low, the decor mainly dark red and the space is divided into discreet booths, but it is an open-plan room and hosts and customers are divided in each booth by a large table. This new business model depends entirely on women paying the equivalent of hundreds or even thousands of dollars to talk to good-looking young men over a drink. Still, it seems to be working - three new branches are due to open this year. Sitting at a table at one end of the bar was one of their regular customers, a florist called Kim Nayu. She tells me she comes here every day to meet her favourite host and discuss issues she is having at work. The price for this slice of male attention is $487-650 (�300-400) a day. "Talking to friends would be cheaper" she admits, "but they don't listen as much. They're busy, and in a hurry to talk about themselves. Here, people will pay attention to me and they'll listen to me." "I spend a lot of money but it's worth it for what I get emotionally. People pay to go to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, so it's similar but less stressful." Nayu's favourite host Sung-il says it can be hard to keep his personal and professional life separate. "Honestly I'd be lying if I say I haven't been tempted to take things further with some customers, because we're human, we're men, but there are rules." One of his customers talked a lot to her husband about him and when the three of them met, Sung-il and the husband became close friends. "No one hides - the workers don't hide that they work here, and customers can be open too." This openness is posing a new kind of challenge to South Korean society, different from the sometimes seedy underworld of traditional host bars and their hinterland of male prostitution. By offering women a "respectable" way to challenge traditional gender roles and flex their economic power, these new bars ask questions of Korean society that are becoming harder to ignore. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19570750 Back to top gorealityJoined: 09 Jul 2009 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:50 pm Post subject: Awesome, wanna go together or do they discriminate against foreigners as well and are male customers even allowed? Back to top Dave ChanceJoined: 30 May 2011 Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:49 pm Post subject: Another trend imported and copied from Japan Back to top ajosshiJoined: 17 Jan 2011Location: ajosshi.com Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:10 am Post subject: Dave Chance wrote: Another trend imported and copied from Japan Gigolo's - Japan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upymOJCm030 Back to top SquireJoined: 26 Sep 2010Location: Jeollanam-do Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:15 am Post subject: I wonder if they'd be interested in a native English host. I'd do it for cheaper than the other guys there, I'd be a good listener because I struggle to form sentences on the spot, and I'd do anything. A girl could take a dump on my chest if she's paying for it I'd hoover up the customers. If anyone is reading, consider this a job application Back to top stilicho25Joined: 05 Apr 2010 Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:07 am Post subject: LoL squire your laundry bills would quickly eat into your profits. I suggest sticking to teaching. I am betting it is a lot less stinky, although some of those kindy classes can get somewhat rank. Luckily the Kteacher usually deals with that. Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Korean Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Current Events Forum All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Forums:----------------FAQJob-related Discussion ForumGeneral Discussion ForumOff-Topic ForumTravel ForumCurrent Events ForumTechnology ForumBuy/Sell/Trade Forum You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling. Contact Dave's ESL Cafe Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved. Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group TEFL International Supports Dave's ESL Cafe


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Brazil 1934 200R Imperfortate Pair Proofs on Thick Card. Scarce (O519)
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Another Embarassment For French 'Three Strikes' Agency... As Someone Beats Them To Filing For Trademark
from the so-easy-to-infringe-these-days dept
Either way, if the guy does get it, he's planning on suing Hadopi. The guy did this in the first place because he's not a fan of the three strikes law, and thinks that there should be some more discussion on it. Oh yeah, he's also promoting his own online music service as well, so this is certainly a large publicity stunt. Still, for an organization that's supposed to be about "protecting intellectual property," it hasn't shown itself to be very on the ball so far.


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The Scariest Pumpkin of All: The Undying Decor Pumpkin!
Once a year the pumpkin moves from the plate to the window, patio, or stoop, transformed from a roly-poly squash into an agent of mystery—hollowed out, lit from within, a friend or foe (depending how you carve it). But jack-o-lanterns aren't the scariest pumpkin iteration, according to cartoonist Molly Brandenburg. Try on a few of these undying decor trends to really spook the neighbors!
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See Them All: 8 Designer Pumpkins To Haunt Your Halloween | Houzz
Related: Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispy Treats
(Images: Molly Brandenburg)
Published: Oct 10, 2012


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A woman named Gina Walker is thanking her lucky stars and counting her blessings after surviving seven days in a coma and going through a whopping 35 gallons of blood after delivering her baby girl. (OMG. Thirty-five gallons?!) People are calling her the "miracle mom," and after reading about the close call she had, I'd say that's a very fitting title.
After initially being told she'd miscarried during her pregnancy, doctors finally realized that she had a very rare condition called placenta percreta. Her placenta had implanted into the lower part of her uterus and could have invaded her bladder. And while she safely delivered her baby girl via C-section, she started hemorrhaging immediately after she was born, and that's when the entire hospital (not to mention the community) sprang into action to save her life.
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons Gina was given the miracle of survival is because of the quick thinking of her husband, Dustin, before their daughter's birth. Considering that one in seven cases of placenta percreta results in death, it's a wonder that either one of them was able to think clearly before going to the hospital. I can remember being nervous and worried before giving birth -- and I had a completely normal pregnancy. I can't imagine just how scared this poor couple must have been, knowing their journey may not have a good outcome.
But Dustin wasn't taking any chances and reached out to friends of the family beforehand to make sure there was enough blood on hand if Gina should need it. They happily donated their own blood, of course, but went one step further and started passing the word around about Gina's condition. As a result, several blood drives were held all over the country to help her out. And when Dustin literally saw coolers of blood going past him in the hospital while Gina was fighting for her life, I'm sure he was so thankful that he wasn't afraid to speak up. It's amazing just how much people really do want to help, but sometimes you have to swallow your pride and be willing to ask.
More from The Stir: Hospital Sends Devastated Mom Photos of Her Dead Baby
And just as amazing as the community was in supporting the Walkers -- so were all of the doctors and nurses at the hospital that day. The entire staff rallied to make sure Gina would live to see the baby girl she'd gone to such great lengths to bring into the world. They were prepared for the worst when Gina went into the operating room, so they were able to start giving her blood transfusions immediately instead of having to scramble and figure out what to do.
Gina Walker truly is a miracle mom -- and it's so wonderful that she is alive and getting to enjoy every single milestone with her daughter, who is another little miracle in herself. I can't think of a better gift after her ordeal than being able to rock her baby in her arms!
You can hear more about Gina's amazing story in the video clip below.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Have you ever heard of placenta percreta or have you known anyone who has had it?
Image via MSNBC


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Gaza City: An explosion targeted an Israeli military vehicle on the border with Gaza on Saturday and Israeli troops fired into the Palestinian territory, killing four civilians and wounding at least 25, Gaza officials and witnesses said.
Ashraf al-Kadera, a Gaza health ministry spokesman, said all four killed were civilians between the ages of 16 and 18 and that among the wounded were children. Witnesses said that following the large explosion, Israel retaliated with tank and machine gun fire toward residential areas at the al-Muntar hill in the central part of the territory, hitting people who were returning from a funeral east of Gaza City.
The Israeli military said they were investigating the incident and had no further comment. But military officials speaking anonymously because they were not permitted to discuss the incidents said Gaza militants fired an anti-tank missile toward an Israeli jeep that was patrolling along the border.
Gaza militants often fire rockets from the Israel-Gaza border area toward nearby Israeli communities and low-level clashes with the Israeli military are common.
In a text message to reporters, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum threatened to respond.
"Targeting civilians is a dangerous escalation that cannot be tolerated. The resistance has the full right to respond to the Israeli crimes," he said.
Rami Harra said his 17-year-old brother Muhammad Harra was killed in the strike.
"He was at home when the explosion took place. He went out to see what happened and when he started to help evacuating wounded people who were on the ground another shell hit the place and killed him," he said outside the morgue. "Why did they kill him? I can`t believe my eyes that I am seeing his dead body."
Israel carried out a broad military offensive in Gaza nearly four years ago in response to years of near daily rocket fire. Major salvos from Gaza have subsided since then, but sporadic rocket fire has continued.
Gaza`s Islamist Hamas rulers have largely refrained from rocket attacks since the devastating Israeli military offensive that killed hundreds of Palestinians.
Hamas, which has killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide bombings and other attacks, remains virulently anti-Israel in its rhetoric but has sought to keep things quiet as it consolidates control of Gaza, which it seized five years ago during a brief civil war against the rival Fatah movement.
Still, it is under pressure from smaller groups to prove that it remains in confrontation with the Jewish state.
The territory is home to numerous militant groups, including murky al-Qaida-inspired organisations that do not answer to Hamas. Gaza has also been flooded with weapons in recent years, many of them believed to have been smuggled from northern Africa and into Gaza through tunnels under the Egyptian border.


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Long-Term Review
2013 Dodge Dart Rallye: Road Trip
I recently spent about seven hours in our 2013 Dodge Dart, driving from Atlanta, Ga., to Nashville, Tenn., and back. On the trip, the Dart averaged 34.73 miles per gallon. That's an impressive figure considering my heavy use of air conditioning and the sedan's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 36 mpg.
On the highway, the Dart seems larger than it is. That's a good thing, as it feels more substantial than a typical compact car. Its power is strong, though quick passes require a downshift and a deep push on the sedan's gas pedal. And I found the seats comfortable for long hauls.
Two features in the Dart's infotainment system made the trip especially enjoyable. The first was the ability to favorite songs on SiriusXM radio. Drivers can press "favorite" in the Dart's audio menu when they hear a song they like. When the song plays again, drivers are alerted and can switch to the channel playing the song.
The Dart's navigation system was helpful, too. I was impressed with the sedan's StreetView navigation, which uses a photo of the actual highway interchange you're approaching. Arrows in the image show you exactly where to go. This is easy in comparison to most navigation systems, which provide only a rough rendering of each interchange.
My biggest complaint with the Dart is leveled at its sunroof. With the sunroof open, wind noise is very high. That's because the wind deflector -- which raises as the sunroof opens -- is quite loud. Even on surface streets, drivers will struggle to converse with passengers if the Dart's sunroof is open.
In all, the 2013 Dodge Dart is a good, economical choice for drivers who spend a lot of time on the highway.


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RVDA Con/Expo Comes at Industry Juncture
August 30, 2010 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on RVDA Con/Expo Comes at Industry Juncture
The RV Dealers International Convention/Expo, scheduled for Oct. 4-8 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., comes at a crucial time for the U.S. economy in general and the RV industry in particular as both work their way out of the tough recession of 2008/2009.
On one hand, the industry's rebound has exceeded expectations in many ways, especially for manufacturers, suppliers and retailers aligned with the right towable recreational vehicle brands. On the other hand, however, the aftershocks of the Great Recession are obviously still with us in terms of unemployment, stock market fluctuations and a general discomfort among many Americans with regard to the general state of the economy.
And while most Americans assume that the worst is over, many of the nation's durable good manufacturers – including RV builders — are still looking to bridge their way to the next year and the next level of recovery and to find a comfort zone in this new post-recessionary age.
"There is a consensus we have to recalibrate our definition of what is a good business environment," said Mike Molino, president of the Fairfax, Va.-based Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), lead sponsor of October's annual Con/Expo. "We're not going to get back to the 400,000-unit years any time soon. We'll probably never return to that. The next couple of years will be tough, but doable. If dealers stay within the cash structure they have, they will survive. The consumer will come back — slowly. We won't see a significant increase (in sales) until there is more certainty (about the state of the economy). I'm not so sure the election of 2010 will bring more certainty. That might just bring more confusion."
But Molino, generally a realist, does tend to see the cup half full.
"The dealers who are still in business, for the most part, are the ones who will survive," he maintained. "The dealers coming to the convention are in good shape. The shakeout is well on its way to being complete. But it's not totally over. Dealers are telling me they have inventory but are paying more finance charges on the inventory they have than they used to, and retail financiers are very stringent on who they are lending money to, so the ability to buy a recreational vehicle, the threshold for buying, is higher and the ability to buy is a lot lower.
"Another dynamic is that there is uncertainty among businesses, both large and small, and that drives employment, and employment drives the mentality of the economy," Molino continued. "When a consumer is hearing levels of unemployment we currently have (around 10%), it's still not conducive to them going out and buying an RV, even if they can afford to get a loan for an RV. Until unemployment goes down and employment rises, we will have some issues."
A New Era for the Industry As Well as RVDA's Con/Expo
The RVDA is tackling this new era head-on with a refreshing revision of the annual convention, which is co-sponsored by RVDA of Canada and the RV Learning Center.
A crowd of between 475 and 550 U.S. and Canadian dealers, with total registrations of about 1,100 attendees, is anticipated for the five-day event.
"I think it's going to be the best convention ever," adds Molino. "We've got a very, very active committee under (Convention Chairman) Peter Albano. Between him and my staff and the volunteers on the committee, I think they have put together the most pertinent program for dealers and the management level of staff I've ever seen."
As ever, of course, there will be an aggressive educational component including workshops on everything from wholesale and retail financing options to new inventory management strategies and how to reach new customers through innovative marketing communications. And the 2010 convention will again feature an exhibit hall filled with the RV industry's leading OEM and supplier companies offering products and services to help dealers improve profitability.
But attendees will notice significant changes, starting with the brand committee meetings, closed door sessions in which dealers meet as a group with representatives of the recreational vehicle brands they carry. RVDA's "Partners in Progress" brand committees, among other things, will work on important dealer-manufacturer issues and address results of RVDA's Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI).
"We've restructured the brand committees meetings, so they come early in the session," Molino explained. "We tried to make it so there is no conflict between the committee meetings and anything else they want to do. I think it will enhance the experience for the dealers, especially the manufacturers."
Before he took on the assignment of chairing this year's convention committee, Albano confides, he talked with many dealers and asked them what they wanted with regard to the convention. "They said that we need to change and get some new blood into the system and see how we're running the sessions, break it up and make it new," Albano, owner of American RV in the Memphis suburb of Olive Branch, Miss., told RVBusiness. "We've worked very, very hard at doing that."
Former Interior Secretary Kempthorne Will Keynote
Albano predicts that convention attendees will especially enjoy the remarks of former Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, who will serve as keynote speaker at the first general session on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
"Secretary Kempthorne has a track record of developing innovative approaches to meet the outdoor recreation needs of RV travelers and other outdoor enthusiasts," Albano said. "As a long-time motorhome owner, he is enthusiastic about the future prospects for our industry. He will provide an inspiring message for everyone who makes their living in the RV business."
Kempthorne continues to champion outdoor recreation and is an active RV traveler and motorcyclist. As Secretary of the Interior during the George W. Bush administration, he brought fundamental relational changes in the environmental, conservation and outdoor recreation arenas.
During his service in the U.S. Senate, Kempthorne led successful efforts to create a sustainable funding source for building and maintaining trails and to promote balance between resource protection and outdoor fun – which is among the reasons he received the 20th Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award in 2008 from the American Recreation Coalition (ARC).
A second general session, on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 7, will feature an "RV Outlook Panel Discussion" for which panelists will include Ron Fenech, president of Thor Industries Inc.'s RV Group; Craig Kennison, analyst with Robert W. Baird, Inc.; and Pete Lannon, GE Capital Commercial Distribution Finance.
Tom Walworth, president of Statistical Surveys Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., will chair the discussion, which will focus on minimizing risk factors with RV floorplan loans, a manufacturing outlook on the future of RV product development and distribution, financial markets and the impact the issues will have on the dealers' bottom lines.
"This session is sure to be extremely informative for everyone attending the upcoming convention," said Albano. "It will provide some important steps that dealers can take to reduce their risk and successfully meet the financial challenges we are all facing today. The Convention/Expo Committee secured an outstanding group of RV industry experts to participate in this event.
RVBusiness HostsTop 50 Dealer Awards Festivities
RVBusiness magazine (and RVBUSINESS.com) will host its 3rd Annual RVBusiness Top 50 Dealer Awards during a Wednesday, Oct. 6, reception and dinner at the Rio hosted by Affinity Group Inc. President & CEO Mike Schneider and keynoted by conservative political commentator and author Ann Coulter.
While the award eligibility has been expanded this year to include recreational park model dealers – just as it was expanded last year to include Canadian retailers — the awards format will include five Blue Ribbon retailers and one individual receiving the Altman Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Go RVing Coalition Convenes at Con/Expo
Concurrent with RVDA's convention agenda, the pan-industry Go RVing Coalition will convene 8-11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 6, in the Rio's Tango Room to continue discussions of topics raised during the coalition's last meeting June 8 during RVIA Committee Week in South Bend, Ind. This will likely include campaign planning, 2011 funding levels and development of the Go RVing consumer leads prioritization system approved by the coalition in June.
Along with recent shipment and retail data, the coalition will rely on a new University of Michigan RV market forecast and new ad tracking research. "Go RVing's 2010 ad tracking research will be complete, giving us a better handle on the impact of our media mix and the Ambassadors of Affordability creative," reports Gary LaBella, vice president and chief marketing officer for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the coalition's staff liaison.
Additionally, LaBella says results of the new study of Go RVing leads over the past three years will be reported by The Richards Group, the coalition's Dallas-based agency. "This study will enable us to better prioritize leads, to provide more information to users about the specific products and price ranges consumer are considering, the lifestyle attributes of our leads and which media are most effective in delivering them," he said. "All of this information will be helpful to future Go RVing media and creative planning as well as industry marketing efforts."
Peter Albano to Chair RVDA Convention/Expo
November 23, 2009 by RVBusiness · Comments Off on Peter Albano to Chair RVDA Convention/Expo
Peter Albano of American RV in Olive Branch, Miss., will succeed Ron Wheeler of Wheeler Advertising in Arlington, Texas, as chairman of the RV Dealers International Convention/Expo Committee. The convention is sponsored by the national RV Dealers Association (RVDA) and RVDA of Canada.
"For six years, Ron Wheeler has done an outstanding job of working with RVDA volunteers and staff to create a rewarding experience for dealers and exhibitors participating in the convention," said RVDA Chairman Debbie Brunoforte of Little Dealer, Little Prices in Mesa, Ariz., in a news release. "We are also extremely pleased that Peter Albano has agreed to build on Ron's success by assuming Convention/Expo committee chairmanship. Peter brings an ideal combination of business and association experience to the position, which makes the convention even more valuable to RV dealers and the industry."
Albano is a former member of the RVDA of board directors, most recently serving as the association's secretary and currently serves as co-chairman of RVDA's Government Relations Committee. He was key leader in the formation of the Mississippi RV Dealers Association and currently serves as the organization's president.
RVDA and RVDA of Canada will hold the 2010 RV Dealers International Convention/Expo featuring the RV Learning Center in Las Vegas, Nev, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on Oct. 5-8.


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Where do you cross the line?
I have spoken about free speech before. It is at the very heart of blogging. Every blogger, indeed every person in the world who posts an opinion online, takes shelter under its umbrella. In this country you can say what you want, when you want. It is at the centre of the UK's tolerant nature. It is what allows Dr Rant to spout off as he does, Dr Crippen to snipe away at healthcare inadequacies and Dr Grumble to, well, grumble.
So it naturally follows that others will use freedom of speech to their own advantage. Comedians, for example, take all sorts of liberties when they make ethnic, political, and offensive jokes. Take a look at this very short clip of comedian Russell Peters:
Would you consider that offensive?
Some do. In fact some are totally against it. But yet comedians still make jokes like that. It's because of free speech that they can.
Recently I contributed a post to another blog. Readers of this blog will know that I like to poke fun at everything and everyone, very often myself. And I like my fun with Photoshop. But some people were offended. Things turned dramatic. I removed the offending post and made my apologies. I did not mean any disrespect or malice. Some people liked the post and appreciated my sense of humour. Others did not.
I guess free speech has its consequences for all of us. Every blogger who presses the 'Publish' button is risking these consequences every day. Free speech makes some famous, and allows them to express themselves. But for others, its consequences can be not so pleasant, as HospitalPhoenix, Carmelo Alongi and myself have found out.
But that is a risk all of us have to take sometimes. To speak our minds and make our thoughts known. If we had not, human civilisation as we know it today would not exist.
And so it is in the spirit of free speech, knowing that I will not be lawfully reproached, that I pass on Dr Crippen's request for readers to take a look at the petition to sack Patricia Hewitt.


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Blackpool v West Ham; Wembley; Championship Play-off final; Saturday 19 May 2012, 15:00 KO
Team News
Sam Allardyce has been handed a timely boost with the news that Jack Collison has recovered from the dislocated shoulder that forced him off during the semi-final second leg against Cardiff City.
The Hammers go into Saturday's final with a full strength squad, and are likely to name an unchanged side from the one that started both home and away legs of the previous round.
Meanwhile, Blackpool also have no new injury concerns so Ian Holloway too could name the same team that beat Birmingham over two legs in the semi-final, with Matt Phillips, Thomas Ince and Scott Dobbie the biggest attacking threats for the Seasiders.
Allardyce holds no Blackpool grudge
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce insists he doesn't have any ill feeling towards Saturday's Championship play-off final opponents Blackpool - the club he was sacked by after failing to gain promotion to Division One in 1996.
Sixteen years on, and the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss comes face-to-face with his former employers, as he tries to fulfill his promise of leading the Hammers back to the Premier League at the first attempt with victory at Wembley this weekend.
Allardyce says that he is fully focused on the job at hand, and that he holds no grudges about anything that happened before.
"It's long gone, water under the bridge," he explained in his pre-match press conference. "At the time it was devastating because I thought I might have been lost to football, I thought I might not get back into the game.
"Luckily that wasn't the case but the experience I gained as a manager has stood me in good stead to go on and do better things, so I have no axe to grind with Blackpool."
The 57-year-old is fully aware of the importance of the game for everybody involved at Upton Park, and will be doing his utmost to orchestrate a repeat of the club's play-off final victory in 2005.
A match that is touted as 'the biggest prize in football', the £90million shoot-out promises to be an encapsulating encounter between two sides determined to spark an immediate return to the top-flight.
"It is important for the status of everyone at the club, particularly for myself and my staff and the players who require Premier League status again," Allardyce added.
"It gives them a greater standing in the game. It gives us all a greater status in the game, a huge amount of revenue into this club and it gives us worldwide branding.
"We all know how important it is from both sides - the football side and the financial side."


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Katie Holmes: Birthday Celebration with Tom Cruise & Suri!
Katie Holmes and her hubby Tom Cruise hold hands as they leave their hotel on Sunday (December 18) in New York City.
The couple, who brought along daughter Suri, ventured out to celebrate Katie's 33rd birthday at Buddakan! Happy birthday, Katie!
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Katie Holmes
The night before, the birthday celebrations continued as Katie, Tom, and Suri went to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes! Katie's parents, Kathleen and Martin, joined the happy family for the birthday weekend spectacular.
10+ pictures inside of Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, and Suri out celebrating…


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First the ProFootballTalk story that implicates Jeff Ireland as having knowledge of Jonathan Martin's complaints that Richie Incognito was making his life difficult. And now a former Dolphins player is taking to twitter gutting the Dolphins general manager with his words.
Sage Rosenfels played for the Dolphins from 2002 to 2005 and then for a short time in 2011. And during that second stint he acquired a distaste for Ireland.
"I played for 5 teams and 9 GMs and Ireland is the only 1 I had a problem with," Rosenfels tweeted today. "I only spent two weeks on the Dolphins when Ireland was the GM. In that short time he won the award for worst GM in my career."
Then, on twitter, Rosenfels added a hashtag -- #jerk
And then, in the context of the Incognito-Martin scandal on his mind, Rosenfels went on to describe his problem:
"My reasons for my disdain for Ireland are a long story. It took about an hour to find out what everyone in that locker room thought of him. Two months after being put on Non Football Injury list with mono, I had gotten healthy and wanted to play. He wouldn't let me off NFI.....because the Dolphins played the Raiders that week and he didn't want them to sign me as I knew the Phins offense. Makes sense except...the Raiders were the only NFL team that had 4 QBs on their roster. He waited until late Friday to release me figuring nobody would....sign me that late in the week. Luckily, the Vikings cut McNabb and signed me that night. There is more but that is the basics of it.
"I understand GMs always put their teams first. I respect that. But he was being a jerk just because he could. That's why he won the award. Everyone gets screwed over at some point in their career. It's the business. But there is story after story that has the same ring to it."
Rosenfels, obviously believing the ProFootballTalk story on Ireland, also said: "I have no reason to help out either side. I hope it ends sooner than later. Just giving my two cents. The whole situation is a tragedy."
Actually, Rosenfels was represented during his playing days by agent Rick Smith. And Smith is one of the agents representing Martin.
So I reached out to Rosenfels and asked him to address that apparent bias.
"I haven't even talked to Rick," he told me. "I'd say the same thing if IMG or Dave Dunn represented Martin. Or if Rick represented Richie."
Obviously, this is a sad story for the entire Dolphins organization. Players in the locker room are expressing their opinions and they solidly back Incognito. Players around the league are expressing their opinions and they're ripping the entire Dolphins organization and its leadership structure.
And today two former Dolphins -- Lydon Murtha and Rosenfels -- are sharing their thoughts. And neither is too impressed with Ireland or the Dolphins coaching staff.


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Harvest has begun in the area, and early reports are encouraging.
The grain is still drier than most had anticipated, and yields are somewhat better.
Non-irrigated sandier soils are yielding between 70- and 140 bushels-per-acre field averages with yield spikes considerably higher. Moisture content for early corn is anywhere from 25 to 33 percent from the combine. Standability so far has been OK, but a number of plants have either shown stalk or root weakness. Farmers may start harvesting early maturing hybrids planted during the first week of May on some of our better soils. I anticipate very strong yields from these fields and am anxious to hear yield and moisture results as soon as possible.
Recently, I have seen Anthracnose in corn that occurred when the top died-back. The disease spread down the stalk and killed the whole corn plant. Once the Anthracnose has spread through the corn plant, the corn stalk loses its integrity and stalk breaks between mid-calf and knee high can occur. Unfortunately, there are quite a few fields affected this way, so standability of the corn crop is likely to be a problem.
I have also seen a few more cases of rootworm failure. These fields were starting to root lodge in a significant manner, and I can only speculate this week's rains may worsen the situation. I would recommend farmers do some investigation if they observe major differences in the field. It's still not too late to tell the difference between root rots and rootworm larvae feeding. The plant will still have to be dug and the root system washed, but feeding damage is fairly obvious.
The University of Illinois has genetically confirmed a population of Palmer Amaranth in Grundy County. This dessert-evolved plant is a tremendous competitor with any crop, and is extremely hard to kill. There are only two options with this weed – prevention or eradication as soon as possible. Anything short of these two control methods will lead to acres lost to crop production. If you have any doubt about weeds in your field, have them checked out before harvest.
Harvest is an exciting time for all farmers, but that does not mean to neglect safety. It is important for everyone to handle this time of year with care. I encourage everyone who is traveling to take necessary time, so we are not rushed and to stay alert. Farmers are driving large machinery slowly and carefully from one location to the next, especially on rural roads.
Farmers, please be careful around all equipment this fall and make sure everyone has emergency numbers programmed into their phones, just in case. With everyone in the community taking the proper measures and time, we will have a safe and prosperous harvest!
Matthew Denton resides in Princeton and is an associate representative with White Oak Ag, Inc.


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We will reconvene on February 7 at our normal time and place. See you then!
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Ralston Valley PTSA is proud to serve at this award winning school. A comprehensive, four-year high school located in beautiful Arvada, CO, a northwest suburb of Denver. Opened in 2000, Ralston Valley has established a solid reputation as a premiere public school in the heart of Colorado. Offering a full complement of courses with complete Honors and Advanced Placement programs, Ralston Valley has earned the highest rating (Excellent) given by the Colorado Dept. of Education several years in a row. The school also features outstanding athletic and activity programs, boasting numerous state championship awards, award winning bands, choirs, drama groups, as well as art and student publication groups. The school climate is incredible: friendly, safe, inclusive, spirited, and positive.


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Юлик (28.06.2012)
Top court upholds healthcare law in Obama triumph
The Supreme Court upheld President Barack Obama's healthcare law on Thursday in an election-year triumph for him and fellow Democrats who championed the most sweeping overhaul since the 1960s of the unwieldy U.S. healthcare system.
In a 5-4 ruling based on the power of Congress to impose taxes, the nation's highest court preserved the law's "individual mandate" requiring that most Americans obtain health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax. The justices also preserved, with some changes, a provision of the law expanding the Medicaid health insurance program for the poor.
The decision - written by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by the court's four liberals - was a setback for Republicans who mounted unified opposition in Congress to the law before its 2010 passage and who deride it as meddling in the lives of individuals and in the business of the states.
Obama and Mitt Romney, the Republican challenger in the November 6 presidential election, immediately responded, with the president calling the ruling "a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court's decision to uphold it."
"We will continue to implement this law and we'll work together to improve on it," said Obama, speaking somberly in the White House East Room, the same setting he used to announce the 2011 death of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
"What we won't do - what the country can't afford to do - is re-fight the political battles of two years ago or go back to the way things were. With today's announcement, it's time for us to move forward," Obama added.
Romney, who pushed through a similar healthcare overhaul at the state level in 2006 as governor of Massachusetts but opposed Obama's law, called on voters to help him defeat the president in order to repeal the law critics derisively call "Obamacare."
"If we're going get rid of 'Obamacare' we're going to have to replace President Obama. My mission is to make sure we do exactly that," Romney said on the roof of a building overlooking the U.S. Capitol.
The healthcare law, known formally as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is the biggest overhaul of the $2.6 trillion healthcare system in about 50 years. It was signed by Obama in March 2010 and promptly put to the test in the courts by 26 of the 50 states and a trade group for small businesses.
The court's decision largely vindicates Obama and Democratic lawmakers in their attempt to fix a system that, while representing 18 percent of the economy, leaves 16 percent of Americans uninsured, a fact that sets the United States apart in the industrialized world.
The U.S. system, unlike other rich countries, is a patchwork of private insurance and restrictive government programs. The United States pays more for healthcare than any other country, but about 50 million of the roughly 310 million Americans still have no insurance at all.
The Obama law was meant to bring coverage to more than 30 million of the uninsured and slow soaring medical costs.
Roberts was joined by liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan in upholding the law's pivotal "individual mandate" provision.
The four dissenters, all from the court's conservative wing - Justices Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, took the unusual step of issuing one joint opinion and said they would have struck down the entire law.
Kennedy, summarizing the dissent from the bench, accused the court majority of "vast judicial overreaching. It creates a debilitated, inoperable version of healthcare regulation that Congress did not enact and the public does not expect."
Opponents said the individual mandate was an overreach by the federal government and that Congress had exceeded its powers. The court was deeply divided on this issue, but the majority ruled that Congress's taxing authority allowed the mandate.
The law's "requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably be characterized as a tax," Roberts wrote for the court's majority.
"Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness," Roberts wrote.
In another part of the decision, the court said Congress went too far in a part of the law that requires states to expand the government's Medicaid health insurance program for the poor with the goal of covering more of the uninsured.
The court said this problem can be fixed by precluding the federal government from stripping states of existing Medicaid funds if they did not comply with the expansion, and that this did not require striking down other parts of the law.
The court began its session much as it always does. At 10 a.m. sharp, the marshal's familiar cry of "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!" rang out as the nine justices entered through heavy scarlet drapes and took their seats at the tall mahogany bench.
The looks on their faces gave nothing away. As he took a seat, Chief Justice Roberts smiled slightly in the direction of the justices' guest seats, where his wife, Jane, was sitting.
As he and other justices read statements, it became obvious that Roberts, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush in 2005, had been the crucial vote upholding Obama's law.
Roberts showed he had taken control over a divided bench. He highlighted flaws in the administration's arguments and stressed the majority was not commenting on the wisdom of the law.
Rather, he said, if it could be upheld, the court must uphold it. He said it was not the job of the judiciary "to save" the nation from policy choices made by elected legislators.
Romney and the Republicans had hoped the Supreme Court would gut the law. Deprived of that outcome, they can now continue pressing the attack on Obama on the campaign trail, but their hopes for a rollback or repeal will hang on legislation, unlikely before the elections, and on the voting public, whose views are mixed.
"What the court did today was say that Obamacare does not violate the Constitution," Romney said. "What they did not do is say that Obamacare is good law, or good policy."
About 56 percent of Americans said they opposed the law in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Sunday. When asked about its individual provisions, however, most respondents said they strongly supported them, except for the individual mandate, which was opposed by 61 percent of those surveyed.
Most respondents in the survey favored banning insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions; letting young adults stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26; and making companies with more than 50 workers offer insurance to their employees. All are parts of the law.
So are the creation of state-based exchanges to offer health insurance; insurance premium assistance to poor people; and insurance tax credits for those just above the poverty line.
Jamie Thompson of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, who has a daughter with cystic fibrosis, welcomed the ruling.
"My daughter's healthcare costs a fortune. She's 10. We haven't gotten to the end of the line, but we've been told it's not uncommon for cystic fibrosis kids to discover they've used up their lifetime benefit from healthcare," he said. "It means she will have healthcare when she needs it."
House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, said, "Today's ruling underscores the urgency of repealing this harmful law in its entirety."
Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House, said the House would vote on July 11 on legislation that would repeal the law. The Democratic-led Senate is certain to block any repeal legislation coming out of the Republican-controlled House.
Democrats hailed the court ruling as a posthumous victory for a longtime healthcare reform champion, Senator Ted Kennedy, who died in 2009. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said she called his widow Vicki Kennedy to say: "Now, Teddy can rest.
Shares of hospital chains jumped, while large health insurer stocks fell after the ruling. Widening the pool of paying patients stands to benefit hospitals, which are often left to cover the high medical bills of the sick who have no coverage.
(Additional reporting by David Morgan, Donna Smith, Deborah Charles, Thomas Ferraro, Jeff Mason, Alister Bull and Laura MacInnis in Washington with Lewis Krauskopf in New York and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; Writing by Kevin Drawbaugh; Editing by Howard Goller and Will Dunham)
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans
Юлик (28.06.2012)
"Мы все плод больной фантазии... Лечить нас надо:-). Пошла помою туалет:-)" (c)uienifer
Доктор пилЮлькин
Ia sil'no udivlen chto manat okazalsia ne protivorechascim konstitucii. Ia byl uveren, chto sud ego priznaet anticonstitucionnym. An net. No logika suda mne poniatna.
Я тоже удивилась, я думала, хотя бы индивидуальный мандат признают неконституционным. Но штаты уже столько денег вложили в разработку Health Exchanges и всего, что с ними связано; даже не знаю, как бы они останавливали этот процесс
Everything you know is about to change
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Conn. lawmakers consider new medal to honor life-saving citizens
WATERBURY (AP) — State lawmakers are considering creating a new civilian medal of honor to recognize citizens who save a life or risk their own lives in the service of the state or their community.
The legislature's Public Safety and Security Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposal and several other bills Monday at the University of Connecticut's Waterbury campus.
The medal would be for "valorous and heroic" deeds performed by people who save a life, are injured or die in service to the state or community or act on behalf of the health, welfare or safety of others.
The legislation would create a nine-member board that would recommend nominees to the commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, who would be authorized to award the medals.


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Boundary Waters
Boundary Waters Canoe Area is a vast wilderness area in northern Minnesota, adjoining with Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park, famous for its array of over a thousand small- to medium-sized lakes and the wildlife they provide a home for.
The BWCA is composed of over 1 million acres of untouched boreal forests strewn with dramatic cliffs, rock outcroppings, and unforgettable vistas. While the climate may be the harshest found within the US outside of Alaska, the experience will be one that is simply impossible to have anywhere else on earth. Thousands upon thousands of miles of water routes weaving in and out of one of the most lightly populated places on earth are open for the taking. No motored vehicles or boats are allowed within the parameters of the wilderness area. It features the largest boreal forest east of the Rocky Mountains.
Flora and fauna
Roughly 85 percent of the BWCA is coniferous forest composed of white and red pine, spruce, jack pine, cedar, and hemlock. The other 15 percent of the area is deciduous trees such as paper birch, yellow birch, poplar, upland maple, and tammarack (considered a conifer by some, but actually deciduous). Numerous wild flowers, mushrooms, and other fungi dot the forest floor.
Unpredictable. One constant is the perilously long frigid winters. An important note to the stability of this wilderness's survival is the constant thickness of its lake ice throughout the winters. Four to seven feet of lake ice is common from winter to winter with the number of subzero days (that is days within a 365 day year the temperature dips below 0 degrees Fahrenheit) averaging around 90. Snow can fall at any month of the year and is actually highest around the months of March and April. Minnesota's state record low of -60 degrees Fahrenheit was officially reported in Tower, just south of the BWCA. However many feel that temperatures could be as much as 10 degrees colder within some of the top ridges of the Laurention Highlands which seemingly bisect the BWCA. Without any records taken from within the BWCA this has yet to be proven. Average winter snowfall in the area can be as high as 150 inches atop the ridges of the Superior highlands off the shore of Lake Superior with about 75-90 inches of snowfall being the norm throughout the rest of the BWCA. Summers are short and generally cool with offshore breezes from Lake Superior dramatically cooling areas near the shore. Temperatures can be as much as 25 degrees cooler near the coast opposed to inland areas. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees. Summer weather lasts from mid June to mid August. Generally the first significant snowfall(2 inches or more)occurs in early October. Lakes tend to freeze to a walkable thickness (4 inches) by late October. The average yearly temperature ranges from 29-36 degrees. One reason for this cold climate is the fact the it is centered in the North American continent. The closest ocean inlet is actually the Hudson Bay which is frozen for 70 percent of the time. Due to thin acidic soil and the climate, agriculture would not only be impractical but nearly impossible. Forests cover over 99% of dry land and the rest of the region is composed of 40% water.
Get in
Ely is the main western entry point to the BWCA while Grand Marais on the North Shore of Minnesota is the eastern point of entry
Camping Permits/Fees [both U.S. and Canadian Trips]: Camping permits, which control your entry date and location must be reserved for your party. The Forest Service fee for each permit issued is $25.00. You will also be required to pay a USFS User Fee of $10.00 per adult and $5.00 per youth per trip.
Get around
With no roads in the area, the only practical form of transportation is by boat or plane. With portages frequently necessary to get from one lake to another, canoes and kayaks are the only watercraft capable of reaching many of the lakes; regulations prohibiting motorboats on most lakes limit their range even further.
There are no locations to buy food once you leave the shore so all food must be brought in with you; accordingly, all trash must be carried out.
Water is available in almost all of the boundary waters area, but it should be filtered before drinking as a precaution.
Stay safe
Mosquito populations are high in this area. The use of insect repellent is recommended. Additionally the only way out other than boating is by puddle jumper (i.e. small airplane) which is typically only used in emergency situations. Standard radio frequencies are monitored by park rangers and several other base locations, so it is recommended to carry a radio transmitter.
Get out
At the east end of the Boundary Waters lies Lake Superior, which contains Isle Royale, another secluded wilderness area with paddling and hiking opportunities, accessible by ferry from Grand Portage.


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In the spotlight - the probiotics debate
Probiotics, the food phenomenon sceptical campaigners love to hate, are back in the news.
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Shailel on Family Tree Circles
view: full | list
Journals and Posts
Time Line I have for John and Elizabeth Shailer in search for his parents.
Individual Summary: John SHAILER
Sex: Male
Father: ?
Mother: ?
Individual Facts: John Shailer
Birth: 1789 in Keningston, Middlesex, England
Death: 05 Aug 1842 in Barnes, Richmond, Surrey, England; Death Certificate No.DYC 989 008
Vital: 11 Aug 1842
Residence: England
Occupation: Gardener & Nurseryman
Shared Facts: Elizabeth PITCHFORD
Marriage: 15 May 1810 in St Paul's, Hammersmith, London, England
William Pitchford Henry SHAILER
John Charles (Jack) SHAILER
Francis Frederick Rising SHAILER
Harriet Euphemia Elisabeth SHAILER
George Alfred SHAILER
Anna Maria SHAILER
Looking for the parents of John Shailer B 1789 Keningston Eng D 1842, Richmond Eng. Married Elizabeth Pitchford B 1786 D 1872 on 15 May 1810, Hammersmith, Eng
Looking for Arthur William Shailer DOB 1911/15 DOD unknown
Arthur was born in Lancashire England. He give us 3 different years of birth but the same day and month.
- Displaying 1-3 of 3 Journals
- 1
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It's almost a month since the Vancouver Canucks were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoff's, the dust has settled and everyone and their Auntie have analyzed and over analyzed what went wrong. The players may now even be more concerned with how they will get a birdie on the eighteenth hole then anything pertaining to the ice.
For Mike Gillis and his Management team its still business as usual. Gillis and his colleagues are left with the job of righting the ship. Recently Gillis addressed some of the issues the team has by restocking his shelves when he signed three young defensemen. One of the players who put pen to paper with the Canucks GM was Lee Sweatt. Sweatt was awarded a one-year; two way deal, worth $650,000.
Lee Sweatt hails from Illinois, he started his hockey career playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL during the 2002 –2003 season, he then spent time with Colorado College, he was also a member of the AHL's San Antonio Rampage from 2006 – 2007. Since then he has been plying his trade in some of Europe's best leagues, with stints in Austria, Finland and Russia. Last season he played for both Riga Dynamo in the KHL and TPS Turku of the Finnish SM Liga.
He has been teammates with former NHLer's like Marcel Hossa, Sandis Ozolinsh and Tomas Plihal. He's competed against the likes of Jagr, Yashin and Radulov. Sweatt ended his most recent season by helping TPS win the SM Liga Championship.
So what does the Canucks defenseman like to eat, who does he think is the best player on the Canucks roster and what similarities does he have with NHL All Star Brian Rafalski? Who better to answer those questions than Lee Sweatt?
The interview starts with questions about Lee, the conversation then moves on to his European hockey journey. Lee explains his expectations and hopes about the Vancouver Canucks.
He also kindly agreed to answer a few questions from Canucks fans:
JE – As a child from Illinois which hockey team if any did you support?
LS – Growing up in Chicago, I was a definite Blackhawk's fan.
JE – When you're not on the ice how do you spend your time, do you have any hobbies?
LE – I am currently getting a triple-major MBA in Technology Management, Project Management, and Finance, so most of my time goes to that. I spend a lot of time reading and I really do enjoy a lot of sushi, so most days, that is what I will be eating for lunch.
JE – Who has supported you throughout your career?
LS – My family and friends.
JE – How would you describe your defensive style of play?
LS – My defensive style of play has evolved over the last three years of my professional career and especially in the last year or so. Early on in my career, I was much more of a "run-around" kind of d-man that utilized my feet to play guys tight man-on-man. This style, while successful in college, didn't really work out at the pro level and I have had to adjust my game.
I play a body-position, containment defensive style where I use my footwork to always keep my body position between the attacking player and myself. I gradually take time and space away and I try to finish checks on guys whenever advantageous for me to do so.
JE – How do you think you will make the leap from playing in Europe to playing in the NHL or AHL?
LS – I am not worried about making the leap from the leagues in Europe to the NHL or AHL. The NHL will be an adjustment, in terms of size, speed, and skill, but that is why we all play the game; to be in the NHL, so I am not worried at all about trying to adjust to it, I will find a way.
JE – What is the best and most memorable moment of your hockey career so far?
LS – Probably winning the Finnish league title this past season. Either that, or being awarded a scholarship to play college hockey for Colorado College.
JE – In Canada and the U.S. some NHL players are considered superstars and worshiped by fans. How popular with fans were you in the KHL and SM Liga, and what are the fans like in Europe?
LS – The same holds true with fans in Europe. I have always been the guy that stays late with the fans and takes as many pictures as people want to take. I figure that these fans are the reason why we can play the sport we love for a living, so why not give them a little piece of my time. When we won the Finnish title, I would have to say that was one of the most exciting, yet chaotic events that I have ever been apart of in my life. Hockey is life to many Finnish people, especially in Turku, so it was really amazing to be a part of that.
JE – When playing hockey what do you excel at the most what is the best aspect of your game, and what makes you better than other defensemen?
LS – I would say my drive to compete in any situation is a stand-out attribute of mine, as well as my offensive abilities, especially on the PP, where my shooting skills from the point, either a one-timer or a wrister, create a lot of opportunities in front of the net.
JE – You are also a good inline hockey player and represented the USA at the 2008 Men's World Inline Hockey Championships. During the tournament you scored 4 goals 6 assists and were named best defenseman of the Championships. How does it feel to play for your country, and what attracts you to playing a different kind of hockey?
LS – Actually, I wouldn't be here without Roller Hockey. Roller hockey has helped me develop my offensive game since I was about 8 or 9 years old. Without it, I think I probably would have been out of hockey and doing something much different now. Playing for my country for the last nine years in that tournament (since I was 15), has really been amazing and to have been fortunate enough to win the World Championships twice, was really unbelievable.
JE – You have spent the last few years playing hockey in Europe, what was that experience like, and how does the European game differ from North American hockey?
LS – I have experienced a collection of different leagues and countries during my three-year tour of Europe and I have learned a lot about each league that I played in and the countries involved. The style of play, in general, can be considered more of a puck control game, especially from a defensemen's point of view, than the North American game can be at times. Defensemen need to be able to find seams and make plays and are encouraged to be creative.
In general, the game is more open and more flowing than the North American game, but an interesting caveat exists in the Finnish game. In Finland, the style of game is a hybrid between this creative, flowing style of hockey and dump-and-chase hockey. I suppose that is why that league is so heavily scouted by NHL teams because the jump from that league to North America is much, much easier because the game is pretty similar to North America, at least by European standards.
JE – You had quite a successful season playing for TPS Turku you set a new record for points scored by a TPS defenseman in one playoff season you were also a member of the SM Liga All Star Team, and you were awarded the Pekka Rautakallio trophy for the SM Liga Defenseman of the year. How do such accolades make you feel?
LS – Honestly, it is quite an honor. Some really great Finnish hockey players held those records and awards before I did, and I was just fortunate enough to play on a team with players that really complemented each other. I believe the last time a North American defensemen was awarded with these accolades, was in Helsinki and the player was Brian Rafalski. It is a real honor to be mentioned in the same category as a player like Rafalski and I am just very appreciative of the opportunity and support I was given in Turku.
JE – You spent last season playing for Dynamo Riga in the KHL where you played 37 games, you also spent time with TPS Turku why did you switch teams during the season?
LS – Opportunity. When I was in Riga, our team was competing against teams of much higher caliber than us and to stand a chance, we had to play a very defensive style of play. I was told once that it was better to ice the puck than try to make a play because our team wasn't "skilled" enough to make creative plays. Once I heard that and started playing a strict defensive role, I knew that I was really limiting my exposure to NHL clubs.
I am actually grateful that I did play a very defensive role for a while because it taught me how to play defense against players like Jagr, Yashin, and Radulov, and now my defensive ability has flourished because of it. But, as a 5'9" defenseman, I needed to show I could put numbers on the board, especially on the PP. I had a great relationship with TPS since I left, and especially their director of player development, Ari Vuori, so I was able to come back to the team and have the exact type of opportunity that I needed to show NHL teams that I could dominate one of the best leagues in Europe offensively. I guess the rest, everyone knows.
JE – As you mentioned your height, if someone told you that you were lacking in stature to play at the NHL level what would you say, how do you compensate for this?
LS – All I would say is that I use my low center of gravity, my weight, intelligence, and footwork to my advantage and I have surprised everyone in my career so far that has doubted my ability to succeed at higher levels, so I guess doing that again is not going to be an issue.
JE – In your opinion who is the best player on the Canucks roster?
LS – Ooooooo, loaded question. I am going to play it safe and say Luongo, because he is the one that is going to hopefully help me out of a jam every now and then.
JE – Vancouver Canucks fans love their team and are some of the most passionate fans in hockey what do you think of them and how do you intend to get in their good books?
LS – Like I said earlier, my work ethic on the ice, no matter what the situation, is something that they can always depend on from me. Off the ice, I am very approachable and friendly, so if they want to come and take pictures or whatever, feel free.
JE – What does it mean to you to be given the opportunity to play for a team like the Canucks?
LS – It is amazing to be able to be given the opportunity to play with Canucks for this upcoming year. I have worked my whole career, from when I was a kid growing up in Chicago to now, to be able to play in the NHL. I am very fortunate to have a team with the prestige of the Canucks to offer me a contract.
JE – Veteran Canucks defenseman Sami Salo is from Turku, Finland, he played for TPS Turku during the early part of his career. You also played for his former team will you be able to have a conversation with him in Finnish?
LS – I actually have practiced with Sami a few years ago when I first went to TPS. He was warming up for camp during our August practices and skated with us. Have I learned enough Finnish to have a conversation? Not even close. I can't even tell you, "Hi, my name is Lee" in Finnish. It is such a difficult language, but the beauty of Scandinavian countries, in particular Finland, is that their English skills are great, so I am sure I will have no problem getting to know Sami.
JE – Which Canucks players are you looking forward to meeting the most?
LS – I am excited to meet all of the guys. It will be quite a different experience being in a locker room that features English as the dominant language once again, although there is a lot of Swedish influence.
JE – If you could compare yourself to a current or past Canucks Dman who would it be?
LS – I don't believe I have a direct comparable on the Canucks right now. The best comparable I can make is a young Brian Rafalski, or my agent, Scott Norton, likes to compare me to Stephane Robidas from Dallas.
JE – When you report to training camp you will be expecting to challenge for a spot with the Canucks. What will you do at training camp to impress the coaches enough to give you a spot on the roster and why should they choose you over other players? If you don't make the roster how will that make you feel?
LS – I am definitely expecting to challenge for a spot on the Canucks. My goal is to surprise some people at camp and come out of there with one of the spots on defense. I will try to display my offensive abilities in order to show them that I can be a good 2nd PP unit guy for them for this first year and have the potential to develop into a top PP guy down the road. Obviously, because of my size, I am going to have to show that I can play against the big guys and hold my own. Most people think that because I am 5'9", I am small, but I weigh around 188-192 lbs, and enjoy physical play.
I will also need to show how my body positioning and my defensive style will enable me to use my footwork to my advantage and keep opposing players outside the dots. If I don't make the roster, I will take it as a challenge and I will continue to work to make the team every day. I did not come over from Europe to play in the AHL, so I plan on getting called up as much and as often as possible.
JE – Why should Canucks fans be excited about seeing you play in a Vancouver Jersey?
LS – They should know that I have always surprised people with my size, especially because I am very physical and that I will always give everything I have for the team, no matter what the score is on the board or what place we are in during the season.
JE – What have you heard about the city of Vancouver and are you looking forward to exploring the sites?
LS – I have heard great things and that it is like a northern San Francisco. I am definitely looking forward to seeing the town and experiencing what the city has to offer.
Josh Hall from Surrey BC asks: As a now NHL signed D-man, I wanna know Lee, in a 1 on 1 situation, when you are last man back defending against the on coming player, do you take the puck or the man?
LS – I use my body position to force the player to the outside while keeping my stick on his stick, taking his time and space away.
Lia Cacatian from Vancouver BC: Would like to know what your initial assessment is of the Canucks defense?
LS – NHL defensemen are good and they are in the NHL for a reason; Vancouver's D-men are no exception.
David Roy who lives in Vancouver: Wonders who your hockey hero was growing up?
LS – When I was younger, my hockey hero's progressed from Bobby Orr, to Ray Bourque, and then towards the later part of my "fan years (during high school and college)" – Brian Rafalski.
Clayton Corley from Calgary Alberta: Would like to know how you are preparing for your first NHL camp?
LS – Right now I am working out every day for about 2 hours a day. Mostly weights and dry conditioning right now. During July I will start skating more intensively for about 2-3 times a week with my brother and some other players in Colorado. In the first two weeks of August, I will bump that up to about 3 times a week. The last two weeks of August about 4-5 times a week and the first week in September, before camp, I would like to skate every day for the week before I go.
Henrike Wöbking who lives in Cologne Germany: Has a question about 1 of your former coaches. Pierre Pagé, who was your coach in Salzburg, has a great reputation working with young players, developing them. Did you benefit from that?
LS – Pierre is a great coach that has a lot of history and prestige and he definitely helped show me a few things about body positioning that I use to help develop my defensive game. The only hard part is that in Austria, you are not playing against the best talent, but what he showed me helped make me a better defensive player when I got to the KHL.
The start of training camp is still a few months away, for Lee Sweatt this will mean countless hours of mental and physical preparation on and off the ice to ensure he is in perfect condition and ready to impress the Canucks coaching staff. Perhaps there is one final question that can only be asked of Lee, will blue be your lucky color?
I would like to say a big thank you to Lee Sweatt for doing the interview, and good luck.


text: As seen on many other forums, I decided to see if we can get a start here Ban the person above you! Rules are simple, ban the member above you, while giving a reason for banning that user! For example: I say something negative about Microsoft. You reply with "Banned for liking anything other than Microsoft" (Or something similar) Of course you need to follow regular posting rules or you will get banned for real I hope I can actually get this started Who is going to ban me?


text:
Friday, November 10, 2006
Crayford focusser Orion Optics UKI have received a few questions about the height of the Crayford focuser on my 300mm Orion Optics UK Dobson. Here are three images that show the Crayford in its different positions. On the first image you can see the height of the focuser when it's inside the tube, 6 centimeters. The second image shows the focuser when completely outside, 9 centimeters. So you only have 3 centimeters of travel. On the third image you see the focuser with an extension and completely outside. The total height is 14 centimeters. I have to use the extension on all my 1.25 eyepieces as well as on the Zeiss zoom-eyepiece. For my 32mm Televue plossl, the extension is just a few millimeters to short. I have to pull the eyepiece a little out to get it into focus.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
My new toyA few weeks ago my new telescope arrived, a f/5.3, 12-inch Dobson from Orion Optics UK, equipped with a 9x50 finder and a Crayford focuser. At the moment I am adding a few extras, like the Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer, a fan behind the primary, some flocked paper in some parts of the tube and a tube extension to prevent stray light coming into the scope.
I will keep you updated, and of course I will publish my observing reports with this scope in the next few months (weather permitting). I also will publish some technical details (mount, tube, mirrors) and some test results for the primary by Orion Optics UK.
Click to enlarge
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Comet Swan and some deepsky tourismOn Monday the 16th of October, Leo and I got out to our new observing spot to have a look at Comet Swan. We arrived at 20.15 hrs local time, and the sky looked pretty clear and transparent. We could see stars right down to 15 degrees above the horizon, which is very good in our area.
Leo set up his 4-inch Takahashi and the Argo Navis. I got the 15x80 binoculars (with mirror mount) out of the car. I also got my 7x50 binoculars with me. We were ready to go within five minutes, and after searching for another two minutes we already had Comet Swan in both the 15x80 and the 4-inch Tak. Swan looked like a big fuzzy snowball, diffuse on the outer edge, gradually getting brighter towards the center. We could not detect a tail. Leo also tried higher magnifications with the binoviewer, but it did not really change compared to what we saw with lower magnifications.
Image from SkyTools by CapellaSoft (Click to enlarge),
After we looked at comet Swan for quite some time, we decided to do some good old deep-sky tourism for another hour. No serious observing with sketches and observing reports, just enjoying the wonderful views: M31 (Andromeda Galaxy), M32, M33, M34, the Double Cluster in Perseus, Stock 2 (the Muscle Man), NGC 457 (ET or Owl cluster), NGC 7789, M39, Albireo, Collinder 399 (The Coathanger), NGC 752 (and the Hockey stick), M15, M45, M81, M82, the Veil Nebula, Phil Harrington's Red Necked Emu, Kemble's Cascade, and probably a few others. It was great to just freewheel across the night sky and simply enjoy the views, comparing all objects in both instruments. Most objects were readily visible through both instruments, although some looked better in the 15x80 others in the 4-inch TAK. The Pleiades (M45) for instance, were very beautiful in the 15x80. The Veil nebula was easy in the 4-inch TAK with the O-III filter, but invisible in the big binoculars.
My favorite object for the 15x80 is the Milky Way in Cygnus. In my opinion this is one of the best sights through big binoculars, hard to beat. I simply enjoy scanning this area time after time with the 15x80 (field of view 3.5 degrees). I also managed to find Phil Harrington's "Red Necked Emu" with the 15x80, a real fine object for big binoculars or a 4-inch telescope, just like Stock 2 and Kemble's Cascade. I also scanned the area around Deneb, and I think that for the first time ever, I detected a part of the North America Nebula, however I still find this one of the hardest objects to "see"?.
At the end of our observing session we got a visitor, a young German gentleman who asked if he could have a quick look through the telescope. While his girlfriend was freezing inside the car he just enjoyed a few objects we showed him, and before he left, he asked a question, the same question I asked 30 years ago when I looked through a (big) telescope for the first time in my life: can you see the American flag on the Moon?
Around 22.30 hrs. local time we packed up and went home. We had really enjoyed this short session, and we also agreed on the size of instruments we used tonight. Something small and easy to setup beats the big guns if your only out for a few hours. The 4-inch Tak and the 15x80 binoculars were the perfect choice!
Leo and his 4-inch Takahashi (Click to enlarge)
Posted by Math on 10/22 at 10:50 AM | (0) Comments | filed in: Deepsky log | Print
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Observing the Sun in different wavelenghtsYesterday I observed some interesting active regions on the Sun, especially AR 908. I used the 4-inch refractor and the Baader Herschel Wedge (with the Baader Continuum and ND 3.0 filters) for "white light"? observing and the Coronado PST for the H-Alpha line.
I tried different eyepieces with the 4-inch TAL: the Vixen LV's, the Zeiss vario zoom-eyepiece and a 32mm Televue Plossl. The best overall view I got was from the 32mm Plossl. At a magnification of 30x the granulation was at its best, even better than in the Zeiss zoom. I noticed that the granulation gradually fades away with increasing magnification. I also compared the Zeiss zoom eyepiece (25-10mm) with the Vixen LV's (20, 15, 12, 10, 9, 7 and 5mm). Although the views through the high quality Zeiss zoom were slightly sharper and clearer than through the Vixen LV's, I still prefer the LV's for their great eye-relief of 20mm. With the Coronado PST I only used the 15mm LV. This eyepiece showed me the most pleasant view, and higher magnifications added almost nothing.
The visual impression you get from Sunspots with the Baader Herschel Wedge and the 4-inch refractor is hard to describe. No image I shoot comes near the sharp and detailed view I get live at the eyepiece, but I always shoot a few images to document the observing session in my observing log. The image below was shot with the Nikon Coolpix mounted on the Herschel Wedge using the 32mm Televue Plossl. The camera settings were 100 ISO, f 5.1, 1/125s and 4x optical zoom.
Click to enlarge!
In the centre of the image you see the active region 908. The more or less pear-shaped group has an area with a few umbra's that seem to form one large umbra in the form of a cloverleaf. To the left of this almost circular feature lie several smaller dark umbra-like areas, divided by one or two light-bridges, I detected at a magnification of 100 times. The whole group is surrounded by a penumbra, which is also breached by the Lightbridge's. The Lightbridge's are not very clear on the image, but visually they where absolutely visible, as where the inner and outer bright ring around some parts of the umbra / penumbra. There where no faculae around AR 908 or on any other part of the Sun.
In H-alpha, the darker umbra's where very easy to see, but I detected no bright patches in the AR 908 area (plages or flares). I did see two large bright areas around AR 907 and AR 909 (the two smaal groups towards the right edge of the image). Between 907 and 908 I detected a long, snakelike bright area. There where only a few smaller prominences visible. Between AR 908 and the edge of the solar disk I detected two dark filaments.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
On the wing of the Swan: The Veil NebulaAfter three heat waves and weeks of hot and sunny weather in June and July, August brought nothing but clouds and rain. Last night however, from 23.00hrs until 00.30 (local time) large gaps started to appear in the cloud cover. The sky looked very transparent, so I got out my 20x80 binoculars and the 85mm Zeiss. I first scanned the Milky Way in Cygnus with the big binoculars, and the amount of stars visible was simply stunning, indeed a very clear and transparent sky.
I suddenly remembered an article I read in Zenit, a Dutch astronomy magazine. There I read an article on observing objects in Cygnus with some wonderful sketches from Fred Hissink, a very experienced deep sky observer from the Netherlands. He had observed (and made a sketch) of NGC 6888, the Crescent Nebula. He used an 80mm Megrez 80II ED and an OIII filter. If he could observe the Crescent nebula with an 80mm, the Veil Nebula, also known as Cygnus Loop or Cirrus Nebula, shouldn't be a problem for my 85mm Zeiss. I got out the 32mm Televue Plossl and the Lumicon OIII filter, scanned the area around 52 Cygnus and there it was, the Veil nebula. The eastern part of the Veil, NGC 6992-95, was clearly with direct vision, thanks to the OIII. The western part, NGC 6960, which is situated around a bright star, Cygnus 52, took a little longer to detect. After barely suspecting it at first sight, I could detect a small part of the nebulosity using averted vision and adding a little movement to the small refractor. If the western part would have been visible with direct vision, the whole Cygnus loop would have fitted into the 3.2-degree field of view nicely. The Cygnus loop has a diameter of 6 full Moons.
As I mentioned earlier, the whole nebulosity is called Cygnus Loop, Cirrus Nebula or Veil Nebula. To add a little to the confusion, according to Stephen James O'Meara, the eastern segment, consisting of NGC 6992-95 (and IC 1340), is also known as the Network Nebula, the western segment as the Filamentary Nebula. Anyway, whatever the name, it is a beautiful object and I can't wait for my new 12-inch dob to arrive and have a look at the Veil! I can only say get out there and have a good look at this celestial treasure. For me, visual observing and the aesthetic beauty of all the different objects is the main reason why I'm into amateur astronomy, and the Veil is one of my favorites. Even under light polluted skies this wonderful nebula can be seen even with a small telescope and the right filter.
Below you find a finder chart and a more detailed chart that should give you an idea what the size of the object is in a 3-degree field of view (like my Zeiss with the 32mm plossl). Click on the images to enlarge. Both images have been made with SkyTools2 from CapellaSoft.
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Posted by Math on 08/20 at 02:54 PM | (3) Comments | filed in: Deepsky log | Print
Friday, August 18, 2006
A quick look at the SunIn the afternoon the Sun came out for a few minutes, so I quickly got out the 4-inch refractor and the Herschel-Wedge. There was a wonderful active region visible, AR 0904. The umbra looked jet-black against the "Green" Sun. I use the Baader Herschel-Wedge combined with a 3.0 neutral density filter and the Baader Continuum Filter. Simply beautiful. For visual observing of the Sun in white light, I never had any better views than with this fine piece of equipment. The image does not come close to what I really observed, but it should give you an idea. I stacked it from 235 frames from some video-footage I shot with my Canon camcorder. I used Registax for stacking.
Posted by Math on 08/18 at 05:17 PM | (0) Comments | filed in: Solar scraps | Print
Friday, August 04, 2006
I made it into NightSkyI just got a preview-copy of the September/October issue of NightSky magazine. My "Clavius" close-up was published in the "Skyscapes" section. Click on to image below to enlarge. It's a scan from the entry in the magazine.
If you are interested in NightSky magazine or Sky and Telescope, click on this link to get to their new website.
Posted by Math on 08/04 at 05:07 AM | (2) Comments | filed in: Books and magazines | Print
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Observing the Sun from the shadeI have been observing the Sun for over a year now, using the Coronado PST and TAL 100RS (combined with the Baader Herschel Wedge). One of the problems I noticed during all the observing sessions was getting a good view of the Sun while you are sitting in the direct sunlight. I used to put a black T-shirt over my head, but I can tell you, you feel like your head starts to melt within a few minutes.
Two months ago I decided to try a big plate of Styrofoam. I just cut two holes in it with a box cutter, so it fits over the PST and the 4-inch refractor. To be honest, it works perfectly for me. Now I sit much more relaxed behind the eyepiece. The views are much better, and the white Styrofoam keeps of the heat as well. If I want to have a real good view through the PST, I still use the black T-shirt, but because I do not get direct sunlight on my head, this isn't a problem anymore. My advise for solar-observers: get behind some kind of white plate, and of you are looking in H-alpha, make your surroundings as dark as possible. I personally get much more contrast when I view with the black T-shirt draped over my head and over the telescope.
Here are two images of the telescopes and the Styrofoam plate, and two images (from the first week of June) I shot during that observing session, one with the PST and one with the Herschel-wedge. Click on the images to enlarge!
Posted by Math on 07/27 at 06:13 AM | (0) Comments | filed in: Solar scraps | Print