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Review Group Week 327 - DANCER #1
Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
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Hey you! Reader! Want to be a part of the GREATEST COMIC BOOK AND GEEK COMMUNITY on the web?! Well, they're not accepting new members, but we'll take anyone here, so why not sign up for a free acount? It's fast and it's easy, like your mom! Sign up today! Membership spots are limited!*
*Membership spots not really limited!
by Stephen Day » Thu May 17, 2012 6:12 pmFor most of this issue, I have to say that the story itself was pretty standard with no true ground being broken. Burn Notice, Red and the Bourne movies are all recent examples of stories that tread the same ground that Dancer does, featuring an ex-member of the spy game being hunted down for his past. Up until the ending, I was thinking that I was dealing with a story that was pretty cliched. Quinn is little more than the typical damsel in distress and Alan is the stereotypical hardboiled ex spy. Don't get me wrong, a cliched spy story doesn't necessarily automatically make it a bad story, the three examples I gave above are all cliched in their own ways. They all get around this, to various degrees of success, with good writing. The writing on Dancer isn't bad, I wouldn't describe it as spectacular, but I've read a lot worse. Did it succeed in overcoming the cliches? It somewhat did I think, but not entirely.
What made this issue stand out for me was the ending. It was enough of a twist that it had me thinking that I was maybe reading something that I hadn't quite seen before. That feeling made me able to get past the cliches and enjoy what I had just read.
It's alright, nothing special, but enjoyable enough that it gets a 6 out of 10 from me.
by ****** » Fri May 18, 2012 8:06 am
by ****** » Fri May 18, 2012 8:07 am
If your comic shop sucks, you can get Dancer digitally here: http://www.comixology.com/Dancer-1/digi ... /MAR120410
by Garofani Spruzzo » Fri May 18, 2012 8:46 amDancer #1
I liked this better after a second read. That being said, looking at it squarely as an isolated single issue, it's not as strong a debut as it could be. The cover is bland, I feel like an attempt was made to do the "monochromatic illustration with splash of color in stark contrast" thing, but the red highlights one of the weakest parts of the finished drawing and is dead center. Dead center is metaphorically interesting, straight through the main character's heart, as it were, but dead center is compositionally dull too. Again, the bullet-hole lettering motif is subtly telling the reader that Fisher has perfect aim through the cross-hairs of a gun, but it isn't really visually compelling as a comic book logo here.
The pacing here is all over the place, and some of the exposition-through-dialogue is a bit clunky. For an example, the panel where Anna goes to great pains to tell the reader that Fisher is American and she is Irish. Some of the dialogue just doesn't ring entirely true when I read it both times.
The opening scene tries to pull off an interesting trick and almost succeeds. The problem is, the music's lyrics running visually through the panels makes it seem like they are happening in succession and not all at once. The pink lyrics add little the scene, but do a lot to confuse it, unfortunately, but it's still a clever way to open the book. The intent of ending the book rather abruptly a page after the cliffhanger is a little harder to understand. The only thing I can guess is this is some way to force readers to flip through the ads in the back of the book, trying to figure out what happened to the real last page.
The artist draws great backgrounds, but the details in the faces of the characters are too understated. Eyes and other facial features are too crudely shadowed in almost all the scenes, and the colors...they had to look better on a computer screen when they were done than they do on the printed page. Not great. Image might have benefited from hiring a separate colorist on the book. There's no dynamics to the tones and hues used, the artist relies too heavily on a limited color palette and much of the book looks washed out as a result. Again, I am sure this looked better "digitally". But so what?
Bottom line: I really enjoyed Jake Ellis, but I'm on the fence about Dancer. I'll give issue #2 a look to see how things look to decide whether or not to buy the rest of the miniseries.
by @dace1314 » Mon May 21, 2012 12:40 pmDancer is one part love story and one part government conspiracy mixed with a little espionage action. It has hit men, sniper battles and is set in exotic European locales. Nathan Edmonson's writing is clear and flows well and Nic Klein's art is nicely done, especially the coloring. Despite all of these interesting traits however, Dancer, as a whole, just isn't very interesting.
The book has been created by a team of people who put a lot of honest endeavor into it, and I can see how it could appeal to some. But for me, the characters were flat and cliched, and the same can be said of the plot. A very good attempt was made to get the reader to care about a dangerous man with a mysterious past who's life is suddenly threatened by unknown attackers, but in my case it did not succeed. I found myself flipping each page with little interest in what was going to happen next. I did not become at all attached to any of these characters and do not care what becomes of them. The pacing was a little odd as well, especially the ending. Many readers will no doubt be a little confused as to when the issue is actually over, since a full page cliff hanger is shown so close to the end that it feels like that's where it should stop, yet it clumsily continues on for one more page and throws the rhythm all out of whack.
The pencils, inks and colors of Nic Klein are the best part about this book. He skillfully sets up the mood of each scene and is efficient in his panel layouts getting the most out of each page. His coloring in particular I found pleasant to the eye, especially the outdoor scenes at night. There's one sequence in particular that stood out for me on both read-throughs as being quite beautiful and it simply shows two of the characters running through a moonlit park. The way that Klein has positioned one perfectly square panel over top of a larger zoomed out image of the cityscape has a really nice look and feel to it. He is very capable at visual storytelling and this stands out in the wordless sequences, the only part of the book where I felt properly drawn into the story.
I can see how some people may like this comic but when it comes down to it I simply didn't find myself properly engaged. The art and atmosphere is good but the characters are bland, dull and uninteresting.
by ****** » Tue May 22, 2012 8:14 amTies happen.
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art and cover by CHRIS BURNHAM
Retailers: This issue will ship with three covers. Please see the order form for more information.
• BATMAN, INCORPORATED makes its NEW 52 debut with an all-new first issue!
• The series hits the ground running as BATMAN and ROBIN face off against the assassin GOATBOY!
• LEVIATHAN'S sinister mission revealed!
story JOHN McLAUGHLIN
art JON MALIN & ROB LIEFELD
It's the 20th anniversary of the comic book that launched the Image Revolution in 1992! ROB LIEFELD's YOUNGBLOOD returns bigger and better than ever with an all-new look at the next generation of superheroes, courtesy of screenwriter JOHN McLAUGHLIN (Black Swan, Parker), up-and-coming artist JON MALIN and YOUNGBLOOD creator and Image founder ROB LIEFELD!
In this first issue, a young reporter is embedded in the Youngblood team. Her assignment is to gather enough information for a humiliating puff piece, but she quickly discovers Shaft, Vogue, Lady Photon, Die Hard and Cougar are a team to be reckoned with. Badrock would be part of the group too... if he wasn't in a coma with wounds that have nearly pulverized his otherwise rock-hard hide.
by Stephen Day » Tue May 22, 2012 4:50 pm
I take it we can review either one?
by ****** » Tue May 22, 2012 5:13 pm
Either, neither or both. Whatever floats your syrup filled boat.
by Stephen Day » Tue May 22, 2012 5:19 pm
Thank you.
by guitarsmashley » Tue May 22, 2012 6:00 pmI can't add any to the reviews already posted. The issue does a bunch of things alright but nothing really well. Maybe I don't really care for the twist ending because a. I've already seen the trailer for that JGL/Bruce Willis movie and it's not like this has never been done before. B. As discussed previously the book ends very strangely it doesn't end on the twist it ends the page after the twist and as a result gets even murkier.
average comic gets an average score. 5.8
by ****** » Tue May 22, 2012 6:44 pmI've already deleted the file so I can't go back and double check, but I felt like the last page was there toget a good look at him and show definitively that it was a younger version of himself.
by bkthomson » Tue May 22, 2012 6:55 pm
Yeah it was a younger version. Gawd how we are not seeing a clone wars?
by Garofani Spruzzo » Tue May 22, 2012 7:06 pm
Maybe that was the intent, but it doesn't really. The page before where he says in a caption box "It was me" had as clear a pic of the full younger double as any of the panels on the final page, but it's more about how final that penultimate page feels, and then how uncertain the actual single ending panel feels, with the dialogue "Keep up, keep up." seeming like it should go to a hypothetical next page that feels climactic. The panel that ends the book is anticlimactic and unfinished following what seemed like a natural pause in the story.
And the panels that compare the two Fishers really don't add anything that previous page didn't already tell you--they're doubles. This is not a new concept to anyone anywhere, there are thousands of stories with a doppleganger, so it's not like it really needs to be further broken down for you anyway.
After the page showing younger Fisher and the words "It was me", nobody is going to go "huh?" and then turn the page and say, "Ooooh, I get it--they're doubles!"
by ****** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:14 pm
Like I said, I already hit delete. All I remember is the page with the Punisher-lite walking down the stairs.
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Burn Gorman \ Charlie Hunnam \ Crimson Peak \ Doug Jones \ Emily Coutts \ film \ Guillermo Del Toro \ horror \ Javier Botet \ Jessica Chastain \ Jim Beaver \ Laura Waddell \ Leslie Hope \ Lisa Marie Bowman \ Matia Jackett \ Mia Wasikowska \ movie \ review \ Ron Bottitta \ Sofia Wells \ Tom Hiddleston.
Crimson Peak (reviewed by Lisa Marie Bowman)
The fact that Crimson Peak, Guillermo Del Toro's wonderful new film, is only getting mixed or grudgingly positive reviews tells you everything that you need to know about the sorry state of modern film criticism. Taking place at the turn of the 19th Century, Crimson Peak tells the story of Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska). The […]

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Become a crime scene investigator! Learners model Dawn Mission scientists, engineers, and technologists and how they use instrumentation to detect distant worlds. After a briefing to build context, students explore interactions between different... (View More) frequencies/wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum and matter as they investigate the different ways scientists gather and understand remote sensing data, using Dawn instruments as examples. This module is organized around a learning cycle, engaging students through several experiences to activate students' prior knowledge and assess conceptual understanding, informing next steps. (View Less)
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This activity is a short engineering design challenge to be completed by individual students or small teams. A real-world problem is presented, designing buildings for hurricane-prone areas, but in a simulated way that works in a classroom, after... (View More) school club, or informal education setting. Students are given simple materials and design requirements, and must plan and build a tower as tall as possible that will hold up a tennis ball while resisting the force of wind from a fan. After the towers are built, the group comes together to test them. If there is time after testing, which can be observational or framed as a contest between teams, students can redesign their towers to improve their performance, or simply discuss what worked well and what didn't in their designs. (View Less)
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The two newly appointed Lexington City Board of Education members are no strangers to the education community.
The two newly appointed Lexington City Board of Education members are no strangers to the education community.
Janice Hunter was appointed as the Ward 1 representative, replacing Laura Holt Fuller. Robert Curlee takes the place of Sherraine McLean in Ward 3. Terms expired for Fuller and McLean after they each served six years. The Lexington City Council appointed Hunter and Curlee on Monday for three-year terms. The council also reappointed Alan Bailey of Ward 2 to another three-year term.
Hunter, who is a 1973 graduate of Thomasville High School, has lived in Lexington for the past 28 years. Her husband, Rufus, and son, Jeoffrey Hunter, graduated from Lexington Senior High School. She also has family members in the system.
"I'm humbled and honored to be appointed," Hunter said. "Whether you're elected or appointed … it is a promotion. I believe promotions come from God. A standard of excellence is expected. My goal is to deliver on that standard of excellence by doing what's right."
Hunter wanted to serve on the school board to be an asset to the growth and betterment of the community for future generations because she believes children are the future. After Hunter ran for a seat on the Lexington City Council two years ago and was not elected, she has been searching for different committees that would give her the opportunity to have a role in the community.
"I've always been an advocate for children and families in general," Hunter said. "I've always wanted to work and serve the public. It's an opportunity to not just bless other kids, but it gives me an opportunity to have an impact on the education and policies in place. I'm looking forward to learning what has happened, finding out what the goals are and helping to achieve those goals."
Hunter received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology/counseling from N.C. Central University. She is a certified parent educator. Through her career she facilitates workshops for parents through all of the local school systems and the Davidson County Department of Social Services. She also works as a dropout outreach prevention consultant for Thomasville City Schools. In the 1990s, Hunter worked as a probation/parole officer, social worker and teacher assistant.
She has previously served on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity and the Davidson County Methamphetamine Task Force. She is also a mentor for students because she believes they need someone to talk to and encourage them to be successful in whatever they want to do.
Everything Hunter has been a part of has involved parents, children and families. Through previous jobs at the Thomasville and Lexington city schools, she has strong insight to what makes systems successful.
"I believe the family is the foundation of society," she said. "By serving on the school board, my desire is to be a part of a platform that's laying the foundation … it's a privilege and an honor. It's not something I take lightly. I'm a firm believer in doing what's right. I want to be part of making Lexington City Schools one of the best systems in the country."
City council member Ronald Reid nominated Hunter because she's been involved with all of the school systems for a long time.
"She knows the background and what needs to be done. She's well-qualified for that position. I'm glad to have her on board," he said.
Curlee attended Dunbar School and graduated from Lexington Senior High School in 1966. He served in the United States Army and is retired from Marsh Furniture Co. in High Point where he was in charge of the quality assurance program.
Since returning home two and a half years ago, he has been active with the school system.
Curlee has initiated programs at LSHS such as an oratorical contest, mock trial and debate team. He teachers corrective reading at Lexington Middle School and is active with all of the schools. He also volunteers with several organizations and activities at the schools.
City councilman Linwood Bunce nominated him. Curlee thanked McLean for her guidance and was grateful for the city council members stepping out on faith to appoint him.
"I love Lexington City Schools. I think it's a great system," he said. "I appreciate the opportunity to be part of it. My goal is to serve our children in our schools, which in turn will serve our community."
He wanted to be a board member because he is concerned about the future of the community. Due to him being involved as a volunteer, he believed he possessed the attributions that would make him an asset to the board.
Curlee said he has been given the opportunity to work with great administrators and dedicated teachers. He also noted that it's exciting to have the involvement and commitment from elected city leaders in the system.
"It's something I wanted to be part of because it's a great group of people," Curlee said. "This is one of the best collective efforts. Everybody works together starting with the elected leaders, administrators and support staff. I want to do whatever I can to help all involved to realize their vision."
Curlee is a member of American Legion Post 255. He serves on the board for the Lexington Housing Community Development Corp. and Lexington Home Development. He is also the chairman of the Davidson Coalition Against Violence and has served on the Community Action board.
He is married to Oleeta and has four children. Curlee said he has been active in the community because he cares about the youths.
"I love Lexington," he said. "It's a small town. I have a lot to share — time, effort, dedication, commitment and passion. It adds value to my life. I simply want to see our community be all it can be … that simply starts with our children. I also believe that the success of our community is tied to the success of our children."
Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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What started as a small demonstration in a New York City park to protest corporate influence over public policy and demand accountability from Wall Street bankers may now be close to becoming a national movement. In late September, as the quixotic effort seemed to be on the verge of dissipating, a video of a New York police inspector pepper-spraying peaceful protestors went viral, rejuvenating the Occupy Wall Street effort and inspiring parallel demonstrations around the nation. Occupy demonstrations were quickly organized in Boston, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago and other cities. These new protests were conducted for the most part without incident, but in Boston more than 100 people were arrested in the early hours of Oct. 11 as police cleared an encampment of protesters.
The movement began as an emulation of Egypt's Tahrir Square occupation. This U.S. version of people power was intended explicitly to protest the role of corporate power and money in American politics. That theme remains consistent as the demonstrations have continued, but the effort has been by definition leaderless. As a result, a wide variety of issues have been raised at the national gatherings. But most protests remain consistent with an overarching concern with the role of money in public policy, the lack of accountability for Wall Street missteps leading up the to nation's 2008 economic collapse and the continuing inattention to job creation in Washington.
On Oct. 6 "occupiers" landed in Washington with multiple events, including a demonstration outside the U.S. Capitol and separate encampments at downtown sites.
Helma Lanyi of suburban Bethesda, Md., is convener of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship's Washington chapter. A native of Germany, she said she was concerned that U.S. democracy was at risk. "What has happened in our country over the last 30-40 years is that the emphasis has shifted from the human person to corporate greed," she said. "Polls have shown that the public is not behind the policies of the government," adding that from her experience in Germany she has "seen what happens when democracies are undermined."
In New York, where the protests began, Catholic religious who are active in calling Wall Street to account voiced admiration for the campaign. The protest puts into words and pictures "the extent of the pain and suffering that Wall Street has visited upon thousands of people by their reckless betrayal of the public trust, their sustained lack of remorse, their cozy relationship with Washington leaders and regulators and the inability and unwillingness of both sectors to keep people in their homes and create jobs," said Seamus Finn, a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Father Finn is on the board of directors of the Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility.
Less enthusiastic was Father Robert Sirico, founder of the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty in Grand Rapids, Mich. "The ethos of this all is the rage against wealth for wealth's sake," he said. "But how do you alleviate poverty without creating wealth?" Father Sirico said he could find common cause with the protesters on one condition: "If they want to define what they're protesting, and they want to say we're protesting the bailouts, I say fine, sign me up."


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Today is a special day for Conrad and Sally Walden--even though they don't think it is. It seems that Sally and Conrad, different as black and white, have pushed their single mom, Joan Walden, to the limit. Conrad's endless rule breaking has his mom seriously considering military school for her son--an idea planted by her just-this-side-of-smarmy neighbor and suitor, Lawrence Quinn. Sally, tightly wound though well-behaved, has bossed away every friend she has, and divides her time between upbraiding her brother and putting new 'To Do' lists in her junior palm pilot. And all the while their mom is just trying to keep domestic peace while balancing a successful career as a real estate agent for her germophobe boss, Mr. Humberfloob. However, on the Saturday that she is to host her company's party, Joan's preparations have fallen prey to Conrad's shenanigans. Thus, she lays down a mom-sized decree: Sally and Conrad are not to leave the house while she is at work; furthermore, they are forbidden from making a mess or misbehaving in any way. The kids are left with little to do besides sit and stare out of the window, while their babysitter, Mrs. Kwan, dozes in the den. Until their unexpected guest--a six-foot-tall talking feline, sporting a red-and-white-striped stovepipe hat--appears. The original party animal himself arrives to turn their world upside down by showing Sally and Conrad that "it's good to have fun--but you have to know how!"
Official Site: www.thecatinthehatmovie.com
Director: Bo Welch
Writer: Dr. Seuss and Alec Berg
Producer: Brian Grazer
Cast: Mike Myers, Spencer Breslin, Dakota Fanning, Alec Baldwin and Kelly Preston
Sorry there are no upcoming showtimes for The Cat in the Hat


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Scheduling issues for Notre Dame�s first three years in its football relationship with the Atlantic Coast Conference were revealed Friday.
Notre Dame�s ACC opponents � five games annually � were put in place for 2014-16.
In 2014, Notre Dame will play host to Louisville, North Carolina and Wake Forest. The Irish will have road games against Florida State and Syracuse.
In 2015, Clemson, Pittsburgh and Virginia will play host to the Irish, with Notre Dame home for games against Boston College and Georgia Tech.
In 2016, the Irish will play host to Duke, Miami and Virginia Tech and will have road contests with North Carolina State and Syracuse.
Notre Dame�s games with Syracuse in 2014, Pittsburgh and Boston College in 2015 and Miami and Syracuse in 2016 already had been listed on future Irish schedules.
Virginia Tech and Louisville will be meeting Notre Dame in football for the first time.
Notre Dame will be making its first trips to N.C. State (2016) and Virginia (2015).
The actual dates for each game are still to be determined.


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Who Enjoys Writing Anime Reviews?
Anime reviews are something that helps some people decide whether or not to pick up an anime.
What anime is worth picking up and why?
Post one of your anime reviews or write one and tell us why we should pick that anime up.
Naw, not for me unless its really really~ bad or superb my taste, then properly I would enjoy doing it...
I like writing them, and I love it when people say their helpful. Though admittedly I'm always writing from my point of view, with fangirl-glasses on (I can't take them off!) so I get why for some people they're not helpful. (They didn't have to say anything though! ><)
For series that I'd recommend to anyone
Kuroko no Basuke
Kurobasu, like Tenipuri is a typical shonen sports anime, with a cast of pretty boys, crazy moves and deep, meaningful friendships between friends (men) - making it perfect for (BL/yaoi) fangirls. In addition, the plot is well written, with funny and serious moments, and it's supported by both good dialogue and excellent animation. Finally, there's some great character development - and it doesn't take 100 episodes to get there (though you might be waiting till season two - which comes out in March 2013!).
After 4 years, I have returned at last
People tend to only review things that they either love or hate. So I don't pay them very much heed. Particularly on Crunchyroll.
When I first joined this site I wanted to help rectify the situation by providing more objective reviews. But I still have yet to spend much time on reviewing.
I enjoy writing reviews, but I find them very time consuming. To review an anime in depth requires a lot of studying and rewatching, and I just don't have time for that. I also have a lot of trouble writing my thoughts down coherently, and I'm not very knowledgeable about film and animation anyway. But I'd still like to give unprofessional reviewing a shot sometime.
Also, I never saw reviews as a way to help people decide whether or not they'd like to buy an anime or whatever. I always find if people wanted to see what's being reviewed, they would regardless of the review. It seems more of a means of understanding why they felt however they felt after viewing what's being reviewed, or to get a better understanding of what other people thought of it while forming their own opinions. I could be totally wrong about that, though, I'm sure it helps some people decide whether or not to try something out.
I have mixed feelings regarding it. Sometimes its nice to get my feelings about the anime down on paper, other times i could care less. Anyways go to myanimelist.com. Lots of good reviews for animes there.
If I don't have to do it, I won't. If I have to do it, I'll make it quick.
I sometimes read the review after i'm done with the anime, just to see what other peoples thougt on it are. But i haven't written any,, probably won't either.
Reviews are worth reading only to give you an idea of what to expect. The only time I might pay any attention to any sort of rating is if I'm familiar with the reviewer-- I'll know their tastes and how they coincide with mine. I don't really read any on crunchyroll though. There are exceptions, of course, but usually reviews on CR aren't very thorough, so I don't really get much from them.
To answer the question though, no, I don't write reviews. It would take too much time to write a review I would be satisfied with, and I don't feel like saying "it was good, I liked it" as a review.
I hate writing reviews. I'd rather just discuss the episodes on the forum. Plus, people should make up their own mind if they like a show. It's not my duty to convince them to watch.
I don't write reviews cause I realize things I find nice don't translate to others and that some things I found wrong were more misinterpretations on my part than on the anime writers. I believe anyone interested in an anime should check it out and decide for themselves if they like the story or look it up to do research on it rather than rely on anyone else's possibly biased, 3/4ths of the ones I've seen have been.
"...Love is love & it's beautiful no matter where & who you find it with."
I enjoy writing reviews, I don't do it on crunchyroll though, I don't tend to review something I love or hate, I'll just pick something up, watch it/read it and review it - no matter what it is
I do write reviews for shows which I really enjoy. If I really disliked a show, writing a review is just a painful re-hash, so I don't. Kinda like why I've never attended one of my high school reunions. . .
just wandering about...
Not gonna lie I've been wanting to write a review for a while but after finishing a series I always just move on to another one before I can review it. To be completely honest I have zero to NO faith about some people who do the reviews on this site. Some of the worst series I've watched on here got rave reviews. Like Myself; Yourself or Dragon Crisis got a lot of five star reviews. i definitely think on this site it is just best to take a leap of faith and decide for yourself if you like the series.
I hate writing so its not really for me. However ive wanted to try making one. perhaps if im really pasionate about it i might actually get some enjoyment outta it
I don't write many reviews and certainly don't read them and will never click on a youtube link for some "reviewers" that must do a video review of anime then post it on the forum. What I will do is comment on what I've seen and/or respond in the Insert anime name here discussion thread and move on.


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My blog has been more a personal thing. Blogs are vain, so I initially referred to this as a vanity site, self publishing like the old vanity press days. Maybe I'm more comfortable with vanity now. I don't solicit the samples or have the ads. And I don't have an issue with baring my loosely wine-related soul on this page.
But I always knew sooner or later I ought to get a little more connected to wine blogging. Then I saw the Wine Bloggers Conference was coming to Portland this year, now this weekend. So I signed up and now I'm curious to spend my weekend in the company of other amateur writers (and a few legit ones).
My conference goals? That would require planning and a list, neither of which I do naturally. Still...
- Meet other bloggers. If you see me, introduce yourself.
- Figure out why people wine blog. Is is just for the free samples? Is it ego? Is it a love of wine and this a medium to share that love?
- Does anyone make money from ads on their sites? Don't worry, I'm not going that route. Just curious.
- Is wine blogging serious? And what is wine blogging these days?
This producer isn't necessarily looking for "traditional" bloggers, if there's a blogging tradition. He's specified Cellartracker as one place he'd like see reviews, and ideally lots of them, rather than in The Wine Advocate or Burghound. Are Cellartracker users blogging? Or are blogs simply web logs with a pretty set layout and fuctionality?
I think it's more the former, so that blogging is wider reaching than many might think. And it's potentially more significant to consumers than many producers and even internet wine forum participants think.
But we'll find out more at the Wine Bloggers Conference. I'm hoping it's good and not an amateur hour shill show. And not just because I paid my money and want to learn and have fun.
Next year's event is in Penticton, BC, a place I've come to love. I wouldn't mind a reason to go back again, though I think I need to find somewhere else to stay than the Holiday House. I need to mix things up.


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Starbucks Offers 12 Cent Coffee for the 12th Man on Blue Friday
Seattle fans in Yakima and all over the state can get a deal on a cup of Starbucks coffee tomorrow by wearing Seahawks' colors into one of their Washington stores.
The coffee giant announced on Wednesday that they will offer a special "Blue Friday" deal on Jan. 17 in honor of the Seattle Seahawks playing in the NFC Championship game this Sunday at Centurylink Field. Anyone wearing the Seahawks' colors (blue and green) will be able to get a tall brewed coffee for 12 cents.
A quick check by phone confirmed that all Yakima area locations, including Safeway store kiosks, will be taking part in the promotion.
To find a Yakima Starbucks location, click this link.


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The main body of any letter from Paul deals more specifically with the crisis at hand. In this case the crisis is neither doctrinal nor a confused morality; Paul does not write to correct Philemon or members of his congregation. Certainly, getting the ideas of Christian faith straight is always Paul's concern and therefore always at least implicit in his writings. In making his appeal to Philemon in this letter, however, Paul is mainly interested in getting relationships straight. For him, the essential fruit of the "word of truth" is transformed relationships—a point clearly and decisively developed in his letter to the Colossians.
To understand the full gospel is to be guided and empowered toward newness of life with and for other persons. Because such changes in our relationships demonstrate devotion to the transcendent Lord God, they are often at odds with the surrounding secular order. The social conflict that emerges from being the church in an anti-God world stems from the revising and reforming of relationships. It is on the border between these two conflicting worlds that Paul finds Philemon.
Paul's request is that Philemon provide more concrete evidence—adding to the faith and love already given (vv. 4-7)—that God has indeed "rescued him from the dominion of darkness and brought him into the kingdom of the Son God loves" (see commentary on Col 1:13-14). On the surface, the problem has to do with Onesimus's status as a slave and believer. However, on closer reading the real crisis proves to have more to do with Philemon's status before God than with Onesimus's status before Philemon. Philemon's exemplary status within the church is being tested by the decision he must make with respect to Onesimus. The real purpose of Paul's letter is to convince Philemon to make a radical choice of splanchna that will help to mark out his congregation as one where the koinonia of faith is found. In this light, then, Paul's request intends two results: it intends a change in Onesimus's social status, presumably through his manumission, and it intends a change in Philemon's spiritual status, presumably through his reconciliation with Onesimus as a brother and partner in the faith.
Many recent scholars have called attention to Paul's rhetorical skill in crafting his appeal to Philemon. Literary analysis of Paul's letter reveals a conventional threefold pattern of "deliberative request," common in the ancient world, which seeks to persuade another to a different point of view while maintaining the integrity of both parties concerned.
The first part of such a writing, the "exordium," prepares the reader to hear a request by establishing a conducive atmosphere—of friendship, for instance, or worship (as in Heb 1:1-4). We may view Paul's epistolary prayers of thanksgiving and petition (vv. 4-7) as already functioning in this way. But if we want to study the main body of this letter as deliberative request, we need to understand that by setting aside his apostolic authority for the sake of his love for Philemon (vv. 8-9), Paul allows his audience to make a choice that is not coerced but will be issued with charity and integrity.
The second part of the request offers proof that the writer has the reader's (in this case Philemon's) best interests at heart. Thus Paul makes his appeal for Onesimus only after establishing that his relationship with Philemon is neither controlling nor coercive (v. 10). Paul's appeal is backed up by a series of reasons that a favorable decision for Onesimus would actually be to Philemon's advantage, enhancing his reputation as a Christian leader (vv. 11-16).
The final part of deliberative rhetoric is the "peroration," in which the author repeats his appeal but posits it on a more personal basis (vv. 17-22).
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The Ugliest Hair On Television
WAIT! If you have just arrived here for the sole purpose of yelling at me and telling me how horrible I am and how wretched my post is, please read this first:
- This is a HUMOROUS blog. I spend about 99% of the time making fun of people who are ME. That is because I confidently embrace self-deprecating humor, which I occasionally spread to other folks who are probably also totally capable of handling it, a la Ms. Vincent and her hairband.
- ANY post that uses Jerseylicious and Mr. T Infomercials as a source of reference does not deserve your anger. It is misplaced.
- That would be like prefacing a post about a celebrity's fashion failings by showing you pictures of my bright pink Crocs. I have absolutely NO BUSINESS writing about fashion. OR reality television. That is the whole point.
- Still, cakes shouldn't be plugged in.
- I am not a cake hater. I WORSHIP cake. And not only do I not hate cake, I don't hate people who make cakes, or people who judge people who make cakes. I KNOW I do not have amazing cake-making skills and I do find them impressive and creative and artful. I don't get why you would make a cake into Marge Simpson, and I don't get why you have to have an artificially stern judge be all mean about frosting, but that's not the same as hating.
Let's move away, now, from the controversial parenting topic of pancakes to the topic of fugly, fugly hair.
I don't like to be outright snarky on my blog, but sometimes? Sometimes I have no other choice. This particular matter has bothered me for some time, and bad hair is only about half of it.
Naturally, I'm talking about The Food Network Challenge and its terrifying judge with her terrifying hair.
I do not understand.
Now, let me put this in the right context. Not only do I generally LOVE reality cooking competition shows, I fully embrace a lot of pop culture stuff I can neither explain nor justify. Case in point: My outright obsession with Jerseylicious.
See also:
Maybe the other shows have spoiled me, but shouldn't a competition about cake be about whose cake tastes the best? And okay, sure. If you want to add a category for whose cake looks the best, i.e., the most appetizing and pretty, go ahead. I get that. That makes sense.
And sometimes, that's what the Food Network Challenge involves.
But a competition about whose cake looks the most like a Disney character? Or which cake is the most functional? That's not what a cake is supposed to be. A cake doesn't need to spin or smoke or move in any way. It's...it's CAKE.
Please don't misunderstand me: I think the cake-sculpture people on these shows are amazingly talented and creative and I couldn't do what they do in a hundred years. But why CAKE? Why not take your amazing sculpting abilities and make things that aren't frosted?
I mean, if pressed, I get the whole Ace of Cakes thing some of the time. I get making grand cakes for grand occasions. Sure.
But a cake competition where how the cake tastes is barely a consideration just makes no sense to me at all. I don't want to have to plug in a cake. You know?
it's as if they KNOW and are embarrassed...]
The first time I discovered this world of competitive mechanical cake-making existed, I stared squinting at the screen for quite a while. "I DON'T GET THIS AT ALL" I announced probably 700 times.
And then we met the judges. And that's when my bafflement shifted to full-on WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE TELEVISION? mode.
Because while these poor, exhausted, stressed-out competitors (are they bakers? pastry chefs? artists? sculptors?) are up against the most nonsensical odds for a cash prize of $10,000...
...the judges are mean. Or at least, this one judge is mean.
Her name is Kerry Vincent. And it seems like it's her entire schtick to be stern and angry and condescending and judgey-judge, and that makes even less sense to me than the competition itself.
Lady. You may have tremendous credentials, but you are judging the depth of frosting on a SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS CAKE. I'm pretty sure this means you're allowed to show up at your job drunk and topless.
Stern is ridiculous.
And but back to my original original point.
Her hair. What is going on with her combed-down, sprayed-into-submission, headband-from-1987 hair? I mean, yeah: I recognize that her look has become her trademark -- she is the stern judge with the over-tight headband -- but that doesn't make her popular, or marketable, or appealing in any way. It makes her the scary-for-no-reason judge with no fashion sense, who has a weird job on a weird show.
Nope. I don't get it.
Do you?


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Earlier this week, Nebraska's Lincoln Journal Star reported about a flier sent home with fifth grade students that offered questionable advice for "turning bullies into buddies." Lincoln officials have apologized, saying that the flier doesn't reflect actual district policy and offering their own "facts about bullying."
The flier, whose advice includes "do not tell on bullies," is indeed problematic, but it's district policy in Lincoln (see Policy 5482, pg. 130) and state policy in Nebraska that offer real cause for concern. Neither employs the bullying and harassment prevention strategies that have proven most effective. In fact, only sixteen states and the District of Columbia have in place laws that enumerate specific categories of targeted students, "underscore[ing] those students who research shows are most likely to be bullied and harassed and least likely to be protected."
We must remain engaged in safe schools advocacy at the state and local level, and we must work toward a federal baseline that holds all states, including Nebraska, accountable. It starts with the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA), which supports the creation of enumerated anti-bullying policies that include data collection, public education, and grievance procedures. It continues with the Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA), which protects students from school-based sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination, much like Title IX does for gender discrimination, and much like other areas of law do for various protected classes; recognizes bullying and harassment as discrimination; and provides remedies against discrimination and incentives for schools to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Check out PFAW's policy toolkit: Education Without Discrimination: Creating Safe Schools for All Students to learn more about SSIA and SNDA and how you can raise safe schools awareness.
Then take a look at PFAW's report on Big Bullies: How the Religious Right is Trying to Make Schools Safe for Bullies and Dangerous for Gay Kids and its 2012 update.
Finally, be sure to visit our website and Right Wing Watch for more updates.


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A solo piano piece, in the style of Eric Satie, for calm, tranquil, reflective and peaceful moods. Slow, melodic and relaxing, this is intended for films, TV, weddings, art gallerys, installations, soundtracks for presentations and commercials.
This piece was performed by Derek Gibbons live on a VSL Imperial Grand CEUS piano system.


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Adjusting settings
You can adjust all watch settings directly in the watch or through Suunto Movescount.
To adjust a setting:
- Swipe down until you see the settings icon and tap the icon.
- Scroll through the settings menu by swiping up or down or by pressing the upper or lower buttons.
- Select a setting by tapping the setting name or pressing the middle button when the setting is highlighted. Go back in the menu by swiping right or selecting Back.
- For settings with a value range, change the value by swiping up or down or by pressing the upper or lower button.
- For settings with just two values, such as on or off, change the value by tapping the setting or pressing the middle button.
You can also access general settings from the watch face by tapping and holding your finger on the screen to open the in-context menu.


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Dj Drama (Feat. Akon & Ya Boy) - Lock Down
Ya Boy music video "Lock Down" featuring Akon off of DJ Drama's upcoming album, "Third Power. [m]
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


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In Antibes, in a little very ordinary cafe, not a five-star hotel, this cost €12.20, which is Dh71
Parking in the UK, well a day in the office at this industrial estate will cost you over Dh50. Park for over twelve hours and it'll cost you Dh175
In a small town in France, again not a five-star hotel but a very ordinary pub. A bottle of beer Dh35, a cappuccino Dh26, a whisky, gin, vodka is Dh35 and a tonic water is Dh17.


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Ryan Tannehill has an interception. Reggie Bush has been largely ineffective. Jake Long gave up a sack. Mike Pouncey was called for holding.
At least the defense is playing well.
The Dolphins and the Seahawks are not exactly lighting up the scoreboard so far. Game's tied at 0-0.
The game continues. The live blog continues in the comments section.


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So I decided dig into some real statistics. For stage length, I relied on the excellent web site Memoire du Cyclisme. I found these pages easier to mine than Wikipedia. So I wrote a Perl script to download the relevant annual web pages from the site and sweep the HTML for stage lengths.
First, I plot the data for each year using a log-normal plot. The x-axis describes stage length, while the y-axis describes the rank of the stage having that length. Each decade in the plot (only even decades to avoid too much clutter) is then represented by a curve. The median stage has a y-value of zero. So if stages in a given year are longer, the curve for that decade will be further right. I added the plot for this year's Tour as points.
You can see a clear trend leftward. Stages have been getting shorter. But while the long stage this year may be relatively short, the points for 2010 fall generally on the curve for the previous decade (2000-2009).
There's a lot of information in that ranked distance plot: maybe too much. To simplify, I extracted the median stage for each decade, along with the average maximum distance for each decade. Again the trend is clear. The median stage length has been dropping. But more dramatically the truly monster stages from decades past has been diminishing.
A lot of this probably has to do with the changing nature of the Tour. The Tour started to sell newspapers. In news stories, you can't see speed, it's hard to grasp speed with words alone. But distance: that's another matter. Reading of epic journeys as riders travel more than 400 km in a day, starting not long after midnight and finishing just in time for the paper's deadline, is inspiring. People wanted to read each day not only of who won, but more importantly who'd survived.
These days, it's all about television coverage, and television only has so many hours. Make the stages too long, and riders slow down, finish times become less predictable, and the Tour becomes logistically more expensive. So while fans still demand the organizers expose the riders to an adequate amount of suffering, the days of stages over 250 km seem to be over. Want a death march? Check out Race Across America. The Tour is about speed.
So what next? Will the trend continue? Or will the Tour hold firm at its current length. I may be old fashioned, but I like the long stages. The average rider can, with a bit of training, do 200 km in a day. Certainly it makes the Tour more inspiring if the pros do at least a similar distance. It makes the race epic in a way it wouldn't be were the stages more comparable to a typical US race.


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Fat Cyclist | Self-Importantly, I Agree to an Interview
Elden over at FatCyclist did an interview with Dahon's Christopher Hess for their newsletter. It touches on how Elden commutes to work, what he thinks of the Dahon Flo he's been, um, borrowing, and what he likes about bike commuting.
Best exchange (no Microsoft pun intended):
6. What do you think are the benefits of more enviro friendly transport solutions and less cars in urban centres? Actually, I think there will shortly be more and more cars in urban centres (you British are so adorable the way you spell!) — it's just that they won't be going anywhere, what with gasoline and gold costing the same amount per ounce. Cars will come to be regarded as exciting obstacles cyclists can use in trials maneuvers and in urban mountain biking, which I believe will be the next big thing.


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Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert to Duet at the 2012 Super Bowl
As if you needed another reason to grab a bag of chips and tune into the Super Bowl, it was just announced that country music's hottest couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert will be opening up the big game with a duet performance, making the game of the year even more worthwhile for country music fans.
The AP reports that the Sheltons will deliver a joint number in the form of 'America the Beautiful' during the pregame festivities in Indianapolis, which the 'Honey Bee' hitmaker then confirmed via Twitter.
It seems that the singing pair are using their celeb status in the music industry to spin new webs as of late. Earlier this week, it was announced that Lambert will appear on a new episode of 'Law and Order: SVU' this season, which airs on NBC. The Super Bowl will be featured on the network as well — and it's certainly no coincidence that Shelton will help launch a new season of 'The Voice' on the same channel immediately following the game.
Super Bowl XLVI kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 5.


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The credit for this drink goes to Justin of Tucker Point Resort in Bermuda, where my wife and some of her friends discovered it on a recent trip. It's a sweet rummy concoction that matches the pink sand of the island -- hence the name he gave it on the fly.
Pink Sand Cocktail
1 oz banana rum
1 oz mango rum
1 oz pineapple rum
1 oz dragon berry rum
1 oz Rose's lime juice
Splash of grenadine
Shake ingredients together with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Because I am unable to leave any cocktail recipe alone, I swapped fresh lime juice for the Rose's and finished the drink with a healthy pour of champage -- either rose for a deeper pink color, or brut to balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.


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Back Piece Aztec Tribal Tattoo
Tattoo Center. Aztec Tribal Tattoos. Many ancient cultures participated in the art form of tattooing. Everyone from the Maroi of Austallia to the Japanese and Ainu people. For many early tribal cultures tattooing was an art form that was infused with religion and rites of passage. The Aztecs were one of the many cultures that practiced the art of tattooing and in do so created a ton of beautiful aztec tribal tattoos ideas. today in our supposedly modernized society we no longer have strongly formed rites of passages.
Tribal Shoulder Aztec Tattoo
Yet the beautiful self expression and art forms of tattooing still exsist. Of all of these ancient cultures and tribes the Aztec were among some of the most advanced. As with any advanced society or group of people there are highly developed and intricate art forms. The Aztec were no slouches when it came to art. There highly developed and beautiful art in both architecture, painting and tattooing has left a strong legacy and many beautiful symbols and stories that just beg for a tattoo.
Aztec Tribal Tattoo Design
If you have been thinking about some type of tribal tattoo and you feel a strong connection for whatever reason with the Aztec people or culture then you will want to read on and learn more about aztec tribal tattoos and ideas. There are a ton of great pictures, galleries and ideas all to help inspire your next tattoo.


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Amanda Kaitlyn, lives in Tampa Bay, Florida. Shes always been an avid reader and now working on her first book in The Trinity Series. Find Her is a romance that is all about finding love in the unexpected places. Its book 1 in a 3 book series, centered around love, loss, and joy even in the midst of tragedy. Enjoy me blog and please visit my Facebook Page also!! -love, amanda.
Find Her - Teaser!!
"I gasp, feeling my heart stutter as those words seep through me. Then, i realize that he isnt alone in this. Ive been drawn to him since the very first time i layed my eyes on him, only four weeks ago. I love him.
"You love me? Your not just saying this because of the situation with Bryce?"
He shakes his head, taking my head in his hands.
"I. Love. You. Beautiful. Ive never been more sure of anything in my entire life."
I gaze up at him, seeing the sincerity and love in his deep blue eyes.
"God, i love you Gavin. I love you so much."
The words tumble out of me, my heart yearning for this man as he exhales, his eyes brighter now. He shakes his head in disbelief once before pulling me onto his lap, wrapping one arm around my waiste and a hand tangles in my unruly hair.
"Say that again, baby."
I laugh a little, never taking my eyes off his.
"I love you"
Then, his mouth presses urgently to mine, parting my lips eagerly and holding me to him as one of his hands caresses my cheek. I moan, low at the back of my throat as i let go and give my heart to him, knowing hell forever be the man i love more than anything in this world."
Friday, April 4, 2014
Almost home :) / Todays Teaser
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List & Earn Rs.250* extra. Available in Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad.
KolorEdge Printed Flip Cover For HTC Desire 516 -Multicolor (50KeMLogo11164HTC516)
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- Stylish and Unique pattern Synthetic Leather Wallet Stand Case
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Designed for Phone owners who prefer protection with style. PU Leather Designer Fancy Dairy Book Cover is a perfect companion for your device that aims to protect your phone from everyday wear and tear. The inside has a silicon jacket that is stitched to the cover which holds the phone in place even in shaky situations. The cover also has a magnetic flip lock to lock the flip in place which has a designer look. The cover can also double up as a stand and you can enjoy movies and media in landscape mode anywhere.This Designer Fancy Dairy Book Cover provides a set to complete front and backside scratch protection.
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Chelsea Piers, NBC Sports making their mark on Stamford
Chelsea Piers: NBC Sports anchors sprawling Stamford center, which celebrated its first birthday this week
When the owners of the former Clairol building on Stamford's Blachley Road announced plans for a sprawling Chelsea Piers sports complex nearly three years ago, Stamford officials celebrated, seeing it as a way to rehabilitate an abandoned property, expand the tax roll, provide jobs and attract more people to the city.
The 400,000-square-foot facility, which marked its first year in operation with a celebration on Tuesday, has succeeded in all those categories.
Offering a mix of sports from basketball to tennis to ice hockey to swimming, Chelsea Piers -- Stamford has exceeded the expectations of its executive director, Mollie Marcoux.
"It (membership) is almost double what we thought we'd have for the first year," Marcoux said, declining to discuss the target figure. "It was one of my best professional experiences seeing it come together and seeing people use it for the first time."
The owners of the 33-acre campus, Clay Fowler, chairman and CEO of Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, Steven Wise, principal of Steven Wise Associates, and Kevin Segalla, president of the Connecticut Film Center, haven't looked back after acquiring the vacant complex from Procter & Gamble in March 2010 for about $16.75 million.
Chelsea Piers Connecticut employs more than 300 people, and the adjoining NBC Sports, which recently consolidated its operations and brought 500 workers from facilities in New York, Philadelphia and Stamford to the old Clairol property, have been a boon to the city's coffers.
Total annual real estate taxes for the parcel paid by Stamford Exit 9 LLC, the partnership of the three men, are over $900,000, and Chelsea Piers will pay more than $54,000 in personal property taxes this year, according to the city. NBC Sports' personal property taxes are still being determined.
"We took a pretty good risk in buying it, but we thought the buildings were in a good area and that we'd find tenants," Fowler said. "The bones were good, and it had tremendous parking near Exit 9 off I-95."
The new owners were proved right, striking gold when Chelsea Piers signed a long-term lease in October 2010, and a year later, NBC Sports announced it was moving to the complex.
`Amply rewarded'
"Chelsea Piers is all about families and development of kids through sports, and NBC Sports is a big nameplate with the leading state-of-the-art technology in the country," Fowler said. "We've met or exceeded our pro-forma. We've been amply rewarded for the risk we took."
He recalled conducting a tour of the then-vacant building (which now houses the NBC Sports Group International Broadcast Center) for an individual who had placed tape over a logo on his jacket.
"He didn't say a word, but he came back a couple months later," Fowler said, and only then did he know that the man on the tour was from NBC Sports.
Additional leases
Having NBC Sports in the building has stimulated interest in the remaining 170,000 square feet on the floor beneath the network's operation.
"We have one leased, signed and two others in serious discussion," Fowler said, declining to discuss the businesses. "They are businesses that would play off sports."
A few hundred feet away, management at Chelsea Piers has been pleased with how the region's residents have welcomed the facility.
Built at a cost of $50 million, Chelsea Piers Stamford has become a mecca for sports enthusiasts, teams and programs including the Greenwich Academy and CT/Mid-Fairfield Yankees ice hockey programs, the Skyliners Synchronized Skating team, Greenwich Water Polo, HTC & 4Goals Field Hockey, CFC Soccer and the Stanwich School.
Subtenants include BlueStreak Sports Training, Flywheel Sports, Stamford Hospital's Orthopedic and Spine Institute, Chelsea's Table restaurant and the Overlook Bar and Grill.
`Amazing city'
"This was challenging because this was a start-up," Marcoux said. "When I first saw the building, I fell in love instantly because of the location and the nearby towns that are very sports oriented. Stamford is an amazing city that is growing quickly."
Marcoux, who got her start with Chelsea Piers 18 years ago, was general manager of its field house at the New York facility on the Hudson River and ran several programs there before coming to Stamford.
Marcoux saw the potential in the old Clairol factory building as soon as she toured it, but she saw what it could become while consulting with South Norwalk architect Jim Rogers and his staff, who designed the conversion of wharf buildings on the Hudson River in New York City into the first Chelsea Piers.
Top talent
Marcoux oversees a staff that includes Gigi Fernandez, 17-time Grand Slam tennis winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist; Natalie Grainger, squash director and the top female squash player in the nation; Caitlin Drap, who competed in the U.S. Triathlon Nationals; and Byron Knox, NCAA and USA gymnastics coach of the year in 2013 and 2012.
"We are constantly evaluating what our customers tell us," said Marcoux. "We're trying to create a sports community."
The arrival of NBC Sports has brought more business to Chelsea Piers, she said, commenting that many employees work out there, and some make use of the day care center.
"Every Thursday, they play open hockey as a group. They're reliving their hockey days," said Marcoux, adding that the environment encourages interaction. "It's such a great property. The location makes you feel like you're on a campus."
`Huge empty space'
It's far different than the period after Clairol left the property in 2010, said Laure Aubuchon, Stamford's director of economic development.
She said the size of the building where Chelsea Piers now resides made it difficult to imagine how it could be used.
"It was cavernous. It was a huge empty space with high ceilings. It was hard to get your head around what might go there," Aubuchon said.
Rogers used his experience from planning the New York location to design the Stamford facility, complete with its two hockey rinks, 12 squash courts, seven tennis courts, 14,000 square feet of gymnastics training space, a 100-yard indoor artificial turf field, a 12,000-square-foot adventure center and an Olympic-sized pool.
Procter & Gamble took care in maintaining the property, Aubuchon said, but the prospects of another entity using it as a manufacturing facility were dim.
`A frontier'
"It was a frontier," said Aubuchon, a New York City resident who is very familiar with the success of Chelsea Piers on the Hudson. "I whooped when I heard Chelsea Piers was interested. I was so excited about what it meant to Stamford. I knew how transformative Chelsea Piers has been on New York's West Side -- the Meat Packing District and Tribeca."
She predicted that Stamford's nearby commercial areas will feel the presence of Chelsea Piers and NBC Sports.
"You won't recognize the east side in 10 years," Aubuchon said.
The arrival of Chelsea Piers and NBC Sports has resulted in something that every economic development director wants, according to Aubuchon.
"It's an incredible diversification of our economy," she said.
`Under one roof'
NBC Sports' administrative offices and production operations, including six studios, are housed in the 320,000-square-foot space. The facility is the home of the Premier League soccer studio shows, as well as production of NHL Live, NHL Overtime, F1 Extra, Formula One Racing, Pro Football Talk and NBC Sports.com digital. Also, some college football studio programming will be done there.
The consolidation into one facility will streamline NBC Sports operations, improve efficiency and enhance communication, said John Fritsche, senior vice president of Olympic Operations Stamford Facility.
"Having everyone under one roof is spectacular. It's a new day for us. Before this, it was emails, teleconferences and trips on the train to New York City," he said.
Fritsche, a Long Island resident, commuted on a daily basis to NBC Sports' Olympics operations at Landmark Square in Stamford, so the commute remains basically the same. But many employees are now doing a reverse commute by train and taking a shuttle from and to the Stamford Transportation Center.
`Major, major thing'
"What a home run for us," Fritsche said, commenting that having Chelsea Piers next door is a plus. "We have a great relationship with Chelsea Piers."
Having Chelsea Piers and NBC Sports strengthens Stamford's brand name, and creates other business opportunities, according to Jack Condlin, president and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, who said NBC Sports has a growing presence in international hockey through its contract with the National Hockey League.
"This is a major, major thing for Stamford. It bodes well for Stamford," he said, crediting Fowler, Wise and Segalla for their ability to attract Chelsea Piers and NBC Sports. "What a great re-use of these buildings."
Like Aubuchon, he predicted that their arrival will create growth opportunities on the east side.
For area businesses, like nearby Pat's Hubba Hubba restaurant on Cove Road, the arrival of the two businesses has paid dividends.
"It's been a real good deal for us. We've seen a lot of new faces," said Lucio Campos, chef at Hubba Hubba.
Across Cove Road, Jimmy's Seaside restaurant also has experienced the benefits of the rebirth of the Clairol site, welcoming employees and Chelsea Piers clients.
"We do a lot of corporate business with NBC," said Danielle Larocque, a bartender at Jimmy's Seaside. "We get lots of teams from Chelsea Piers -- Frisbee teams and a lot of hockey teams. It's definitely brought business."


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Warm weather is just around the corner, and it's almost time to bust out your best spring styles! Don't know what to wear? Bored of that same old sundress and tired capri pants?
Check out all these celebrities getting ready for spring and Get The Look at JCPenney!
From Britney Spears to Kim Kardashian, Gwen Stefani to Katy Perry, these famous faces have shown off their springiest, most stylish duds in the past, and are sure to wow this season! And while you might not be able to grab their designer duds, you can still get their looks!
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NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — At a public company, a board of directors is supposed to stand up for the rights of shareholders. So it seems logical to think that shareholders should have a great deal of input about who gets to be on the board.
There are some shareholders, though, who believe they're hardly getting a fair say, and they're crusading to change the rules at Bank of America Corp. BAC, +7.16% , Citigroup Inc. C, +1.32% and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. GS, +9.54%
Investors have filed so-called "proxy-access" proposals at all three banks ahead of the spring annual meetings. The gist is this: Shareholders there, as at most public companies, get to vote "yes" or "no" each year on board nominees – all picked by the board itself. To these activists, that's hardly a real election, and they'd like certain shareholders to have the chance to put their own nominees on the ballot.
"There is widespread perception that our managers put their own interests above those of clients and shareowners," Jim McRitchie, who runs the website CorpGov.net from outside Sacramento, Calif., wrote in the proposal he sent to Goldman. "Shareholders should be able to nominate conscientious independent directors who will move our company forward."
This is hardly the first campaign to try to make boards and the companies they govern more accountable to shareholders, nor is this a topic limited to banks. Boards are supposed to be a check and balance on a company's CEO and other top executives, hiring and firing them and stamping out risky practices that might hurt shareholders. When boards are too cozy with the companies they're supposed to oversee, shareholders suffer – evidenced most dramatically, many activists think, by the 2008 financial crisis.
This month, a proxy-access proposal at Walgreen Co. US:WAG got more than 43% support. Last year, a proposal at Walt Disney Co. DIS, -0.76% got about 40% support, and a proposal at Staples Inc. US:SPLS wasn't far behind. Shareholders passed proxy-access proposals last year at Verizon Communications Inc. VZ, -1.76% and CenturyLink Inc., CTL, -1.24% a Louisiana-based telecommunications company. Verizon's board has since changed the company bylaws to give proxy access for certain shareholders. A CenturyLink spokeswoman said the board is "considering what action it will take" and will make a decision before this spring's shareholder meeting.
Apple Inc. AAPL, +1.22% shareholders will vote on a proxy-access proposal, also made by McRitchie, at their annual meeting next month.
The banks declined to comment on the new proposals, but Bank of America and Goldman Sachs opposed similar ballot measures last year. Letting small groups of shareholders push for their own board nominees, the companies say, would crowd the boards with "special interest" directors who would look out for their benefactors rather than shareholders as a whole.
Besides, the banks say, shareholders already have the right to nominate board members. Buried in each bank's annual proxy are instructions for how to propose candidates or otherwise communicate with the board via letter (or an outside law firm, another option in Goldman's case). According to the banks, the boards considers all qualified candidates, regardless of who nominates them.
But writing a letter to board members is hardly the same as having a set procedure to get your nominee on the ballot. The banks declined to say whether they had ever chosen a board member who was suggested by a shareholder.
Bank of America did say in a regulatory filing that of six of its newer directors, a search firm identified four and board chairman Chad Holliday, the former CEO of DuPont, US:DD identified two. Of Goldman's newest board members, one was identified by chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein, and another by a non-executive Goldman employee. Citigroup said that one shareholder asked before the 2013 meeting if he could be considered for the board. The board members discussed his qualifications and asked for the opinion of headhunting firm Korn Ferry, but decided against including him on the ballot, according to a regulatory filing. A bank spokesman declined to elaborate.
To be sure, proxy access has not gained the same traction as another corporate-governance movement, the push to separate the jobs of board chairman and company CEO. The proxy-access proposal at Goldman Sachs last year, also filed by McRitchie, got 5% support, and another at Bank of America got about 9%. The Securities and Exchange Commission tried a few years back to make proxy access a matter of course at public companies, but the business industry's lobbying arm killed the idea with a legal challenge.
Part of the difficulty, said Jill Fisch, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert on corporate governance, is setting the thresholds that govern which shareholders get to nominate potential board members.
"You might think it's the right idea, but a hedge fund is never going to hold (shares) for two years and maybe you want hedge funds to nominate," Fisch said. "I can imagine a mutual fund saying, 'Well, proxy access is good, but 50 small shareholders being able to put something on the proxy? I'm not sure I go with that.'"
McRitchie's proposals for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup ask for proxy access for a shareholder or group who have held between 1% and 5% of shares for at least two years, or a group of 25 shareholders or more who have held the same proportion of shares for at least one year. Each group could nominate up to 24%of board members, under the proposal. A proposal at Bank of America, filed by John Harrington of Harrington Investments in Napa, Calif., follows a pattern that's mostly the same.
Discuss key earnings announcements before and after results come in. Learn more
To be sure, Bank of America and Citigroup have already shaken up their boards significantly since the financial crisis and separated the jobs of chairman and CEO. Shares at all three banks are on the rise, and so board members are hardly under the same pressure that they were a few years ago. Last year, at all three banks, nearly all the directors were elected to the board with approval in the high 90th percentile. The lowest approval for any was a Goldman Sachs director, former Fannie Mae FNMA, -1.60% CEO James Johnson, who was still voted back in with more than 85% approval.
In that respect, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. JPM, +0.81% might have been a better target. Last year, three of 11 directors were voted back in with approval ratings of less than 60%. (Two of those three have since left, though James Crown, president of a private investment company and a board member of J.P. Morgan or a predecessor since 1991, remains on the board.)
McRitchie said he didn't have any board nominees in mind and was lodging the proposals as a matter of good operating principle. "It's a tool that should be in the toolbox," he said. "You don't wait until the emergency is upon you."
Read more banking news on MarketWatch:
Should the bank CEO be the chairman too? Why some say no.
Shareholder to bank leaders: It's hard to trust you.
Morgan Stanley quashes proposal to split chairman, CEO jobs.
Religious shareholders to big banks: Repent!


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Seeking Your Views: How Can Citizens Contribute to Better Development Outcomes?
The World Bank Group is developing a framework to more systematically mainstream citizen engagement in Bank Group-supported operations with the goal of improving their results. The framework will build on experience from existing efforts and highlight additional context-specific opportunities to engage with citizens and seek beneficiary feedback.
The Bank would like to learn from the wealth of global experience in citizen engagement. Specifically, what works, when, why and how? Please share your experience through this short online survey. The team working on this would very much appreciate your input, which will help inform the framework.
For more information, visit the consultations website. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to [email protected]


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Color this fun sombrero hat coloring page to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Bunny wants you to color his Carrot Car. What color will you color it? Bunny coloring page.
Color this Indian chief with bright colorful feathers. A great Thanksgiving Indian.
Have fun coloring Jac and his friends. We are the characters that live at the Kangaroo Jac's Indoor Inflatable Party and Play Place.
Color this 4th of July horse for a fun Independence Day activity. This free coloring page is a great preschool activity to get ready for the 4th.
Color Monkey Blue and all his funny hats. Then cut them out and play with Monkey and his hats. Monkey coloring page.
I am a colorful, cunning fox. Why don't you see if you can color my outfit. Free coloring page.
Now Bunny is driving a Sports Car. Color the car your favorite color.
Come monkey around as you color three monkeys with all sorts of fun rainbow colors. Monkey coloring page.
Teddy Bear and Elephant are having a Tea Party. Teddy Bear printable coloring page. Print these for your friends when you have a tea party.


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NBC Universal Now Says It Should Be Apple's Responsibility To Stop Piracy
from the oh-please dept
Now, NBC Universal's "chief digital officer," George Kliavkoff, is saying that it should be Apple's responsibility to stop unauthorized usage by building special antipiracy filters into iTunes. Yes, iTunes -- the service that plenty of people use in order to legally purchase content. However, since iTunes is also the connection that most people use to manage their iPod content, NBC Universal thinks Apple should somehow block the ability to get non-authorized material onto the iPod. How would they do that? How would they know that a song is authorized vs. legally ripped? Don't bother asking tough questions like that. After all, if NBC Universal actually knew how to answer them, it wouldn't be telling everyone else that they're required to fix NBC Universal's broken business model. And, of course, it apparently hasn't occurred to NBC Universal execs that if Apple actually agreed to this (which seems extremely unlikely), it would just push people to jump to other solutions to manage their music, such as Songbird.
Kliavkoff then goes on to say: "It's really difficult for us to work with any distribution partner who says 'Here's the wholesale price and the retail price,' especially when the price doesn't reflect the full value of the product." Note the careful choice of words here. Remember, we were just discussing how the entertainment industry is trying to appropriate all value that is associated with content (even if that value is because of some other vehicle) back to the content owner. Kliavkoff's statement also shows a confusion over the difference between price and value -- and because of that he seems to be assigning all the value to the content and almost none to the service and technology Apple provides (sound familiar?). Coming from a "chief digital officer" that seems troublesome for the company's digital strategies. Then again, perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise. Companies that have a "chief digital officer" are already in trouble because they're sectioning off "digital" as if it's some separate function, rather than a key component that will impact all aspects of the business.


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Dear fellow kitesurfers
Last monday suddenly a bulldozer appeared out of the nothing in our sleepy little fishing village.
On the spur of the moment our dear neighbour grabed the opportunity to flatten the grass-covered dunes on the beach in front of the house, as he says, "like shoveling snow".
Now we have a clean and proper beach which is ideal and totally safe for launching kites even for the most untalented kitesurfers .
If you are close by our village, I cordially invite you to stay with us let me know what you think.
Greetings from Switzerland


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How can I transfer my domain to another easyname account?
If you want to transfer your domain to another easyname account, please log in into your control panel and navigate to [My domains] -> next to the respective domain "Manage" (notepad symbol) -> under "Outgoing Transfer" use the link "Transfer domain to other account".
After entering the email address of the new easyname account, the new account owner receives a transfer request at his control panel at [My Domains] -> [Internal transfer] which must be confirmed within 7 days. After the transfer gets accepted by the new account owner the transfer will be completed within a few minutes. If the transfer wont be accepted within 7 days, the transfer gets canceled automatically and must be started again if necessary.
Please note that if you have the "medium" hosting plan, no internal transfers can be processed to or from the account, however if you have no domain in your medium account and the internal transfer doesnt work, please contact the easyname support.
Tento článok obsahuje:
|informácie, ktoré ste hľadali?
|Boli informácie zrozumiteľné?
|Dostatok podrobností?


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- Inside Athletics
- Tickets
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The Wallace Watch will be trimmed to 12 semi-finalists by
Dedicated to the memory of former Texas Tech shortstop and assistant coach, Wallace was a slick-fielding shortstop at Texas Tech from 1977 to 1980. A 4-year starter, he was named All-Southwest Conference and All-District Six his senior year when he lead the Red Raiders to their first-ever appearance in the Southwest Conference Tournament. After playing two years in the Texas Rangers organization, he returned to Texas Tech and served as a graduate assistant and later as an assistant coach. In the summer of 1984 he was diagnosed with cancer and fought the disease courageously until his death on
The selection committee for the Wallace Award is comprised of a national panel of preeminent coaches, sports information directors, former winners and beat media who most closely follow the sport. Screening Committee members will evaluate the candidates and will continue their review throughout the entire baseball season. Additional Wallace Watch candidates may be added as the season progresses. Voting for the three finalists and the Wallace Award winner will be conducted by confidential balloting, with totals tabulated by the J.W.Anderson & Associates accounting firm in
Following the season,


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Jim Rudisill, finance director for the city of Hendersonville, looked out on a room full of friends in the city's Operations Center Monday afternoon and smiled with tear-filled eyes.
Jim Rudisill, finance director for the city of Hendersonville, looked out on a room full of friends in the city's Operations Center Monday afternoon and smiled with tear-filled eyes.
Rudisill is retiring today, ending a nearly three-decade career with his hometown city — a municipality he helped garner 25 awards for in financial reporting; a city he led to smaller tax rates, stellar audits, growth and sound budgets even in the worst financial crisis of modern times.
The trick, he said, was remembering a philosophical question that stuck with him from his early days in finance: "If it was your money, would you do it?"
Through the years, Rudisill passed on his wisdom to others with a smile and a light-hearted wit. On Dec. 5, the city honored him with the commendation of a Hendersonville Hero during a City Council meeting.
"We appreciate you for 28 and a half years of keeping the city in the black, for estimating revenues low and expenditures high, paying our bills on time, for keeping our employees paid and especially for the countless times you've made us laugh, always right on time and when we needed it most," Mayor Barbara Volk said.
That night, after coaxing from his last City Council, Rudisill left them with one last joke, finishing the punch line with a chuckle he couldn't contain...
"There was a little girl who asked her mother where humans come from and she says, 'Well, honey, God created Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve had children and over time we came from them.' She says, 'OK.' The next day she asked her dad the same question. He says, 'Well, honey, humans evolved from apes over a million years.' So you can imagine she was a little confused at this point in time," he said.
"So she goes back to her mother and she says, 'Mother, you said God created us and Dad said we evolved from apes.' And she says, 'Well, honey, I was talking about my side of the family.'"
Laughter and applause spread through the room like wildfire.
"We will definitely miss your jokes. Your knowledge of skills and your devotion will be greatly missed," Volk said. "You are a part of what makes Hendersonville the wonderful place it is to live, work and visit."
Lasting legacy
"I did not want to leave without telling you what an honor and a privilege it's been to work for the city," he told the council during that Dec. 5 meeting, fighting back an upsurge of tears. "I want to thank my wife, Doris, who is here tonight, for sticking with me during all that time. But I have to warn you after 30 days with me 24/7, she may be back down here asking you all to take me back."
An Army veteran and graduate of the University of Georgia, Rudisill began his career in the city of Atlanta's accounting department, working his way up through the ranks from an internship. After 10 years, he came back to his hometown and started his first day as Hendersonville's finance director on May 6, 1985.
Rudisill said he arrived at city hall early that day, a little too early, and had to wait for someone to unlock the door to let him in. Once inside, he was finally ushered to a desk in the middle of a room where the city's planning department is today.
"There was just a desk but there was no chair," he laughed, recalling one of his fondest memories. "I said, 'Well, do you think it would be possible to get a chair?' And we all had a big laugh about it... It's been a good experience."
During Rudisill's tenure, he's witnessed the creation of the city's first fire station and the start of its second. He's seen his hometown more than triple in size from 3,500 citizens to more than 13,200 today, and Main Street bloom to a true destination. He's lived through a succession of mayors and council members, most of them dear and all of them remembered by name.
In the past 28 years, the city has earned 25 certificates of achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in financial reporting and is on track to receive its 26th this year.
During one of Rudisill's first audit presentations, the city's general fund expenditures totaled $4,376,898. On Dec. 5, the expenditures totaled $11.5 million.
In 1988, water and sewer expenditures totaled $2,938,277. Today, the department's expenses are up to $11.6 million. In 1988, the city's fund balance was at $2.37 million. Today, it rests at $8.37 million.
The tax rate in the city in 1988 was 76 cents for every $100 of property valuation and the city's tax base was $272 million. Today, the city's tax rate is 41 cents with a tax base of $1.6 billion.
"This is a pretty good body of work for the number of years that Mr. Rudisill has served our city," City Manager John Connet told the council Dec. 5. "I consider this our legacy."
'Binding force'
Connet, who took the helm of the city in May, called Rudisill the "binding force through all the changes that kept things together."
"Jim (Rudisill) has helped me get up to speed on many of the issues facing the city over the last seven months," he said. "He's truly been an asset to this community. I'm sad to see him go, but I'm happy he'll be able to enjoy retirement."
"It's just gone by so fast," Rudisill said, sitting in his office Dec. 11. "It's bittersweet... I'm looking to refocus rather than retire, just because I have to be doing something, whatever that something is. You can only play so much bad golf, so I won't be doing that full time."
Rudisill has been working since the age of 13 with part-time jobs that eventually led to full-time careers. Now he plans to travel with his wife and start tackling that "honey do" list of chores his house has accumulated. But first and foremost, he'll be "enjoying life," he said.
"The city's in good hands," Rudisill added. "We have good administration. We have money in the bank. I can leave on a high note, and I'm satisfied with that."
Reach Weaver at firstname.lastname@example.com or 828-694-7867.


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