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|Posted: June 16, 2008
Scientist models molecular switch
|(Nanowerk News) Michigan Technological University physicist Ranjit Pati and his team have developed a model to explain the mechanism behind computing's elusive Holy Grail, the single molecular switch.
|If born out experimentally, his work could help explode Moore's Law and could revolutionize computing technology.
|Moore's Law predicts that the number of transistors that can be economically placed on an integrated circuit will double about every two years. But by 2020, Moore's Law is expected to hit a brick wall, as manufacturing costs rise and transistors shrink beyond the reach of the laws of classical physics.
|A solution lies in the fabled molecular switch. If molecules could replace the current generation of transistors, you could fit more than a trillion switches onto a centimeter-square chip. In 1999, a team of researchers at Yale University published a description of the first such switch, but scientists have been unable to replicate their discovery or explain how it worked. Now, Pati believes he and his team may have found the mechanism behind the switch.
|Applying quantum physics, he and his group developed a computer model of an organometallic molecule firmly bound between two gold electrodes. Then he turned on the juice.
|As the laws of physics would suggest, the current increased along with the voltage, until it rose to a miniscule 142 microamps. Then suddenly, and counterintuitively, it dropped, a mysterious phenomenon known as negative differential resistance, or NDR. Pati was astonished at what his analysis of the NDR revealed.
|Up until the 142-microamp tipping point, the molecule's cloud of electrons had been whizzing about the nucleus in equilibrium, like planets orbiting the sun. But under the bombardment of the higher voltage, that steady state fell apart, and the electrons were forced into a different equilibrium, a process known as "quantum phase transition."
|"I never thought this would happen," Pati said. "I was really excited to see this beautiful result."
|Why is this important? A molecule that can exhibit two different phases when subjected to electric fields has promise as a switch: one phase is the "zero" and the other the "one," which form the foundation of digital electronics.
|Pati is working with other scientists to test the model experimentally. His results appear in the article "Origin of Negative Differential Resistance in a Strongly Coupled Single Molecule-metal Junction Device," published June 16 in Physical Review Letters (" Origin of Negative Differential Resistance in a Strongly Coupled Single Molecule-Metal Junction Device"). The other coauthors are Mike McClain, an undergraduate from Michigan Tech; and Anirban Bandyopadhyay, of the National Institute for Materials Science, Japan. The work of Pati's team was financed by a five-year, $400,000 Faculty Early Career Development Program award he received from the National Science Foundation.
|Source: Michigan Technological University
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TOKYO -- While the sales tally for these Toyota Group hybrids aren't huge, the vehicles themselves are big. Really big.
In fact, given they are light, medium and heavy-duty trucks, it's perhaps surprising that Hino Motors Ltd. sold any at all.
Hybrids are still a niche among passenger cars, but Toyota's truckmaking unit has carved a space in commercial vehicles too.
Indeed, Hino said Tuesday that it had sold 10,028 hybrid trucks in total since introducing its first hybrid in 1991.
The total includes 49 medium-duty hybrid trucks sold in the United States, where Hino began selling its 19,500-pound 195h truck in November 2012. Initial sales there have been limited to California, but it will be available in all states by June.
Hino engineers say they have developed the hybrid drivetrain independently of their colleagues at Toyota, who made the Prius the world's best-selling gasoline-electric car. Unlike the Prius, Hino pares its electric motor to a diesel engine.
As of May 2012, Toyota Motor Corp. notched cumulative hybrid vehicles sales of 4 million units, since launching its first hybrid in 1997, a hybrid bus called the Coaster Hybrid EV.
The Prius was introduced later the same year. Since then, Toyota has sold more than 2.63 million units of that nameplate.
Aside from Japan, Hino sells hybrid trucks in six other countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia.
Other brands make hybrid trucks, including Japanese rival Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp. But Hino says it's the first maker to sell more than 10,000 hybrid trucks.
"You may think 10,000 is very small," Hino spokesman Tetsuo Kitagawa says. "Yes, it's a small number compared to mass produced hybrid cars like Toyota Prius. But it's a great milestone for the commercial vehicle segment."

subset: commoncrawl


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- Description
DetailsChoices is a beautiful porcelain tableware collection from Portmeirion that features a variety of plates, bowls mugs and cups & saucers in three soft pastel colourways – white, green and blue. With a beautiful simplicity and freshness, the range is perfect for creating an authentic dining experience and, with its selection of bowls, is the ultimate modern day tableware collection . Wonderfully fine and translucent yet incredibly durable, Choices withstands the rigours of modern day dining whilst also making a unique and appealing mix-and-match table display with its various shapes and colours.
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Additional Information
UPC 749151645707 Product Type No Material Porcelain Dimensions 5.75 Inch Product Care Ceramics - Dishwasher Safe, Microwave Safe
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text:
Hello, eh: Sam Miletic
Word just got out that Sam Miletic, a presumed 2015 kid, has committed to Michigan
Proud to say I've committed to play hockey at the University of Michigan! #goblue— Sam Miletic (@SamMiletic) July 5, 2013
Per MichiganHockey.net:
The Bloomfield Hills, Michigan native played for Cranbook this past season and had 10 goals and 10 assists in 11 games. ... Russ Bitely ranked Miletic among the 'B' players at last summer's USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp
I forget what exactly A vs B vs C indicates but I think it generally means the guy is expected to be a NHL pick at this point. Seems like a really solid pick up to go with Brendan Warren and Kyle Connor (who just got picked for a USA U-18 tournament team) The 2015 hockey class is shaping up to be very very good at this point.
Edit: Oops, forgot Nick Boka for 2015 too. He is also projected to be a 'B' player and is on the US Under-17s. Go Blue


text:
|View Poll Results: Regios - Episode 24 [END] Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 126. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2009-06-21, 12:24
|Link #61
Disputatio exaro nex
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Turkey
Age: 35
I saw the subs now and it turned out to be as decent as I thought when I saw the raw. Everyone got their lesson and came to accept it. I'd say it was as satisfying as it can get for a cliffhanger conclusion. And they didn't take the diversion from novels to an unrecoverable point. I'm happy with it.
As for the other stuff, I thought it like this:
- Saya may manually give the goat back to Nina, saying something like "you're chosen like Layfon".
- Myath can come back after Grendan left for a showdown.
- The queen may kidnap/bring Nina back again after she gets the goat.
- Layfon can go after Grendan like Max Payne because he thinks the queen got his 'closest female companions'.
So they may be able to salvage it back to the point the novel's in, it's not impossible.
|2009-06-21, 12:35
|Link #62
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Though each episode is not great by itself, they complimented each other and and finally built up to an amazing ending in my opinion. Felli-kick aside, it doesn't pander to anime viewers with cuteness/moe and the like.
Take for instance, Sharnid flirting with Shena in ep23 at 07:45.
Sharnid: Have I ever lied to you?
Shena: The only thing I've heard from that mouth of yours are lies. How long must I wait to hear truth from it, Sharnid?
In how many other anime nowadays can you get a sleek dialogue like that and doesn't involve excessive blushing?
Also, not explaining the background and world-view in one shot but showing it through everyday life/dialogue is a refreshing change, though it may invoke some "wtf is going on" reactions from viewers.
Surfboard sword is dumb and big explosions at the end are cliche, but I can live with that. All in all it's an awesome show.
|2009-06-21, 12:58
|Link #63
Boku no matsuro
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: somewhere far far in distance-
mahn...i liked this anime alot D: can't believe it ended.
:[ and leerin+layfon's relationship kinda made me fustrated cuz i know they love each other but still have to part there ways eventhough they were already separated for such a long time ToT.
why did grendon take back the heaven's blade from layfon?
i tried looking for the manga to see if they passed the anime but...didnt find much, i'm guessing the anime wasn't based off the manga?
|2009-06-21, 13:22
|Link #65
Crack Head
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: T dot Ohhhhhh
Age: 32
Sooo...no word on a second season?
And I got a few questions...if someone could answer them lol.
WTF happend there, Saya entrusted Layfon with what exactly? Protecting the Regios world from Ignasis? And why the hell would he give back HIS Katana! I mean his "father" gave him that Katana and he just gives it back!
Man...I wasn't a fan of the ending. Hopefully we get a second season...I wanted a little more action with Layfon and his HB/Katana.
|2009-06-21, 13:32
|Link #66
Boku no matsuro
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: somewhere far far in distance-
and remember he combined the katana with the hb, well yea, it become one sword now, and since as my question was answered before, he had to return the hb since he was granted complete persmission from the queen that he was allowed to keep it.
yea D: i want 2nd season too, or at least the manga that'll tell an afterstory >.>
|2009-06-21, 13:44
|Link #67
Mad Scientist #0000
Now that's the way to rush and ruin a storyline in the last episodes.Even if it'll have a continuation it would be a great mess.Somehow it resembles Claymore that way.
Anyway at least Savaris was awesome(And he's got trapped in the Zero Domain...it means he's coming back even as even stronger) and loled hard at the Laysurf scene...and I have the chance to see another shin kick(reven if it's annoying with Anime's altered characters it's at least a bit possitive).
Now everything that remained is Missing Mail and Blewin's translations...
|2009-06-21, 13:49
|Link #68
Crack Head
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: T dot Ohhhhhh
Age: 32
And did anyone else get a "team rocket" feeling when Savaris was blasted away? Such a weak finish...even Haia had a better end.
Man I am freaking out. I'm sick of shows ending like this. I'm going to go drink myself into a stupor to forget I ever watched this ending and I'll make up my own...At least I g ot Reqiuem for a Phantom which never seems to let me down on how epic reiji has become.
Last edited by Tyrone Biggums; 2009-06-21 at 14:15.
|2009-06-21, 14:16
|Link #69
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
sad that Layfon had to give the HB sword-katana back....since he can only use it while being a part of grendan yet layfon choiced to stay in zerenii for the time beign... but queen or rather saya choiced Layfon as the 12HB wielder so this spot will be his forever and it will be waiting for him to return..... but well he knows that Leerin,Delk,Queen,Grendan city forgiven him and that he is welcomed in grendan anytime so now he can fight with an ease (maybe with that black katana that he was supposed to use in a match...)
kinda sad that he has to give back something that he just get it >_> (he like savaris [goat] had not much time to play with it...)
maybe layfon will go back to grendan in few years after he graduates... or somthing will happen again and his strenght is needed
I guess next season could focus on the ignasis-regios fight....but I doubt it will happen in this year.... goes we will have to wait and see (kinda sad that someone from the stuff members that was working on regios episode died... kinda like he died along with ending of the anime)... but the authors made it nice to give a dedication to that person at the end....
|2009-06-21, 14:57
|Link #71
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Belgium, Antwerp
Age: 34
Man this final episode was such a waste of potential. Savaris - Layfon was so dissapointing. I know asking it to be of a quality of Cloud vs Sephiroth in FF AC is asking to much (budget / time) but it should've at least be a lot cooler then Layfon's second fight with Heia since we finally had an opponent that was a match for him. Playing Silver Surfer, while I could bash it so hard I won't since I thougth it looked cool even if it isn't all that unique.
Well guess I could hope for a second season since even if the last episodes left me dissapointed this series was bye far one of the better series this season. But open endings are hardly a guarantee at a second series thus I'm not going to waste my hope bye hoping all to much.
The fact that she's the one standing with him at the end is symbolic enough for me to think that she's his chosen one. They could've put him next to Nina's bed while recovering or sending even Leerin off but they chose for the talk with Fellin. I know people will say it isn't conclusive enough but for these action oriented series that's almost as good as it gets for a pairing.
|2009-06-21, 15:09
|Link #72
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
|2009-06-21, 15:27
|Link #74
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Belgium, Antwerp
Age: 34
But adding a sentence like "you're chosen like Layfon" sounds more like a Nina fan who's trying to add to the Nina-Layfon relationship then someone who really cares about having the plot intact. Just my 2 cents. I mean there is multiple ways to have the goat return without Saya having to say she's also one of her chosen one. Like having the goat just magicly reappear in front of her like it did the first time.
Last edited by seiji_kun; 2009-06-21 at 15:39.
|2009-06-21, 15:57
|Link #75
Disputatio exaro nex
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Turkey
Age: 35
Saya has the goat now, she won't just release it into the wasteland. Even if she just leaves the goat in front of Nina, that means she chose her. You basically say the same thing while avoiding gratification.
I shall leave you alone with your wishful thinking, you obvious Felli fan.
|2009-06-21, 16:17
|Link #76
Working the bags...
Join Date: Mar 2009
Not sure about the whole surfing on the HB scene. Did like the fusing of the two together though. Fight was pretty much over after Layfon got his HB, guess even with the goat Savaris was no match for him...
I don't think anyone shipping for whomever should be that upset. As far as I can see all ships are still out to sea and not a certain ship came into the dock. Oh that sounded quite indecent..
|2009-06-21, 16:36
|Link #77
Aimo ~ Tori no Hito
Join Date: Feb 2007
l love fellis fans....they are just like fellis delusional, in denial...desperately grasping at straws
Oh snap Layfon is seen in the rolling credits enjoying himself with nina while having lunch while fellis is all alone looking at the wasteland....clearly that's symbolic enough to proof layfon told fellis to get lost and that nina is his chosen one
or better yet....
That letter he sent to Leerin at the end is clearly symolic that she is his chosen girl what with the longing to meet her again. he can't wait to hugz her some moarz!!!!
everyone but fellis fans can see it's either Leerin or Nina for his heart....with Leerin of course being number 1# in his heart.
l'm happy that my favorite loli Shante got a happy ending...her reaction to his words where adorable and cute....
|2009-06-21, 16:36
|Link #78
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Belgium, Antwerp
Age: 34
And you should learn that animes aren't always exact copy cats of their novel or manga counterpart. Thus hardly even worth discussing when a series completely goes its different route like it's in this case.
Last scenes ain't when the credits are rolling. That's just some bonus scenes. And I didn't see a scene after the credits so I do think technically the last scene was Felli and Layfon's little talk.
But I'll leave you alone to with your wishful thinking, especially of a second season.
Last edited by seiji_kun; 2009-06-21 at 16:49.
|2009-06-21, 16:45
|Link #79
Its time to Exist
Join Date: May 2008
It was an okay Ending. Although should've had the fight scene longer(I had hope Layfon would atleast cut off an Arm or something other then sent the attack back.).
A shame that they took HB back, it would've been very useful for Zuellni if Layfon kept it to fight against FM.
To me they left it in an Open-Ending. Everyone went back to a normal lifestyle. There wasn't any real romance part in the ending (From my view, people are just putting it that there was romance)
Spoiler for My View on the ending:
|2009-06-21, 17:04
|Link #80
Disabled By Request
Join Date: Mar 2009
Well, Lafon have had his head between Felli legs then she sat on his shoulders if we are going to be picky. But I know what you mean.
Nina X Zuellni
Nina have declared her feelings for Zuellni several times and even kissed a long deep one.
|Thread Tools


text: Shutterfly's 5x7 photo cards are flat cards made with Fuji Crystal Archive photo paper with a matte or glossy finish. Packaged with envelopes, our photo card collection comes in many styles for different occasions, and allows you the space to personalize the card with up to nine of your favorite photos along with a customized message. From custom birth announcements to personalized birthday card invitations, Shutterfly offers photo cards for all of life's celebrations in a style that's just right for you. We also have a selection of baby shower invitation, unique save the date cards and holiday greeting cards.


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text:
With Domain Name Seizures Increasing, It's Time For A Decentralized DNS System
from the bye-bye-icann dept
Case in point, fresh off the legal loss, Peter Sunde, who has been focused on Flattr rather than The Pirate Bay, for quite some time anyway, has noted that he's working with some folks to set up a competing root server system that avoids ICANN. ICANN, of course, has been instrumental in helping Homeland Security with its domain seizures (and has apparently handed over Sunde's domain names to the recording industry in the past). The idea, apparently, is to set up a truly distributed and more secure DNS system that does not rely on a single party, like ICANN.
This certainly seems like a big challenge, and one that has a high likelihood of failure. But it does appear that we're seeing more and more problems with the way ICANN operates (though, it's been trouble since it first came into being). An alternative system, actually set up by folks who understand the technology could actually catch on, and could present a serious challenge for those who think they can censor the web in any manner -- whether for political or corporate purposes.


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Totally missed the Moon and Pleiades Conjunction due to clouds but both Roger and Genie were fortunate to view and image the gathering, images below. I did however catch a couple days ago an extremely rare lunar red flash, very rare and even more rare when the Moon is in it's crescent phase. The Red flash is caused by atmospheric refraction, bending and distorting the bottom of the Moon and scattering the blues of the moonlight and allowing the reds through to be seen by the viewer.
Roger's Moon/Pleiades Conjunction image, February 3 2009
Genie's Moon/Pleiades Conjunction image, February 3 2009
Way to go Roger and Genie, and a heads up, this coming March 2 another Moon/Pleiades conjunction will be taking place, take advantage of them, the Moon is in the right position for them to occur till 2010, after that it will be slim pickins till 2022.
Congratulations go out to Genie as well, she got her images on CNN's iReport, very cool!!
Using Mars Rover imaging technology, David Bergman put together a 1,474 megapixel image of the Barack Obama inauguration. NASA developed what they call Pancam, a camera able to tilt 180 degrees, rotate 360 degrees and take high resolution images. Software stitches 1 megapixel images together and smooths out anomalies, result, a stunning high resolution image. This software helps scientists study the Martian surface through the rover's cameras like they are actually there. You can view the more then 1,400 images taken from the main 1,474 image here.
Even though I am not into politics or celebrity it is kind of addicting to go through some of these images and pick out people like Beyonce and Jessica Alba.
I'll leave you now with an animation of a Sunset I took the other day.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Rare Lunar Red Flash, Moon Pleiades Conjunction and Obama's Inauguration
39 comments:
- Stephanie Barr said...
Supercool lunar red flash. I especially like that the moon was in its crescent phase.
Nice conjunctions via your friends, too.
- February 4, 2009 at 12:52 PM
- Cashmere said...
Can you believe it?
I missed the conjunction again..
It wasn't a clear sky.. :(
- February 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM
- Genie said...
That gigipan thing is AWESOME! I swear, I think George was pouting in that shot.
I'm so very bummed you missed the conjunction because I know you'd have gotten some amazing shots of it. But a red flash crescent moon is TOO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for the alert for last night, and I just wrote March 2 down on my calendar. I'm ready!
- February 4, 2009 at 3:19 PM
- kml said...
Hi Bob - I always keep my eye on that moon - I have loved it since I was a kid. But you know, I never see the cool things you do - that red crescent must have been something else. Way too cool!!
- February 4, 2009 at 5:34 PM
- Speedcat Hollydale said...
You always have the most spectacular images. Killer good sunset gif at the end too :-)
- February 4, 2009 at 6:05 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Stephanie, was super lucky for the red flash to appear just as I snapped the pic, and was very happy to see the conjunction thanks to Genie and Roger.\m/\m/
- February 4, 2009 at 7:13 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Dohhh, too bad again Cashmere, always March 2nd.\m/\m/
- February 4, 2009 at 7:14 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Lol, I think so too Genie, hey he had 8 years. I was up till 4:00 am waiting for the clouds to disperse, never did, thankfully you and Roger came through for me, and congrats for you CNN posting, hey always March 2nd.\m/\m/
- February 4, 2009 at 7:17 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Kathy, the thing is you have to be at the right place at the right time with the type of shots I take, most of my cool shots are at weird hours and very, very , very cold temps, people and rightly so don't venture out with cameras at odd hours and temps,lol.\m/\m/
- February 4, 2009 at 7:20 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Hey thanks a lot Speedy,the gifs are always my fav, very relaxing.\m/\m/
- February 4, 2009 at 7:21 PM
- Swubird said...
That absolutely stupendous. The Queen and I went through the whole library of pictures. Breathtaking, everyone.
Great post.
Happy trails.
- February 4, 2009 at 7:21 PM
- Roger said...
That red flash is awesome my man! Thanks for your help and heads up Bob. Whats funny is I was taking photos of Pleiades the whole time and and did not now it tell I started checking the shots hahahahaha!
- February 4, 2009 at 9:06 PM
- Ruth said...
All the shots are splendid and glowy. The sunset colors are so soothing.
The Bergman image is incredible! I'll have to look at it at work, because I got bumped offline here at home (air card).
Will watch for the conjunction March 2.
- February 5, 2009 at 5:05 AM
- Bhavesh Chhatbar said...
Very interesting! I usually see this from the place I live at, quite an open area.
- February 5, 2009 at 6:53 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks swubird, it was kinda of addicting to go through them all wasn't it.\m/\m/
- February 5, 2009 at 7:29 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Lol Roger, that's the way it goes, never know what you got sometimes till you get downloading them, very cool shots Roger.\m/\m/
- February 5, 2009 at 7:30 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Ruth, actually I thought you would really like the Bergman shot, you'll have lots of fun with it.\m/\m/
- February 5, 2009 at 7:31 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Bhavesh, cool you have an open area, good luck with the one on March 2.\m/\m/
- February 5, 2009 at 7:33 AM
- Shinade said...
Bob I am the world's worst student ever with anything that relates to science.
But, I am always so excited to get here and see what you have for us.
This was fabulous. I hope I have my new lens soon and hopefully not miss March2nd.
Congrats on getting that great image of the lunar red flash!
- February 5, 2009 at 2:10 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Shinade, good luck with the March 2 conjunction, hope you have your lens by then, makes all the difference.\m/\m/
- February 5, 2009 at 4:47 PM
- SEDONA said...
Very interesting.
- February 6, 2009 at 12:11 AM
- Sherer said...
Wow, I never thought the moon would do something like that. Amazing pic I was unaware of this occurance. Very cool
I miss the conjunction too... What a bummer. However, I am excited to see saturn again!
- February 6, 2009 at 1:11 PM
- Shaka Zulu said...
In a universe of mundane blogs, yours is a shining star!!! Keep up the awesome work.
- February 6, 2009 at 1:38 PM
- Ivanhoe said...
I missed it due to clouds, too :(
We got another 10 or so inches of snow. Sigh. I'm ready for spring :)
The pics are awesome, now I know how the pleiades conjuction looks.
- February 6, 2009 at 2:42 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks a lot SEDONA.\m/\m/
- February 6, 2009 at 5:36 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Jesse, yes it is always good to see Saturn,will be with us for awhile now, never get tired of seeing her through the scope.\m/\m/
- February 6, 2009 at 5:39 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Wow, thanks a lot Shaka Zulu.\m/\m/
- February 6, 2009 at 5:41 PM
- Bob Johnson said...
Thanks Ivanhoe, I hear you, I'm so tired of the snow and cold, I really should be living in the desert somewhere looking for meteorites,lol.\m/\m/
- February 6, 2009 at 5:42 PM
- Dorothy said...
This is my first visit thanks for stopping by our blog..I've bookmarked your site as it fascinating and I'm so glad I found you......
Dorothy from grammology
- February 7, 2009 at 4:07 AM
- Anonymous said...
Great shot of the Lunar flash Bob. The things you come up with. Last night, for the first time this winter, the moon was so bright it lit up the night like it was day. So surreal. But it was -17 and I could bring myself to got outside to get some shots.
Anyways, hope you are having a great weekend my friend. ake care.
- February 7, 2009 at 6:35 AM
- Anonymous said...
* typos:
couldn't instead of could
take instead of ake
sorry Bob. All thumbs today.
- February 7, 2009 at 6:37 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Hi and thanks Dorothy for dropping by too, glad you like the site.\m/\m/
- February 7, 2009 at 7:50 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Lol, no problem about the sp mistakes JD, I do it lots,lol. I am getting pretty tired of the snow and cold, hard to get motivated to go out in the -30c weather to get new pics for the blog, so ready for spring.:(
- February 7, 2009 at 7:52 AM
- Peter said...
Hi! Even though I'm not into politics that didn't stop me watching 12 hours of the inauguration on the TV. History in the making and hoping he will change the world for the better.
Take Care,
- February 12, 2009 at 1:01 AM
- Bob Johnson said...
Hi Peter, we shall see what happens.\m/\m/
- February 14, 2009 at 10:18 AM
- Tatiana said...
Yup, thanks the fact that your friends were luckier than us and were able to shoot the eclipse as here it was very clouded for the few hours before and during the eclipse - unfortunately :/. Thank you for posting more great lunar eclipse from the fortunate once, and your Moon shots of this rare occurance are superb as always :)
- February 15, 2009 at 6:20 PM
- Marvin the Martian said...
That's really neat! I am amazed the moon could look like that.
- February 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
- Anonymous said...
Who knows where to download XRumer 5.0 Palladium?
Help, please. All recommend this program to effectively advertise on the Internet, this is the best program!
- November 21, 2009 at 10:29 AM
- Anonymous said...
Did you downloaded Wikileaks docs? Give me link plz
Hih you hear me??
- December 11, 2010 at 11:16 AM


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Authorities are stressing safety among motorists and pedestrians with railroads after a teenager was killed by a train in Thomasville this past week.
Authorities are stressing safety among motorists and pedestrians with railroads after a teenager was killed by a train in Thomasville this past week.
A day after the fatality, the Thomasville Police Department issued rail safety tips in an effort to reduce fatalities and injuries, said TPD Det. Sgt. Brad Saintsing. The TPD is working with N.C. Railroad Police and N.C. Operation Lifesaver to spread awareness concerning railroad safety. They are in the process of scheduling events in Thomasville in regard to safety with trains.
Operation Lifesaver, according to its website, is a program designed to help save lives at the most dangerous spot on any highway or road, the highway-rail grade crossing. Operation Lifesaver is an active, continuous public information and education program to help prevent and reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities by improving driver performance at the nation's approximately 270,000 public and private highway-rail grade crossings.
Saintsing said data provided to him by Operation Lifesaver shows North Carolina ranked ninth in total fatalities among the 50 states involving trains in 2012. He also explained every three hours in the United States a pedestrian or vehicle is struck by a train. Among the reasons of what commonly leads to fatalities is the increased frequency and speeds of the trains and distractions, the sergeant said.
"Simply put, people are just not paying attention," he said.
Evidence, according to the TPD, indicates 18-year-old Paul Anthony Taylor may have been listening to a MP3 player and did not hear the train or the horn. The Thomasville High School student was killed March 26 after an Amtrak engineer reported seeing him walking on the southbound tracks in downtown Thomasville. The engineer activated the horn multiple times, and when the person did not respond, he placed the train in emergency stop. The train was unable to stop in time, striking the pedestrian. The train was originally traveling at approximately 79 miles per hour.
Sainsting explained that a train travels through Thomasville 37 times each day Monday through Friday and 24 times each on Saturday and Sunday.
"Amtrak typically travels 70 to 79 mph as they come through Thomasville," he said. "With that said, that's why it's critical to only cross tracks at designated areas and observe all warning signs and signals."
Taylor's death meant the second fatality to occur in Thomasville with a train in the past year. Larry Edward Barnes, 65, died July 17 after an Amtrak engineer reported seeing a person in the middle of the tracks and sounded the horn. Upon hearing the train horn, Barnes attempted to cross in front of the train, police said. That train also was traveling 79 miles per hour at the time of the accident.
Fatalities involving trains are not just happening in Thomasville. So far this year, people have reportedly been killed by trains in Charlotte, Rocky Mount, Burlington and Raleigh.
Kimberly Woods with Amtrak Media Relations said her company encourages passengers and the public to be on alert and report safety or security issues through a neighborhood watch-style program called "Partners for Amtrak Safety and Security" and a public awareness campaign with the slogan, "If you see Something, Say Something. Hopefully, it's Nothing." Amtrak encourages people to report behaviors or activities that are unusual or out of the ordinary such as trespassers and suspicious packages by calling Amtrak Police at 800-331-0008 or 911.
The Thomasville Police Department released the following tip for pedestrians and motorists:
• Never walk or run on railroad tracks. Remember that "Tracks are for trains. Stay away and stay alive."
• Walking on or near the railroad tracks is dangerous — and illegal. Trains in North Carolina operate up to 79 miles per hour and can take over a mile to come to a complete stop. Also, tracks are on private property; you risk being cited for trespassing.
• Do not cycle or operate all-terrain vehicles on railroad tracks or rights-of-way.
• Do not hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. They are not designed to be sidewalks — there is only enough clearance for a train to pass.
• Always look both ways before crossing railroad tracks and cross only in designated areas.
• Do not cross tracks when gates are down.
• Be aware that trains may operate any time throughout the day and night in either direction.
• Cross tracks only in designated areas and always proceed with caution.
• Do not attempt to hop on board railroad cars or locomotives at any time.
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text:
It's been said again and again that sometimes a person has to kiss a lot of frogs before stumbling upon that one little unpromising amphibian that is in fact an exchanted prince, waiting only for the unconditional love of the appropriate princess to break the spell and discover his true, glorious, sexy nature. It's a cliche because it's true--in movies and in life generally, sometimes untold treasure can lie hidden behind a slimy, warty exterior. However, focusing on the flash of fairy magic and the happy ever after tends to discount the hard fact that most of the time all one is left with is a squirming, indifferent frog and a less-than-appetizing aftertaste.
I really wanted to like Asylum of Satan. The pieces all seemed to be there--directed by Kentucy-based indie filmmaker William B. Girdler, the man behind the now-legendary Native American Neck-Fetus flick The Manitou as well as the MMMMMovies approved Cannibal/Slasher Three on a Meathook, Asylum of Satan boasts atrocious 70s fashion choices, low-rent spookhouse dream sequences, a Curse of the Demon-inspired devil, and the advisory involvement of the honest-to-Lucifer Church of Satan in its climactic Black Mass sequence. Add over-earnest high-school level acting, some of the more hilarious kill scenes I've seen in a while, and a typical stellar DVD treatment by Something Weird Video, and it should be 100% trash-movie WIN, right?
Somehow, though, Asylum of Satan doesn't quite get there. I guess another cliché also applies here: they can't all be gems.
The story here is quickly told: beautiful young concert pianist Lucina Martin (70s soap-opera star Carla Borelli) wakes up to find herself a prisoner at the Pleasant Hill Asylum, under the care of the enigmatic Dr. Spectre (Charles Kissinger). Unable to determine why she's there and furthermore unable to escape, Lucina is subjected to intrusive examinations and uncomfortable massage therapy while also suffering surreal waking nightmares in which the asylum is an uninhabited, cobweb-strewn wreck and strange creatures stalk and attack her from the shadows.
Meanwhile, Lucina's fiancé Chris Duncan (the kind of amazing Nick Jolley--more on him later) is desperate to track down his missing girlfriend, which he does by questioning her family doctor and then getting surly with the local police force. He finally follows her trail to Pleasant Hill, where it doesn't take him long to figure out something evil is afoot. He can't imagine quite HOW evil, though, as the fact is Lucina has been kidnapped by a Satanic cult who plan to sacrifice her in a ritual designed to bring His Infernal Majesty to earth and bestow limitless power on the not-so-good Doctor! Can Chris save her in time? Is there in fact anything to save her FROM? And what's the deal with Martine, the Frau Blücher-esque nurse who is also a painfully obvious tranny? Time will tell!
I'm not a negative person by nature, though, so let's focus on some of the goodies to be gleaned that ARE there.
First of all, there's some fun to be had with the acting. Despite or perhaps because of her extensive TV acting resume (which includes such notable entries as Ironside, One Day at a Time, Days of Our Lives, Quincy M. E. and Scarecrow and Mrs. King), Carla Borelli's performance as Lucinda smacks of nothing so much as your high school's homecoming queen emoting her heart out in the Senior class's production of The Diary of Anne Frank. Her lines are delivered with diaphragm-projected precision, whether she's pleading to be let out of her room or agreeing to brush her hair for dinner. And every facial expression she pulls seems to have been executed in expectation of an episode-ending freeze-frame. It's not good, but it *is* periodically entertaining.
An altogether better performance is turned in by Charles Kissinger, who also did some dramatic heavy lifting as Paw in Girdler's superior Three on a Meathook. Hampered by one of the worst spirit-gum goatees it has ever been my pleasure to witness (on the DVD commentary Girdler biographer Patty Breen calls it a "Muppet-fur beard"), Kissinger nonetheless imparts Dr. Spectre with a quiet melodramatic menace--and by the time he gets to chew a little scenery in the Black Mass finale, you're ready to believe he's in league with Old Scratch.
Another Girdler Players alumnus turning in a memorable performance is Sherry Steiner as "Blind Girl." Though her role here is not nearly as meaty and awesome as when she played Sherri The World's Most Understanding Barmaid in Three on a Meathook, Steiner brings the same dental-hygienist enunciation to her role as Dr. Spectre's visually impaired patient, and the level to which she commits to her perpetual thousand-yard stare can only be admired by thespians and fans alike. Her death scene here--left alone in a swimming pool and engulfed by a crowd of venomous aquatic snakes!--is also a highlight.
But for sheer entertainment value, the star of the show is definitely Nick Jolley as Lucina's finace Chris. From the moment he appears on an unseen people-mover at the airport, everything about him screams class: the page-boy bob, the gorgeous 70s porn-stache, the Danzig-level muttonchops, the striped polyester tie and frankly astounding plaid jacket. You'd think that no performance could live up to such an appearance, but you'd be wrong--Jolley plays Chris as a hot-headed, short-fused, quick-cursing man's man, just as likely to insult the cop he's begging for help as to punch out a caretaker at the drop of a smoldering Winchester cigarillo. And in his flashback love-scenes with Lucina, you just can't take your eyes off him...as desperate as you might be to do so.
Girdler the director gives us a few neat shots in between static mid-rangers and long talks in two-camera coverage. The silent, hooded inmates of the asylum are actually weird enough to be slightly unsettling, particularly in an early scene where Lucina spies a circle of them outside on the lawn. (A later dinner scene where each hooded patient sits motionless in front of a place bearing exactly one hardboiled egg also has a pleasant touch of the surreal.) And even when the low-budget seams are showing, Girdler often manages to pull something entertaining out of it--as in the aforementioned rubber snake death, a fire-extinguisher-fogged spookhouse segment in which The Cripple is attacked by insect-shaped fishing lures, and a totally nonsensical scene in which a gruesomely decaying monster attacks our heroine and then disappears.
Much has been made of the movie's last-act Black Mass segment (by people who make much of such things, anyway) because of the involvement of the Church of Satan as "technical consultants." Apparently Michael Aquino of the CoS (now of the schism-formed Temple of Set, for those of you keeping score) even flew out to Kentucky at his own expense, supplied the occultish props used in the final scene, and gave Girdler an actual Satanic ritual to use, making Asylum of Satan's finale one of the few accurate portrayals of an actual CoS ceremony on film.
The Devil does make his appearance, with a face more than a little reminiscent of the fire demon from Jacque Tourneur's Curse (or Night) of the Demon, and according to legend wearing the same hairy green suit used in Roman Polanski's gold-standard Satan flick Rosemary's Baby. But thanks to some of Nick Jolley's hot plaid lovin', Lucina is not quite as fit for sacrifice as Dr. Specter thought, leading to a less-than-ideal ending of the ceremony.
So there are a lot of nice pieces and things that are interesting to think about even if undeveloped (there's a minor Wizard of Oz parallel that is mentioned a couple of times but never seriously, which might have been thought provoking if pursued), but somehow the movie never quite crosses that line that separates the merely inept from the ineptly inspired. Too much talk, too little action, and not enough method to the batshittery to pull it all together.
Breen quotes Girdler as saying "You never see Spielberg's mistakes up on the big screen--me, I was learning as I went along, and all my mistakes went right up there." So taken with that grain of salt, it's interesting to see the development from here to Three on a Meathook--a better (and 50% cheaper) film. And depending on your tolerance for low-budget trash, you might find something more to like than I did--Breen herself is proof of that. But it didn't melt my butter, so I give Asylum of Satan 1.5 thumbs. It won't kill you to watch it, but then niether will Vern Troyer's sex tape.
So I've heard.
For an alarmingly thorough and altogether more charitable appreciation of Asylum of Satan as well as all Girdler's other efforts, click on over to Patty Breen's encyclopedic WilliamGirdler.com.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Asylum of Satan (1971): or, The Devil Wore Plaid
Posted by The Vicar of VHS at 1:28 PM
Labels: '70s, 1-2 Thumbs, Devil Worship
6 comments:
- Tenebrous Kate said...
You know what--as a Vicar-Flickr-flipbook, this movie looks pretty splendid! It's all rubber monsters and exciting facial hair of the real and faux varieties. I guess this is another check against that "if it has SATAN, it MUST be good" theory I've been working on. Back to the drawing board...
I love movies with Church of Satan consulting services. Seriously--that's like having the Pope weigh in on "The Sinful Nuns of St. Valentine." Amazing....
- November 25, 2008 at 2:33 PM
- Rev. Fred Phantom said...
Hmmm, I have this on my Netflix queue...maybe I'll just move it down the list...still looks worth a peek.
- November 25, 2008 at 3:55 PM
- The Vicar of VHS said...
Empress--it definitely has a few good visuals, not least of which is Nick Jolley and his AMAZING wardrobe. I didn't even get to the checkerboard pants/turtleneck ensemble he rocks later in the film...
BTW--according to the commentary, the tales about Anton LaVey doing consulting work on Rosemary's Baby were a myth--perpetrated by LaVey himself. Consider the source, I guess...
Rev. Phantom: as with any matters of taste, YMMV. And Patty Breen would definitely tell you to go for it.
Bonus--the SWV disc has another feature, "Satan's Children," that some sources say is better than the main title. Also an interesting short film of a burlesque girl dancing with the Devil. So there might be SOMETHING there for you to enjoy. ;)
- November 25, 2008 at 4:19 PM
- Fred said...
"Bonus--the SWV disc has another feature, "Satan's Children," that some sources say is better than the main title. Also an interesting short film of a burlesque girl dancing with the Devil. So there might be SOMETHING there for you to enjoy."
It's good to see SWV is still offering quantity with their DVDs if not always quality.
The scary thing is, looking at Nick Jolley's wardrobe, I'm old enough to remember friends and relatives wearing those garish plaids, with weird hairdos (or is that hair-don'ts?) and odd facial hair. My cousin recently grew a fu manchu and I didn't have the heart to tell him he was more Harry Reems than Broadway Joe. I also love Charles Kissinger's faux goatee. As a goatee wearer myself, I can't believe they justed didn't kick him a few extra bucks to grow a real one, which would have taken about a week of non-shaving. Me thinks the faux-tee was an artistic decision on the part of Girdler, but I could be wrong.
- November 26, 2008 at 5:36 PM
- Karswell said...
Satan's Children is watchable but no way is it better than Asylum. They're both equally okay / watchable, with a mix of meh.
Word Verification is TRIBRONS! Kind of a cool name for some alien invaders or something.
Attack of the Tribrons!
- November 27, 2008 at 11:31 AM
- Karswell said...
Also, about LaVey: I had always heard he was the close-up eyes of the Devil in Rosemary's Baby, but I'm sure that ain't true either. He did Satano Consulting on The Car and Devil's Rain as well.
- November 27, 2008 at 11:35 AM


text:
ELON � Elon Community Church is the first church in Alamance County and only the third in the state to use solar energy.
Church members incorporated 20 solar panels into the design of their new Community Life Center, which was completed last year. The 5-kilowatt panels are designed to eventually save the church about $1,100 per year in energy costs.
Better still, church members are hoping news of their endeavor will spread and they�ll be a model for other local congregations wishing to go solar.
�It�s relatively small, but at least it�s a start,� said David Andes, chairman of Elon�s Green Church Committee. �We�d love to see other churches do similar things with alternative energy. Please, contact us.�
Elon UCC is an eco-friendly congregation and when members built the Community Life Center, they were determined to make it as green as possible. In addition to the solar panels, incorporated into the design were insulated roof panels, automatic light sensors, low-flush toilets, low-VOC paint, energy-efficient appliances, LED light bulbs, double-paned windows and automatic faucets.
The installation of the solar panels at Elon was based on a model from Asheville�s First Congregational UCC. Both churches had to overcome financial hurdles to become solar-friendly.
While there are tax and rebate incentives available for eco-friendly home and building upgrades, the same isn�t true for churches. They don�t qualify because of their tax-exempt status.
Both the Elon and Asheville churches worked with the Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy, a nonprofit that helps community groups develop and own affordable renewable energy systems. AIRE helped the churches develop a funding model that involves individual donors � church members � coming together to form an LLC, which, as a stand-alone business, is able to receive the incentives and rebates.
In the case of Elon UCC, members of the LLC purchased the solar panels, then rented the roof space where they�re placed. The energy generated from the system is sold to Duke Energy. With the revenue made from the electric company combined with the tax rebates, investors should make their money back in about six years. After that, the LLC can donate or sell the solar panels to the congregation, which can then decide how to use the energy.
Andes said it�s a creative means of coming up with a plan to help churches go solar. He said the panels have an anticipated lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Andes said members of Elon UCC visited the church in Asheville to get a firsthand look at what was going on there before opting for the solar panels at their own church.
He said the belief is the solar panels will produce 5.5 percent of the building�s energy, or the equivalent of planting 900 trees or removing 8,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each year.
Like Asheville UCC, Elon is not seeing the tangible benefits of the renewable energy yet, though Andes said they love the message they�re sending.
�Eventually, it will save the church money,� he said. �But it was really to make an environmental statement and have an impact. We want to be a witness to the community and show that earth care is part of who we are as a congregation.�
Some information for this article came from the United Church of Christ newsletter.


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Twake API - Developers
twake is a cloud-based consumer recommendation service. twake connects anonymous data about consumers, products, and services based on what users view, buy, and like. The twake API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of twake with other applications and to create new applications. Some example API methods include retrieving links and items, retrieving information about links, and creating and editing links.


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Courtesy of Springfield College Sports Information
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Senior co-captain Billy Johnson poured in a season-high 20 points and the 11th-ranked MIT Engineers made several key free throws down the stretch to down the Springfield College men's basketball team, 66-62, in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest on Saturday afternoon at Blake Arena. The Engineers thus clinched the NEWMAC regular-season title, with the Pride claiming second all alone.
The win upped MIT's record to 22-3 overall, and 10-2 in conference play, to capture the first NEWMAC regular-season Championship in program history while setting a new Institute standard for wins in a season. The Pride fell to 13-12 overall, and 8-4 in the NEWMAC. MIT earns the No. 1 seed and a bye for next week's NEWMAC post-season tournament. The Engineers will host the final two rounds of the conference tournament on Saturday and Sunday, February 27 and 28. Tech will face the winner of the quarterfinal match-up between Wheaton and Clark on Saturday. Springfield, as the No. 2 seed, will play a quarterfinal game Wednesday night at home against Babson.
Johnson knocked down three-of-four from the line in the final 15 seconds to preserve the win for MIT, en route to matching his best scoring output on the year. Two others tallied 15 points apiece -- sophomore forward Noel Hollingsworth and freshman guard Jimmy Burke. Hollingsworth, the NEWMAC's leading scorer, also added a game-high 15 rebounds. Freshman guard Mitchell Kates was next for the Engineers with seven points, adding six assists, and three steals.
For the Pride, Crean, a 6-4 forward from Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., and SC's only senior who was honored before the game in ceremonies, scored a team-high 19 points and added five rebounds. Three others scored in double figures for SC. They were junior guard Darvis Rankins with 14 (including shooting 4-of-6 from 3-point range), junior guard Billy Harkins with 12 points, plus eight rebounds and a game-high seven assists, and sophomore center Ryan Coburn with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
MIT got off to a good start, leading 8-2 after Hollingsworth nailed a 3-pointer with 16:56 left in the first half. With 6:43 left, the Engineers still led by five (19-14) when Hollingsworth hit a jumper. But a lay-up and 3-pointer by Rankins, the latter with 6:30 left, tied the game at 19-all. The game was tied up again at 25-all when Crean hit a short jumper with 2:37 left. But MIT's Burke gave the Engineers a three-point lead with 2:13 to go. A free throw by Crean with 1:56 left was the last point of the half, and MIT led 28-26. Crean had 11 of his 19 points at the intermission.
Springfield enjoyed its best spurt of the game right at the start of the second half, running off eight straight points to take a 34-28 lead, its largest of the game, with 18:23 left. In fact, MIT missed its next field goal attempt and SC had the ball with numbers on a fast break. But Burke made an important steal, and then canned a 3-pointer to allow MIT right back into the game at 34-31 with 17:49 left.
SC led 39-35 when Harkins canned a 3-pointer with 16:13 left, but that is when the SC drought began. Springfield did not score another field goal until Rankins hit a 3-pointer with 4:18 left, making it 51-48 in favor of MIT. Neither team was lighting it up through that entire stretch, but MIT's 16-6 run was good enough to put the Engineers in control.
MIT eventually led by as many as 10, at 61-51, on a free throw by Burke with just 45 seconds left. But SC made three trifectas in the final 45 seconds to keep things interesting. After a Rankins a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left, the Pride had actually cut the deficit to three points, at 65-62. However, Johnson would make one free throw at the other end to put the Cardinal and Grey back up two possessions with 10 seconds to go. Kates then made a steal with six seconds left to close it out.
Johnson scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half. He was 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the final moments, doing his best to keep Springfield at bay.


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Earl Wild, the elder statesman of American piano virtuosos who was often called "the last of the great Romantic pianists," died Saturday at his home in Palm Springs. He was 94.
He died of congestive heart failure after a long illness, his companion, Michael Rolland Davis, said on Wild's website.
Wild had to be "the world's only pianist to have composed for Sid Caesar, toured with Eleanor Roosevelt and been ranked in dexterity with Vladimir Horowitz," the Washington Post pointed out in 1986.
Stewart Gordon, a longtime professor of keyboard studies at USC, called Wild "a magnificent pianist" who "combined his art with great personal charm and wit."
These traits helped sustain him "as an international ambassador, playing and teaching with equal ease at multiple levels, from being a favorite of European royalty to offering words of wisdom to aspiring young musicians," Gordon said in an e-mail to The Times.
Wild continued giving lessons until last week and gave his last public performance at 92 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Associated Press reported.
He was born Nov. 26, 1915, in Pittsburgh, and by age 6 his fluid piano technique was already "a source of wonder," Time magazine said in 1995.
As a teen, he was a concert-hall veteran and studied with the distinguished Dutch pianist Egon Petri. After attending what is now Carnegie Mellon University, Wild joined Arturo Toscanini's NBC Symphony Orchestra in 1937.
Two years later, Wild gave the first piano recital on television. He first experienced fame after Toscanini asked him to play piano for a 1942 radio broadcast of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."
He also became pigeonholed as a specialist in the pops repertory, particularly Gershwin, and in the works of Franz Liszt, even though his musical arsenal was vast.
An immaculate technician, Wild made more than 100 recordings "of the widest possible piano repertory," which reflected "not only lofty technical standards but a striking musical sophistication," Daniel Cariaga, then a music critic for The Times, wrote in 2005.
Many pianists consider Wild's recordings for Reader's Digest of the four Rachmaninoff concertos to be "the quintessential, definitive performance of those works," Gordon told The Times in 2005.
When Wild wasn't playing flute in the Navy band during World War II, he often traveled with then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to perform the national anthem before her speeches.
He also played piano for six consecutive presidents, from Herbert Hoover to Lyndon B. Johnson.
After the war, he joined ABC as a staff pianist, conductor and composer until 1968. His own compositions included the Easter oratorio "Revelations," first broadcast on ABC in 1962, and many piano transcriptions.
In the 1950s, he wrote musical parodies for Caesar's NBC show after the comedian sought help spoofing operas.
Certain "elitist quarters" never forgave Wild his early work in radio and TV, "his nonintellectual approach to music and his refreshingly nonchalant virtuosity," the New York Times reported in 2005.
By the 1950s, Wild had a well-established concert career and went on to play with many U.S. orchestras. He also taught piano at Juilliard in the 1970s and early 1980s.
He won a Grammy Award in 1997 for his disc "The Romantic Master," which included works by Saint-Saens and Handel.
In 2005, Wild marked his 90th birthday with a boisterous recital at Carnegie Hall given months after his quadruple-bypass surgery.
Even a decade ago, Wild often practiced eight hours a day but didn't consider it practice. "It's more like breathing," he once said.
Davis, his companion of 38 years, is his only survivor.


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Solar System for Kids - Kids Educational Videos - The Solar System - Title
For Online Purchase: http://www.abiramiaudio.com/dvds-early-learning-series-solar-system-dvd-p-4703.html MAGIC BOX ANIMATION PROUDLY PRESENTS Early Learning Series (Preschool) Solar System Discover The Unknow Secrets The Solar System consists of the Sun and those celestial objects bound to it by gravity, all of which were formed from the collapse of a giant molecular cloud approximately 4.6 billion years ago. Of the many objects that orbit the Sun, most of the mass is contained within eight relatively solitary planets whose orbits are almost circular and lie within a nearly flat disc called the ecliptic plane. The four outer planets, the gas giants, are substantially more massive than the terrestrials. The two largest, Jupiter and Saturn, are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium; the two outermost planets, Uranus and Neptune, are composed largely of ices, such as water, ammonia and methane, and are often referred to separately as "ice giants". GIVE YOUR KIDS A BEST START IN LIFE THANKS FOR WATCHING AND FOR ONLINE PURCHASE VISIT US AT http://www.abiramiaudio.com/dvds-early-learning-series-solar-system-dvd-p-4703.html
Length: 01:28


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Attorney: Guam rampage suspect assaulted in jail
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — The lawyer for a Guam man accused of killing three tourists in a crash and stabbing rampage said Monday that her client was assaulted in jail by another inmate.
Public Defender Jocelyn Roden said in court that 22-year-old Chad DeSoto was hit three times by another of her clients. DeSoto responded appropriately by reporting the incident to Guam Department of Corrections authorities, she said.
The incident did not appear to disrupt the trial, with closing arguments scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Roden revealed the incident before lawyers and Judge Anita Sukola reviewed jury instructions on Monday. Sukola said she'll review jury instructions again Tuesday morning to accommodate late changes requested by lawyers on both sides.
DeSoto is accused of killing three Japanese tourists and hurting 11 others in the rampage in a tourist area last year by running his car onto a busy sidewalk, crashing into a convenience store then getting out and stabbing bystanders. Kazuko Uehara, 81, and Rie Sugiyama, 29, were stabbed to death in the February 2013 attack. Hitoshi Yokota, 51, was hit by a car and died in a hospital two days later.
DeSoto has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness.
Much of DeSoto's defense has focused on describing a downward spiral for DeSoto after his paternal grandfather died and his girlfriend moved away after graduating high school.
Experts and DeSoto's girlfriend have testified that he was not functioning normally.


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Blackhawks win thriller on Kane's shootout goalby Brian Hedger
CHICAGO -- It didn't feel like just another game in the NHL's regular season.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins played a game on Sunday afternoon at United Center that had the feel of a Stanley Cup Playoff contest.
And in case anybody forgot how good the 2013 Stanley Cup Final was to watch, the combatants provided a nice reminder in the Blackhawks' 3-2 shootout victory, which was secured by Patrick Kane in the third round of the breakaways contest.
"It definitely had that playoff flavor to the game," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "It had that intensity that was involved in our playoff series, which was as good a pace as I'd ever seen in a series. For a regular-season game, you could see that both teams had something at stake and wanted to prove they could win the hockey game. It was definitely a fast-played game."
It was also filled with things to keep viewers stuck to their seats.
There were great saves and plays at both ends all game long. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews picked up an unintentional misconduct infraction in the second period and sat in the penalty box for 10 minutes. There was even a bird fluttering around the arena, which eventually flew into the lens of a television camera.
None of the extra-curricular happenings trumped the game itself, which felt kind of like an extension of their memorable Cup series.
"I think there were moments throughout the game where it kind of felt like that a little bit," said Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford, who stopped 34 of 36 shots to earn his second straight win. "Obviously it wasn't the same thing up for grabs, but it was still a very important game for both sides and a game where it looked like both sides really wanted to get the win."
Kane used his patented "slow down" move to break a nine-attempt dry spell in shootouts, but the Blackhawks (32-8-11) also got a goal by Toews in the first round. The victory helped Chicago improve to 5-6 in shootouts and 5-11 in games that have gone past regulation.
Blackhawks forwards Marian Hossa and Brandon Bollig scored in regulation, while Brad Marchand beat Crawford twice in regulation and once in the shootout for the Bruins (30-15-3). Rask stopped 35 of 37 shots, with a number of his early saves preventing Chicago from opening a big lead, and two more against slap shots by Hossa in OT to kill off a power play.
"I think as a game, it was a great game," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "We had some chances that you wish you could've buried. Again, I guess it just continues to be the same as it was last year ... need overtime to resolve these games [between] us."
Three of the Cup Final games were decided in OT, including a three-overtime thriller to start the series. The Blackhawks won two and the Bruins were left to ponder some close plays that could've changed the outcomes.
As Julien said, it was more of the same this time around.
Boston nearly broke a 2-2 deadlock in the third off a wrist shot by Daniel Paille that snuck through Crawford's body and right arm, but the puck redirected wide after getting caught up in the tail of the goalie's jersey.
The Bruins also had a golden chance to end it in overtime after killing off the power play. A pass from Matt Bartkowski during a 2-on-1 rush hit the skate of diving Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith and took a sharp turn, causing Gregory Campbell to whiff on a one-timer with a wide-open net in front of him.
Defenseman Zdeno Chara then dangled the puck around the perimeter with time running out before forcing Crawford to make one last save before the horn sounded to force the shootout.
"It was a great hockey game," said Quenneville, who moved into a tie for third all-time in NHL coaching victories (692) with Dick Irvin, who coached the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Blackhawks from 1929-1956. "I thought the pace was tremendous, started quick and it didn't stop. They're a dangerous team. They have all guys active and wanting the puck. It's a great test and it's nice to finally get a shootout win too."
The same is said about the Blackhawks, which made for the exciting matchup. It didn't take long for the pace to pick up near where it stopped last June.
The game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes on the goals by Hossa early and Marchand late, but that hardly tells the story of an entertaining first period. Boston had 12 shots on goal to Chicago's 15, and both goalies came up with outstanding saves to keep it close.
Both goals came as the result of great initial plays by the players who scored them.
First came Hossa's goal, his 20th and fifth in as many games, scored just 4:13 after the opening puck drop. He gave the Blackhawks the opening goal for the second game in a row by forcing a Bruins turnover in Chicago's defensive zone and then racing down the ice to chip a great saucer pass from Patrick Sharp past Rask.
Sharp's hustle play was just as impressive. Prior to making the pass, he turned on the afterburner to outrace the Boston defense and negate a potential icing call.
Rask and Crawford took it from there. Each made highlight-worthy stops to keep it a one-goal game until Marchand got Boston on the scoreboard at 19:41 with his 13th goal and first of the game.
Marchand started that scoring play by winning a puck battle along the boards in the neutral zone and kicking a pass to Patrice Bergeron headed up ice. Bergeron returned the puck with a perfect backhand pass for a rush into the offensive zone, which Marchand capped with a wrist shot from the right circle into the top corner of the net's far side.
"[My linemates] are both phenomenal passers and playmakers," Marchand said. "[Bergeron] made a couple of great plays there and I was on the receiving end of a couple great plays."
The second period was just as captivating.
Marchand and Bollig each scored to make it a 2-2 tie, but the period also saw Toews pick up that 10-minute misconduct penalty at 5:50 for tossing part of his broken stick over the glass. It was a violation of NHL Rule 53.4, which calls for a misconduct imposed on any player "who unintentionally or accidentally" throws his stick or any other equipment outside the playing area.
Chicago managed to get through Toews' infraction without allowing another goal and also got the equalizer from Bollig at 9:44, with the Blackhawks' top center still in the box. The gritty fourth-line forward scored his fifth goal by launching a shot on net from a sharp angle below the right circle. The puck hit Rask's left pad and skipped into the net, pleasantly surprising Blackhawks fans and causing Rask to shake his head in disbelief.
"I had the post covered, and I really don't know why it got through," Rask said. "I don't know how many times a game I've sealed the post and when that kind of goal happens it's just a tough break."


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Yankees' Jeter to retire after 2014 season
NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter says he will retire after this season "with absolutely no regrets," ending one of the greatest careers in the history of baseball's most storied franchise.
The 39-year-old New York captain posted a long letter on his Facebook page Wednesday saying that 2014 will be his final year.
A 13-time All-Star who has led the Yankees to five World Series championships, Jeter was limited to 17 games last season while trying to recover from a broken left ankle sustained during the 2012 playoffs.
"I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball," he wrote.
"I have gotten the very most out of my life playing baseball, and I have absolutely no regrets," he said.
Jeter was the last link to the powerful Yankees teams that won three straight World Series crowns from 1998-2000. Longtime teammates Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte retired after last year.
"Last year was a tough one for me. As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle," Jeter wrote. "The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward."
"So really it was months ago when I realized that this season would likely be my last. As I came to this conclusion and shared it with my friends and family, they all told me to hold off saying anything until I was absolutely 100 percent sure," he wrote.
"And the thing is, I could not be more sure," he wrote.
Jeter hit just .190 with one homer and seven RBIs last season.
His agent, Casey Close, said Jeter wanted to declare his intentions before the Yankees start spring training later this week so that his future status wouldn't be a distraction.
"I'm excited for him. It's kind of nice to see him go out on his own terms," Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said at spring camp in Glendale, Ariz.
Mattingly finished up his All-Star career with the Yankees in 1995, the same season Jeter made his big league debut.
"I saw him when he first showed for spring training. I always think about spring training when I think about him, just because he was this 17-year-old kid right out of high school who looked out of place. He was skinny, but he was tough. He's been winning since the day he got there," Mattingly said.
Jeter is the Yankees' career hits leader with 3,316. He is a lifetime .312 hitter in 19 seasons, with 256 home runs and 1,261 RBIs.
Jeter has scored 1,876 runs and stolen 348 bases. He also is a five-time Gold Glove winner.
But No. 2 is defined by so much more than his numbers. His backhanded flip in the playoffs, his diving catch into the stands, his speech to close old Yankee Stadium and his home run for career hit No. 3,000.
An October presence for so many years, he also became Mr. November with a World Series home run in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series, connecting for a winning shot in the 10th inning shortly after midnight in a matchup that began on Halloween.
Jeter was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1996, the season the Yankees won their first World Series and re-established themselves as a major force. He was the MVP of the World Series.
Jeter has said he's fully ready for spring training this year and set to play.
Jeter worked out at the Yankees' spring training complex on Wednesday and left around noon, giving no hint that he was about to announce his plans.
Commissioner Bud Selig said that during his tenure, "Major League Baseball has had no finer ambassador than Derek Jeter."
"Derek has represented all the best of the national pastime, on and off the field," Selig said in a statement. "He is one of the most accomplished and memorable players of his — or any — era."
"Derek is the kind of person that generations have emulated proudly, and he remains an exemplary face of our sport," he wrote.
A staple for so long in the Yankees' lineup, Jeter missed the first 91 games last year after setbacks in spring training and the early months of the season.
Even after his 2013 debut, things didn't go well. Jeter felt pain in his right quadriceps when he returned July 11 and again went on the disabled list.
Jeter returned July 28 for three games, but strained his right calf. He played from Aug. 26 through Sept. 7, leaving for a pinch runner after hitting a single against Boston. Four days later, the Yankees said Jeter was done for the year.
The Yankees will open the 2014 regular season on April 1 in Houston. Their home opener is April 7 against Baltimore.
Like Rivera last year, Jeter is sure to be saluted wherever he goes in this final season.
"Now it is time for the next chapter," he wrote. "There are many things I want to do in business and in philanthropic work, in addition to focusing more on my personal life and starting a family of my own. And I want the ability to move at my own pace, see the world and finally have a summer vacation."
"But before that, I want to soak in every moment of every day this year, so I can remember it for the rest of my life. And most importantly, I want to help the Yankees reach our goal of winning another championship," he said.


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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Competing for the first time in a month, the MIT Rifle team ended the 2012 portion of its 2012-13 schedule with a victory over Wentworth Institute of Technology in a match in which only air rifle was contested. MIT took the top three individual positions as the Engineers came away with a 2,258-2,107 victory.
As she has been doing all year, senior Elizabeth Phillips (Anchorage, Alaska) led the way for MIT by leading all shooters with a score of 583, narrowly missing on the school record of 587 that she shot last month. She started her day with a round of 99 and ended with back-to-back rounds of 98. Starting with a round of 98, junior Kaiying Liao (Issaquah, Wash.) set a new career best with her effort of 569, finishing second overall. Finishing third overall was freshman Sarah Wright (Christchurch, New Zealand), who's 558 was just two points shy of her season high mark.
A pair of Wentworth shooters had the next highest scores, as Matt Tracy and Mark Vollinger each fired 552 for the Leopards. Senior Timothy Jenks (The Woodlands, Texas) was just six points away from the top Wentworth shooters, finishing with a 548. Freshman Abra Shen (Toronto, Ontario) was MIT's other scoring shooter and she finished with a 492.
Also shooter for MIT was freshman David D'Achiardi (Bogotá, Colombia), who turned in a 552, and fellow freshman Joshua Emig (Las Vegas, Nev.) who finished with a 489.
MIT will take a break for the Holidays before returning to competition in January. Next up for the Engineers will be the annual Beanpot competition that will feature teams from Akron, Coast Guard, Penn State and Wentworth on January 25.