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TRIGGER WARNING: This content deals with an account of sexual assault and may be triggering to some people.
When you're being raped time does not stop. Time does not speed up and jump ahead like it does when you are with friends. Instead, time becomes your nemesis; it slows to such an excruciating pace that every second becomes an hour, every minute a year, and the rape becomes a lifetime.
On May 25, 2011, I was raped by an acquaintance in Crossett Dormitory on Amherst College campus.
Some nights I can still hear the sounds of his roommates on the other side of the door, unknowingly talking and joking as I was held down; it is far from a pleasant wakeup call.
I had always fancied myself a strong, no-nonsense woman, whose intense independence was cultivated by seventeen harrowing years of emotional abuse in my backwoods home. May 25th temporarily shattered that self-image and left me feeling like the broken victim that I had never wanted to be.
Everything I had believed myself to be was gone in 30 minutes.
I did not report the rape after it occurred. Almost immediately after the rape I flew off to California, got lost in the beauty of the redwoods, the phenomenal art, and meeting the most unique people I'd ever beheld.
I blocked the rape from my mind and tried to convince myself that it hadn't happened; that it couldn't have happened. But there was no denying the facts.
One week before I was supposed to fly back East, everything rushed over and consumed me. My memory had been restored and I wasn't sure how I would be able to hold myself together for that year, let alone for the upcoming three years.
When I returned to Amherst for my sophomore year, I designed a simple plan of attack for surviving: Business as usual combined with a new mantra I will NOT cry.
First semester passed relatively well, there were rocky times, but I kept it together. I masked fear with smiles. I mastered the art of avoiding prying questions. I drowned myself in work and extracurricular activities in order to hide my personal pain. I was unnervingly good at playing the role of well-adjusted sophomore.
It was inevitable though that this masquerade would become too overwhelming and that my façade would shatter.
In February twisted fate decided that I had to work with him on a fundraiser. E-mails. Stopping me in the gym and at the dining hall. Smirks. Winks. Pats on my back. It was all too much.
My masquerade was over.
I broke down and for the next several months, he won.
I spent most of my spring semester an emotional wreck. I saw his face everywhere I went. I heard his voice mocking me in my own head. I imagined new rapists hiding behind every shower curtain and potted plant. I bandaged the situation by throwing myself into more work and by resolutely refusing to acknowledge that I was anything but well adjusted.
Eventually I reached a dangerously low point, and, in my despondency, began going to the campus' sexual assault counselor. In short I was told: No you can't change dorms, there are too many students right now. Pressing charges would be useless, he's about to graduate, there's not much we can do. Are you SURE it was rape? It might have just been a bad hookup…You should forgive and forget.
How are you supposed to forget the worst night of your life?
I didn't know what to do any more. For four months I continued wandering around campus, distancing from my friends, and going to counseling center. I was continuously told that I had to forgive him, that I was crazy for being scared on campus, and that there was nothing that could be done. They told me: We can report your rape as a statistic, you know for records, but I don't recommend that you go through a disciplinary hearing. It would be you, a faculty advisor of your choice, him, and a faculty advisor of his choice in a room where you would be trying to prove that he raped you. You have no physical evidence, it wouldn't get you very far to do this.
Hours locked in a room with him and being called a liar about being raped? No thank you, I could barely handle seeing him from the opposite end of campus; I knew I couldn't handle that level of negativity.
When May rolled around, everything finally came to a head. My "Anniversary" was coming up and all of the terror that I had intermittently felt that year became one giant ball of horror that filled my life. He was still out there. He could get to me again. If I told anyone he would find out and do it again. No, no, no, no, no.
For my independent studies photography course I produced a series of 20 self-portraits representing myself before, during, and after the rape.
I showed them to my classmates. Their words stung like hornets: You look funny…I don't get it, why are you so upset?
I went to the counseling center, as they always tell you to do, and spoke about how genuinely sad I was at Amherst, how much I wanted to leave, and how scared I was on a daily basis. "I should just drink darkroom developer or something…"
Twenty minutes later campus police was escorting me into an ambulance. They were even less understanding: There's something seriously wrong with you; you're not healthy and normal right now. No, you can't say no. You HAVE to go, but don't worry, you won't have to be there too long. This is for your own good. Amherst cares about you and wants you to get better.
On May 5th I entered Cooley Dickinson Hospital's Emergency Room. Three hours after sitting curled up and terrified on a hospital bed I was admitted into the Psychiatric Ward for depression and suicidal thoughts. The doctor was skeptical to say the least: I really don't think that a school like Amherst would allow you to be raped. And why didn't you tell anybody? That just doesn't make any sense...Your anger and sadness right now seem unfounded and irrational, someone your age should not be this sad—it's not normal. We'll be admitting you in a few minutes, they'll take good care of you. They'll get you some drugs and they'll make you feel happy again…If you don't willingly enter we'll have a judge issue a court order legally forcing you to stay there. Trust us, this is for your own good.
So much for not having to stay.
The Psychiatric Ward was a lovely place: the top floor of the hospital, bare white walls, Spartan furnishings, and two stainless steel locked doors at either end of the corridor making sure that anyone who goes in, stays in. Doctors and Nurse Practitioners wondered around the bare hallways checking in on myself and my fellow patients—every fifteen minutes they recorded where we were, what we were doing, and whether we looked happy. In the morning we were given our drugs; if you didn't take them you would have to be there longer. It was in our best interest to take them, so they told us.
During the day we discussed our thoughts and feelings, our inhibitions, our strengths, but more often than not we did nothing.
When you're forced to sit and think about yourself for hours on end, you go through four stages of existence.
Stage 1: Hysteria—Characterized by denying that anything is wrong, "I'm perfectly fine" and "I don't belong here," are common phrases during this stage.
Stage 2: Numb and Ornery—You have finally realized that something is wrong with you, but you are overwhelmed and confused about how to go about fixing your problem. You therefore decide not to do anything.
Stage 3: Determination—You realize that the only way you're allowed to leave the Ward is if you "get better" and "solve your problems." Every fiber of your being thus goes into these two tasks.
Stage 4: Enlightenment—Everything falls into place. Your mind is no longer an oppressive hell and it begins to function again. The outside world no longer seems so daunting.
You are then permitted to leave.
My Enlightenment occurred when I least expected it. Four days into the Ward, I was sitting in on an introductory Substance Abuse and Mental Health Rehabilitation meeting since there was absolutely nothing better to do. To start us off, the meeting leader decided to have everyone go around and talk about why we were on the Ward. We went around the circle: hours in rehab, drug relapses, alcoholism, abusive boyfriends, being an abusive boyfriend, and escapism from the stresses of daily life. The stories weren't the superficial accounts that you read in a person's medical file; they were real life. Every problem, every ounce of frustration, every personal tick was laid bare that evening. And everyone was open, not proud, just blunt and sincere; the desire to improve their lives was palpable.
Over the past four days, I had yet to touch upon "what I was in for," my story was a mystery to everyone around me.
As my fellow patients went around the circle it all suddenly clicked. I realized why I never spoke about the rape, why I had refused to tell my school friends, why I had totally broken down, why I had steadily degenerated over the past few months. I was ashamed, and because of this shame I could not begin healing.
"Silence has the rusty taste of shame," a fellow survivor once wrote.
I had been far too silent, far too ashamed.
That night I told them everything.
For the first time I told my story and I was not ashamed.
Later that night, as I lay in bed—still in an adrenaline induced state of wakefulness—I heard my roommate whisper my name, and then, a question.
"Are you still awake?"
"Thought so…"
A long pause. She'd been in the meeting.
What was she thinking? What would she say?
"I just wanted to tell you, I…I know how it feels. My uncle raped me when I was 15. The police never arrested him. Rape "wasn't their top priority." It still hurts…You're incredibly brave to talk about it…I rarely do."
She was 42 years old.
I did not sleep. That night I realized that from then on I could not stay silent—if not for myself, then for my roommate.
I had reached the apex of Stage 4.
I decided that once I was released I would continue with my plans to study abroad that upcoming semester; I would be rejuvenated when I returned to campus in the winter, ready to take on the world and fight for survivor rights.
I would be strong again.
From the moment I woke, this plan hit one pitfall after another; a domino effect of roadblocks that continued for the next three months.
I sat at breakfast in bright spirits, attempting to carry on a conversation with a manic depressive woman who rarely talked. I was so genuinely happy that her lack of responses didn't even bother me—I just talked at her.
In the middle of my stimulating conversation my harried looking social worker suddenly strode into the dining room and headed purposefully over to me.
She looked grim and angry. "They're trying to prevent you from going back."
I was shocked.
She began rattling off the Administration's policy regarding students released from psychiatric care. In order for students to be allowed back they had to have parental supervision while on campus in order to make sure that the student did not relapse into substance abuse again (the most common reason for student admittance into the Ward). This meant that a parent would stay in a hotel near campus and would then follow their child around for two weeks until the "all clear" period was reached. "And since you don't have parents…"
She trailed off awkwardly and began to resolutely examine the upper left-hand corner of the dining room.
I must have been speechless for a good minute as a bizarre series of emotions plowed me over.
Shock to incredulity, back to shock, to sadness to anger, back to shock again, then back to sadness, and then an overwhelming amount of shame and embarrassment settled over me. I'm not worthy of even going back; that's how disgusting I am. I can't even step foot on campus…
Panic welled up inside of me.
Did this mean I was trapped on the Ward forever? God, no, I couldn't handle that. I wasn't crazy!
Claustrophobia and paranoia dropped on top of me and I wildly scanned the room. I met my roommate's eyes. She was looking at me with worry: What's wrong?
The room stopped spinning, the walls went back to their normal locations, I could breathe again, and now I was angry. I told her flat out: Let me get this straight. I was raped on their campus. I had an emotional breakdown because I didn't feel safe and felt harassed on their campus. I went to their counseling center, like they told me to, and I told them how I was feeling. They decided that I should be sent to the hospital. And now they won't allow me back on their campus? They allow rapists back on campus, but they won't allow the girl who was raped back? The girl who did nothing wrong.
She told me: Well, when you put it that way…
The maniacal grin on my social worker's face as she walked off was wonderful.
Needless to say, Amherst let me back on campus later that evening. Five days after being admitted, I was finally released from the Ward.
The car ride back to campus with my dean was, also needless to say, the most awkward car ride of my life. I looked at her: You know, I'm really glad that y'all let me back on campus, for a while there I was pretty worried and I was actually preparing an argument for why I should be allowed back…
Her response: No, no, no! That's not what happened, you must have just misunderstood the situation! We're so happy to have you back! Amherst is just such a wonderful place, we know you'll be happy to be back!
A big misunderstanding, I was skeptical.
In the following days I decided that my best policy when dealing with Amherst at the moment would be "let's let bygones be bygones." I quickly forgave the Administration and focused on just being happy to be out. On the inside though I was still dripping with anger, shame, and embarrassment.
Several days after my release I had to defend my chance to study abroad. My chance to leave campus for the first time in 8 months, my chance to relax and heal in a new environment, my biggest chance to revive my love of Amherst, and my chance to move on in life by studying what I truly love. The prospect had gotten me through the most frigid hours on the Ward and I was convinced that it would be the perfect way to continue my healing process.
I half-heartedly murmured, Your actions were understandable. I understand your policy when dealing with depression and students coming out of the Psychiatric Ward…during the meeting that included my dean and several of the campus counselors. Relief instantly flashed across all of their faces and the atmosphere rose in friendliness.
Then: The Ward was the best thing that could have happened to me. I have re-found my love of life and my desire to heal. I will never be 100% better, but I no longer feel like a victim. I'm a survivor, I'm strong, and I think that studying abroad will help me continue healing. When I return in the winter I'll have a greater understanding of myself and a greater appreciation of Amherst.
They responded with enthusiasm: Of course! Very coherent explanation. You seem much happier, which is wonderful! We agree that going abroad and getting off campus will do you good.
Study abroad here I come!
I felt genuinely happy for the first time in a year, and I could not wait to head out.
At Amherst though, things are never that easy.
A few weeks after my release from the Ward I had a routine check-in with my dean to make sure that I was still doing well. I was excited to be leaving soon, and I must have looked quite content, sitting in her office with a million watt smile and bright eyes. I began to rattle on about how nice the warm weather was, how beautiful commencement had been, how great life was, on and on. She seemed distracted: Nod, nod…Mhmmm…Well, excellent! I'm so glad to hear that you're excited about the upcoming summer here. I know how much you wanted to study abroad and how much work you must've put into it, but really, it's for the best. Africa is quite traumatizing, what with those horrible third-world conditions: disease…huts…lions! You'll be much better off here at Amherst where we can watch over you. It will give you some time to think about…you know…that…unfortunate incident…
My face was blank. "I'm supposed to go to Cape Town, South Africa…" Her response broke me down: Yes dear, I know. You were supposed to study in Africa. It's all for the best that you aren't though.
No one ever told me flat out that I would no longer be studying abroad. Not even the study abroad dean told me. I scheduled a meeting with her for two days after the meeting with my dean.
A few minutes after exchanging pleasantries she asked: What are your plans for the summer now that you're on campus?
For the month of June I was decrepit, nothing could perk me up. I returned to feeling the embarrassment and shame that had consumed me before going onto the Ward. If I hadn't told anyone about what happened I'd be abroad…If I had been stronger…If I wasn't such a failure…This is all my fault, I really am just a broken, polluted piece of shit…
Living was difficult. Each day I woke up and wandered around in a daze. At night I stared blank faced at a wall and curled up in my chair in a fetal position. I couldn't talk with people. If I talk with them they might become infected with my dirtiness.
I stopped eating. I stopped sleeping. I secretly hoped that one day on a run my heart would just stop and no one would have to see me again. I wasn't worth anything anyway.
I continued having to meet with my dean; she blamed my sadness on not being allowed to study abroad, but I knew that it wasn't that simple. I could live with not being allowed to go to South Africa at the moment, the country would be there for a while, but being forced to stay on campus in a dorm populated with men I did not know, that was the real psychological issue. Every time I told my dean that I didn't feel safe on campus, that I wanted to be allowed to leave , or at least be put in a different dorm, I received the same unhelpful responses that I had received in February. They told me: You were lucky to be given a room here this summer in the first place, housing is tight right now and you really shouldn't complain. All of your fear is ungrounded, Amherst is one of the safest places imaginable…If we let you leave campus we won't know what mental and emotional place you'll exist in when you return in September; you could become completely unstable! At Amherst we can monitor you, and, if need be, strongly suggest time off when the school year rolls around…
I felt like a prisoner, or, more accurately, like a harem girl. My jail was luxurious and openair, I was free to move about, the ruling power judged my worth on a weekly basis, and I was constantly reminded how lucky I was to be there.
One night, after a particularly rough meeting with my dean (I just don't understand why you've been so angry throughout all of this. You have no reason to be angry about anything.), I was curled up on my floor—I wasn't thinking, I didn't feel anything.
I went over to the mirror on the back of my door and stared. What had happened to the girl who had come off of the Ward so empowered and strong; the girl who decided to no longer be silent and feel shamed? Where had she gone?
I went over to my desk and picked up a brochure I had been given about a survivor center at UMass Amherst. I gave an exaggerated sigh. Might as well…I called the number and made an appointment for the next day.
I went back to the mirror and stared at myself again.
For the next 15 minutes I repeated: "Silence has the rusty taste of shame."
I walked over to my computer, typed up an email, hesitated for a second, and then pressed send.
I had just sent my entire sports team an email-rant about my rape and subsequent breakdown at the end of spring.
It was about time people began to realize that Amherst wasn't just majestic dorms and world-class professors.
It was about time I resumed the silent pact that I had made to my roommate on the Ward.
I will not be quiet.
The next few weeks were a blur of unending days spent resolutely working to feel better (A friend told me: You can't help other people if you feel like shit).
I was able to sleep again. I ate more. I went to free therapy sessions. I wrote and mindlessly colored in order to ground myself. I obsessively made lists of all the things imaginable. I joined a survivor group. I cried less and smiled a bit more.
I started healing.
It took a month of hard work until I was noticeably doing better. My friends, my therapist, my coworkers, and my fellow survivor group members all started commenting on how much healthier and happier I looked. I still felt uncomfortable and oppressed while surrounded by men on campus, but I was no longer afraid to leave my room after 7 p.m. I was determined to love Amherst again.
Life was tolerable.
Early July and I had another meeting with my dean: You look like you're doing better today. Well done, I'm so glad to see this kind of improvement! I think it's safe to assume that you can come back next semester, and in that regard I think that it's time that we talk about your time at Amherst over the next two years…I know you want to do African Studies through the Five Colleges, but I don't think I can support that decision. Africa is very traumatizing and I think that studying Africa is just a way for you to relive your real-life traumas; it's just not a good place to be studying.
Over the next thirty minutes several more restrictions were laid out: no Five College classes this upcoming year, no study abroad in the spring, definitely no senior year thesis, I would have to meet with a counselor twice a week, and friends off campus would have to be pushed to the wayside. She told me: Amherst is the only place that matters, and, really, you don't have a family, so where else would you go? Amherst is the only place that you can be.
At the end of our conversation I grunted out a vapid response and headed straight to my room. I sat on my bed, million-mile-gazed at the wall, and thought.
What was the point of staying at Amherst? I had been stuck on campus for eleven months straight; each day had been more challenging and emotionally draining than the previous one. I had been feeling better recently, but each time I met with my dean I felt more emotionally distraught than I had beforehand. Her comments reminded me that in the Administration's eyes I was the most base individual: a poor and parentless humanities major who was the school's token-Deep-Southerner. I was sullied, blameworthy, and possibly insane.
I made a Pros and Cons of Amherst List.
The Pro List had seven items.
The Con List had twenty-three items.
On July 14th I made one of the hardest decisions of my life.
I was going to withdraw from Amherst.
That next week I threw myself into finding a way out. Plans were made, plans were broken, Plan B was made, and finally Plan B was successful!
I did not tell the Administration for fear that they would somehow sabotage me. It was probably paranoid, but after being prevented from leaving campus multiple times I was not going to take any chances. The conversation went similarly to this:
"I'm withdrawing from Amherst."
That was my greeting to my dean when I met with her in late July.
The look of complete shock on her face was priceless. When she recovered: So you're taking a semester off? That's perfectly ok, many survivors do, I think it's best that you do what you…
No, I'm withdrawing, permanently. I ain't planning on ever coming back. I'm going to transfer to another school after taking a semester off to travel around.
You can't…You…Nobody withdraws. Where are you going to go? You don't have parents. What are you going to do?
I'm working on a Dude Ranch in Wyoming.
…I didn't think you'd be able to figure out a plan…Well, we technically won't withdraw you from the school until three years have passed. After three years we'll double-check to make sure that you really want to withdraw and then we'll remove you from our current-students system.
No, I just want you to withdraw me. I don't want to come back, I don't want to be affiliated with your school anymore. I'm sick of this place.
I think you need to meet with our sexual assault counselor again, you're way too angry right now and not thinking clearly. I have a feeling you'll change your mind and come back. Amherst is one of the best schools out there, it will be a transfer down unless you go to an Ivy…
You know, I have I feeling that I won't want to come back, but that's just a hunch.
As my dean suggested, I met with our sexual assault counselor a few days later. The meeting was uncharacterizeable by one word, but bizarre might be the closest description: This is a bad idea, you're not thinking straight.
I didn't understand this. I'd been thinking about this for quite a while; I was unhappy at Amherst and I didn't understand why I should stay at a place where I was absolutely miserable. There are other places in the world.
The next two hours was a hodgepodge of topics: Your lack of parental support makes you emotionally volatile and prevents you from following through with decisions that you make.
Apparently I had decided not to study abroad. Then there was bizarre 'concern:'You don't look very healthy. Have you been eating? I think you might have an eating disorder. You know there's a great clinic in Northhampton where we can send you for in-patient eating disorder treatment.
I don't have an eating disorder; I used to have one, I know what they're like. I don't eat a lot because I can't afford to buy food.
Then the ranch came up: Do you realize how difficult working on a Dude Ranch will be? The people in Wyoming are different from the people at Amherst, they won't be well-educated, and they won't understand you. You're going to a backwards place. Do you realize how bad it will be?
Yes, because the rest of the US is filled with ignorant savages who haven't been saved by the light of Amherst. How would I ever survive?
To the counselor's great surprise, these stellar arguments did not convince me to stay at Amherst. I became even more resolute about my decision to leave, and decided to talk with the Victim Rights Law Center, a pro-bono law firm based in Boston that my survivor group had recommended to me several weeks earlier. My preliminary intake with the VRLC was quite eye-opening: Oh Amherst? Yeah, unfortunately I know Amherst all too well. I've been down there many times to deal with the administration and their constant mistreatment of survivors. Our law firm keeps trying to force them to change but they just don't seem to understand, they keep doing the same old thing.
Amherst has almost 1800 students; last year alone there were a minimum of 10 sexual assaults on campus. In the past 15 years there have been multiple serial rapists, men who raped more than five girls, according to the sexual assault counselor. Rapists are given less punishment than students caught stealing. Survivors are often forced to take time off, while rapists are allowed to stay on campus. If a rapist is about to graduate, their punishment is often that they receive their diploma two years late.
I eventually reported my rapist.
He graduated with honors.
I will not graduate from Amherst.
The stories and statistics are miles long in regards to sexual assault on campus. My story is far from unique, and, compared to some of the stories I have heard, is tame.
The more that I learn about Amherst's policy toward sexual assault and survivors in general, the more relief I feel in deciding to transfer. How could I stay at a school who had made my healing process not just difficult, but impossible? How could I stand knowing that the Administration promotes silence? How could I spend the next two years made to feel dirty and at fault?
I could not.
At one point I hated Amherst with an indescribable amount of fury, but I do not hate the school anymore. Amherst took a lot from me, but they gave me some of the greatest gifts imaginable: self-confidence, my closest friends, intellectual curiosity, and endless personal strength. For these things I am forever grateful. For everything else, I stand back and behold the college with a feeling of melancholia.
The fact that such a prestigious institution could have such a noxious interior fills me with intense remorse mixed with sour distaste. I am sickened by the Administration's attempts to cover up survivors' stories, cook their books to discount rapes, pretend that withdrawals never occur, quell attempts at change, and sweep sexual assaults under a rug. When politicians cover up affairs or scandals the masses often rise up in angry protestations and call for a more transparent government. What is the difference between a government and the Amherst College campus? Why can't we know what is really happening on campus? Why should we be quiet about sexual assault?
"Silence has the rusty taste of shame."
There is no reason shame should be a school's policy.
UPDATE: President Carolyn "Biddy" Martin has released a statement concerning this article and the follow-up steps being taken by the administration regarding sexual assault: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/letters_president/node/436469
Support and solidarity from Macalester!
Angie, you are a strong woman. It is very brave of you to share this whole thing with the world, and I must thank you for that. I am sorry for all the terrible things that happened to you, but I know that you will heal. It was the best for you to leave the place where you could not find any supports from people that were supposed to help you. I wish you the best in your future endeavor.
There are just so many things wrong with how the administration and the counselors deals with this whole situation. First they should have not been insisted her to stay in the dorm. Second they should have taken her story of being raped more seriously and begun a full investigation on the matter immediately, no matter how hard it was. Sorry, Amherst, you can't just throw a victim to a ward and hope for a happy ending. Saying your place is "the safest place" where a rapist can roam freely without a consequence is just ignorant.
Oh and congratulations on having a rapist graduated from your college. You must be really proud.
This story is starting to get passed around my facebook circles...It's going to reach a HUGE number of people overnight. Be careful about how you proceed with the followup that will surely occur.
You have changed my perspectives and opinions tonight. Thank you.
Thank you Angie for breaking the silence and sharing your story with us. You are a brave, courageous woman. I am deeply moved by your article, and I hope that this can bring about some changes in Amherst's school administration.
Thank you for opening my eyes. I'm a high school senior applying for college, and I promptly removed Amherst from my list after reading this. Thank you for speaking out about your experience, as it has been shocking and outrageous and despicable to hear how the administration dealt with the entire situation. They drove you into a corner and left you with no other choice - they lied about their good intentions. This is all so, so wrong, and things like this make it so much harder for women, even in such progressive modern society. Stay strong, and do well with all your future endeavors - show Amherst just how powerful you are, and how much you can do without them.
Angie, thank you for sharing this story. The dialogue surrounding sexual assault on college campuses must change.
What a courageous act...much love from Harvard College.
Thank you for sharing your story. What you have written here is SO vitally important and I will carry it with me as a woman and a liberal arts college student. Sending you all of my best wishes from Haverford College.
From the very bottom of my heart, thank you. I read every single word in your post and I hardly ever do to any online document. ever.
I'm so glad that you decided whats best for you after being stuck on Amherst for so long, I hope that you recover and find peace one day and for now hope that that day does come. God bless, don't give up!
Thank you for your courage in speaking up. I would recommend creating a change.org petition that addresses Amherst College. You will surely get a lot of press and signatures. Amherst really needs to change.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It takes a great deal of courage to share such a painful, traumatic experience with the world. You should NEVER forget how brave and strong you are for doing that. I can not even image what it must have been like for you to experience such a terrible act, but you stepping forward and putting your story out there will hopefully empower other young women at colleges throughout the country to do the same. And it will hopefully encourage college students to stand up to their administrations and fight for fair treatment of survivors. Your treatment by the Amherst administration is deplorable, and I sincerely hope that whoever is responsible for your mistreatment (your rapist as well as the administration) will be brought to justice in some way. As an alumna of Rutgers University, I stand behind you and I'm sure that thousands of my fellow Rutgers alumni and students stand behind you as well. We can not let this type of maltreatment by administrations go on at our colleges and universities!
I am sobbing right now. I've read this story four times tonight... This is my story too. And I'm still in it. I got out of the psych ward last week. The school forced me to "voluntarily" withdraw this past Monday. I am sitting in my apartment with nothing but the memory of my rapist's face to keep me company as I flip through my facebook feed with all of my NU friends sharing this story saying "I'm so glad Northwestern doesn't do this." I want to scream. But thank you. It's people like you that make me hope that maybe, maybe, maybe one day things will be different.
Hang in there. I've been there, as so many of us have. As someone who didn't give in to the pressure to withdraw from my school after what happened to me, you might be surprised to hear that I wish I had -- it was a hostile environment and was not the right place for me to heal. Take this time you now have to get help (I only wish I had gone to a competent therapist sooner), and keep switching through therapists until you find one who is helping you (like I said, I wish I had gone to a *competent* therapist sooner). Plan things to do, things you wished you could do but had to do schoolwork instead, and let this time be for you. You deserve it.
And to clarify, I think NU is being a d***. Also, you can tell your friends that they're wrong without revealing your story, if you're not ready for that. A simple "Northwestern doesn't do this...as far as we know" should do the trick.
I just think the mentality of "Oh I'm glad my school is not doing this" is just wrong. Yes I've been reading several comments that say the same thing, and it's quite sickening to read them. It's well known fact that there's a great numbers of rape incidents that never get reported, and probably most schools will use that fact, and just be like Amhurst when there's rape incidents in the school and they try to sweep it under the rug. I believe that there must be substantial changes carried out in policies regarding rape incidents throughout all school administrations.
-Your fellow student from NU ;)
You've done the hardest part -- writing this article. Let us take care of the rest and make sure this spreads. Your message will not go unheard.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It takes a great deal of courage to share such a painful, traumatic experience with the world. You should NEVER forget how brave and strong you are for doing that. I can not even image what it must have been like for you to experience such a terrible act, but you stepping forward and putting your story out there will hopefully empower other young women at colleges throughout the country to do the same. And it will hopefully encourage college students to stand up to their administrations and fight for fair treatment of survivors. Your treatment by the Amherst administration is deplorable, and I sincerely hope that whoever is responsible for your mistreatment (your rapist as well as the administration) will be brought to justice in some way. As an alumna of Rutgers University, I stand behind you and I'm sure that thousands of my fellow Rutgers alumni and students stand behind you as well. We can not let this type of maltreatment by administrations go on at our colleges and universities!
Your story and your bravery have reached the women of Scripps College. We are absolutely appalled at the horrors that were done to you, and we stand behind you and the countless other women who have suffered such abuse. Stay strong, and know that you have our unending support and admiration.
Thank you for sharing. Hopefully schools nationwide would make the necessary changes so tragic events like these would never happen again.
On a completely separate note: I'd like to point out that this isn't Amherst specific thing. I'm sure we've all heard similar horrifying stories at different schools. (Yes, there are terrifying stories at Smith And Duke too) Please see the bigger picture? This isn't an attempt to bring down a specific school. It's an attempt to raise awareness for rape victims nation wide. To those who would post ignorant comments like thank god I went to XXX instead or omg my sister shouldn't apply: good, you're probably too stupid to belong at Amherst anyway. To suggest an entire school is not worth going to based on one unfortunate event shows what morons you people are.
Thank you for sharing this with the world. Thank you for not feeling ashamed, for not blaming yourself, for speaking up. You're an incredibly strong woman. I hope you have great happiness awaiting you, because it sounds like you deserve it.
I'd just like to point out that people who made comments like omg thank god I chose XXX/ omg my sister shouldn't apply are probably too stupid to do well at Amherst anyways. What happened to Angie represents a nationwide problem that runs rampant in ALL schools. To the Dumb fucks who think Amherst is filled with rapists and uncaring administration: go fuck yourselves.
Thank you so much for sharing your story.
This is hugely courageous of you, Angie. Thank you. I don't know you, but it is encouraging knowing that, as a man who knows many women who have been sexually assaulted, you have the courage to tell your story on a public stage and inspire positive change wherever you can.
Know that people and students are going to read this and respond to it by fighting against college administrations that treat the huge problem sexual assault on campuses as a dirty secret to downplay in their endless quest of reputation management and conflict avoidance--or whatever other motivations they apparently have.
I know that this is a continuing issue here at Duke that we have made progress on recently, working with administrators to abolish the sexual assault reporting statute of limitations (that was apparently enacted on some weird technicality in the first place)
This is a policy issue that must be fixed on campuses like Amherst and I'm sure elsewhere. Hearing stories like yours wakes people up to the need for change. Thanks for writing this.
I'm disgusted by how Amherst's administration handled this. While I understand that rape cases are complicated, the way *you* were treated was completely unacceptable (the rapist himself aside). Sexual assault is awful enough in itself; no one should ever have to be treated like a delusional psychopath on top of that, especially at a school that boasts such an outstanding reputation and supportive community. My heart breaks for you, but I admire your ability to appreciate the strengths you have developed as a result of this experience. I know what it's like to have to pull yourself out of a very dark place - you are incredibly strong and we are all proud of you. I hope you make it to South Africa after all.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Remember that you are beautiful.
My first week of college, I was at a party dancing with a boy briefly before he suddenly grabbed me (he was much bigger than me) and dragged me to his room. A combination of fear, exhaustion, and alcohol rendered me completely defenseless and I have blacked out this memory from my mind.
He undressed me to only my underwear and kept kissing me and touching me even as I whispered "no" and suddenly I felt the fight in me, and forced a conversation. He looked ashamed, in knowing that there was more to me than an object.
I left and never looked back. I never reported him. He raped a girl I knew, later. She never reported him either.
I try to not even think of him.
I try to make light of the situation. But your story has brought back everything and made me realize just how horrible it all was.
Thank you.
You are amazing! Thank you for finding a voice as well as finding the bravery to speak out about this.
People are starting to share this here. I'm so glad I was able to read this, I feel completely inspired, and it seems like many other people do as well. Keep sharing your story! You seem like such an amazing and brave person.
I want to thank you for your bravery and your determination to keep from being silent -- but moreover, I want to thank you for your amazingly well-written, moving article. There are not many articles that discuss this subject as well as your article, describing the harrowing details of how cruel and cold administrations can be towards rape. Writing such as yours is vital to trying to raise awareness about such a critical subject. Please, please continue your bravery and your writing.
I'm conflicted; on one hand, I physically hurt thinking about the pain you went through, it's scarily believable, and it rings terribly true for me. On the other, I want to say congratulations, for your recovery, but beyond that. While this piece may have been helpful and cathartic for you, I hope you understand just how important this is to other people. You have spoken out in a blunt way that could have had serious ramifications for you; but you must have realized that this is too crucial to remain silent; that your campus and this country are in a crisis. The honesty and rawness to this will touch so many people out there, and bring them comfort and hope. In attaching your name to this you have told the country (because this is so much bigger than AC now), that there is absolutely no reason you should not tell your story. From one survivor to another, thank you for speaking for those of us who cannot yet.
she can use a loophole to mention the guy's name, saying that is who she was PRESSING CHARGES against, but that isn't necessarily libel/slander but an objective statement of an action she undertook
some of us would like to know this guy's name! ...and address! for research! yeah!
Thank you for putting your experience out into the world. I think that talking about these experiences is an important step in personal healing and growth as well as and sexual health education, reminding everyone that there is just one type of person that can experiences sexual assult and that this is something that we all must start taking much more seriously. I just want to hold my hand to you, squeeze it as a fellow survivor, and also tell you that when you can, you must come to South Africa. It struck me so hard and gave me goosebumps to think about the "justification" you got for not being able to come to Cape Town because of xenophobic, ignorant, Western assumptions about this part of the world. It has been a very healing experience for me being here, even when confronted with a lot of the horrors that happen in this place. Everything is so vibrant here, even the ugly stuff. There is so much beauty, so much empowerment and so much learning going on. In my experience, it's ok not to be ok in this part of the world and I think that exposing these parts of our humanness, the raw parts, is so crucial to creating change, learning how to feel empowered and love ourselves again. I am so sorry that racist bigotry kept you from experiencing this place and I hope you can find yourself here one day.
I hope Wyoming is incredible and that you are fully living this chapter of your life with love and support. Give yourself the space to be happy but remember that it's always ok to feel down, it's all a part of the process.
I hope that you continue writing!
I am very grateful that your story found me while I am in this place. Thank you again for your words.
Love and support from Pomona College/Southern California. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for this, it obviously takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there like this. I am very close to someone who experienced something at Amherst college. Its absurd, and upsetting that a college of Amherst caliber is so backwards and lacking in such an important aspect. Amherst needs to seriously re-evaluate themselves.
Thank you for having the courage to speak up about this: the more you share your story, the less it can happen to people in the future. Much love.
This post was shared by the Scripps Associated Students facebook page and is being shared among students and alums.
Thanks for raising your voice and empowering the voices of other survivors!
I am a survivor too. Thank you for putting into words what I have been feeling for the past 4 years.
I do not understand what they do to your minds in the United States.
Angie, you are so unbelievably brave. I am a survivor as well. I know that shame. This is being read widely at Harvard. We support you!
Thank you for speaking out, and therefore making it easier for others to do the same.
Thank you for sharing. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing this story, it is heart-wrenching to read about how horribly Amherst has mistreated you and other victims. Breaking your silence was not in vain- you have given me strength to speak up about my own assault, which happened over 4 years ago. I hope that Amherst gets enough backlash from this that they change their policies. I know it was one of my top choice schools, and now it's completely off of the list. I cannot imagine how frustrating and traumatic that entire experience must have been, but your bravery is inspiring so many girls and victims to speak out. Please never give up!!
Thank you for writing this article. I have the personal struggle with deciding to tell my story, and not. I know about feeling like he "won" somehow. How unfair it feels. How it becomes part of your identity, not just some crime that happens. You have put words to feelings for me, and I want people to hear. I am sorry that the administration was a clusterfuck. Hopefully this article will help them change. You are an angel, even if it's hard to see your halo sometimes. I wish you all the best.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I've never really told anyone, but this happened to me as well when I was 18, five years ago. Seeing your story came at the perfect time for me when I needed a reminder that I too can be strong again. You're journey is an inspiration, and I hope to one day be at the same place you are. Thank you.
Thank you so much for being brave enough to share this story with the world. I know that my eyes have been opened and that this is an ongoing issue with more than one school. College should not be a place where women feel unsafe because the administration refuses to acknowledge that anything is wrong. I hope that your story helps others to speak up; maybe if we all band together, we can create a change in how things are run. You are an amazing woman and I wish you all the best.
I cannot other than thanking you for sharing this, Angie. Your story has reached corners of the world that you would perhaps not expect, and that is proof that is touches something of the very human nature.
Thank you for telling your story. I am sorry you had to go through the administrative hell that you did. I hope your transfer worked out and that you found a college with a less oppressive atmosphere. Don't let the rape skeptics get you down -- there's a certain kind of person who just can't believe that this could happen at their "wonderful" college. It was the same when anyone talked about homophobia or racism at Williams.
Lots of love from Bryn Mawr College. I'm in awe of your strength and bravery in telling your story. Thank you.
Angie, thank you for sharing your story. Nothing like this ever happened to me or anyone I know while at Midd, but I know "victim blaming" for rape, domestic violence, etc is a huge problem both throughout the college system and within greater society. Seeing some of the comments on your story make me realize where this mentality originates. Thanks again for sharing this story and bringing light to this problem. Good luck to you.


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That great, classic Filter'Tron sound. We all have it in our heads, but until now, it has been difficult to find a pickup that puts that tone in your guitar. Now, with the TV Jones Classic, the vintage twang and growl are once again yours.
TV Jones produces the TV Classic with our their own parts made entirely in the USA. They've recreated the look of the original late 1950's Filter'Tron cover. It has a tighter radius around the top edge, a flatter top, and a height of 3/4", compared to the shorter modern reproduction cover height of 5/8". To improve pickup balance, they make the neck pickup available in a lower 5/8" high cover. But the soul of this pickup is in the magnets they use: they analyzed 1/4" thick late 1950's alnico magnets and reproduced them especially for use in their TV Classic.
The pole screws used on TV Jones' pickups are original 6/32 fillister-head steel screws. The fillister-head screw has a cylinder-shaped head, which provides better string separation than a domed-shaped pole screw.
TV Jones' offers their neck pickups with a standard .380" pole to pole width. The result is optimum string separation and output.
The Soapbar Mount uses the same size cover as a stock P-90 soapbar but with a TV Classic pickup under the hood.
This pickup is available in black with nickel screws.
Specification: TV Classic - Neck
- DC Resistance: 4k
- Inductance: 1.85 H
- Retro-fits in any guitar equipped with soapbars

subset: commoncrawl


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Soos needed a new wordpress theme design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 18 designs submitted by 5 freelance designers.
Who we are
We are a startup that's looking to start a blog that focuses solely on giving local, insider information that one wouldn't normally find in the typical local glossies or online magazines. Our aim is to uncover all of the City's (Dubai's) best kept secrets…from services to products to limited deals and offers- we want to uncover and share it all!
Consider this blog your one stop shop for getting information that is not only 'insightful', but tried, tested, reviewed and shared by the bloggers. It's not a PR platform per se…we are promoting things that we have experienced, bought, tried first-hand and simply opening our 'biggmowths' and sharing it with people. Ultimately, we want people to visit our blog, get information and go 'Ahh'….we want readers to say 'How come I didn't know about this before..?'
Our typical end user could be just about anyone. However, during the first phase, we are mainly targeting people as young as teens up to those in their late 30's, men or women.
For this reason, the blog can't be too extreme one direction or another. It can be light-hearted and fun, but can't look too masculine or feminine. We like designs that are clean and bold. Readers need to grasp information/photos quickly and easily. Perhaps whitespace is the way to go…between each of the page elements.
We would like you to design the homepage and inside pages for our blog. The look & feel should be consistent with so-called "Web 2.0" designs - clean with lots of whitespace. Not too many visual elements or elaborate graphics. The site should be fun and lighthearted and very easy to use and navigate through. The colours should be taken directly from our colour palette (green, pink, white and black).
We've attached our brand logo.
- Here, we would like to introduce visitors to our site – explain what they can find here, why they should come back and encourage them to share the info they find here with their friends and family.
Buttons: An important part of the homepage is the "Like" button. This button should post tweets to twitter These post tweets to Twitter, so we'd like that button to be identifiable as ours, but it's ideal if the button also has a hint of the Twitter look & feel so people make that association quickly.
Every day, we will post 'Biggmowth's Favourite' and it will start with 'Pssstt… (followed by what we found/discovered that day- We will upload a photo and of course our article).
• Home
• Make my life easier
• Fabuless deals
• Entertain me
• Tickle my taste buds
• In my hood
• What's the occasion?
• Dress me up
• Everything homely
• Win
• Forums
• Subscribe
See here for mock-up - as example: https://gomockingbird.com/mockingbi…ct=opja7ws


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Mayweather vs. Marquez: Fight Preview
Preview one of the most anticipated match-ups of the year. Undefeated Floyd Mayweather returns to the ring against five- time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez on Sat., Sept. 19,
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
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Have you seen The Dark Knight movie? I realize it is a work of fiction, but there is one instance in the movie that looks like a pretty clear-cut example. Remember the Chinese businessman dude (I think his name was Lao)? He was working with the mob in Gotham City. He had assured the mob that he would keep their money safe... and that what would prevent law enforcement from coming after him would be returning to Hong Kong. Since China is far, far outside the jurisdiction of the GCPD, Lao would have gotten away with his criminal activity... (while at the same time protecting the mob's assets, which would keep them safe in their illegal operations).
Batman, of course... is not a part of the GCPD ("Orders are to arrest the vigilante known as Batman on sight"). He doesn't have a jurisdiction. He doesn't have anyone to answer to. Yes... He essentially went to China and KIDNAPPED Lao... But he brought him back to the GCPD, so that he could face justice. In the process, it helped taking down the mob much easier.
Superheroes would be able to work where policemen couldn't. And if the superhero really is a superhero, this would be a good thing.
In the movie, that could reasonably be painted as a good move.
If Batman pulled a stunt like that in the real world, it would be a disaster. Diplomatic incident. China wouldn't exactly appreciate an American agent - even an unofficial one - kidnapping one of their citizens so that he can be imprisoned in America. And if the police start relying on superheroes to break the law, then that means superheroes have become a way for the police to bypass the very laws that exist to prevent them from abusing the system. At which point, society becomes a de facto police State.
You say it would be a good thing if the superhero really is a superhero. Well, duh. If every policeman was Jim Gordon, there would be no need to worry about police corruption. If every politician was honest, we wouldn't need laws against bribery. If every lawyer was Atticus Finch...But, they aren't. And again, the law cannot function on a case-by-case basis; it must account for the bad elements, and leave a safety margin.
If your system depends on all the superheroes (or even a majority of them!) being Clarck Kent or Peter Parker...it's going to fall apart real quick once real people get involved. Just because most of the superheroes in Marvel and DC are untouchable, that doesn't mean we should expect the same in a realistic world.


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Watch monthly live webcast - Like us on Facebook - Subscribe on YouTube
Creation scientist
A contemporary creation scientist is a person who is formally trained in a science discipline, but who approaches a field of study and/or research from the belief that the universe was created by God. Those listed here have at least a Masters degree in a science discipline. Many are actively engaged in research and publish in peer review journals.
The following people are modern day advocates of creation science who have one or more graduate degrees in a science discipline.
The RATE group scientists gathered in San Diego for their fifth annual meeting on July 27-28, 2001. Left to Right: Bill Hoesch, Steven Boyd, Donald DeYoung, Steven Austin, John Baumgardner, Russell Humphreys, Andrew Snelling, Eugene Chaffin, John Morris. Front: Larry Vardiman, Chairman.
The achievements and contributions of creation scientists in the history of science cannot be denied. Many of the founding fathers of various fields of science were creationists.
The following list of people are historic creation scientists. During their life they had a firm belief in God and either possessed one or more graduate degrees in a science discipline or contributed substantially to the field of science.
External links
- Creation scientists in the biological sciences by the Institute for Creation Research
- Creation scientists in the physical sciences by the Institute for Creation Research
- Creation scientists and other biographies of interest by Answers in Genesis
- Creation Scientists The Darwin Papers - Appendix II
- Who's Who? in Creation/Evolution
- The History of Modern Creationism book by Henry Morris
- Men of Science, Men of God book by Morris, Henry M.
- Two Decades of Creationism Online book by Walter and Valeria Lang
- Christianity and the Birth of Science by Michael Bumbulis, Ph.D
- Christianity and Science Christian Apologetics & Research Ministries
- Bible-believing scientists of the past. by Henry Morris ICR Impact #103 1982
- Creation scientists and other biographies of interest by Answers in Genesis
- The World's Greatest Creation Scientists: From Y1K to Y2K by David F. Coppedge
- Creation Scientists The Darwin Papers - Appendix II
- Quotes from Famous Scientists by Eads Home Ministries
- Famous Christians in History Marilyn Hickey Ministries
- History of Modern Creationism Lecture Outline
- Creationists of the Past by Mark Stewart
- Are Science and Faith Compatible?by Wayne Jackson. Christian Courier: Archives October 8, 1999
See Also
- Many famous scientists were creationists Response to Talk.Origins
- History of creationism
- Creationists
- Creationist achievements


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A number of titles written to support Adobe CS5 have begun to flow forth and we've created this page to help you connect with our expert authors and learn more about their work.
Bodyshop: The Photoshop Retouching Guide for the Face and Body by Birgit Nitzsche & Karsten Rose
This is the book Photoshop users need to get bodies into shape. This full-color book will show how both the newest and previous versions of Photoshop can be used to retouch and enhance the entire human form, from body contouring to changing hairstyles to adding makeup and fixing nails, this book will be a must-have reference for anyone who uses Photoshop to fix people pictures. The companion DVD includes before-and-after views of all pictures from the book, additional setting files for individual workshops, and trial versions of several Nik Multimedia filters.
Photoshop CS5 For Dummies
by Pete Bauer
Photoshop CS5 For Dummies helps both amateur and professional Photoshop users take advantage of all the program has to offer. Previous editions of this For Dummies guide have sold more 650,000 copies. Richly illustrated in full color, this edition covers all the updates in the newest version of Photoshop, the gold standard for image-editing programs. (Free PDF Chapter excerpt)
Photoshop CS5 for Nature Photographers: A Workbook in a Book by Ellen Anon & Josh Anon
Award-winning nature photographers Ellen and Josh Anon reveal their secrets to creating stunning nature images using their field-tested methods and the very latest Photoshop techniques. The book is packed with practical workflows and smart, timesaving ways to use Photoshop's broad array of tools to optimize images -- from improving tonal values to adding effects to creating surreal montages with composites. The book is lavishly illustrated with spectacular examples from the authors as well as from some of the most esteemed nature photographers today. See: Josh's blog and Ellen's blog
InDesign CS5 For Dummies by Galen Gruman
InDesign CS5 For Dummies offers a straightforward but fun approach to discovering how to get the most from your desktop publishing experience when using InDesign. It covers all the basics for first-time users, including how to open and save your work, arrange objects, work with color, edit text, manage styles, finesse character details, add special type, import and size graphics, set paths, work with tabs, create indices, and more
InDesign CS5 Digital Classroom by Christopher Smith & AGI Creative Team
Adobe InDesign CS5 Digital Classroom is just like having your own personal instructor guiding you through each unique lesson. This unique full-color book-and-DVD combo makes learning the new features of InDesign less intimidating. Thirteen self-paced lessons explain how to design, produce, and develop a streamlined workflow for page layout. The complementary lessons featured on the DVD are each approximately five minutes long and demonstrate the concepts and features covered in the lesson.
Dreamweaver CS5 Digital Classroom by Jeremy Osborn, AGI Creative Team & Greg Heald
The latest version of Dreamweaver boasts enhanced capabilities and this exciting book-and-DVD training package makes learning the new features of Dreamweaver less intimidating. Thirteen self-paced lessons explain how to design, develop, and maintain a fully functioning site. The complementary lessons featured on the DVD are each approximately five minutes long and demonstrate the concepts and features covered in the lesson.
Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium All-in-One For Dummies by Jennifer Smith, Christopher Smith & Fred Gerantabee
Featuring eight books in one, this All-in-One For Dummies guide covers the key features and tools that you need to know in order to understand how to use each individual program within the Adobe Creative Suite -- InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Flash -- to its fullest potential. Within the nearly 1,000 pages, you'll find creative inspiration as well as tips and techniques to sharpen you productivity.
(Read Jennifer's AGI Training Blogs)
Photoshop CS5 Digital Classroom by Jennifer Smith & AGI Creative Team
Photoshop Digital Classroom allows you to learn Photoshop from the experts who create official Adobe training materials, and do it at your own speed. This full-color book and DVD work together to create an entire Photoshop training class that photographers, Web designers, and graphic designers can complete at their own pace. Thirteen lessons cover the features and capabilities of the newest version of Photoshop while teaching all the essential skills. (Free Chapter PDF)
Some of these, you might just want to take a razor blade and slit this one apart into separate sections. I quite frequently take them to Kinko's and have the spins shaved off, and drilled for 3-ring notebook use -- that way, they lay flat, and sections can be pulled out for really easy use next to the keyboard.
Continue with ...
The Adobe CS5 BIBLES
The Photoshop Missing Manual with Lesa Snider
thanks for reading
Don't forget ... we encourage you to share your discoveries about favorite or famous graphic designers and illustrators with other readers. Just contact me, and/or join the forums


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Getty Images
The Prime Numbers series continues on Wednesday's edition of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN with a look at a number worn by a surprisingly high number of all-time greats.
We've narrowed the list to seven. Vote for the best three.
One of them, Curtis Martin, will join the program to talk about how he ended up wearing No. 28 after donning No. 29 at Pitt.
And then tune in Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET for a 60-minute edition of the show, featuring Hines Ward and Ross Tucker as the analysts for the day.
Ward wore No. 86 when he played. Tucker wore, well, a number. Between 1 and 99. Beyond that, throw a dart or something.


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Matthew Castle and Helen Lockhart
Posted by mikegen48 on March 11, 2009
Matthew Castle was born in 1787 in Wayne County, North Carolina. He died in 1845 in Jackson County, Georgia.
Matthew married Helen Lockhart in 1809 in Wayne County, North Carolina. Helen was born in 1788 in North Carolina. She died circa 1856 in Jackson County, Georgia.
They had the following children:
Evelyn Castle was born about 1810 in Wayne County, North Carolina. She died on 22 Jun 1891 in Monroe County, Virginia.
Peter Castle was born in 1812 in North Carolina. He died in 1892 in Virginia.
Reuben Castle was born on 23 Mar 1816 in North Carolina. He died in 1894 in Virginia.
Esther Castle was born during 1819 in Georgia.
Harriet Castle was born in 1821 in Georgia. She died in 1910 in Virginia.
Mark Castle was born in 1823 in Jackson County, Georgia. He died in 1888 in Monroe County, Virginia.
Adam Castle was born about 1825 in Georgia.
Catherine Castle was born in 1825 in Georgia. She died on 21 Jul 1914 in Monroe County, Virginia.
Martin Castle was born circa 1828 in Georgia. He died in 1886 in Virginia.
Julia N. Castle was born on 8 Aug 1830 in Georgia. She died on 30 Jan 1919 in Virginia.


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Resources >> Browse Articles >> Nursing Trends
Resources >> Browse Articles >> On the Job
How Nurses Can Help End Horizontal Hostility in Three Easy Steps
Cindy Mehallow / Monster Contributing Writer
Nurses are supposed to be compassionate caregivers. So why are so many scarred emotionally from the gossip, backstabbing, second-guessing and other abusive, demoralizing or hostile acts nurses inflict on one another?
If you've had enough of the fighting, read on. Veteran nurses explain why such horizontal hostility occurs, revealing the true price it exacts, and share tips for creating a more collegial workplace.
Originally published on Monster.com


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Visit our main website at www.StDavids.com
Suzanne Cote
This procedure is done when a fetus suffers from severe
anemia. Anemia is a lack of red blood cells. A transfusion means giving the fetus red blood cells from a donor.
There are two types of fetal blood transfusions:
A transfusion is needed when the fetus's blood count falls too low. Severe anemia in a fetus can cause death. Anemia can be caused by:
The goals of fetal blood transfusions are
Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems like:
The doctor may do tests to see if the fetus has severe anemia or fetal hydrops.
The doctor may need to examine body fluids. This can be done with:
Your doctor may need pictures of your abdomen. This can be done with
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
If the fetus has hydrops, the blood transfusion will be done right away.
Before the transfusion, you may be given:
Local anesthesia numbs a small area of your abdomen.
With IVT, the fetus will be paralyzed for a short time. This is to allow access to fetal blood vessels and to reduce injury to the fetus. During both IVT and IPT, the doctor will monitor the fetus with an ultrasound scan. The ultrasound will:
The doctor will insert a needle into your abdomen. Using ultrasound, the doctor will make sure the needle is placed correctly. The needle will go through your abdomen and be inserted into the umbilical cord (IUT) or into the fetal abdomen (IPT). Blood will be transfused to the fetus.
Before the needle is removed, the doctor will take a final blood sample. This is to determine the fetus's blood level. The doctor will find out whether the transfusion was enough and when the next one should be.
The transfusions may need to be repeated every 2-4 weeks until your doctor decides that it is safe to deliver the fetus.
A 10 ml IVT transfusion will take 1-2 minutes. Usually, between 30-200 ml is transfused during a single procedure.
You will feel pain and cramping where the doctor inserts the needle. If you are close to delivering the fetus or if the procedure is long, the uterus can be sore.
This procedure is done in a hospital setting. You will be able to go home after the transfusion. If complications occur, you may need to have a cesarean section.
The doctor may give you:
Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
After your baby has been delivered, the baby will need to have follow-up blood tests. The doctor will closely monitor the baby for:
Call your doctor if any of the following occurs:
Know the signs of early labor:
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Women's Center of Texas12221 N. Mopac Expwy.Austin, TX 78758Telephone: (512) 478-3627Map & Directions


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Andrew_oz_20 needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 100 designs submitted by 26 freelance designers.
Crumbs Gourmet Cafe
im starting my own cafe pumping our lifes savings into it. im sick of working for people who just dont give a shit bout what they do there staff and how good there product is or can be. ive worked plenty of cafe and bar and want to go on my own and give it a shot and if it fails at least i know i gave it a shot
im right on a main road that only has 2 cafes around in the area and im in prime position as im in front of the bus stop that goes to the city so im trying to rob there customers and create my own at the same time. the customers will be early morning and lunch time trade.
im looking for a simple yet eye catching design that is goin attract a customer to my shop ahead of the other cafes in the area. i dont mind if there is a symbol beside the name so be as creative as you like but dont get to carried away. im easy on colours as long as there is only a few and it isnt to extravagant . i want crumbs to be the main eye catching part of the design.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
Rihanna rocks the world with both her edgy music and her fashion style. Ri ri's bad girl style is carried over with her fashion, as she constantly pushes the edge always making a fashion statement. This beauty is constantly seen rocking crazy bikini styles, here's how you capture her impeccable luxury swimwear style.
Rihanna was born in Barbados making her no stranger to spending all day on the beach. She is known for pushing the boundaries with her fashion and is never seen wearing anything boring. Her designer swimwear is no exception to this either, she is always sporting a sexy and fun bikini's. Match Rihanna's edgy look in Desert Rose bikini. The sexy snakeskin print is an exciting way to spice up your bikini collection. The orange and gold sliding beads in both the triangle top and side tie bottoms give a color pop making this suit even more irresistible. This suit would look amazing on Ri Ri and she spends all day soaking up the sun on the beach!
With songs liked "Pour It Up" and "Don't Stop the Music", this party girl is always down for a good time. This is reflected in her swimwear with bright colors and glamorous hardware. A perfect bikini for Rihanna to wear while she's cruising on a yacht or at her next pool party would be Rich Girl in mint. This feminine suit also has an edgier side to it with the gold hardware. This look would be perfect for Rihanna's next party near the water.
What would Rihanna's luxury swimwear look be without body jewelry? Wearing a body chain is a fun and easy way to add more glam to any bathing suit! Try either the rhinestone jeweled body chain or the clean stone body chain to get the complete Rihanna luxury swimwear look!


text:
The God Box takes an unusual step in this update: it becomes substantially more simple. That's overstating things a bit, but AMD's Radeon HD 5800-series cards make the graphics choices very simple, we figure out a more workable motherboard, and with power consumption coming down below the stratosphere, the power supply choices get better.
That doesn't mean the God Box is becoming any less godly, though. It now packs almost twice the storage of before, perhaps the most video card power it's ever had, and has the most ridiculous looking (yet elegant) memory setup we've done. If only we could find a chassis we liked better, we'd be golden.
Supermicro X8DTi
Intel's Nehalem EP architecture makes good gains in desktop space versus the older Core 2 architecture, but it pays off huge in the workstation and server space, where many applications see significant gains due to the chip's architectural improvements and integrated memory controller. The shift from FB-DIMMs back to conventional DIMMs also improves memory latency and reduces power consumption. Reviews on Techreport and Anandtech confirm this: it's a monster. AMD may be able to catch up in the next generation, but right now, the only processor that makes any sense in a box like this is Intel's Xeon 5500-series.
The Intel 5500-series chipsets, particularly the i5520 (Tylersburg) provide an awesome amount of PCIe 2.0 connectivity as well, enabling some of the first God Box motherboards that aren't completely starved for enough slots. Selection at the moment is still a little limited, but we've found a few boards that work well. The Supermicro X8DTH-i, for example, is excellent with all PCIe expansion slots and almost everything we need.
The caveats of workstation-class �ber-rigs are still abundant: power consumption, dealing with extended ATX motherboards, ECC memory, etc. Many prefer a more gaming-oriented build that doesn't need dual sockets. We prefer a higher-end approach than that, but for those whose God Box is going to be a single-socket affair, the high-end Intel X58 chipset boards for Core i7 offer plenty of choice. The Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD5, Asus P6T6 WS Revolution, and others offer triple PCIe 2.0 physical x16 slot configurations (or more) for those who want truly absurd SLI or CrossfireX setups, which is what the God Box is known for!
An important caveat is finding a board with the right slot layout and video card support. The previous choice, the Intel S5520SC, did not support dual 300W video cards. That leaves us with the Supermicro X8DTi and the Asus Z8PE-D18 for boards with the right slot layout. Both are virtually identical, with the X8DTi having two usable PCIe 2.0 x16 (x16/x8 electrical) slots for double-wide video cards (and one PCIe x8 blocked), a PCIe x8 (x4 electrical) slot for the RAID card, two more PCI slots, twelve DIMM sockets for DDR3 ECC Registered memory, two gigabit ethernet ports, six SATA ports, a total of eight USB 2.0 ports, and eight fan headers.
Cost: $388.99 (10/23/2009) [Comparison shop for this item]
Two Intel Xeon W5580's Retail
Intel's Core i7 architecture, known formerly as Nehalem EP, is the clear choice by a large margin in the God Box. AMD could be competitive when their next chip, code-named Istanbul, comes out, but right now their current chips ("Shanghai" core) are thoroughly outgunned by Intel's Xeon 5500-series chips. Even the fastest one, the 2.9GHz Opteron 2389, doesn't quite compete.
This being the God Box, we do engage in a little excess, though we try not to get too carried away, as we like to think God wouldn't be a glutton. Hence, a pair of the top-of-the-line Intel Xeon W5580's occupies the God Box, with a 3.2GHz clockspeed, a full 8MB of L3 cache, and a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 130W.
If you're being more reasonable than we are, you can pick up the 2.53GHz E5540 for half the cost and a TDP of only 80W, or the 2.66GHz X5550 (TDP of 95W) for less than two-thirds the cost; or one of many other choices.
Single-socket builders who are probably more gaming-focused have only one choice, the Core i7-975 Extreme at 3.2GHz. This chip is worth it thanks to the unlocked multiplier for overclocking, although the ambitious may be better off getting the Core i7-920 and seeing how far that overclocks. The newest D0-stepping chips now shipping, the i7-920, s-spec SLBEJ and the upcoming i7-975 Extreme (3.33GHz) should OC even better if early reports at sites such as Xbitlabs hold up.
Cost: $1,639.99 each [$3,279.98 total] (10/23/2009) [Comparison shop for this item]
Two Thermalright HR-01 Plus heatsinks
If you need a reasonably priced aftermarket heatsink, the Dynatron G555 is probably the way to go.
If you need an unreasonably sized, ridiculously high-performance heatsink, the Xeon 5500-series takes any standard Core i7 heatsink, which means overclockers' favorites such as the Thermalright Ultra-120 eXtreme RT 1366 will fit, as well as plenty of others once you ensure they have the appropriate LGA1366 mounting bracket. Due to their large size, you'll need to make sure they fit your motherboard and case, but that shouldn't be an issue here.
We go for the Thermalright HR-01 Plus and a Thermalright LGA1366 Bolt-thru-kit as it should have fewer fitment concerns than the slightly larger Ultra-120 eXtreme 1366 RT, although the Ultra-120 xTreme 1366 RT package includes the correct bracket and a pretty good fan already, so it's easier to manage if it fits. The Noctura NH-U9DX might also work well for those seeking an alternative to the HR-01 Plus.
Cost: $49.99 each [$99.98 total] (heatsink) (10/23/2009) [Comparison shop for this item]
Cost: $7.95 each [$15.90 total] (bolt-thru kit) (10/23/2009) [Comparison shop for this item]
Two Scythe Kama PWM 120mm fans (DFS122512L-PWM)
Some chassis may provide enough airflow for God Box builders to omit CPU fans, but we play it conservative here. A wide selection of quality fans from Scythe, SilenX, Arctic Cooling, Nexus, and others are available in varying airflow and noise combinations to suit almost any need. With such capable heatsinks, we can go with fairly low-flow fans and not worry about cooling.
The Scythe Kama PWM is a 120mm fan that flows up to 52.71CFM at 24.89dBA and is equipped for pulse-width modulation control (PWM), as commonly found on modern motherboards for fan speed control, making it an excellent choice for the God Box.
Cost: $8.99 each [$17.98 total] (10/23/2009) [Comparison shop for this item]
Two Crucial 12GB (3x4GB) ECC Registered DDR3-1333 kits
24GB in the God Box doesn't have the nice ring that 16GB has, but with triple-channel memory controllers, we'll just have to get used to it. The cheapest for 24GB keeping all six memory channels occupied would probably be four 3x2GB kits, but pricing gaps between 2GB and 4GB DDR3-1333 Registered ECC modules have decreased considerably, making 3x4GB kits affordable at only a modest premium, leaving half the memory sockets open for expansion.
We go with specific memory recommendations in the God Box to ensure compatibility with our motherboard. Crucial CT3KIT51272BV1339 is DDR3-1333, CL9, Registered, ECC, dual-rank 1.5v guaranteed compatible by their memory selector. Corsair, Kingston, GeIL, Patriot, etc. should all have memory kits that will work as well if you're willing to do a little more legwork.
Gaming-oriented builders with single-socket X58-based setups will probably want some nice DDR3-1600 for overclocking, such as this Patriot kit or this DDR3-1866 Corsair kit.
Cost: $431.99 each [$863.98 total] (10/23/2009) [Comparison shop for this item]


text:
Energy Journal: North American Energy Falls for Eastern Promise
Two big deals in North America tell you all you need to know about where the global balance of power and wealth is right now.
Cnooc has completed its $15.1 billion purchase of Nexen, The Wall Street Journal reports. The deal gives the Chinese state-run company access to Canada's vast oil and gas reserves as well as the largest offshore oil field in the U.K. North Sea.
South of the border, Chesapeake agreed to sell a stake in an oil and gas field straddling the Oklahoma and Kansas border to China's Sinopec, for $1 billion, the Journal says.
The latter deal owes a tip of the hat to the former, The Wall Street Journal's Ben Lefebvre reports.


text: If you hadn't heard the news by now, Charlton Heston passed away Saturday night at the grand old age of 84. His broad-shouldered, square-jawed, teeth-gritting acting style launched historical characters from Moses to Judah Ben-Hur, but we were more fixated on his body of science fiction work, which was considerable as you can see from our breakdown. Hopefully people around the world will be shouting "Get your stinking paws off me!" or "Soylent Green is people!" as a sign of mourning.


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Oakland, Calif. (PRWEB) February 11, 2011
For years the Fair Trade Certified™ label has been a symbol for high quality, social responsibility and environmental sustainability assuring consumers that their goods were evaluated against rigorous standards that support the welfare of the farmers and workers who grew and sew the products we love. Now Fair Trade standards have received an additional third-party seal of approval from GoodGuide, a scientific rating system that compares products on their health, environmental and social performance. GoodGuide has added Fair Trade certification from Fair Trade USA, the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States, to its criteria to help evaluate coffee, tea and cocoa products.
"At GoodGuide, we are working to empower consumers with the best information on the most socially and environmentally sustainable products and companies," said GoodGuide's Co-Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer Dara O'Rourke. "We want shoppers to know that every purchase matters and that they have the power to make a difference."
"We're excited to see the Fair Trade standards used as an authoritative benchmark for quality and sustainability," said Paul Rice, President and CEO of Fair Trade USA. "In addition to incorporating Fair Trade certification into its GoodGuide rating system, Fair Trade Certified products also make up the majority of the highest-rated items, and it consistently dominates the top 10, 20 and even 30 best products to buy in coffee, tea and cocoa."
In the coffee category, the top 23 highest rated coffees are all Fair Trade Certified. With outstanding records in the health, environment and social impact zones, products like Timothy's Colombian and Nicaraguan blends, Tully's Fair Trade Organic Evergreen and a wide variety of coffees from Grounds for Change out-score other brands in the race for sustainable must buys.
For tea, 12 out of 15 top products bear the Fair Trade Certified label. With scores of eight and above, Numi Teas really take the cake. Their White Rose Velvet Garden and Breakfast Blend Morning Rise Teas are among some of the most environmentally and socially sustainable teas on the market.
And then there is chocolate. Consistently appearing at the top of the list, brands like Kopali Organics, Green & Black's, Tcho and Dagoba are the reasons why eight of the 15 best rated cocoa products on GoodGuide are Fair Trade Certified. Each of these brands uses responsibly sourced cocoa in their chocolate, showing the world their commitment to fair labor practices, and social and environmental sustainability.
To find the top rated Fair Trade Certified products on GoodGuide, visit http://www.GoodGuide.com or download the iPhone application.
About Fair Trade USA
Fair Trade USA (previously TransFair USA), a nonprofit organization, is the leading third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. Fair Trade USA audits and certifies transactions between U.S. companies and their international suppliers to guarantee that the farmers and workers producing Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair prices and wages. The organization also educates consumers, brings new manufacturers and retailers into the Fair Trade system, and provides farmers with tools, training and resources to thrive as international businesspeople. Visit http://www.FairTradeUSA.org for more information.
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text:
valleycharter needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 240 designs submitted by 36 freelance designers.
We are looking for an eye-catching logo that is both sophisticated and friendly. So far (not on 99Designs), there have been efforts that have been too cold such as crests ala exclusive, private schools, or too young and clichéd. We are open to all ideas.
Valley Charter School is a new elementary serving Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley that is set to open in the fall of 2010. We are working to build a diverse community of children who love learning, care for one another, and give back to and repair the world around them through age-appropriate community service activities.
There is a very real chance that this single elementary school will become two or three separate elementary schools, a middle school, and possibly a high school. If that's the case, the Valley Charter School name will stand for the entire larger group of schools. There is likely to be more work for the designer with the winning logo.
- A logo with a strong silhouette
- An image that can represent our school or schools.
- A font/text treatment that can stand alone or with the graphic version.
- Final logo should be usable across a variety of mediums including our website, brochures, business cards, and t-shirts.
- Overall design should be simple and professional, yet somehow capture the warmth of childhood
- Color scheme is flexible
- Vector format, please.
- Clichéd images.
- Nothing to young or too stodgy
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
Forgot your password?
The Billabong Revolution is a flexible, water tight, and functional wetsuit at an economical price. Features 100% AXR Airlite supertretch neoprene for maximum flexibility throughout. Sealed and externally liquid taped seams work together with the water resistant chest zipper and Furnace poly fleece to give you a semi-dry experience without breaking the bank. A minimal seam design increases flex and comfort, while increasing durability over the long haul.
1yr Warranty
On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the best:


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As Oklahoma City prepares to face San Antonio in the first game of the NBA Western Conference Finals Sunday (5:30 p.m. PT on TNT), fans may want to look closer at the Thunder bench as three members of their coaching staff have connections to the UC Irvine men's basketball program.
Thunder head coach Scott Brooks played two seasons with the 'Eaters (1985-87), averaging 23.8 points as a senior in 1986-87 when he was named first team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. (now Big West). He scored 43 points on opening night of the Bren Events Center Jan. 8, 1987, when UCI defeated Utah State, 118-96. Brooks scored 41 points later that season in a 90-79 victory at Pacific Feb. 21, 1987.
He still holds the UCI record for career free-throw percentage at .859 (220 of 256). As a junior in 1985-86, he set what remains the Anteater single-season record for free-throw percentage at .886 (78 of 88).
Brooks ranks No. 4 in UCI history in career steals (123) and seventh in three-point field goals (142).
He played 11 seasons in the NBA, including 1994 with the NBA-champion Houston Rockets. In 2010, Brooks received the Red Auerbach NBA Coach of the Year Award after guiding the Thunder to a 27-win improvement from the previous season.
He has led Oklahoma City to the NBA playoffs each of the last three seasons, including two consecutive Western Conference Finals.
Brooks lent his support to UCI athletics last September when he was host of the UCI/Scott Brooks Golf Invitational at Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine. The event raised funds to support student-athlete scholarships at UCI.
Brian Keefe, an assistant coach with the Thunder, played two seasons at UCI (1994-96), earning Big West All-Freshman honors in 1995 and second-team All-Big West distinction in 1996.
He averaged 5.7 points his freshman season, and then led the 'Eaters in scoring as a sophomore at 16.4 points per game. Keefe scored 32 points against New Mexico State in a Feb. 17, 1996, game and 29 in a win at Long Beach State Feb. 12, 1996.
Keefe, UCI's team captain as a sophomore, earned all-tournament honors at the Joe Lapchick Memorial Tournament in New York that the 'Eaters won with victories over Siena and host St. John's in November of 1995. Keefe scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half of UCI's 83-77 win over St. John's in the championship game. It marked the first time in the 21-year history of the tournament that a team other than St. John's won the title.
Maz Trakh, another Oklahoma City assistant, served as an assistant coach with the 'Eaters from 1994-96.
— From staff reports
Former Sailor a record-setter
Esther Lofgren, a product of Newport Harbor High and Harvard, helped the U.S. women's eight complete the course in 5 minutes, 54.17 seconds on Friday at the Samsung World Cup II crew competition in Lucerne, Switzerland.
The clocking was better than the previous world record of 5:55.50 set by the U.S. at the 2006 World Championships in Eton Dorney Lake, the same course set to be used for the London Olympics this summer.
Lofgren was part of the USA women's eight boat that won the last two world titles.
On Friday, the Americans topped runner-up Great Britain by more than eight seconds.
— From staff reports
Anteaters attract
pair of transfers
The UC Irvine women's soccer program has added a pair of transfers, including Rachel Wood, who played three seasons at North Carolina, including helping the Tar Heels win the NCAA championship as a freshman in 2008.
Wood, who will be a senior, joins Morgan Williams, who played one season at St. Peters' College.
The 6-foot Wood, primarily a defender at UNC, totaled five goals and nine assists in three seasons. She redshirted the 2009 campaign.
She made 21 of her 25 starts in 2010. A former prep All-American at Aliso Niguel High, Wood is being projected as a forward by UCI Coach Scott Juniper.
"It's not every day that you can add a national champion to your squad," said Juniper, who has guided the Anteaters to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and consecutive Big West Conference regular-season titles.
Williams grew up in Newport Beach, played club soccer for the Irvine Strikers, and competed in high school at JSerra.
She is expected to add depth to a goalkeeping unit that includes returning starter Jennifer Randazzo and incoming freshman Corey Tobin.
— From staff reports
OCC crew awards
Orange Coast College crew distributed its awards at the annual postseason banquet held May 18.
Christian Taylor was named Orasman of the Year, while Austin Gentry was named Outstanding Novice Oarsman and Rick Galliand won The Oarsman award.
Blake Addeman (Otte Crew Scholarship), Scott Moso (Walter G. Rolsma Memorial Crew Scholarship), Andy DeLorme (Robert B. Moore Crew Scholarship), Mike Coetzee (Rob Jordan Memorial Crew Scholarship), Austin Grove (Len Warneke Memorial Crew Scholarship), Taylor (Pete Compton Memorial Crew Scholarship), Jon Dobson (Alumni Scholarship) and Cruz Welborn (Don Mckee Crew Scholarship), were also among the winners.
— From staff reports


text:
SurvivalDave needed a new print or packaging design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 45 designs submitted by 10 freelance designers.
This project is for the 300 dpi cover design of a book that I'm going to publish through CreateSpace. The book is full of tricks and insider secrets to survive natural and manmade disasters in an urban environment. It focuses on practical, proven urban survival strategies and not on scary "we're all going to die" scenarios, so please avoid "wacko" images.
My target audience is couples with kids and/or empty nesters who see the need to prepare for disasters themselves rather than depending on the government to save them when disasters happen. They are well read, hard working, and enjoy learning new things.
The majority of the audience is in the US
The cover design really needs to sell the book on Amazon and BN as well as in retail locations.
I need to get a book cover designed for a 6x9 book. The front cover will have the following text:
http://surviveinplace.com/bookcover.pdf < I don't really care for this design.
I will PM you the URL of the spine and back image as soon as you send an image for the front.
I want the new design to have a little more "POP!" like these 2 books:
There is a companion set of cards to the book and the current design for the cards is here:
You can also see the old design at:
You don't need to match the card design...I'm merely including these designs so that you can see examples of what I like.
The design needs to be appealing to both men and women and should be geared towards a US audience (no Eiffel Tower).
Please submit your designs using the following CreateSpace template:
I'll be choosing the winner both by picking the one that I like and by having a focus group pick the design that they like.
For the final file handover, I'll need the template in the proper format (referenced in the zip file) AND in a multi-layered format that I can open in paint.net. Good Luck


text:
COLUMBIA - The director of South Carolina's transportation department says residents should be paving their own driveways.
Transportation Secretary Robert St. Onge told a House panel Thursday it's unfair for some residents to get a free driveway courtesy of the state budget.
State law requires his agency to install, maintain and remove the entrances of residents' driveways within the public right-of-way of state roads.
St. Onge wants legislators to suspend that law in the coming state budget. He says that's $6 million that could be spent on major roadways.
But legislators say providing residents with adequate access from their property to state roads is a necessary service. The state does not pay for driveway work on private land or leading to commercial property. The service can include culvert work for drainage.


text:
Crude in U.S. Bucks Commodities Slump
Crude prices are up 14 percent this year on the New York Mercantile Exchange, despite slowing growth in China and surging production in the U.S. Dan Strumpf has more. Photo: Getty Images.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... CTK ... the recovery in U S economy remain somewhat tepid over time it is in the grips of a slowdown ... that pushed crude prices of one hundred and five dollars a barrel and speculating on more debt ... joining us is in Asia for a dance track to talk about a trend that already hitting drivers' wallets the form of high gasoline prices ... good morning dad ... my ... sorry I was nodding covering the ... financial markets for ... sixteen years on Sunday and I'm always confused but things soon and that that that that the Simi nice but what I understand why no crisis summit I was that ... it would lose all supply constraints in the U S we've got ... China slowing down it use to be the reason why we expect prices to be higher ... and we've got your shift away from from not enough ... I use is cause ... and dress and dance natural gas industry what's the explanation he added well there you have to think of the oil market is very unique and we are market okay last minute so so so so so that right ... ALM so for the last two years on you basically had ... us all prices traded you know ... between eighteen ninety dollars a barrel ... the price of Brent crude which is the European benchmark to do with the global benchmark ... aam has has been above a hundred dollars barrel for ... lunch ... aam ... so in reality ... we think Global Wealth preschoolers had been above two hundred dollars there from time ... on so that so that's really the first the first thing to think about it you can to get us all prices is really ... the main benchmark ... know what's been happening this year ... is aam ... up a lot of the forces that kept ... us well prices depress ... our are certain to give away a little ... on we've had this rash of pipeline new pipeline construction in in the continent ... it's helped to bring a lot of this new oil ... production ... we seem to code up to be seen coming down from Canada ... Discovery next market Pichette said but most fly and would do with it what is on leases demand ... lol what it does what it does is easy is it brings us prices ... back in line ... with normal as refiners who previously headed import ... crude from elsewhere in the didn't exactly so so so so what so what's so what's actually happening and it's interesting the PC that because ... the price of Brent crude the global benchmark is actually down ... on the year is actually down about three percent ... to one thing about global oil prices and with the election is ... well below prices are slightly lower ... now we're not lower than many other commodities searches such copper for example each which is constantly for fourteen percent ... on year ... on base metals are just and just ... kill this year the end of the super cycle in the end of the super cycle I had a really is the end of the supercycle fur ... from alot of sort of odd construction intensive commodities and such and such as copper switches aluminum zinc ... all of these commodities been getting killed ... because of the slowdown in China ... um ... oil is less sensitive to the slowdown in China ... China can see something like forty percent of the world's copper ... op I mean the US consumes more oil ... in the next three countries comply ... so the US is still tied to the U S recovery is right and right executives who isn't even something like yesterday where ... were you know we saw second-quarter GDP grow like one point seven percent which is in it's it's it's it's not ... aam ... that's enough to move the needle ... on well it really is because because the U S still are these these sort of a five hundred pound grower ... he did and then inspected positions in Fitch's pocket suggests that people betting on on more gangs and under school of thought that it is the one to resist the convergence would succeed downright bad loans but ... that you know what that's that's where the stories of trouble this week as we got there because it because on this doesn't make any sense you have to have our net long positions ... in the oil market at its highest level ... of basically on record ... it'd be gone but that one and forty seven dollar among the Wiesel rival crime rate is actually you have people on scared and economic but people seem to be published today ... aam and and so and and so you know they're there is ... aam up a lot of sentiment that the oil price could go higher than on any