text:
I am in Omaha and have just been to the Warren and Charlie show. It has been on my "to do" list for my whole adult life and I am strangely disappointed.
It is of course blasphemous to be disappointed in Charlie and Warren. These octogenarians could teach me plenty - they just did not. It was annoying to be in the presence of people so smart and to learn so little.
I have read various notes from the meeting for almost twenty years so I had a fair idea what to expect. I could expect - questions on politics and economics, questions from young people wondering what to do with their life and questions from hedge-fund managers using 25 thousand rich people in a room as an opportunity for self promotion.
I got all this - and for the most part I got the usual homily answers. (The same questions were asked last year and the year before and the year before that. Answers can be got from meeting notes.)
This year we got multiple questions from hedge fund managers who were concerned about the stock price. Charlie Munger in frustration tartly observed that if one (nameless but well known) hedge fund manager was that concerned about short term matters he wasn't really welcome in this room. This got general applause but could (like many of Charlie's answers) be a little more diplomatic.
But with the above exceptions the questions were better than I expected. Much better. We had serious questions from competent Wall Street analysts who mostly asked about insurance, underwriting and regulatory issues - issues that cut to core of what Berkshire is and Berkshire's ability to route money to the parent company (where it can be used unencumbered) and to pay insurance claims. The detailed answers to these questions were largely squibbed.
One analyst for instance made the obvious observation that the organizational structure is "challenging" and wondered why the railway (BNSF) was owned by a regulated insurance subsidiary. Charlie and Warren squibbed it - arguing that BNSF provided more resources for paying claims - noting roughly $5 billion in pre-tax profits. But throughout the meeting Warren argued that one advantage of BNSF was that it was going to be allowed to invest vast sums (far in excess of depreciation) at acceptable regulated returns. In other words BNSF is going to absorb cash. How does this mean the insurance sub is going to have more cash to pay claims? Can claims be paid in steel rails or railway bridges?
This wasn't an atypical squibbed answer. Warren (correctly) argued that General Re was a good asset now but that previously it lost its way. Charlie wasn't going to let Warren get away with this - it was thoroughly lost when Berkshire purchased it (and paid a huge price). However the details of how General Re was brought back into order were simply glossed over. Warren observed that Gen Re had a very nice life reinsurance business. That surprised me. Swiss Re has a sort-of-OK life reinsurance business but life reinsurance is a business that has produced a few disasters one of which I followed closely*. I was struggling to understand what made the life reinsurance business a good business.
Warren also noted - as a throwaway - that they had a long term care reinsurance business that he wished they had less of. Again there was no explanation as to why. But this time it is inside my field of competence so I am going to explain myself.
The disaster of long term care insurance
Long term care insurance has bankrupted almost everyone that ever touched it. It is the insurance against the need to go into a nursing home and it has mostly been sold by insurance agents on commission.
Here is what a commissioned agent does.
They make friends with people who run nursing homes.
When the kids (now middle aged) visit a nursing home they might put their (elderly) parents into the insurance broker is notified. The insurance broker then sells them a policy for their parents.
Of course the policy is going to be used. The people who buy long term care insurance are precisely the people who are going to claim. It is a disaster.
Eventually the policies become so expensive (to cover the losses) that people who won't claim never buy a policy. Adverse selection becomes total.
Long term care insurance is the worst business I have ever seen.
Warren of course never told us that - but somehow he wound up re-insuring it.
I guess he did not want to explain his stupidity.
But then long term care doesn't need to be that awful. Indeed there is (at least) one company that does it well.
That doesn't make long term care a good business - but it might make it an acceptable business.
That company is (and this will be a surprise to many of my readers) Genworth. The same Genworth that was a spin-out of crappy long-tailed insurance businesses from GE Capital. It includes a mortgage insurance company (with what is probably a toxic Australian exposure) and a long term care business.
Here is what they do to make the long term care business acceptable.
They employ a sales force of 60-65 year old people on salary not commission. Because they are on salary not commission they have no incentive to write bad risks. They do not troll for business in nursing homes.
This sales force visits the home of leads and has a cup of tea or coffee and a social chat. They might spend twenty minutes having a chat.
They will find out what the lead's husband or wife is doing.
They will find out whether the lead is doing the New York Times crossword or reading sophisticated books.
And whether they play golf or do some exercise.
They will look for pictures of the grandchildren and ask questions about them.
They will observe and ask about the pile of toys and children's games in the corner.
And only then will they ask anything that looks like an underwriting question but they will have already decided whether to underwrite the business.
Here is what is going on.
People who have stable relationships into old age tend not to wind up in nursing homes. They look after each other. Singles are the biggest risk and asking about a spouse is the critical question.
Doing the New York Times crossword or reading sophisticated books indicates no Alzheimer's disease. That removes another major insurance risk.
Golf suggests some physical fitness - and removes more risk.
The children's toys however are - after a solid marriage - the next largest risk mitigating factor. If the grandparents look after the grandchildren that creates a reciprocal obligation. The children are far less likely to put granny in a nursing home if granny is a part of their own kid's lives.
Warren knows all this. He knows why some insurance businesses are better than others. He knows why their life reinsurance business is good (I have no idea). He knows why their long-term care reinsurance business is bad (and after this post so do you).
But Warren told us surprisingly little. And for that I am disappointed.
*I was once obsessed by the collapse of Annuity and Life Re.
I am in Omaha and have just been to the Warren and Charlie show. It has been on my "to do" list for my whole adult life and I am strangely disappointed.


text:
This weekend's California Democratic convention demonstrated that the Republicans aren't the only part in denial -- and in a way that is delaying the systemic reform the state needs.
Republicans cling to the broken system because its two-thirds supermajorities and fiscal rules give them leverage to hold up budgets and taxation -- and demand legislative ransoms. Even though this system, which requires them to sign off on fiscal decisions, keeps them in the minority by making it impossible for them to hold the majority accountable.
And the convention showed that Democrats cling to the system because they have the illussion of power -- they control the legislature and statewide offices. Of course, the same rules that give the Republicans leverage prevent Democrats from doing very much on any issue that costs money.
So why don't the Democrats seek reform? Because, as the LA Times reports on the convention, party leaders are clinging to the impossible dream that they can achieve two-thirds supermajorities in next year's elections.
Good luck with that. Republican weakness does not mean that Democrats are strong. The current legislative system actually exaggerates Democratic strength and support in the state. Consultants who know this world suggest that Democrats are doing about as well as they possibly can. And population gains in California, which will be reflected in new redistricting, are largest in areas represented by Republicans.
But that hasn't disabused Democrats of their fantasy. Assembly Speaker John Perez said at the convention: "It's absolutely clear the only permanent solution for California's problems is to elect a two-thirds majority of Democrats in each house of the Legislature. That work must begin today."
Think how silly that is. A "permanent" two-thirds majority? Do the Democrats intend to suspend elections after they get two thirds. And even with two thirds, Democrats would have to keep a diverse party in line -- and tangle with all kinds of remaining fiscal rules.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
One week out from the rumored date of the unveiling of the new iPhone, Apple has sent out the event's official invitations.
The announcement officially confirms the date -- September 10, at 10 a.m. Pacific -- for the big moment.
In typically cryptic fashion, the invitation shows the white Apple logo, surrounded by bright circles in many colors. "This should brighten everyone's day," it reads.
Represented are all the colors expected for the roll-out of the new inexpensive iPhone, the so-called iPhone 5C, which leaked images show to have a plastic casing in white, yellow, green, orange and blue.
(The invitation also has purple and pink circles.)
Also shown are thin, gray circles, which some have taken as proof of the rumored fingerprint scanner, which is expected to embedded in the phone's 'home' button.
Others suggested the champagne bubble-like pattern is indeed a confirmation that Apple would unveil a gold option for the new flagship iPhone, which has been described as "champagne, not ingot."
Still, commenters have poked fun at Apple's habit of embedding hints in deliberately enigmatic announcements, and the propensity of tech geeks to read everything and nothing into such messages.
"The suggestion of a bokeh background tells us that Apple is actually relocating its headquarters to Boca Raton, Florida," wrote one commenter.
"No, no, no it means that Roy Lichtenstein is being resurrected and given Jony Ives' old job. Bring on the benday dots," added another.
One even joked the circles bore an uncanny resemblance to prophylactics.
But jokes aside, all the rumors, leaks and speculation will come to an end next week, with the coveted devices launching a week or so after that.


text:
Krakatoa Previous Broadcasts
KQED Life: Tue, Feb 10, 2015 -- 8:00 PM
This program revisits the events that led to the Indian Ocean's previously most-devastating tsunami, the eruption of the volcano Krakatoa. Using dramatic recreations and CGI, the program brings the May 20, 188 3, eruption to life. The eruption reduced the island of Krakatoa to a third of its former size and sent waves that reportedly topped 100 feet high crashing onto Asian shores, killing 36,000 people. Segments of the program tie the resulting tsunami destruction to the December 26, 2004, tsunami.
Repeat Broadcasts:
- KQED Life: Wed, Feb 11, 2015 -- 2:00 AM


text:
Gone Girl, the big screen adaptation of Gillian Flynn's best-selling novel, has premiered its first trailer. Watch it below:
David Fincher's film stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as Nick and Amy Dunne, whose marriage is rocked when the latter disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary.
The teaser is soundtracked by a chilling cover of Charles Aznavour's 'She' from Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler.
Flynn, who previously described Fincher as her "all-time favorite director," has written the script for the movie. Reese Witherspoon is producing the thriller alongside Bruna Papandrea and Leslie Dixon.
The film version will deviate from the alternating chapters of the book — Nick and Amy takes turns narrating in the first person — and also feature a reworked ending.
"Ben was so shocked by it," Flynn said of the revised third act. "He would say, 'This is a whole new third act! She literally threw that third act out and started from scratch.'"
"There was something thrilling about taking this piece of work that I'd spent about two years painstakingly putting together with all its 8,000,000 LEGO pieces and take a hammer to it and bash it apart and reassemble it into a movie."
Neil Patrick Harris features in the supporting cast as Desi Collings, Amy's ex-boyfriend, while Tyler Perry will play Tanner Bolt, the lawyer looking to clear Nick of Amy's murder.
Kim Dickens, Patrick Fugit and 'Blurred Lines' music video star Emily Ratajkowski are also among the ensemble.
Fincher's Social Network and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross will reunite with the director to score Gone Girl.
Filming on the project took place last autumn in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Los Angeles. Gone Girl will be released in theaters on October 3.
TELL US: Are you excited to see Gone Girl?
Photo: © 20th Century Fox
This story originally appeared on DigitalSpy.com
From: Digital Spy


text:
What Are Fruit Cobblers and Crisps?
Baked-fruit desserts fall into two main categories – cobblers and crisps. Popular fruits to use in both cobblers and crisps are apples, peaches, and berries. Whichever flavor you prefer, who can resist the aroma of baked fruits infusing the kitchen?
Here's the difference between cobblers and crisps:
Cobblers: Deep-dish fruit desserts in which sweetened fruits (fresh berries or apples are the traditional choices) are topped with a biscuit dough before baking. Almost any type or combination of fruits can be used, and just about any kind of baking dish — round, square, oval, or rectangular.
Crisps: In a crisp, the fruit is baked under a crumbly topping, usually made with flour, butter, and sugar, and sometimes oats, nuts, and spices. This figure shows an example.Credit: Michael Lamotte/Cole Group/PhotoDisc PhotoDisc, Inc.
Fruit cobblers and crisps aren't difficult to make, but a few simple tips will help you to make your baked-fruit creations unforgettable:
Use fresh spices. Baked fruit recipes typically contain spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Smell the spices that have been sitting on your shelf for months or years. If they've lost their enticing fragrance, throw them out and treat yourself to new ones.
Use unsalted butter. Many baked-fruit recipes call for butter — and margarine is no substitute (it doesn't taste as good as butter). Also, the salt in salted butter can affect the delicate sweetness of many baked goods, so go unsalted.
Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Baked-fruit recipes often use lemon juice to keep the fruit from turning brown. The acid in lemon juice slows the oxidation of fruit when exposed to air.
When a recipe calls for fresh lemon juice, never use the bottled reconstituted liquid kind; it tastes more like furniture polish than lemon juice.


text:
One of my favorite meals to make ahead on a Sunday evening is enchiladas. Whether they are rolled, stacked, or in a casserole,the combination of corn tortillas, cheese, chicken or beef and a zesty sauce makes a hearty weekday meal delicious to please a hungry crowd.
The first time I experienced a stacked enchilada, was at Avila's Restaurant in El Paso, Texas. Known for its Tex-Mex flair, their stack of enchiladas was served stuffed with ground beef, roasted corn, and black beans in between layers of flour tortillas; all foreign to someone who had been eating rolled enchiladas her entire life. I loved the look of the stack and the addition of ground beef but I just couldn't get over not using corn tortillas.


text:
Very nearly bought this myself, looks really good. Evans are doing it for £125.
The Massimo Jacket is intended as a high performance winter jacket, capable of tackling the worst of the cold whilst also handling the odd spot of rain. Hailing from Quebec, the folks over at Louis Garneau undoubtedly have plenty of experience of riding in harsh weather; experience which shines through in the fit and features on the Massimo.
The front panels are constructed from 'WindDry 12K' - a multi-layer fabric designed to combine 'waterproof, breathability, and elastic properties'. Closer inspection reveals a complex micro structure with a perforated outer layer covering a mesh inner. In the waterproof-breathable spectrum, I'd say that this fabric leans slightly towards the later whilst still performing OK in drizzle or light showers. For the vast majority of winter riding, you could get away with not carrying a true hard shell and still stay dry. Wind resistance is also good for a soft shell and I never felt the need for anything more on the chest.
The back and sleeves use a combination of 'SS Trainer' outer layer and 'Heatmaxx' inner layer. Naturally, neither are as wind/waterproof as the front panel fabric, but what they lack in weather resistance, they make up for in shear warmth and comfort. The brushed inner is very similar to the ubiquitous Roubaix material used in lots of winter clothing, and feels great against the skin.
All this talk about fabrics aside, the Massimo's prime asset is its fit. This can best be described as performance oriented, so those looking for something a little roomier might want to look elsewhere (or you could use the Massimo as motivation to lose those last few pounds!). The stretchy back and sleeves really allow the jacket to conform to one's torso virtually eliminating any of the unsightly folds that are usually part and parcel of thick winter clothing. The cut is long in the arms and torso which lends itself perfectly to the stretched out cycling position. Both of these are snug fitting with the forearms being especially so. This, coupled with the brushed and elastic fabric, makes the Massimo feel a lot lighter when worn than its bare weight and warmth would suggest. The tail is elongated to provide additional coverage for your lower back and a sticky silicon gripper keeps it in place.
A great feature of the Massimo which I feel should be part of every winter jacket is the two way zip. Often, cycling in winter entails carrying around a mountain of food, tools and clothes to cover every eventuality. Some of this stuff will have to be carried in the jersey pockets and having the option to unzip from the bottom makes getting at these items less of a hassle. The zip itself is a bit of a monster and looks tough enough to survive some serious abuse. Its sheer size and rubberized tab also make it easy to manipulate with numb fingers and thick winter gloves on. The zip is backed by a generous flap of fabric to prevent any wind getting through, and is neatly integrated into the front panel such that it doesn't detract from the sleek aesthetic.
The Massimo jacket features 3 stretchy rear pockets which in my book immediately puts it above jackets with only a single one. You also get a zipped chest pocket for your phone, mp3 or any valuables, with the option to run your headphones through the inside to protect them from the weather.
The overall 'look' is pretty pleasing on the eye in this tester's opinion, with just a couple of medium sized logos on the side panels. In terms of visibility, the back and arms feature some reflective details but this is pretty minimal, although you do get a small loop that you can attach a rear light to.
At £140, the Massimo is undoubtedly an expensive piece of kit, but all its features are well thought out and executed. Winter isn't a time to be scrimping on warmth and functionality, and the quality of construction suggests that it should be good for a couple of seasons at least.
A great fitting winter jacket for the more performance orientated (read: slimmer) cyclist
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Louis Garneau Massimo Long Sleeve Jacket
Size tested: Red - M
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Louis Garneau certainly aren't short selling the Massimo! Here's what they have to say:
"The ultimate in cold weather protection and cycling performance, the Massimo 2 jacket consists of a waterproof, breathable, and stretchable fabric. Yet the fit and comfort of this jacket are unprecedented with brushed inside and inserts on the sleeves with a 4-direction stretch fabric that is form-fitting and provides ease of movement."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
-WindDry 12K
-SS Trainer
-Hidden front zip with sublimated inner flap
-3 angled back pockets
-Welded chest pocket with reversed zip
-Multimedia pocket
-Cycling specific collar
-Mini-light rubber tab
-Signature gripper at hem
-Front, back, and sleeves reflectors
-Front and back reflective logos
-Race Fit
-Weather: Moderate +
Really robust seams all round. Combined with the multiple panels, this results in a really heavy and solid (in a good way) jacket.
Great fit and a perfect combination of wind/waterproof and breath-ability for vast majority of UK winter days
See above notes on construction. The Massimo looks as if it will easily last a couple of seasons of heavy use.
Due to the fit, it feels a lot lighter when worn than its weight suggests
The slim fit and brushed fabric make this the best jacket I've worn in terms of comfort
Yes its expensive, but you also get a lot for your money
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes, even though I'm skint
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
About the tester
Age: 20 Height: 190cm Weight: 70kg
I usually ride: Giant TCR Advanced 2 My best bike is: Canyon Ultimate CF7
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, sportives, mtb,
For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.
3 comments
Wow. Looks great, very flattering design and fit. As a reasonably tall and slim male I've always had issues finding form fitting clothes. Usually it's either too short on the torso or arms, or too loose around the shoulders and chest. Pity that living in Western Aus I'll never be able to use a jacket like this.


text:
MILAN - The Ferragamo summer promises to be young and carefree, with Bermuda shorts, leather sandals and a large backpack the only musts for the warm weather traveller.
To set the mood for the colorful 2014 menswear collection, Massimiliano Giornetti, the label's creative director, created a suitably atmospheric backdrop — a long, white runway was set off by a big blue sky projected on a mega screen.
At the collection's presentation Sunday, the second day of Milan's Fashion Week, Giornetti at times took the summer suit trend of Bermuda shorts and a matching jacket a step further by cutting the sleeves off the jacket, or using unconventional colours such as pea green and lobster red.
The designer also favoured large geometric patterns, a recurring theme in this round of preview collections, and light and billowy overcoats, which are also popular for next summer.
Salvatore Ferragamo, founder of the label, began his rise to fashion fame as a shoemaker in the 1920s. After a stint in Hollywood he set up shop in Florence, where the company still has its headquarters. As the family company expanded it added luxury leather goods and clothing.
Next summer's footwear features a sturdy sports sandal, worn with bare feet or a funky crumpled leather sock.
The new Ferragamo backpack comes in luxurious leather, and is reminiscent of an old-fashioned mountaineering bag.


text:
This is probably obvious but I am getting stuck thinking about it:
Let $A$ be a commutative ring with unity, $M$ a flat $A$-module, and $N\subset M$ a submodule.
Is $N$ necessarily flat over $A$?
I haven't found a simple counterexample, but I also haven't found more than a vague intuitive reason to think so. Thanks in advance.


text:
Constituent Update Special Alert - October 1, 2013
Update on FSIS Operations
Due to a lapse in appropriations for FSIS as of October 1, FSIS has initiated the process of orderly shutdown of nonessential operations. You can view USDA's plans for a lapse in appropriations at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/contingency-plans.
We understand the uncertainty that the current circumstances present for Americans that USDA serves every day, as well as our many partners around the country. Effective today, many FSIS staff will be furloughed pending reinstatement of funding by Congress. These staff will not be available by phone or e-mail, and cannot carry out work for the Agency, until funding is restored.
Meat, poultry and processed egg inspection activities, as well as those services necessary to support inspection activities, will be maintained. Other FSIS functions, such as food safety education - including the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, and label review, will be impacted.
We are committed to keeping you as up to date as possible, within the limits of current circumstances.
Al Almanza


text:
Northampton Saints 24-15 Glasgow, Heineken Cup, Pool 4
Northampton Saints rally to beat Glasgow
October 14, 2012
Northampton's Samu Manoa hands off Glasgow's Sean Lamont during their clash at Franklin's Gardens
© PA Photos
Northampton Saints kicked off their Heineken Cup campaign with a 24-15 victory over Glasgow at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday.
The Premiership side battled back from a 15-0 deficit midway through the first half with two tries from centre George Pisi and further scores from fly-half Stephen Myler and winger Vasily Artemyev propelling the hosts to a valuable bonus point victory over their PRO12 rivals. Myler and Ryan Lamb each booted a conversion to help turn the game around as Saints conceded tries to Glasgow flanker Josh Strauss and wing Sean Lamont after centre Peter Horne kicked an early penalty and converted Strauss' try.
Myler, though, missed four shots at goal that could easily have proved costly, and there is a lot for Saints to work on before they tackle Castres in France next Friday night. Glasgow did not even gain the consolation of a losing bonus point, but they will feel that should have been the minimum return from their journey south. Their forwards' appetite for physical contact - epitomised by Strauss and skipper Al Kellock - at times rocked Saints on their heels, and it took all the Aviva Premiership leaders' poise to retrieve the situation.
But rugby director Jim Mallinder will know that long spells of Saints' performance were below-par, with the Castres trip likely to be a key fixture in their European campaign.
England hooker Dylan Hartley returned to skipper Northampton after recovering from an eye injury as Saints targeted making an immediate statement of their European ambitions two years after reaching the final. England coaching trio Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree were among the onlookers, together with Scotland boss Andy Robinson and his assistant Scott Johnson, as both countries continued formulating plans ahead of next month's autumn Tests.
Glasgow, eager to show Scottish rugby in a far more promising light than Edinburgh following their 45-0 home defeat against Saracens yesterday, dominated early territory and possession. But after hardly seeing the ball for 10 minutes, Northampton almost struck an opening scoring blow when wing Ken Pisi sprinted clear from inside his own 22. Glasgow, though, had enough defensive numbers to thwart the danger.
Ken Pisi was involved with Saints' next scoring opportunity after Glasgow went in front through a Horne penalty, but this time he could not ground the ball under pressure from a superb Lamont tackle. And Glasgow stormed back upfield, launching a succession of drives deep inside Saints' 22 that ended with Strauss touching down. Horne converted, and Northampton had it all to do, 10-0 adrift.
Northampton were visibly frustrated at their failure to finish chances, and matters deteriorated eight minutes later when more impressive work by Glasgow's forwards and some slick passing from their backs ended with ex-Saints player Lamont powering over. Horne could not add the touchline conversion, but Glasgow's 15-point advantage stunned the home crowd during a half the visitors looked to end by pushing for another try.
But Northampton dug deep when they had to, stunning Glasgow with two tries during first-half injury time. George Pisi's opener came after his slashing midfield break sparked a period of concerted attacking pressure, then he finished off superb approach work from his brother Ken as Glasgow's defence found itself scattered to all parts.
Myler converted Pisi's second try, and Saints trooped off just three points adrift when it could have been so much worse. Glasgow were forced into making an interval change when fly-half Ruaridh Jackson, who suffered a knock during the opening 40 minutes, was replaced by Niko Matawalu, with Horne switching to number 10 duties.
But they were powerless to halt increasing Northampton momentum, which was emphasised by a 45th-minute charge from prop Soane Tonga'uiha that created a platform for Myler to score. It was an impressive revival by Saints as Glasgow, for the first time in an entertaining contest, were forced to find answers to some serious questions.
And when Artemyev sprinted over six minutes from the end of normal time, there was no way back for the visitors, although they could yet have a considerable say in the outcome of a group that also includes Castres and Ulster.
"It could have gone a different way, and what you cannot do is underestimate sides in the Heineken Cup. We didn't do that - Glasgow are a quality team," commented Saints boss Jim Mallinder. "They have a big heavy pack with a back-row that gets around the field and backs that can take their chances. We were under a bit of pressure, but what was pleasing was the way we came back and kept our composure. In the second half, we controlled the game."
Glasgow skipper Al Kellock added: "When you break the game down, we were fantastic for the first 30 minutes and then we made silly mistakes that led to two tries. "But it's about moving forward and making sure we learn from it.
"We had the ability to win today and that is credit to the squad we have built. We have got belief. We are in a tough pool, there is no doubt about it, and you need to be able to bounce back quickly in this tournament."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Communication error please reload the page.


text:
The Obama White House, in its own version of the New Year's Eve countdown in Times Square, has added a banner to its website – a clock ticking down the seconds to when taxes on the middle class will rise "if Congress doesn't act."
That tax hit is the 2 percent payroll tax cut now set to expire at midnight, Dec. 31. If Congress fails to at least extend that tax cut, the Social Security tax rate for employees jumps back to 6.2 percent, up from 4.2 percent. If that happens, the average American taxpayer stands to lose about $1,000 in 2012.
Leaders on both sides of the political aisle in Congress offer assurances that by year's end the tax break will be extended. As lawmakers head into an election year, the stakes are simply too high to kick that can down the road. But GOP leaders, especially, are running up against strong opposition from the rank-and-file on anything that looks like caving on pledges to reduce deficits, dramatically cut spending, and reject all tax increases (which are an issue in this case because Democrats propose to pay for extending the payroll tax by a tax hike on millionaires.
In a stunning Senate vote last week, Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky lost more than half of his caucus over a $120 billion GOP proposal to pay for extending the payroll tax cuts by cutting the federal workforce and requiring people with higher incomes to pay more for Medicare.
On the House side, GOP leaders are expected to unveil a new proposal for extending the payroll tax cut and other expiring measures at a closed caucus meeting on Thursday. House leaders want to extend both the payroll tax cut and unemployment insurance, as well as to block mandated cuts in reimbursement rates to physicians serving Medicare patients, the so-called doc fix that Congress has approved for each of the past eight years. All are set to expire on Dec. 31.
In a nod to conservatives, the House GOP package might also advance the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline, linking Canadian oil to Texas refineries, a project the White House has delayed.
House GOP leaders will try again Thursday to rally their caucus to back a new plan. So far, it's been a tough sell. Most Republicans oppose any move to pay for extending the payroll tax cuts by raising taxes on the highest-income taxpayers. Some GOP lawmakers even resist the notion of extending the payroll tax cut, on grounds that it undermines the long-term stability of Social Security and drives the nation deeper into debt.
Many conservative lawmakers emerged from a meeting with GOP leaders Dec. 2 critical of any plan that would make up for the costs of extending the payroll tax cut with general revenue dollars. The US government now borrows about 40 cents of every dollar it spends. Shifting Social Security costs onto general revenue digs deeper deficits, requires more borrowing, and makes it less likely that the Bush-era tax cuts can be extended after Dec. 31, 2012, when they are set to expire, they say.
"I'm honestly conflicted," says Rep. Trent Franks (R) of Arizona. "I've never voted for a tax increase in my life, and certainly don't intend to do so now. The Bush tax cuts will expire next year, and I'm hoping for some type of agreement to prevent that."
There are some signs of bipartisan initiatives to break the gridlock.
In a surprise move, Sens. Claire McCaskill (D) of Missouri and Susan Collins (R) of Maine on Tuesday unveiled a bipartisan proposal to extend the Social Security payroll tax break for employees as part of a larger infrastructure and jobs package.
The two centrists propose paying for the plan by adding a 2 percent tax to incomes over $1 million and by ending some oil industry tax breaks. In a nod to GOP objections, Senator Collins says the plan would exempt small businesses – the "job creators" that GOP lawmakers are wary of taxing at higher rates.
In a briefing Tuesday, Collins said people tell her that "they're frustrated that Washington cannot set aside partisan bickering long enough to agree on a realistic path forward to spur job creation and to boost our economy."
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are preparing to vote anew on the payroll tax cut extension – this time on a proposal by Sen. Bob Casey (D) of Pennsylvania. His plan is a scaled-back version of the Democrats' previous bill, which went down to defeat. It eliminates a proposed new tax break for employers, reducing the overall cost of the Democratic proposal from $265 billion to $185 billion. It extends for one year employees' "holiday" from the payroll tax and expands it by reducing the payroll tax obligation to 3.1 percent, down from a current 4.2 percent. If Congress fails to act, the tax jumps back to 6.2 percent.
The Casey proposal also would have a smaller surtax on incomes over $1 million. Originally, Democrats envisioned raising that tax rate by 3.24 percentage points; the Casey proposal calls for a hike of 1.9 percentage points. His plan also specifies that the surtax will expire after 10 years.
"As the clock continues to tick down, it is imperative that we come together now on a middle income tax cut," he said, in a statement Tuesday.


text:
Bernhard Langer wins 2014 Dick's Sporting Goods Open!
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (AP) -- Bernhard Langer rallied to win the Dick's Sporting Goods Open on Sunday for his fifth Champions Tour victory of the year, while Kevin Sutherland followed his tour-record 59 with a 74 to drop into a tie for seventh.
The 56-year-old Langer closed with a bogey-free 66 for a one-stroke victory over Woody Austin and Mark O'Meara. Langer did not make a bogey in the event and finished at 16-under 200 at En-Joie for his 23rd career victory on the 50-and-over tour
"It doesn't happen very often you go through a tournament without a bogey," Langer said.
Sutherland, the second-round leader, had five bogeys -- four on the first 10 holes -- and three birdies in the final round. Playing his third Champions Tour event since turning 50 in June, he finished at 12 under.
Sutherland said he was pressing too much early.
"So, I made some dumb bogeys," Sutherland said. "Just got myself behind early. I was surprised I didn't play better today. A lot of energy was expended (Saturday) and I think I had a hard time just getting into the round."
Langer said he really wasn't watching the leaderboard.
"I knew I was close," Langer said. "I just tried to keep my head down and make quality shots. When I looked at 16, I saw I was one up on someone who had already finished the round and figured I would be OK if I just parred out."
That he did, and won for the first time with his daughter, Christina, serving as his caddie.
"I was more nervous for her than for me," Langer said. "We hadn't won a tournament with her caddying, though I've won a couple with my son. It's always special when your kids are caddying."
Christina is a junior at Florida Atlantic University.
Austin had a 65, and O'Meara shot 66.
Langer, tied for fifth with Bob Charles on the tour victory list, earned $277,500 to increase his tour-leading total to $2,652,520. The German has three victories in his last five starts.
Steve Lowery had a 72 to tie for fourth at 13 under. After challenging Langer for most of the round he hit into the pond on the par-3 14th en route to a double bogey and dropped another stroke on the par-4 15th.
Lowery birdied Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 11 to take a one-stroke lead at 15 under.
On the 14th, Langer made a 20-foot birdie putt for a three-stroke swin.


text:
Posts Tagged 'equality'
Government - Written Friday, July 16, 2010 by Thomas Gegenhuber - 4 Comments
Time banking: The currency of the social world?
I recently had a look at time banking models in the UK. Without covering the different concepts and applications of time baking, here's the idea in a nutshell: People receive time credits for voluntary and community activities, instead of receiving money or no reward at all. So for hour of activity, one receives one time credit. One principle of time banking is equality, it makes no difference if a doctor or a homeless person performs tasks to earn credits – every activity has the same time credit value. Time credits can then be exchanged for services from other time bank members, for services of community organizations, or leisure activities like free entrance to a theatre show. A local organization organizes and facilitates the exchange. I summarize the idea in a graph: Continue…


text:
apsdogg necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 194 diseños de 59 diseñadores freelance.
Crazy DVD
I currently work in marketing and am sick of all the bad looking online sites trying to easily replicate what their is in stores but end up looking so cheap and nasty. I am creating an easy to understand and use website where people can find not only the new release products such as dvd's and games, but more harder to find items such as specialised documentaries or retro programs from the past that are not in the "top ten" latest products at the local store anymore because it doesn't have vampires in it.
Looking to target people who just want an easier process finding and receiving what they want that are time poor or just don't want to fight the traffic and parking jungle at their local shopping centre. People that are also into topics like documentaries that are not as easy to find such as war, automotive or just classic shows from the past that are not readily available.
Looking to have a clear, professional yet funky design with the Crazy DVD name in it to represent the brand and be the starting point for the look and feel for the website. I did like the red in the example designs but I am open to your creativity and interpretation. Please see the examples that caught my eye in the attached file.
Final file needed to be in all formats including:
Print file format - .ai (CMYK)
Web file format - .jpg and layered .psd (RGB)
EPS file format
Please do not use any stock images or clip art in the logo.
Have fun, and I can't wait to see all the creativity and great designs!
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
The USS Pueblo set out for the chilly waters off North Korea that January day of 1968 on what should have been a routine mission of the Cold War: Carry out electronic surveillance of radar stations and watch for passing ships from the Soviet Union.
But as the Americans were skirting the North Korean coast, the communists swooped and captured the ship and its crew, pushing both nations close to war.
"There were lots of people crying for vengeance," said Jack Cheevers, a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune and Contra Costa Times whose book on the notorious incident was published this month. "Our government was under enormous pressure. People said it was an insult to our flag and that we needed to respond. It's something you could easily see happening today."
Cheevers spent more than a decade trawling through public records as he researched "Act of War: Lyndon Johnson, North Korea, and the Capture of the Spy Ship Pueblo" (New American Library, $27.95, 448 pages). He also interviewed several crew members, including the ship's captain, Lloyd M. Bucher.
What Cheevers was not able to secure for his vivid and engaging account, despite trying, was help from the North Korean authorities.
"I sent a letter to Kim Jong Il, care of the central post office in Pyongyang," Cheevers said. "I really wasn't expecting a response. But then I got an email from a North Korean official at the United Nations, asking for more details."
After exchanging emails, Cheevers suggested they meet for dinner when the official stopped off on the West Coast when returning to North Korea. Shortly afterward, Washington accused Pyongyang of enriching uranium to produce nuclear weapons.
"I never heard from the official again," Cheevers said.
North Korea maintains the Pueblo was in its territorial waters when patrol and torpedo boats surrounded the vessel on Jan. 23, 1968. The United States says the Pueblo, a converted training ship based in Japan with minimum armament, was in international waters.
The confrontation stretched over several hours as the Americans attempted to maneuver away and escape. Sailor Duane Hodges was killed when the North Koreans opened fire. Shrapnel wounded 10 others, including Bucher.
The Americans attempted to destroy sensitive material before the North Koreans boarded, but 600 pounds of it fell into communist hands.
Bucher and the other 81 captured sailors were starved and routinely beaten over the next 11 months. The guards singled out Bucher for especially harsh treatment, including putting the captain before a mock firing squad, Cheevers said.
"He carried himself with a lot of authority," said the Oakland author, who conducted extensive interviews with the retired skipper before he died in January 2004 at age 76. "He had genuine charisma. He was a gregarious man. But he was an emotional man, too."
After the North Koreans threatened to execute his crew, Bucher "confessed" to spying.
What remains unknown is exactly why the North Koreans attacked the USS Pueblo. Cheevers believes the incident must be viewed against the tumultuous events of 1968.
Two days before the Pueblo was captured, communist commandos attempted to assassinate the South Korean president. And a week afterward, North Vietnam launched the Tet Offensive, putting additional pressure on President Lyndon Johnson, just as diplomatic efforts were getting underway to free Bucher and his men.
"The administration was very worried that the Soviets were involved," Cheevers said. "They wanted to know, 'Was it deliberate?' 'Why did it happen?' 'What's the message they are trying to send?' "
Pyongyang released the Pueblo's crew the day before Christmas Eve in 1968. The men walked to freedom across the "Bridge of No Return" at the Military Demarcation Line with South Korea.
Now a floating tourist attraction in Pyongyang, the Pueblo remains a commissioned U.S. Navy ship.
A Navy Court of Inquiry recommended a court martial for Bucher over the loss of the vessel. But Navy Secretary John Chafee said the captain and his crew had suffered enough.
Bucher never expressed regrets about his actions, Cheevers said.
"I think Bucher felt he had been placed in a no-win situation," the author said. "He was trapped and completely outgunned, and it would have been futile to fight. And to his dying day, he believed he had made the right decision: to save the lives of his men."


text:
This event takes place on 16th April 2016 from 10:00am to 4:00pm and will take place at Osmington Village Hall, Shortcake Road, Osmington, nr Weymouth, DT3 6EF. It is a Guild event being organised by The Quilters' Guild of the British Isles, Mareen Rhodes 01305 260581.
Printing Workshop with Alison Hulme
This workshop will explore many ways of printing on fabric including thermofax, stamps and stencils. This is your opportunity to explore printing methods with such an experienced tutor.
Cost will be approx. £25 for Quilters' Guild members and £35 for non-members, plus £10 payable on the day for paint and use of screens.
For more information please contact Maureen Rhodes, 5 Old Vicarage Close, Charminster, Dorchester DT2 9TN.
Telephone:01305 260581
E-mail: email@example.com


text:
Bollywood actors and actresses always come with their different styles called versatility. Every Bollywood actor and actress wants to prove her/him self as an actor who can portray all kind of characters. Today, almost behind every successful actor, there is versatility in performance. Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Vivek Oberoi etc are one of the most versatile actors of bollywood. Here are have collected 20 most amazing, crazy and breathe taking wallpapers/pictures of bollywood actors and actresses.
Aishwarya Rai in an Amazing Role - Movie Raavan
Amitabh Bachchan Gangster Look - Movie Deewar
Imran Khan Zombie Look - Movie Delly Belly
Saif Ali Khan Killer Look - Movie Omkara
Sanjay Dutt Cool Hairstyle and Awesome Look
Sanjay Dutt Killer Look - Movie Deewar
Shahrukh Khan Long Hairstyle Look - Movie Asoka
Shahrukh Khan DON2 Look - Movie DON 2
Vivek Oberoi Bloody Eyes Look
Aamir Khan Different Look - Movie Mangal Panday
Abhishek Bachchan's Fighter Look - Movie Raavan
Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Blood Look - Movie Raavan
Abhishek Bachchan Black Painted Face - Movie Raavan
Wet and Angry Abhishek Bachchan Look - Movie Raavan
Angry Man Look of Abhishek Bachchan - Movie Raavan
Aishwarya Rai - Lonely Girl Look - Movie Raavan
Aishwarya Rai Crying Look - Movie Raavan
Akshay Kumar Awesome HOT Picture
BIG B's Versatile Look
Aishwarya Rai Hanging in Trees - Movie Raavan
No Watermarks Wallpapers, Watermark Free wallpapers, no logo wallpapers, logo free wallpapers, HD wallpapers, High Resolution wallpapers


text:
Come and stay at Nomads Noosa Resort located right in the heart of Noosa and only 800 meters from the Main Beach and... More Info »
Halse Lodge YHA is Noosa's closest hostel to famous Noosa main beach and Noosa National Park. We have a great Bar and... More Info »
G'day and welcome to Noosa Flashpackers. Brand new and purpose built, Noosa Flashpackers has the 'feel' of a resort... More Info »
Nautilus Noosa is a quality, affordable 3 ½ star resort offering comfortable and spacious accommodation to the budget... More Info »
Chill out and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Dolphins Beach House at beautiful Sunshine Beach, Noosa. This secluded,... More Info »
Video guides, travel podcasts, city maps & free city guides. What to eat, where to stay and things to do and see - our travel guides have it all.Find a guide »
We want to make sure that you get to explore as much of Paris as possible and that includes the nightlife scene. We've compiled some of the best places in Paris to check out if ...Read more »
We offer the most comprehensive selection of hostels on the internet with over 33,000 great places to stay in 170 countries. The ultimate online resource for hostels everywhere.Find great value hostels »


text:
Your search didn't match any stores
This contemporary fine art by Kurt Shaffer 'Inspired by Monet''14" x 14" Canvas Stretched - adds a touch of class and elegance to any room this piece is displayed in.
This Web site is intended for use by US residents only. See our delivery policy for full details. Copyright 1998-2019, Staples, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Office Supplies | School Supplies | Business Cards | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | AdChoicesOpens a new window


text:
Project Yosemite is a time-lapse video project set in Yosemite National Park and shot by Colin Delehanty and Sheldon Neill. We started it in January 2012 after meeting through the video sharing website, Vimeo. The idea for the project came to us during our first overnight trip to Half Dome.
On that first trip, we carried loads of camera equipment to Half Dome's summit, where we shot time-lapse all night and through the morning. Being on Half Dome that night felt like being on another planet, a smooth granite surface under our feet and endless space spinning overhead. The morning's sunrise felt like the first proper sunrise we'd ever witnessed. We decided to team up and document the experience together for others to see.
We've been working together since then to capture and share our experiences in Yosemite National Park. We want to inspire others through our work like many others have done for us.
In our latest video, we worked our way deeper into Yosemite National Park and explored some new places not seen in our first video. Continue reading below to learn more about the journey.
If you'd like to help support future projects you can leave us a donation by clicking the donate button.
The best known places in Yosemite National Park are located in Yosemite Valley. When you drive into the valley, sheer granite monoliths tower overhead and waterfalls cascade thousands of feet down to the valley floor. From Glacier Point and other stations along the rim of the valley, you can see deep into the Sierra Nevada. In our video, you can see locations like the Cathedral Range at sunrise, dotting the horizon with jagged edges.
Over 800 miles of trail connect all these places together. If there is a peak or an alpine lake you spy in the distance, there's probably a trail that'll take you there. Trails that pass through Yosemite National Park will even connect you to places as far off as Canada and Mexico. Two of the world's most famous trails, The John Muir Trail (211 miles) and Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles), run through Yosemite.
Through the seasons, the park changes dramatically. Spring waterfalls blanket visitors in a cloud of mist. Warm summer weather melts away high sierra snows to reveal wildflowers. Yosemite can transform itself overnight from fall colors to a winter wonderland. The park itself has been the best source of information for us in deciding when to visit.
See a list of places from our video.
It takes a lot of work to get to most of the locations we shoot. In total, we've hiked more than 200 miles to capture our footage with packs that weigh an average of 70 lbs. The camera equipment makes up the majority of that weight. Along with the cameras, we bring with us special equipment that helps capture moving shots. This makes it possible to track movement and gives the footage a cinematic feel.
Over the last couple years we've received many questions asking how we made the video and what gear we use to capture our shots. We put together a FAQ and gear list to help you better understand our process.
Yosemite attracts between 3 and 4 million visitors per year, with most of those people visiting during July. When temperatures are lower and the weather is clear, climbers flood to the valley to scale its 3000-foot granite walls. We were fortunate enough to connect with the guys behind the Reel Rock Tour to help document Alex Honnold climbing the three tallest rock faces in Yosemite in succession, alone, and in less than 24 hours.
While working on Project Yosemite, another video project emerged called The Muir Project. They made a documentary film titled Mile... Mile & A Half about the John Muir Trail and the group of artists that hiked it in July 2011. Shortly after discovering their project, we teamed up with them for a trip to Yosemite. They generously worked with us to create a teaser video for Yosemite HD II.
On June 26, 2012, we teamed up with thirty other filmmakers to document; One Day in Yosemite. Most of these people we had met online but had never met in person. Steven Bumgardner, the brains behind the operation, assembled the footage into a 14-minute video, which is now part of his Yosemite Nature Notes video series.


text:
For more information, contact:
Sarah Lubeck
(619) 234-8484
This week we sat down with Seth Stein, president of workforce recruitment at Eastridge Workforce Solutions, to discuss how Eastridge is helping companies refine their talent recruitment processes. With Eastridge's Talent Acquisition Assessment, companies can see how their recruitment and technology practices stack up against their peers, providing insight on how to improve and refine current hiring processes.
For more on talent, attend EDC's study release event to see how San Diego stacks up against its peer metropolitan cities in talent attraction and retention on Jan. 14. Register here.
1) Please tell us what Eastridge Workforce Solutions does.
Backed by over 40 years of experience, Eastridge Workforce Solutions makes attracting and managing a skilled workforce easier. We develop strategic workforce management programs, innovative technology platforms, and comprehensive staffing solutions customized for your organization. As the success of an organization relies on its talent, businesses partner with Eastridge to solve their workforce needs and stay ahead of the competition.
2) Identify current obstacles companies face in hiring.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics November 2015 report showed the unemployment rate declined to 4.8 percent, the lowest level in seven years. Across the country, niche positions are becoming increasingly difficult to fill as candidates receive numerous compelling offers.
In the recently published Consumer Price Index Report, consumer confidence in the economy is the highest rate in eight years. Candidates are feeling more confident than ever that they can find a position that offers competitive compensation and career growth. With multiple offers, candidates are demanding higher pay—even for entry-level positions.
As San Diego has shifted to a more candidate-driven market, employers have to quickly revise their hiring strategy. In order to secure top candidates, organizations must have a well-defined recruitment process to ensure consistent and repeatable performance through the hiring life cycle. This measures effectiveness and sets a baseline for ongoing expectations.
Organizations that do not have efficient hiring processes, like quick turnaround time from interviews to offers, are subject to losing top candidates to their competitors. To help HR professionals assess hiring challenges in today's labor market, Eastridge Workforce Solutions developed a Talent Acquisition Assessment to gather data from companies nationwide and learn more about their recruitment performance.
3) How does the Talent Acquisition Assessment enable companies to refine their current hiring processes?
The Talent Acquisition Assessment allows companies to gauge their current recruitment and technology practices against their peers, helping reveal problem areas that exist in current hiring, communication and technology methods.
Organizations that are aware of any gaps that exist in current recruitment processes are better able to secure top candidates and stay ahead of the competition in today's labor market. Companies that have leading edge recruitment technology and proven talent acquisition practices can source, interview, and hire top candidates quicker. Sticking to outdated methods creates gaps in talent acquisition performance.


text:
Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
I'm glad Nick and the animals were saved. He took a huge risk going back to get them.I hope CBS matches the $10,000 she won if she doesn't win AC.
Page created in 0.09 seconds with 34 queries.


text:
- This event has passed.
Esoteric Wisdom Study Group – 7:00pm
January 15 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us in a study group as we journey through the Esoteric Principles called " The Ageless Wisdom" as given by the Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul, via Alice A. Bailey in an astonishing body of work published in 18 volumes between 1920 and 1960. These teachings reveal the nature of existence, the path of the individual Soul and the path of humanity from darkness to Light.
This group meets every other Tuesday, new participants can start anytime. All are welcome.
7:00 -9:00pm
No Cost.
Please contact us to register (289)802-3190
Facilitators: Barbara Bushe and Karthik Raj, both longtime students of the Esoteric Ageless Wisdom, love to share their knowledge on esoteric subjects with those who seek.


text:
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Daily Dose, Cabernet Sauvignon - 2016IndiaCabernet SauvignonRed Wine
MAN Family Wines, Oukalant Cabernet Sauvignon - 2016South AfricaCabernet SauvignonRed Wine
Thelema, Mountain Red - 2014WS 85South AfricaCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, ShirazRed Wine
Apaltagua, Gran Verano, Cabernet Sauvignon - 2017ChileCabernet SauvignonRed Wine
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular and widely planted red grapes in the world; from Old Worlds regions like France (Bordeaux), Italy and Spain to New World regions like California, Australia and Chile. Cabernet Sauvignon wines show a great ageing potential because of high tannin which acts as a preservative for these wines. It shows a great affinity for oak. Young wines typically exhibit strong fruit flavours of black cherries and plum while as the wines age they can sometimes develop aromas associated with cedar, cigar boxes and pencil shavings. New World Cabernet Sauvignon wines have more pronounced fruity notes while Old World wines can be more austere with heightened earthy notes. The aroma of black currants is one of the most distinctive characteristic element of Cabernet Sauvignon that is present in virtually every style of the wine across the globe.
Compare Products
You have no items to compare.
My Cart
You have no items in your shopping cart.


text:
The Showdown continues. In the Showdown, we pick a topic, argue both sides, and then present the results to you. Today, Ben and Frank discuss whether the newly-announced Xbox 360 price drop is a sign of desperation or boldness on the part of Microsoft.
Ben: So now the news is out: with the price cuts coming to the Xbox 360 line tomorrow, September 5, Microsoft will officially have the least expensive console on the market. You can now pick up an Xbox 360 Arcade model for $200, $50 less than the Wii. Of course, you'll need to buy a hard drive for that console, and with Microsoft's insane pricing for their proprietary drives you'll quickly spend more than you would have with a Wii... but at least you'll have next-generation graphics.
These prices, as much as we like to mock the Arcade as an option, are pretty sweet. The Pro model is more than worth $300, and my 360 gets a ton of use, month after month. That being said, no one ever lowers the price on their products unless they are forced to, and Microsoft's crowing about how many systems sell when the price point is under $200 is telling: it wants to get as many butts in front of a 360 as possible to make sure the 3rd party games keep selling, and the 360 remains the system of choice for multi-platform titles.
Microsoft feels Sony breathing down its neck. This is just the latest evidence.
Frank: In a sense, Microsoft trumping the Wii on price was almost inevitable. That extra year on the shelves gave the Xbox 360 an undeniable advantage that has shaped the way this generation's battle has played out. So to say that this is an act of desperation on the part of Microsoft is somewhat crazy: maybe in Japan or even Europe, but in North America, it's pretty clear that the vast majority prefers the Xbox 360.
Microsoft is clearly trying to play to the audience that likes it the best. Sony has been fighting hard to gain ground in North America, but even with all the great new features and better games, Microsoft is still firmly in the lead here. With this price cut, the company hopes to further stretch that gap, bringing in those with a Wii who want something a little more powerful and winning over others who have been holding off for the first sub-$200 platform.
While catching Nintendo is basically out of the question regardless of price, this move will cinch North America for Microsoft from Sony. Unless Sony's platform sees a price drop this year—which doesn't look like it's going to happen—then Microsoft will likely post better results for the upcoming holiday season. Microsoft has made a strong stand against the competition with this drop, and it's less an act of desperation and more a sign that it just can't be caught up to, given its early sprint off the starting line.
Ben: I just fail to believe that Microsoft hasn't done this in reaction to the newfound strength of the PS3 to move titles. Microsoft knows it can't catch up to Nintendo, no one can, and the 360 also does poorly in Japan. If they lose the fight in the US, the war is pretty much over. I'm sure Microsoft has access to much more sales information than the gaming press, and they've been watching the PS3 pick up speed, both in the US and around the world, and Blu-ray has also crushed the HD-DVD drive.
Microsoft doesn't seem to have as strong of a plan to get the hardcore gamer as they do going after the masses that have already drunk the Wii Kool-Aid. That's why the new UI is coming, that's why the avatars are coming, and that's why Microsoft rushed to that $200 price point. It feels like the company is scrambling, and this seems almost like an admission the old strategies weren't working in the face of Nintendo's dominance and Sony's second wind.
Frank: At this point, I don't think Microsoft cares much for what Sony is doing (aside from beating the company in sales). They seem to be paying more attention to Nintendo. What Microsoft is really doing with this price drop and the new UI is refreshing a system that is getting old. Microsoft is boldly trying to completely revitalize its old console, at a software level, and this price point is a key part of that plan.
On the old five year cycle, we would've already been talking about Xbox 3 by now. Rather, now we're talking about a revitalized Xbox platform with tons of big titles coming, both casual and hardcore. The thing is that there are still many gamers who haven't taken the plunge yet, and Microsoft is rebranding its platform to appeal to a bigger crowd: they're trying to follow Nintendo's lead.
That means making the system more accessible, both in usability and in cost, and banking on new types of games, as well as old, established classics. Sony's second wind was one of necessity, but Microsoft's second wind seems to be born more from the notion that the company knows it's reaching its limit with the hardcore gaming crowd in North America—the same limit that Sony realizes and is trying to overcome with games like LittleBigPlanet—and is trying to refresh its image to interest more gamers. That's just the way the game, as it were, is changing.
What say you, readers? Give us your thoughts.


text:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NASA scientists said they discovered a fifth planet orbiting a star outside our own solar system and say the discovery suggests there are many solar systems that are, just like our own, packed with planets.
The new planet is much bigger than Earth, but is a similar distance away from its sun, a star known as 55 Cancri, the astronomers said on Tuesday.
Four planets had already been seen around the star, but the discovery marks the first time as many as five planets have been found orbiting a solar system outside our own with its eight planets, said Debra Fischer, an astronomer at San Francisco State University.
Life could conceivably live on the surface of a moon that might be orbiting the new planet, but such a moon would be far too small to detect using current methods, the astronomers said.
"The star is very much like our own sun. It has about the same mass and is about the same age as our sun," Fischer told reporters.
"It's a system that appears to be packed with planets."
It took the researchers 18 years of careful, painstaking study to find the five planets, which they found by measuring tiny wobbles in the star's orbit. The first planet discovered took 14 years to make one orbit.
They said 55 Cancri is 41 light-years away in the constellation Cancer, a light-year being the distance light travels in one year — about 5.8 trillion miles.
The newly discovered planet has a mass about 45 times that of Earth and may resemble Saturn, the astronomers said.
It is the fourth planet out from the star and completes one orbit every 260 days — a similar orbit to that of Venus.
"It would be a little bit warmer than the Earth but not very much," said Jonathan Lunine, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona.
The planet is 72 million miles from its star — closer than the Earth's 93 million miles, but the star is a little cooler than our own sun.
"If there were a moon around this new planet ... it would have a rocky surface, so water on it in principle could puddle into lakes and oceans," said Geoff Marcy, an astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley.
But the moon would have to carry a lot of mass to hold the water, he said. Water is, of course, key to life.
"This discovery of the first-ever quintuple planetary system has me jumping out of my socks," Marcy added. "We now know that our sun and its family of planets is not unusual."
Marcy and other astronomers strongly believe that many stars are hosts to solar systems similar to our own. But small objects such as planets are very hard to detect.
Technology that would allow scientists to detect planets as small as Earth is decades away, the scientists agreed.
The researchers have been looking at 2,000 nearby stars using the Lick Observatory near San Jose, California, and the W.M. Keck Observatory in Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
They have posted images of what the planets may look like on the Internet here
The inner four planets of 55 Cancri are all closer to the star than Earth is to the sun. The closest, about the mass of Uranus, zips around the star in just under three days at a distance of 3.5 million miles.
Editing by Cynthia Osterman


text:
The Pittsburgh Zine Fair will feature over 30 local vendors, including zine distributors, small press publishers, writers, comic book makers, illustrators, book store zine collections, and even the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's very own zine library! You'll be able to browse their work, buy it, or swap zines. Here are some of the folks we've confirmed so far (in alphabetical order). Check back frequently as we update this page! Acid Rain
Acid Rain includes such zines as: Copy Rats, Dropbucket, Dark Side of the New Age, Randy Roads, Drawings by Ippis Halme, Community News and Events, Halloween Sex, Etc. All are small-run artists zines, mostly consisting of drawings, comics, illustrations, or collages. Xerox zines between 20-30 pages, some have screenprinted covers. Staple Bound, or sewn. Solo and collaborative zines that include artists such as Thad Kellstadt, Jason Polan, Matt Furie, Bill Thelen, and Jerstin Crosby. Costs range from $3-$10.
Amy Catanzano
Amy Catanzano is the author of Multiversal (Fordham University Press), recipient of the 2010 PEN USA Literary Award in Poetry; iEpiphany (Erudite Fangs Editions); and an electronic chapbook, the heartbeat is a fractal (Ahadada Books). Amy recently moved to Pittsburgh from Boulder, Colorado, where she taught creative writing and literature in the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University.
Ashly Nagrant
The Riot is a web-based 'zine inspired by the Riot Grrrl 'zines of the 90's. Concentrating on politics, music, community, self-expression, The Riot's goal is to make feminism relate-able, especially to a teenage audience, and to state that while the movement is worth saving, it also needs major changes which can be made by a younger generation of grrrls. While no physical copies of the 'zine exist, The Riot would be offering physical copies of our free fliers and pages from "The Riot's Great Big Patriarchy-Smashing Activity Book." No, really.
Our Exquisite Corpse is a crowd-sourced surrealist poetry experiment. Readers send in a single line of poetry and after enough have been gathered they are posted as an Exquisite Corpse style poem. Once again, we normally do not offer a physical copy of the 'zine, but at the 'zine fair attendees would be able to pick up a limited edition print copy of all of our existing poems, as well as have the opportunity to contribute a line to a poem to be featured on the 'zine the following day.
Battlefield Saints
Battlefield Saints is a collection of some of the best emerging artists who work, show & live in Western PA. Each poet, graphic designer, illustrator, photographer and painter pours their heart out in a 4x8" space. Not to be missed.
The Big Idea Bookstore Zine Collection
We are dedicated to the active promotion of radical/alternative cultures through community networking and the distribution of literature. We hope to create a safe and accessible space for people to take part in an open and empowering community. We actively support politics and lifestyles that we deem as alternative, multicultural, woman-positive, queer-positive, class-conscious, and all the things that promote a sustainable community.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main Zine Collection
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Main Zine Collection is made up of the donated Comic Release zine collection, which focuses heavily on comics and art zines, and the general adult zine collection, which also has literary, personal, and various types of informational zines, for example zines on activism, biking, gardening, and zine librarianship. We try to have a collection that is balanced across subject areas. We do have some zines in the collection because of their historical significance, but we have more contemporary zines than archival material.
Christine M. Soltis
Christine M. Soltis was born and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. Her deepest passion is in fiction writing and has been for the past eight years. Of her twelve written novels, five have been released to the public, along with three poetry books and two short story compilations. In addition, she is co-writer of two film scripts and creates her own book cover photos and promotional videos.
Christine has had poetry published, is a former contributor to Pittsburgh's Verdure Magazine and is a current contributor to the Yahoo Network, as well as travel sites EscapeWizard.com and WhatsCheaper.com. In addition to her writing, she made her acting debut in E-Nertia Global's production of A Chemical Skyline, which was an Amazon best-seller for monster horror. She also acted as an extra in Evenings in Quarantine: The Zombie Opera and How to Interview A Vampire. She attended Point Park College and has worked in newsradio since 2002. In 2011, she was an exhibitor at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Websites: http://darkwriters.tripod.com and http://christinemsoltis.yolasite.com
Copacetic Comics
The Copacetic Comics Company – dedicated to promoting creator owned and published work since 2001, and currently located in Polish Hill – will be on hand with a healthy-sized cross-section of its comprehensive collection of small-press, micro-press, and self-published comics, zines and books from North America and Europe. Many rarities, obscurities and items with print runs under 100 will be in the mix.
Crinkled Comics
Crinkled Comics is the flag under which the venerable Juan José Fernández self-publishes his comics. Juan was born in Venezuela in 1990, moved to Spain and finally found himself in Cleveland, Ohio. He's been writing and drawing comics since 2009. He aspires to study at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont in the Fall of 2012. This blog is a smattered collection of his journey into the world of comics.
Cyberpunk Apocalypse
The Cyberpunk Apocalypse is a writers' cooperative work & event space, residency program, and publication based out of Upper Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh PA. Since 2009 the Cyberpunk Apocalypse has hosted countless readings, writing groups, lectures, and various writing related events. We are glad to provide an outlet to writers to present and share their unique perspective. Our library has a take-a-book leave-a-book section, a permanent zine collection, and a few titles in the permanent book collection. To peruse the titles in our library, feel free to visit during any event at the space or any open hours.
Devour is a vegan, seasonal cookzine by Sara Grozanick featuring a linoprint cover and hand-sewn binding. Check out the summer issue, out just in time for the Pgh Zine Fair on September 1st! . .
Encyclopedia Destructica
Encyclopedia Destructica is a community-based artist book publisher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Encyclopedia Destructica publishes hand-bound artist books and zines. Additionally, Encyclopedia Destructica produces and hosts cultural events including readings, binding parties, screenings and book releases. We are inspired by the need to explore, create and distribute contemporary art and culture in an accessible way that encourages community participation and involvement.
Erin Oh
Erin Oh first began making zines in 2010 and has put out 5 since then. They are: Dream Zine, I dreamt my nostrils had teeth (the anthology), Conversations I wish I had, Earliest Childhood Memory, and Unusual Attitudes. More info here at: erinohsays.wordpress.com
Gabe Felice
GAMES VS. RECIPES = EPELODEUS TRICERATOPS (OR G.V.R.E.=E.T. FOR SHORT...) by Gabe Felice is a zine with fake recipes, drawings and games. One of the games is called Silly Bulls (syllables). It is a weird word game in the zine in which the clues are illustrations that the reader must look at and sound out what the sentence is - the reader is encouraged to write their answer in the blank answer box.
Hyacinth Girl Press
Hyacinth Girl Press is a micro-press that plans to publish up to 4 poetry chapbooks in the upcoming year. We will specialize in handmade books of smaller press runs. We consider ourselves a feminist press and are particularly interested in manuscripts dealing with topics such as radical spiritual experiences, creation/interpretation of myth through a feminist lens, and science. We think outerspace, in particular, is pretty darn cool.
While we are interested in poetry that deals with the otherworldly, we are not interested in being preached to. The ultimate goal of Hyacinth Girl Press is to bring feminism, mysticism, and scientific inquiry together with awesome poetry.
Justseeds Artists' Cooperative
Justseeds Artists' Cooperative is a decentralized network of 26 artists committed to making print and design work that reflects a radical social, environmental, and political stance. With members working from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Justseeds operates both as a unified collaboration of similarly minded printmakers and as a loose collection of creative individuals with unique viewpoints and working methods. We believe in the transformative power of personal expression in concert with collective action. To this end, we produce collective portfolios, contribute graphics to grassroots struggles for justice, work collaboratively both in- and outside the co-op, build large sculptural installations in galleries, and wheatpaste on the streets – all while offering each other daily support as allies and friends.
Ker-bloom! is a life history letterpress printed in installments every other month for the past fifteen years. Begun in the SF Bay Area, the zine moved to Pittsburgh in 2007 as part of a grander plan for a dream printshop.
Little Tired Press
Little Tired Press is a collaborative and community minded independent publisher that focuses on inspiring and promoting the talent that is discovered daily in Pittsburgh, PA and beyond. The flagship publication that drives the success of Little Tired is a monthly comics anthology called Andromeda and is now on it's 15th issue. In addition to sparking artistic expression, Little Tired also seeks to organize events and happenings that further promote the arts and culture in our community. Illustration and design services are available for purchase through all artists associated with our merchandise and Little Tired acts as a connection between the client and artist. We are currently considering a physical location to facilitate sales, collaboration and events, however until then Little Tired can be communicated and bought from online and in various local book sellers. Here are just a few: facebook.com/andromeda, etsy.com/shop/littletired, Copacetic Comics Co., Awesome Books, and the Big Idea Bookstore.
Lizzee Solomon
Lizzee watched way too many cartoons as a child, and is now an artist who draws disgusting, scary, sexy comics. She will be peddling zines of collected comic shorts from the past year, as well as mouth-watering prints and original artwork. Lizzee has been known to appear in Andromeda, and you can see more at www.lizzeesolomon.com.
Nick Marino and Justique Woolridge
Nick Marino and Justique Woolridge are storytellers working in comics and prose, self-publishing tons of minicomics, zines, and more. At this year's PGH Zine Fair, they're debuting their "Tales for a New Gen" zine, featuring four short stories and original artwork. They also have collections of their webcomics -- Super Haters and Time Log -- plus lots more unique offerings (and freebies!).
Nils Balls
Nils Balls lives in a crooked old house, on the North Side of Pittsburgh, where he draws comics and drinks beer. Nils' comics are published monthly in the Northside Chronicle and lots more of his work can be seen via the internet at www.skeletonballs.com
O'Ryan lives between Pittsburgh, PA and Buckhannon, WV. He makes comics and jewelry and paintings and tattoos and street art and music and food and is a clown in the circus. His comics thus far are Herk 1 – 4, and a short comic entitled, ♪. . .
tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE
tENTATIVELY, a cONVENIENCE published his 1st bk in 1977 & his 1st (maga)(zine) in 1979. Since then, he's cranked out 100s of other obscure publications w/ content so unhip & esoteric (& original) that even the vast majority (or entirety) of the zine world has no interest in them. [foto & sculptures: Paula Gillen]
Thom DeLair
Thom DeLair has been illustrating his whole life and considers the beginning of his comic making career sixteen years ago. His most notable work is The Development Committee, a collection of over four hundred single frame black and white comics, often with a gag flavor. The central theme to this work is that there is no theme at all, with subject matter fleeting from one topic to another, although certain subject matter is trapped within Thom's own personality and has a distinctly American humor. Aside from The Development Committee Thom has self published twenty three other narrative based comics (some of which will be at the zine fair) as well as seven audio comics. Other then comics Thom is an oil painter, mural painter, actor/director, performance artist, dungeon master, lover of ancient history, Secular Presbyterian, professional dishwasher, a kind friend and a chain smoker.
Tom Dewing
Attack of the Zombie Soy Bot! (Aofzsb!) is a comics zine that deals with mostly comical side of my life. . . . .
Mr. Roboto Project Zine Library
Mr. Roboto Project seeks to build up a collection of independent and alternative magazines that frequently slip under the radar of many bookstores and libraries. .
Paulette Poullet
Paulette Poullet has been making zines since 1994. She is known for strange and interesting diary comics, illustrated opinionated pop culture rants and satirical tirades with a penchant for the old-timey. Her work can be seen in Unicorn Mountain 2 and the Toonseum's NORTH: A Graphic Guide To Pittsburgh's North Side. She is currently studying graphic design and is illustrator and web designer for the New Yinzer.
Unicorn Mountain
Unicorn Mountain is a Pittsburgh based collective of artists that publishes independent comics, art, music and literature. We are always busy, creating books and merchandise featuring the work of regional artists and writers. There have been good things said about us, and we enjoy talking about, growing and distributing our work.
Virginia is a People Name
The premiere collection of comic oddities and delights by Pittsburgh native Virginia Shields. Mostly based on real life, with a sprinkle of the fantastic. Virginia has been drawing comics for as long as she can remember, but this is her first zine. And 4 out of 5 sasquatches agree, its pretty groovy! .
Workshop 13
Workshop 13 is sci fi comics and slice of life by Shawn Atkins. Explorers of the Unknown is about 5 friends and the adventures they have through the paranormal and sci fiction. Gello Apocalypse is about a girl named kat and the trials and tribulations of every day life, with robots and conjoined twins.